Nitmiluk National Park

Cruise, paddle, walk or fly

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. As you observe the cliff faces towering over the boat, sit back and listen as the Traditional Owners of the park, the Jawoyn people, transport you into a spiritual world of their culture and history.

Reach for the sky in a scenic flight over the park. Offering the most magnificent views from the air, a helicopter flight is a must-do experience, 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.

The many walks in Nitmiluk National Park range in distance and difficulty. 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.

Walk the Jatbula Trail

For a trip of a lifetime walk the five-day, 62km Jatbula Trail. The reasonably difficult trail, for experienced hikers, is named after an ancient Aboriginal songline (paths across the land) used by the Jawoyn people that passes waterfalls, monsoon rainforest, stone country and Aboriginal rock art.

The trail starts at the Visitor Information Centre at the entrance of Nitmiluk Gorge and ends at Leliyn (Edith) Falls.

Natural swimming holes

Soak up the landscape as you cool off in the tranquil waters of Leliyn (Edith) Falls, on the park’s western boundary. Swimming at both the lower and upper pools is a must, with the upper falls offering a particularly special swim among picture-perfect rock formations.

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.

Aboriginal owners

Learn about the cultural and spiritual significance of the gorge for its traditional owners, the Jawoyn people. The Nitmiluk Visitor Centre is located at the entrance to Nitmiluk Gorge and should be your first stop when visiting the national park.

For thousands of years the Jawoyn people have maintained their culture and traditions through the stories passed from one generation to another – the Dreamtime. Nitmiluk is the Jawoyn name for Katherine Gorge. It’s pronounced ‘Nit-me-look’, and literally means ‘Cicada Place’.

There are many Aboriginal rock art paintings on sandstone walls throughout the gorge system, some of which are thousands of years old. Take a tour to learn about the traditions, stories, ceremonies and the significance of the land from a local guide.