Imagine stupendous gorges, deep blue water, gold red rock faces and picturesque sandy beaches. The reality is everything and more. Ancient sandstone cliffs reflect the colour, light and shade of a timeless landscape.
And the best bit, Nitmiluk National Park, also known as Katherine Gorge, is very accessible.
Nitmiluk gorges offer a great introduction to families and kids.
- Nitmiluk Park is very accessible and family friendly. The boat trip from the 1st gorge to the 2nd gorge involves an easy 500 metre walk with boulders covered in grip safety walk mats and/or a firm concrete path. The leisurely walk gives you the opportunity to absorb the beauty of the gorge.
- Explore the world-famous park and gorge country on foot, by canoe, boat or helicopter.
- Kids will have their questions answered with plenty of information plaques dotted throughout the park.
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The Katherine River carved a series of 13 gorges creating over 12 km of sheer rock deep gorges. The height of the cliffs is over 70 metres. The eroded cliffs are largely ancient sandstone.
Discover the ancient culture of the Jawoyn people, custodians of the region. Jawoyn people operate Nitmiluk Tour within Nitmiluk National Park and is the exclusive provider for touring the Nitmiluk Gorge. In Jawoyn, Nitmiluk means “place of the cicada dreaming”.
There is no independent travel allowed in the gorge, all visitors must register for a park pass at one of the two visitor centres. There is a visitor centre located at the entrance to the 1st gorge (Katherine) and another in the town, Katherine about 30 km from the gorge entrance. Tours can be booked at the same time as well as online. Visitors can undertake self-guided tours within the park, in particular on the canoe and walking trails.
Plan several days to soak in the atmosphere of a timeless environment where nature is in charge of what you see and do. There are options within the National Park. Choose from camping, to chalets through to the upmarket Cicada Lodge.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN NITMILUK NATIONAL PARK
- Hire a canoe and paddle along the gorges to see waterfalls, ancient Aboriginal rock art and wildlife. Feel the oars pushing through the water as you set your own pace, taking in the magic and the enormity of the impressive gorges. Canoes are available for hire or permits can be obtained for those wishing to use their own.
- Watch the gorge move through a spectrum of colours and glowing hues on a sunrise or sunset river cruise. A must do activity. You are at eye level with the water, with cliff faces towering over the boat. Your guide will bring you into their perspective with a passionate rendition of their world.
- Aerial views are another must do experience. A scenic flight over the park offers views from the air,showing the gorge system, Arnhem Land escarpment and local wildlife from a different perspective. Flights leave from the nearby Visitor Centre with some options including an exclusive swim in one of the harder to reach gorges.
- Edith Falls (Leilyn), a quick detour off the main highway. The falls are a flat 125 metre walk from the parking area. Swimming is permitted at Edith Falls and it is a waterhole in the middle of the outback and there is enough space for everyone. You will have zen moments floating in dark green water with the horizon to horizon blue sky above. Once you have finished swimming, either set up for a picnic in the shady grounds, or purchase food from the on site kiosk. There are toilet facilities at Edith Falls.
- If you have time for a full day or overnight walk, you can follow the track to Sweetwater Pool, a secluded swimming hole where the waters mimic the sky in a spectacular display. If you do not feel claustrophobic you can paddle through the narrow chasms of Butterfly Gorge, a quiet, shaded gorge with rocky walls that are home to thousands of butterflies.
NITMILUK NATIONAL PARK WALKS
- Baruwei Lookout Walk, with its birds-eye view of the Katherine River. It’s a short one hour walk with a few steep sets of stairs, but the reward is a bird’s eye view of the landscape. A must do experience.
- The Windolf Walk is a moderately challenging track that winds along Katherine River and up to Pat’s Lookout for a sweeping view of the gorge. The 8.4km return track includes access to the picturesque Southern Rockhole – a seasonal waterfall.
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- Walk the Jatbula Trail (experienced trampers) only.
For a tramp of a lifetime, walk the multiple day (5-6), 58 km Jatbula Trail. The trail is a difficult trail, due to the uneven surface and the climbs through areas where there is not a formed track. The trail is named after an ancient Aboriginal songline used by the Jawoyn people that passes waterfalls, monsoon rainforest, stone country and Aboriginal rock art.
Songlines are walking maps created with oral geographic location songs. The songline is a path of where to go and what you will observe on the way.
The Jatbula Trail is named for Peter Jatbula, a man who was instrumental in securing land rights for his people. Forward bookings are required in the peak walking season from June to September. The trail starts at the Visitor Information Centre at the entrance of Nitmiluk Gorge and ends at Leliyn (Edith) Falls.
WHAT CAN YOU DO NEARBY NITMILUK NATIONAL PARK?
- Explore Katherine with its Heritage Museum and galleries. Learn about the cultural and spiritual significance of the gorge for its traditional owners, the Jawoyn and Dagomen people.
- Go birding and observe the tropical plumage of blue-winged kookaburra, black-tailed treecreeper. Walk slowly and look down and up.
- Visit the historic gold rush settlement of Pine Creek, a quiet rural settlement with a great backstory.
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- Enjoy exploring Edith Falls, Visit Leliyn (Edith Falls) in Nitmiluk National Park. Snap your own selfie as plunge into the beautiful pools, surrounded by the red tinted escarpment. To get there, follow the Stuart Highway north from Katherine for 40km then take another sealed road for 20km.
- Explore Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park, 30 km from Katherine is home to over 170 species of birds, including the vulnerable hooded parrot.
- Soak in nature’s treat, the natural hot springs located in the Elsey National Park.
HEALTH AND SAFETY TIPS WHEN VISITING THE RED CENTRE, ULURU & KATA TJUTA MOUNT OLGA
Uluru Weather Forecast | Today’s Local Weather Forecast check the weather forecast, summer temperatures are deadly
The best time to visit Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is between May and September when the days are dry and warm, but not scorching. Summer trips are possible however soaring daytime temperatures in excess of 40 + c will lead to walks being closed from 9.00 am due to heat stress danger.
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- Flies and the Northern Territory. Carry a mosquito head net with you. Carry spares for yourself and the kids.
- Start as early in the morning as possible. Plan to spend the afternoon at the pool relaxing before the sunset moments
- Freeze water in the hotel / accommodation fridge and carry lots and lots of water.
- Make sure you are well-protected against the sun. You should wear long-sleeved cotton shirts, a sun hat, and sunglasses and don’t forget sunscreen SPF 50+.
- Sturdy closed footwear as you might have to negotiate loose rocky terrain.
CROCODILE SAFETY – BE CROC WISE
Crocodile safety: Be Crocwise | NT.GOV.AU
Saltwater crocodiles are dangerous to people and pets. You should always be aware of the risk of a saltwater crocodile attack in all Top End waterways. It is never 100% safe to enter the water.
Your personal safety is your responsibility. Katherine River and the Gorges have been known to harbour saltwater crocodiles. While the Gorges are closely monitored, always check with the tour operator before entering the water.
CAN YOU SWIM IN NITMILUK KATHERINE GORGE?
Swimming is allowed in Nitmiluk Katherine Gorge, the 2nd and 3rd gorge under the guidance of the rangers between July to September. If a waterway does not have a swimming area sign, do not swim in this area. There may still be danger if there is no sign.
The area may not be safe or free from saltwater crocodiles. It is safe to swim in all public and private swimming pools. It is safe to swim in some areas at certain times of the year (April to October) however advice from the local authorities is necessary.
WHERE IS NITMILUK NATIONAL PARK LOCATED IN THE NORTHERN TERRITORY?
Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge) is located 278 km from Darwin with the town of Katherine a further 30 km south on the Stuart Highway.
Gorge Rd, Nitmiluk NT 0852, Australia is sealed
There are 2 main sections to the park:
- Nitmiluk Gorge to the south
- Leliyn (Edith Falls) to the north.
It’s a 90km drive between the 2 sections. Leliyn (Edith Falls) is a popular swimming hole and campground for visitors and locals, located 60 km north of Katherine via sealed road, accessed via the Stuart Highway.
Conditions and access to parks in the Northern Territory (NT) can change at short notice.Extreme weather conditions can be experienced in the region. When you plan your trip and before you leave home, you should check:
- IS THE PARK OPEN, CHECK HERE
- The road conditions on the Road Report website
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