027 - Meander the Katherine Gorge

Katherine Gorge, NT

The big question is not whether you should experience the world famous Nitmiluk Katherine Gorge, but how? Do you walk, canoe, boat or fly around the 12km-long series of 13 stunning gorges? With highly reflective waters and stark, 70m-high walls, Nitmiluk is picture-perfect, and a magnificent experience from start to finish.

There are more than 100km of walking trails around the gorge, allowing visitors to take their time and meet much of the wildlife abundant in this lovely area, including the fish. The entire area around Katherine, located 340km south of Darwin, is characterised by limestone formations with bubbling thermal springs - and plenty of convoluted cave systems. To the south of Katherine is Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park, featuring the Cutta Cutta cave, which is open to the public.
 

“Canoeing up the gorge amongst the crocs with the red cliffs rising up on either side is just spectacular.”
- David Koch

Did you know?
The ground around Katherine, honeycombed with caves, caused problems in WWII when airstrips were built in the area and collapsed into caves. Even today there are people in Katherine with holes in their backyards.

How to get there
Qantas and Virgin Blue offer frequent flights to Darwin from most major cities in Australia.

From Darwin, drive 315km south along the Stuart Highway. The Nitmiluk Katherine gorge is located 29km from Katherine, along a sealed road.

Best time to go
The most comfortable time to visit the Top End is in June and July. However, if you can handle hot and sticky weather, the Wet (January-March) is great for enjoying a lush and green landscape and barramundi fishing.

Further information
Useful websites:

www.krta.com.au
Katherine Region Tourism Association

www.travelnt.com/regions/katherine/region_katherine_sur.htm
Official site of the Northern Territory Tourism Commission