Katherine Gorge: Amazing Waterscape In The Australian Outback
Stunning Katherine Gorge, the major attraction of Nitmiluk
National Park in the Northern Territory of Australia, is an
absolute must see. Katherine Gorge shows that the most
impressive experiences in the Australian Outback don't cost an
arm and a leg, don't have to be shared with a kazillion other
tourists, and they don't require any special preparations.
The 180,353 hectare Nitmiluk National Park is typical rugged
Australian Outback country: red rocks and escarpments, and dry
bushland with pockets of rainforest along streams and water
holes. Wherever there is water the area is teeming with
wildlife: lizards, insects, birds, turtles, and even harmless
freshwater crocodiles.
On top of the natural beauty, flora and fauna Nitmiluk offers
insights into Aboriginal history and Aboriginal culture. The
rock art you see here is up to 7000 years old. The traditional
owners, the Jawoyn Aboriginal people, only regained the title to
their lands in 1998. They gave the area its name: Nitmiluk -
meaning Cicada Place.
The main attraction of Nitmiluk National Park is Katherine Gorge
itself.
No visit to the Australian Outback is complete without a flight,
cruise, canoe trip or hike up the spectacular 12 km Katherine
Gorge, winding its way between red sandstone cliffs up to 70
metres high.
23 million years it took the Katherine River to form this
natural wonder... An amazing region that can be discovered and
enjoyed in many ways.
For those with little time there is the usual array of boat
tours and scenic flights to choose from. Both can be recommended
and will reward you with impressive views and spectacular photos
to take home.
However, Katherine Gorge is also one of the big tourist
attractions in Australia where it is very easy to get away from
the tourists...
Here are some suggestions on how to do just that:
Go hiking along Katherine Gorge
The shortest track at Katherine Gorge is a 400 m steep climb
near the Visitor Centre and boat ramp. It will take you to a
magnificent spot overlooking the start of the gorge. Many of the
Katherine Gorge promotional pictures are taken from here (and
nearly every visitor to the park will come up here to take a
photo...).
But for those who want to get away from the masses and explore
the gorge further there are another 100 km (!) of marked walking
trails winding through the park, including serious full day and
over night hikes. You won't see many tourists on these.
For example you can walk along the rim of the gorge to Smith's
Rock, which marks a huge fork in the river. This full day hike
offers breathtaking views and opportunities to duck down to the
gorge itself for a swim. Other trails take you to scenic
outlooks (Windolf Walk), secluded swimming spots (Southern or
Northern Rockhole) or simply beautiful places well worth
visiting (Lily Pond and Butterfly Gorge, which really is filled
with butterflies...).
The king of all walks is the Jatbula trail, a three to five day
hike to Edith Falls (now called Leilyn), the popular lake and
waterfall in the north western part of Nitmiluk National Park.
The hike spans 66 km and leads away from Katherine Gorge,
through scenic rocky country to spring fed creeks, waterfalls,
wetlands and pockets of rainforest. It is well marked and not
technically difficult in any way. Above all it offers stunning
scenery. However, it IS a five day walk and requires fitness and
preparation.
Go canoeing in Katherine Gorge
Canoeing is my favourite way to see Katherine Gorge. The days in
the Australian Outback are hot! If you're in a canoe you just
slide over the side, cool off and climb back in... But there is
another reason:
You often read that thirteen individual gorges make up the
Katherine Gorge. They are actually sections of one and the same
gorge that become separated by rock bars and boulders when the
water level drops during the dry season. Tour boats have to stop
at these rock bars, canoeists don't. A canoe is the only way to
explore the whole length and the most spectacular parts of the
gorge.
If you choose to go on an overnight trip you will often find
that you have the more distant parts of the gorge entirely to
yourself. No other people, no tour boat engines, no shouting and
splashing. Wildlife doesn't take much notice of a canoe quietly
moving along the still waters here and you will see a lot.
One and two person canoes can be rented for half a day, a full
day or over one or more nights. The rental of the canoe includes
waterproof containers for your food, sleeping bag, camera, tent,
change of clothes, whatever you wish to take. No special
preparations or equipment are needed.
An overnight canoe trip in Katherine Gorge definitely gets my
vote as the number one experience in the Australian Outback!
You can find more helpful information about Katherine Gorge on the author's
website.