Things to do in Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park
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Nitmiluk Tours
An easy way to see far into the gorge is on a cruise. Bookings on some cruises can be tight in the peak season; make your reservation a day in advance. The two-hour cruise goes to the second gorge and visits a rock-art gallery (including 800m walk). Departures are at 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm daily year-round. There's wheelchair access to the top of the first gorge only. The four-hour cruise goes to the third gorge and includes refreshments and a chance to swim. This cruise leaves at 9am daily from April to November, plus at 11am and 1pm May to August.
There's also a more leisurely two-hour breakfast cruise, leaving at 7am May to November; a two-hour lunch cruise, sailing at…
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Nitmiluk Helicopter Tours
Has a variety of flights ranging from an eight-minute buzz over the first three gorges ($88 per person) to an 18-minute flight over all 13 gorges ($202). The Adventure Swim Tour ($404) drops you at a secluded swimming hole for an hour or so, and there are broader tours that take in Aboriginal rock-art sites, Kakadu and a cattle station. Book at the Nitmiluk Centre.
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Leliyn (Edith Falls)
Reached off the Stuart Hwy 40km north of Katherine and a further 20km along a sealed road, Leliyn is an idyllic, safe haven for swimming and hiking. The moderate Leliyn Trail (2.6km loop, 1½ hours) climbs into escarpment country through grevillea and spinifex and past scenic lookouts (Bemang is best in the afternoon) to the Upper Pool, where the moderate Sweetwater Pool Trail (8.6km return, three to five hours) branches off. The peaceful Sweetwater Pool has a small camping ground; overnight permits are available at the kiosk.
The main Lower Pool − a gorgeous, mirror- flat swimming lagoon − is a quick 150m dash from the car park. The Parks & Wildlife camping ground…
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Jawoyn Valley
A difficult (40km loop, overnight) wilderness trail leading off the Eighth Gorge walk into a valley with rock outcrops and rock-art galleries.
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Jatbula Trail
This difficult walk (66km one-way, five days) to Leliyn (Edith Falls) climbs the Arnhem Land escarpment, passing the swamp-fed Biddlecombe Cascades, Crystal Falls, the Amphitheatre and the Sweetwater Pool. This walk can only be done one-way (ie you can't walk from Leliyn to Katherine Gorge) and a minimum of two walkers are required. A ferry service ($5) takes you across the gorge to kick things off.
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Butterfly Gorge
A challenging, shady walk (12km return, 4½ hours) through a pocket of monsoon rainforest, often with butterflies, leads to midway along the second gorge and a deep water swimming spot.
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Barrawei (Lookout) Loop
A short, steep climb (3.7km loop, two hours, moderate difficulty) with good views over the Katherine River.
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