This remote town south of Darwin is surrounded by national parks and impressive landscapes, rivers and rock formations. Explore gorges, oases and caves forged over centuries, and learn about indigenous culture. You can also experience bush life, and learn the workings of an Australian outback station!
What to see and do:
Katherine Outback Experience
Golden Guitar winning country Music artist Tom Curtain shares his knowledge of outback life at ahis outback extravaganza. On this operating farm, you can see how the team train working horses and dogs, hear stories about working on the land, and hear some of Tom’s original songs in an epic celebration of the NT’s pastoral history and culture. You can also meet the animals, and even take a riding lesson yourself.
Kayak Nitmuluk Gorge
Nimuluk Gorge (also known as Katherine Gorge) is one of the area’s main attractions. It’s towering cliffs of red rock are an impressive sight, and in the heat of the Northern Territory, a breeze coming off the water is a welcome respite. Kayaking is a peaceful way to explore the gorge up close or take a boat tour for a more relaxing journey.
Learn About Aboriginal Culture
Top Didj in Katherine offers a two hours cultural experience with traditional painting workshops, where you can create your own artwork to take home. Here you can also learn how to throw a boomerang, and light a fire using just some sticks. You can also browse the collection of aboriginal art at the Katherine Art Gallery.
Relax in Katherine Hot Springs
These natural hot springs are a comfortable 32 degrees celsius, and the crystal clear waters are always inviting. The pools are surrounded by lush vegetation and the perfect place to chill out.
Tour Cutta Cutta Caves
1499 hectares of limestone caves leaves a lot to explore. See stalactites and stalagmites sparkle in impressive limestone formations. Take a guided tour and key an eye out for wildlife, with five species of bats to spot including the rare ghost and leaf nosed bat. The area also has plenty of bush walks above ground to see as well.
Videos of Katherine
The Ghan
How to get there:
Driving to Katherine from Darwin takes about 3.25 hours, or you can book a flight from Darwin with Airnorth. You can also Catch the Ghan Railway, which runs between Darwin and Adelaide, stopping at Katherine, Coober Pedy and Alice Springs.
Best time to go:
The dry season from May to October is the best time to go. The weather will be cooler and this is when most of the regions events sucha s the Mindil Beach Sunset markets and Darwin festival are held.