Katherine Region in 7 days Art, culture, national parks & history

With 7 days to discover the beauty of Katherine and surrounds, you’ll see how this region is prime adventure territory. Discover gorges, waterholes, waterfalls and thermal springs and learn about the traditional owners on a cultural tour.

With Nitmiluk National Park, Katherine Hot Springs and Elsey National Park only a stone’s throw away, your days will be jam-packed with activities.

Start your engine

The town of Katherine is only a 3.5 hour drive south of Darwin on the Stuart Highway, with many great things to see and do along the way.

Take in the history at Adelaide River

The Adelaide River Inn is the perfect place to refresh with a cool drink and meet ‘Charlie’ the Buffalo who starred in Crocodile Dundee. While you’re in the town of Adelaide River visit the Adelaide River War Cemetery, a reminder of the impact of Katherine in WWII and the wider Territory, commemorating military and civilian casualties.

Discover the Pine Creek pioneers

Further along the road is Pine Creek, a town with pioneering and gold mining history. Visit the National Trust Museum and wander around Pine Creek Railway Precinct, an important transport hub during the 1870s mining boom and WWII.

Afterwards, stop in for lunch and a cool drink at the Lazy Lizard Tavern and Caravan Park. Be sure to check out the uniquely carved images of local wildlife onto the termite mound mud brick structure while you're at the outback Tavern.

Experience the wonders of natural thermal springs

Next stop, a dip in the Katherine Hot Springs, a series of clear pools fed by natural thermal springs. On the banks of the Katherine River, it’s a great place to relax and enjoy a picnic. 

If you’re up for more excitement, check out local's tips for Katherine along with Pop Rocket Café. Here you can hire high quality on and off-road bikes for self-guided and guided tours. Explore the trails at your own pace or join an organised bike tour tailored to your needs.

Where to spend the night in Katherine

There are many accommodation options for where to spend the night in Katherine, including central hotels, backpacker hostels, campsites and executive suites.

Enjoy a Territory toastie

Stop in at the Black Russian Caravan Bar for the best smoky bean jaffle you’ll ever have. Tasty treats are served hot from the retro pop-up van in the grounds of the Katherine Visitor Information Centre. There are shaded areas for the kids to play while you savour your toasties, washed down with one of the best lattes in the NT.

Spend the morning immersed in art

Call in at the Aboriginal art galleries in Katherine to browse or invest in some original pieces by artists from the region and beyond. You may even be lucky enough to meet the artist.

Gallop-Thru-Time Gallery and Framing offers a comprehensive range of Aboriginal and contemporary art from the Katherine region. There's a resident framer on hand to offer expert advice on framing, packaging and shipping for your convenience.

Visit Top Didj Art Gallery on the way to Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge and pick up a piece of genuine Aboriginal art. The gallery works closely with local artists and their families to display a world-class collection of ethically produced Aboriginal art.

Start your day at Nitmiluk Visitor Centre

Just 30km up the road from the township of Katherine is the world-renowned Nitmiluk National Park. Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge is a network of 13 gorges carved by the Katherine River from billion-year-old sandstone country. Start the day at the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre for advice on the many ways you can experience the spectacular gorge – you can walk, swim, canoe, boat or fly.

There’s a cafe at the visitor centre where you can take a break and appreciate the views overlooking the gorge or wander through the many cultural displays.

Grab a paddle, or cruise along

If you’re feeling adventurous, hire a canoe and experience Nitmiluk Gorge from a completely different perspective. Relax and allow yourself to drift on an unforgettable journey surrounded by the dramatic cliff faces of the gorge. Take a packed lunch and enjoy a break near some fresh rock pools or hire a canoe overnight and camp out under the stars.

If you’d rather take a guided boat tour of Nitmiluk Gorge check out one of the many boat cruises on offer. The dinner cruise is highly recommended (dry season only). Enjoy commentary on a guided cruise to learn about flora, fauna and ancient Aboriginal rock paintings along with the culture of the traditional owners, the Jawoyn people.

Explore by foot

Another great way to see the areas surrounding Katherine is by walking or hiking. Follow a well-marked track over sandstone plateaus for a short walk, or embark on a multi-day hike. The 60km Jatbula Trail takes in most of Nitmiluk National Park’s landscapes: monsoon rainforest, stone country, upland swamp, woodland and rock pools with waterfalls.

Spend the night in accommodation that suits you

There are many diverse accommodation options to choose from in the Katherine area. Pitch a tent or book a powered campsite in Nitmiluk Caravan Park, relax in a self-contained chalet, or treat yourself to a luxury experience at Cicada Lodge. Dining options are available in the park including buffet breakfast, lunch or an à-la-carte menu at Sugar Bag Café in the Visitors’ Centre. In the dry season (May – October) relax at Jatti Poolside Bistro for a refreshing drink or relaxing dinner.

Take in the views from above

Nitmiluk National Park extends north almost to Kakadu National Park and is part of the magnificent Arnhem Land escarpment. A great way to get a sense of its size and beauty is from the air. Helicopter flights take off year-round (weather dependent) from the helipad near the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre or from near the gorge at Maud Creek airstrip. Heli-flights offer unforgettable experiences including exclusive landings at ancient rock art or spectacular waterfall swim sites.

Catch a must-see show

A must-see while in the region is the Katherine Outback Experience with Tom Curtain. Tom is equally renowned for his award-winning music skills as he is for his horseman abilities. Watch in awe during his 90-minute show as you witness authentic horse-breaking and a working dog demonstration.

Go underground at the Cutta Cutta Caves

Prepare yourself for something truly spectacular. Travel 27km south of Katherine to the Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park. The park covers 1,499ha of limestone landscape, with the main features being impressive limestone stalactites and stalagmites. Formed millions of years ago, the caves are still growing today and are found about 15m below the surface. Guided tours are conducted daily.

Have lunch on main street

Head back into Katherine for lunch where you'll find popular cafés and eateries to tantalise your taste buds along with retail stores if you're looking for souvenirs to take home.

Experience cultural diversity at Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre

This afternoon, get immersed in local culture at Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre (GYRACC). The centre is a cross-culture enterprise that showcases the cultural diversity and artistic richness of the region. The centre aspires to become a ‘model for reconciliation’ in the community through the presentation of exhibitions and performances of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal cultural expression together. Take home a ‘piece of Katherine’ from the gift shop that stocks stunning local arts and crafts.

Take a day trip to Mataranka

Today you take off for Mataranka, a small township about 106km south-east of Katherine and great a place to spend the day. The area was made famous by the 1902 novel We of the Never Never – written about nearby Elsey Station by Jeannie Gunn. You can visit the graves of the book’s characters in the Elsey Memorial Cemetery or wander through the replica Elsey Homestead Replica, made for the filming of the movie. Visit the Never Never Museum to learn about local Aboriginal history.

Feel rejuvenated with a swim in the thermal pool

Take a rejuvenating swim in the Mataranka Thermal Pool. Fed by spring water from the Daly and Georgina basins, it has a sandy bottom, is surrounded by a palm forest, and its waters are a constant 34°C.

Get up-close to the turtles & wildlife

The beautiful Bitter Springs Thermal Pool is also worth checking out, and is very close by to Mataranka. If you take a snorkel and mask and look among the roots of the pandanus along the banks, you’ll come face-to-face with northern yellow-faced turtles and long neck turtles.

Complete your afternoon at Djilpin Arts

On your way back to Katherine, make a detour to Wugularr (Beswick) to visit Djilpin Arts. It’s approximately 40 minutes’ drive along the Central Arnhem Highway, off the Stuart Highway. Here you can view some great local artwork on display and listen to stories of family and culture told through dance and song.

Plunge into Edith Falls

Today your journey back to Darwin takes in Leliyn (Edith Falls), where you can have a cooling swim in the huge, pandanus-fringed plunge pool fed by waterfalls.

Go for a bushwalk & finish with a swim

The area is great for bushwalking. Challenge yourself to walk the 2.6km steep rocky loop that is the Leliyn Trail. Your reward is a refreshing swim in the upper pool of the falls half-way through the walk.

Take a trek to Sweetwater Pool

Pack a picnic lunch and head up to Sweetwater Pool, a large tranquil swimming hole on the Edith River that can be reached by walking the 8.6km return track from Edith Falls. The walk includes a steep climb at the start and scenic lookouts along the way. The early morning or late afternoon light creates stunning reflections.

Time to head back

On your journey back to Darwin, opt to take a short detour and spend time exploring the plunge pools and waterfalls of Litchfield National Park.