ATTRACTION KATHERINE

The Katherine Art Gallery holds an excellent collection of Aboriginal Art. Presenting a portfolio of artists from the region, the gallery reflects the cultural diversity and influences of the Jawoyn, Warlpiri and Dagoman Aboriginal people, who have lived in the Katherine area for thousands of years.

The gallery also houses a range of collections from regions of Arnhem Land, the Central Western Desert, and areas in Western Australia. Clients from all over the world maintain contact with the gallery to purchase the didjeridus, artefacts and paintings from the friendly characters who come to produce their work on the premises.

The Crystal Falls area features a mass of rock pools, rapids and small cascades that fall away into a spectacular and large waterfall. The area can only be reached by trekking the iconic Jatbula Trail. Located within Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge), this 58 kilometre trail takes between four to five days to complete and is a one way walk from Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk) to Leliyn / Edith Falls. Eighteen and half kilometres along the Jatbula Trail, Crystal Falls is a very relaxing area with a large river that feeds the rock pools, cascades and waterfall. The camp site is on rocky ground above the 30 metre high falls. There is a barbecue and a nearby lookout over the waterfall that is a lovely place to watch the sunset. Located on the southern side of the Crystal Falls is an Emergency Call Device (ECD). Walkers must register at the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre and report your arrival to the kiosk at Leliyn / Edith Falls. A refundable AUD50.00 deposit is required when you register and will be returned when you arrive at Leliyn / Edith Falls. A camping fee of AUD3.30 per person per night will be collected when you register.

Enjoy a generous meal and a wide range of sports and family facilities at the Katherine Country Club. Find a table for a snack or a meal in the bistro, enjoy live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights, or spend an idle hour having a cool drink in the tropical beer garden or bar. The club is open seven days and is a great place to relax after a day of touring. There's a playground for children and gaming facilities, an all-weather synthetic eight-rink lawn bowls green, and a nine-hole golf course. The quality par 72 course features two different tee blocks on each of the nine holes and a couple of holes are amongst the toughest in the Territory. The club is open to members and bona fide guests/travellers only.

Visit Springvale Homestead, the oldest standing homestead in the Northern Territory. Located 7km out of Katherine and on the banks of the Katherine River, the property is a relaxed parkland that is open to visitors. Take a tour of the original homestead and wander the picturesque grounds, relax by the outdoor swimming pool, hire a canoe to paddle on the Katherine River, or try your hand at river fishing. Sit beneath the Indian rain trees, watch the wallabies that roam freely, and contemplate rural life on the homestead during the nineteenth century. The homestead, which is open to visitors, displays many photographs and information on the early history of the property. The area around the homestead is home to abundant birdlife and animals such as wallabies. The station was established in 1878 and managed by Alfred Giles, the ex Overland Telegraph linesman. Giles brought sheep and cattle up from Adelaide to stock the station and he built the homestead in 1879. The four huge Indian rain trees near the homestead were planted by Giles' wife, Augusta - one for each of their children.

Northern Rockhole, in Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge), is an enjoyable half day walk from the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre at Katherine Gorge. It's also a lovely lunch spot on the first day of the iconic Jatbula Trail. This is a one way 58 kilometre trail that starts at Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk) and finishes between four and five days later at Leliyn/ Edith Falls. You'll climb over dark volcanic rocks to reach the base of the falls, where you can see many layers of sedimentary rocks in the cliff face. A lovely swimming spot, in the early half of the year, is usually a single drop waterfall that you can bathe beneath. As it starts to dry out, the smooth green pool provides unusual 'must see' reflections. Walkers must register at the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre and report your arrival to the kiosk at Leliyn / Edith Falls. A refundable AUD50.00 deposit is required when you register and will be returned when you arrive at Leliyn / Edith Falls. A camping fee of AUD3.30 per person per night and will be collected when you register. You can do the return walk from the Nitmiluk Visitors Centre to Northern Rockhole in a day.

Many stories are told at Katherine Cemetery, which is known as the pioneer's cemetery. Here, loved ones are laid to rest in the beautiful bush surroundings of the Lawn Cemetery along the bank of the mighty Katherine River. Wander through the grounds and learn more about the reality and hardships of early life in the outback. Katherine Cemetery was established in 1934. It is set on the Katherine River, amid tranquil bush, and offers a fascinating historical and genealogical account of the establishment and development of the town. As well as historic headstones there is a memorial wall in the rotunda recording who lived and died locally. The Katherine Memorial Cemetery is situated 4 km from the GPO along Giles Street, opposite the Katherine Museum.

Visit Katherine Museum for a vivid and detailed account of local histories. The museum's wide and eclectic collection includes artefacts, photographs, maps, and pioneer memorabilia housed in what was in the former World War II regional air terminal.

See the Overland Telegraph display of telecommunication objects that date back to 1872, the planetarium made by a local Russian peanut farmer, and the punt boat that Jeannie Gun used to cross the Ferguson River.

The first flying doctor, Dr Clyde Fenton's De Havilland Gypsy Moth plane that he used in his pioneering aero-medical work in the 1930s is also on show. Outdoor and undercover exhibits reveal ingenuity in rural machinery and household equipment.

There are Aboriginal artefacts from the region, furniture, home wares and tools ranging in date from the late-nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth century.

The museum is open daily from 9am to 4pm, closed Christmas Day.

Take a break at the Amphitheatre - a pocket of monsoon rainforest located along the Jatbula Trail. The Amphitheatre is located 25 kilometres from Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk) and is a favourite resting place of many who walk the trail. Walkers arrive there on the second day of the iconic 4-5-day bushwalk. A short steep set of steps descends into the Amphitheatre, which is a U-shaped gorge filled with monsoon rainforest - a welcomed change from the rugged country already traversed. You will feel as if you have entered an enchanted world of moss-covered boulders and clear rock pools. Look for the Aboriginal rock art on The Amphitheatre's walls, which was left there by the Jawoyn and Dagoman people. The Jatbula Trail is a 58-kilometre one-way trek that starts at the Nitmiluk Visitors Centre and finishes at Leliyn/Edith Falls. Walkers must register at the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre and report their arrival to the kiosk at Leliyn/Edith Falls. A refundable AUD50.00 deposit is required and will be returned at Leliyn/Edith Falls. A camping fee of AUD3.30 per person per night and will be collected when you register.

Head out of Katherine for a picnic and a day of relaxing, fishing and swimming at Low Level Nature Reserve. The 105-hectare reserve got its name from the low-level bridge and weir that were built by US troops stationed nearby during World War II. Designed to allow traffic to cross the Katherine River, the bridge stands only 6 feet above the dry season water level. It is impassable during much of the wet season (Dec-April), when it disappears under 40 feet of water. The scenic Low Level Nature Reserve is 3 kilometres south of Katherine and is a popular place to spend a relaxing day. There is a network of bicycle paths, barbecue facilities and picnic areas. Find a cool spot and watch the water cascading over the weir or have a dip in the safe waters of the swimming hole. Fishing is permitted and the river holds barramundi, black bream and the northern snapping turtle. The river trees are home to colonies of red and black flying foxes.

If you are in the market for a significant collectible artwork, want some souvenirs, or would like to find out more about local indigenous culture, make a stop at Top Didj and Art Gallery in Katherine. The gallery showcases works by artists from the region including the Jawoyn, Warlpiri and Dalabon Aborigines. It also sells works from Arnhem Land, the Kimberley and the Central Western Desert. Top Didj also offers visitors a two-hour cultural experience - activities and the chance to meet Top End Aboriginal people, ask them questions and find out more about culture, tribal life and living off the land. Book your place to try out traditional painting techniques, boomerang and spear throwing and to learn the art of lighting a fire by rubbing together two sticks. Top Didj and Art Gallery is set in a bush setting en route to Katherine Gorge. There is a curious population of Agile Wallabies wandering in the grounds and a café where you can relax and have a coffee or cold drink. The gallery is open from March to October 7 days a week but can be accessible by appointment during November to February.

Visit the Old Katherine Railway Station to find out more about the rise and fall of the railway in northern Australia. Located on Railway Terrace, Katherine, the station was built in 1926 to service the extension of the North Australia Railway. The railway served the interests of Vesteys Meatworks during their operation in Darwin and during World War II the Old Katherine Railway Station became the headquarters of the NAR. Follow the Pioneer Path on foot from the station buildings to the High Level Railway Bridge over the Katherine River. As you wander through the precinct you will learn about the railway's rise as an important form of transport and part of the supply chain and its eventual demise. Today part of the building is currently used as a second-hand bookshop and the rest of the building is kept open for public inspection by a small group of volunteers. Open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am to 1pm, Wednesday 1pm to 4pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm. Closed public holidays and Sundays.

Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park is located 30 kilometres south of Katherine and covers 1,499 hectares of karst limestone landscape, found in only a few locations in northern Australia. Formed millions of years ago and still growing today, these caves are found about 15 metres below the surface. Cutta Cutta Caves are home to a variety of native wildlife, including the brown tree snake and the rare orange horseshoe bat. The park is open year-round, but the caves are occasionally closed due to seasonal conditions. The Tropical Woodland walk begins near the carpark and enables visitors to experience the open tropical woodland. Allow 10 to 20 minutes to complete the walk.

Sweetwater Pool is a secluded swimming hole on the Edith River. It is a great place for swimming and relaxing and is located along a 4-km walking trail from Leliyn/Edith Falls. It is also the last swimming spot and usually a lunch location along the iconic Jatbula Trail, a 58-kilometre long bushwalking trail in Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge) that starts at Katherine Gorge and finishes at Leliyn / Edith Falls. Time your visit to Sweetwater Pool for early morning or late afternoon to catch the sight of stunning reflections across the still waters. Have a dip and then find a spot on a flat ledge to warm yourself. If you're lucky you may see several species of turtle if you decide to camp the night. Overlooking Sweetwater Pool is the last campsite (with toilet) before you join the Leliyn loop walkers.

Marksie's Stockman's Camp Tucker Night is a unique dining and entertainment experience for all the family and is set in the tranquil surroundings of the Katherine Outback Museum grounds. Dine under stars within the grounds of the Katherine Outback Museum. Watch the wallabies and hear the local wildlife in the surroundings reminiscent of an outback stockman's camp. Dinner is traditional outback tucker cooked according to treasured family recipes dating back generations. The meal consists of two camp oven roasts served with five coal-fired vegetables, a damper, gem scones with native jams, gum leaf billy tea and their famous non-alcoholic Jungle Juice - it will be an experience you will remember. There is a scavenger hunt, billy spinning competition and Marksie's famous 'damper on a stick' (the bush ice cream) for the children. After a delicious, hearty meal, sit back and enjoy the humorous yarns and stories with your host, Geoff Mark.

These waterfalls astound all who are lucky enough to see them. A hidden gem, the waterfalls can only be accessed by trekkers on the Jatbula Trail. This trail is located in Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge) and is a one way 58 kilometre walk from Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk) to Leliyn / Edith Falls that takes from four to five days to complete. 17 Mile Falls are a permanent water source located 28 kilometres along the Jatbula Trail. The sandstone plateau acts as a huge sponge that in turn seeps water into rivers and creeks such as 17 Mile Creek. These watercourses supply the year round water for these spectacular falls with this being a favourite place for all who walk the trail. There is a campsite nearby, with a permanent supply of drinking water and an Emergency Call Device (ECD). Walkers must register at the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre and report your arrival to the kiosk at Leliyn / Edith Falls. A refundable AUD50.00 deposit is required when you register and will be returned when you arrive at Leliyn / Edith Falls. A camping fee of AUD3.30 per person per night will be collected when you register.

Knotts Crossing is the site of the original township of Katherine, 5km north of Katherine's current location. Established in the early 1870s, the original township consisted of a shanty pub and the Overland Telegraph Line Repeater Station. By 1888 the township grew to include a hotel, a general store that became the Gallon Licence Store, and police station. The crossing was named after Frederick George Knott and his wife Kate who were the first people to farm the north side of the river. It was the original ford on the Katherine River. If you look carefully, you'll see the alignment of the original road and remains that reveal the activities of everyday life of the period, such as the Wheel Pit in the yard area of the Gallon Licence Store. This was still in operation until 1942 when the township of Katherine was bombed during World War II. You can still see the crater where a bomb hit nearby. The three Boab trees, which are over 100 years old, were planted by local pioneer Tom Pearce. Stop in and tour the entire site, and learn about its heritage value to the Katherine region and the Northern Territory as a whole.

Nitmiluk National Park Visitor Centre is a great place to start your journey. It has a Licensed cafe / restaurant complete with a functions area for something different. There is also a large open air deck with spectacular views across the Katherine Gorge Other activities they can help you with are; walking, canoe, helicopter and cruise tour bookings. They have a Souvenir shop with Indigenous art and cultural displays. Nitmiluk National Park Visitor Centre is within close proximity to Nitmiluk campground and chalets.

The O'Keeffe Residence is a small residence built in 1943. Originally intended as a recreation hut for army officers stationed in Katherine, it soon became the officers' mess. It is one of the very few structures from the World War II era that have survived in the Katherine area. The building is an example of bush innovation and local construction utilising locally available material such as Cypress pine, iron sheeting and flywire. Wander through the building and learn about regional history in the small museum. The house has been associated with a number of famous local Territory people, including Charlie Fuller who was a drover and later a senior farmhand with the CSIRO. He was also the first Municipal Officer for the Northern Territory administration in Katherine. The house gained its name from the last residents of the house - John and Olive O'Keeffe. Olive O'Keefe arrived in the Territory in 1936 as a nurse and became quite well known throughout the Territory. Restored by the Trust in 1988 it is open to the public from May to September and managed by the Katherine Branch volunteers. A new addition to the grounds is an original Sidney Williams Hut.

Stop and see one of the engineering feats of the historic Overland Telegraph Line. Built in the late 1890s the Katherine Overland Telegraph Pylons were built in 1898-99 to solve the problem of the Katherine River floodwaters interfering with the wires and cutting off communication during the wet season. Situated on Gorge Road, just past Knott's Crossing, 50 foot (15.2 metres) steel Oppenhiemer telegraph poles were placed on towering 30 foot (9.1 metre) stone cairns. They stand 400 metres apart on either side of the Katherine River, safely above the level of the flooding river. Wander around the site and see the commemorative plaque laid for the centenary celebrations of the completion of the Overland Telegraph Line in 1972 and be reminded of the tenacity and skill that made such communication available to and within Australia. The building of the historic Overland Telegraph Line was a major force in opening up the north of Australia. As you follow the Stuart Highway you will see the stone buildings of telegraph stations and other evidence of the line, which was established in 1872 to relay messages between Darwin and Adelaide. ? The Katherine Overland Telegraph Pylons are a registered heritage attraction.

Leliyn/Edith Falls is located on the western side of Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge), 42 kilometres north of Katherine along the Stuart Highway. You can enjoy swimming in the paperbark and pandanus fringed natural pool at the base of the falls most of the year, although it may be closed to swimming at times between November through to April. The area is great for bushwalking with the 2.6 kilometre Leliyn Trail offering a challenging walk along a steep, rocky loop. There is a chance for a refreshing swim in the upper pool of Leliyn / Edith Falls half way around the trail. You can also enjoy the longer 8.6 kilometre return walk to Sweetwater Pool, a tranquil swimming hole. Leliyn / Edith Falls is the finishing point of the 58 kilometre Jatbula Trail walking track, which begins at Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge) headquarters. The lush, grassy campsites in a scenic bush setting make Leliyn/Edith Falls an idyllic spot for camping, camping fees apply.

Visit NT Rare Rocks in Katherine to see semi-precious stones polished, set and transformed into coffee tables, bookends, and more. NT Rare Rocks is a rock and gem shop and a manufacturer of stone products. They specialise in semi-precious stones like zircon, garnet and topaz, as well as opals, gold nuggets and fossils. Products made in Katherine include coffee tables with stone legs, vases, bookends, business card holders, drink coasters, pen holders, egg stands and candlestick holders. There are many varieties of tumbled stones including crystals from Wave Hill Station, Zebra stone, okapi stone and rainbow siltstone from Newry Station west of Katherine.

Take a refreshing dip in Katherine Hot Springs. These natural thermal springs are situated on the banks of the Katherine River, within the Katherine township, and comprise of a series of clear pools framed by native vegetation. Once, the main pool was simply an indentation at the edge of the Katherine River, but now the area is a place to relax, enjoy swimming in the pools, the picnic grounds and scenic walking tracks.

Edith River Crossing is a permanent swimming spot along the Jatbula Trail. This 58 kilometre trail in Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge) takes between four and five days to complete. It is a one way walk from Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk) to Leliyn / Edith Falls. Many trekkers choose to either stop at Edith River Crossing for lunch or camp the night. The trail actually follows the river for some time so there are plenty of opportunities for a swim and to fill water bottles. Approaching the actual crossing, the track becomes sandy and passes through sandstone outcrops. There is a basic campsite on the northern bank of Edith River Crossing with permanent drinking water and an Emergency Call Devise (ECD). The crossing is easy to traverse during from May to November. Walkers must register at the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre before departing on the walk and report your arrival to the Kiosk at Leliyn / Edith Falls. A refundable AUD50.00 deposit is required when you register and will be returned when you arrive at Leliyn / Edith Falls. There is also a camping fee of AUD3.30 per person per night and will be collected when you register.

The 58 kilometre Jatbula Trail features stunning scenery, waterfalls and Jawoyn Aboriginal rock art. The trail is a four to five day walk that is only marked in one direction, from Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk Visitor Centre) to Leliyn / Edith Falls. The Jatbula Trail is a long and potentially difficult walk, however, adequate preparation will ensure a safe and pleasant trip. There is a ferry service across the Katherine River as part of the walk on the first day. Walkers must register at the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre before departing on the walk and report your arrival to the Kiosk at Leliyn / Edith Falls. A refundable AUD50.00 deposit is required when you register and will be returned when you arrive at Leliyn / Edith Falls. There is also a camping fee of AUD3.30 per person per night and will be collected when you register. Walkers need to make their own arrangements for transport to the gorge and from Leliyn / Edith Falls.

Paintball Katherine is the NT's first fully licensed paintball venue, which officially opened in October, 2010. Take a look around our site to see what Katherine Paintball has to offer, then give us a call to make a booking. All bookings require a deposit of AUD25 per person, to be paid at least two days in advance. Please note that deposits are non-refundable, so please confirm your group numbers before paying your deposit. Your AUD25 deposit will be deducted from any package you buy on your day of play.

Sandy Camp Pool is a shaded and sandy area that is a lovely campsite along the Jatbula Trail. This long distance bushwalking trail is within Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge) and is 58 kilometres long. It is a one way walk that takes trekkers between four and five days to complete. Trekkers usually arrive at Sandy Camp Pool on the fourth day, 43.5 kilometres along the Jatbula Trail. The quiet and peaceful campsite on soft sandy ground beside a tranquil billabong is a welcome sight. Trekkers can cool off with a swim in the billabong before making camp, no facilities are available. Walkers must register at the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre before departing on the walk and report your arrival to the Kiosk at Leliyn / Edith Falls. A refundable AUD50.00 deposit is required when you register and will be returned when you arrive at Leliyn / Edith Falls. There is also a camping fee of AUD3.30 per person per night and will be collected when you register. Walkers need to make their own arrangements for transport to the gorge and from Leliyn / Edith Falls.

Biddlecombe Cascades are one of many beautiful swimming and sightseeing locations along the Jatbula Trail in Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge). The one way long distance walking trail is 58 kilometres long and starts at Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk) and finishes at Leliyn / Edith Falls, usually taking trekkers four to five days to complete. The Biddlecombe Cascades are fed by a permanently flowing creek that drops into a lovely waterfall. After walking the first day of the Jatbula Trail you will enjoy lazing about in the rock pools and rapids above the falls. Nearby is a small campsite with an open fire barbecue and a toilet. The campsite is eight kilometres from the beginning of the Trail so there is plenty of time to relax and make camp. An Emergency Call Device (ECD) is close to the campsite. Walkers must register at the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre and report your arrival to the kiosk at Leliyn / Edith Falls. A refundable AUD50.00 deposit is required when you register and will be returned when you arrive at Leliyn / Edith Falls. A camping fee of AUD3.30 per person per night will be collected when you register.

Giwining/Flora River Nature Park protects 25 kilometres of the Flora River. This waterway is fringed with dense riverine vegetation and dotted with deep pools, and an adjacent area of floodplain and savannah woodland - a rich wildlife habitat. Visit Giwining/Flora River Nature Park for short walks, canoeing, boating, camping or relaxing along this perennial spring-fed watercourse. Visit the popular and beautiful Kathleen Falls and Djarrung Falls, and see the 'tufa' formations created by calcium carbonate precipitating out of the springwater. These have grown together over time to create dams picturesquely spanning the Flora River. The park also protects a variety of fish including barramundi, bream, catfish and grunters. Since both the freshwater and estuarine (saltwater) crocodiles are known to inhabit the river, swimming is not recommended. Camp at the well-equipped Djarrung Campground, where picnic facilities and a canoe and small boat ramp are also provided. To access the Park, follow the Victoria Highway west from Katherine for 86km and then follow the access road (suitable for 2WD vehicles during the Dry Season of April to October) for another 36km to the Park entrance. The Park may become inaccessible at times after heavy rain.