Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park 
180,352ha.
Katherine Gorge ranks with Kakadu National Park and Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock/Uluru) as one of the three great tourist magnets of the Northern Territory.
Under the Aboriginal land rights legislation the area northeast of Katherine was returned to its original native owners, and was then leased back to the government. The National Park is managed jointly by the Conservation Commission and the Aborigines.
Katherine Gorge ranks with Kakadu National Park and Uluru National Park (Ayers Rock/Uluru) as one of the three great tourist magnets of the Northern Territory.
Under the Aboriginal land rights legislation the area northeast of Katherine was returned to its original native owners, and was then leased back to the government. The National Park is managed jointly by the Conservation Commission and the Aborigines.
|
Must-see attractions nearby:
|
The main scenic attraction is the series of gorges, up to 100m deep, which the Katherine River has cut through the soft sandstone of the southern Arnhem Land plateau. During the dry months the Stuart River carries little water, leaving a series of pools separated by rocks and boulders.
The river is at its most impressive during the wet season, when it surges tumultuously through the narrow gorges. The difference in water level between the wet and dry seasons is more than 10m.
The system of canyons with their side gorges has a total length of 12 km; further upstream the valley opens out. The perennial flow of the Katherine River nourishes a luxuriant growth of vegetation, in contrast to the dry sandy and stony soil of the Arnhem Land plateau. The park has an abundance of birds (more than 160 species have been recorded) and numbers of freshwater crocodiles (shy creatures which are best seen in the early morning). The tall rock walls of the gorges are at their most impressive when seen from a boat (two-hour, half-day and whole-day trips; canoe rental).
In addition to boat trips through the gorges (much in demand, book early) there are ample opportunities for seeing the park on walking trails (starting from visitor center).
The possibilities range from a walk to the viewpoint above the first gorge (4.5 km; about 2 hours) to a 5-day hike to the Edith Falls in the northwest of the park. A very beautiful and impressive trail is the Butterfly Gorge Walk, a 4-hour walk up a side valley in the Katherine Gorge, the home of a host of colorful tropical butterflies. There are also a number of more strenuous walks, to be undertaken only by experienced and properly equipped walkers.
Helicopter flights are also on offer.
The river is at its most impressive during the wet season, when it surges tumultuously through the narrow gorges. The difference in water level between the wet and dry seasons is more than 10m.
The system of canyons with their side gorges has a total length of 12 km; further upstream the valley opens out. The perennial flow of the Katherine River nourishes a luxuriant growth of vegetation, in contrast to the dry sandy and stony soil of the Arnhem Land plateau. The park has an abundance of birds (more than 160 species have been recorded) and numbers of freshwater crocodiles (shy creatures which are best seen in the early morning). The tall rock walls of the gorges are at their most impressive when seen from a boat (two-hour, half-day and whole-day trips; canoe rental).
In addition to boat trips through the gorges (much in demand, book early) there are ample opportunities for seeing the park on walking trails (starting from visitor center).
The possibilities range from a walk to the viewpoint above the first gorge (4.5 km; about 2 hours) to a 5-day hike to the Edith Falls in the northwest of the park. A very beautiful and impressive trail is the Butterfly Gorge Walk, a 4-hour walk up a side valley in the Katherine Gorge, the home of a host of colorful tropical butterflies. There are also a number of more strenuous walks, to be undertaken only by experienced and properly equipped walkers.
Helicopter flights are also on offer.
Things to See
Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park
Box 344
Katherine, NT 0851
Australia
Box 344
Katherine, NT 0851
Australia
Access via asphalted road from Katherine. During the wet season it may be temporarily closed because of flooding and there may also be restrictions within the park.
Guides
Audio-visual presentations available.
