Katherine to Western Australia

Introducing Katherine to Western Australia

The bitumen Victoria Hwy stretches 513km, linking Katherine to Kununurra in WA. It winds through diverse landscapes, with extensive tracts annexed as cattle stations in the 1880s, these becoming the economy’s backbone in the post-war recovery period of the 1950s. In 1966 Wave Hill Station became the focus for Aboriginal land rights when 200 Aboriginal workers walked off the job to protest living and working conditions. The resulting campaign, led by Vincent Lingiari, resulted in the Gurindji community gaining title to the land – albeit 20 years later.

A 4WD will get you into a few out-of-the-way national parks accessed off the Victoria Hwy, or you can meander through semiarid desert and lush sandstone outcrops until bloated boab trees herald your imminent arrival in WA. All fruits, vegetables, nuts and honey must be left at the quarantine-inspection post on the border. WA time is 1½ hours behind NT time.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009