'Top End' Northern Territory

Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk) National Park

Katherine is on the junction of the Victoria and Stuart Highways and is a significant regional centre. Katherine, 320 Km (200 miles) south east of Darwin, has grown up along a two mile stretch along the southern bank of the Katherine River.

See Katherine Region Map

Katherine Gorge, in Nitmiluk National Park is 30km north east of the town and is one of the biggest tourist attractions in this part of the Northern Territory. The national park is jointly administered by the National Parks and Wildlife Commission and the original Aboriginal owners, The Jawoyn.

This vast park (over 200 000 ha) includes Katherine Gorge which consists of thirteen individual gorges, separated by rocks and boulders, which have been eroded through the surrounding red couloured limestone cliffs over thousands of millions of years. The organised boat tours are perhaps the best way to see the majesty of Katherine Gorge but you can also canoe, bushwalk or take a scenic flight.

There are also examples of Aboriginal rock paintings of Jawoyn Dream Time stories, plants and animals and also preserved ceremonial sites throughout the park.

Mercure Inn Hotel Katherine

Four kilometres south of Katherine on the main highway. Attractive tropical gardens contain a shaded swimming pool and tennis court for relaxation,

Edith Falls

Katherine is 60km south of the Edith Falls which are also within the Nitmiluk National Park. The falls comprise a series of cascading waterfalls interspersed with rock pools before the main drop . At the base of the falls is a large pool which is popular for swimming and just cooling off in the tropical heat. The flow of the falls varies depending on the time of year and they are at their most impressive during 'The Wet'  (November - April), however this is not a popular time to visit the 'Top End'.

Cutta Cutta Caves

30 km To the south of the Katherine are the equally beautiful and unique Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park and Flora River National Parks. The Cutta Cutta Caves are the remains of a submerged reef system which existed hundreds of millions of years ago. Organised tours are the best way to see of the caves which contain a host of wildlife including a unique blind shrimp (which is the descendant of the sea life which were isolated when the sea levels fell) , 'Ghost Bats' and snakes.

Katherine town itself has many parks, riverside walking paths, secluded picnic or fishing spots, a golf course, rodeo ring and heritage listed buildings.

There is much to see of historical interest with museums, galleries and heritage walks and drives. Katherine is situated near the Warumungu Aboriginal Land Trust. For any of the Aboriginal Land Trusts, permits are required (can be hard to come by for the casual visitor) if venturing off public roads which pass through the zone.

Vast Distances

Throughout the Northern Territory, distances between townships or settlements can be great and there are vast tracts of largely un populated land which may require permission from Aboriginal Land Authorities to access.

Travel through the Northern Territory should be treated with the utmost respect. Careful preparation must be made if you are thinking of venturing out alone as people have been known to succumb to the conditions in just a few hours. In addition, during the monsoon season, some roads throughout the 'Top End are often made unpassable by flooding.