Katherine Gorge

Australia's immense and varied territories offer an abundance of absolutely riveting scenery and historical spots, but few are as absolutely gorgeous and as filled with surprise as the Northern Territories' Katherine Gorge also known as Nitmiluk. The area around Katherine has always been of huge importance to aborigines, being a very central spot dividing 4 different tribal lands and providing the meeting place for all in their frequent exchanges.

The Jawoyan (sometimes spelt Djauan), Walpiri, Dagaman and Wardiman met there as a central congregation area from time immemorial. Its special meaning for them becomes more obvious as we see the features and fascinating geology of the area, 340 km Southeast of Darwin. It is a 23 million year old geological jewel well worth spending time touring as well as relaxing by the splendid slow-moving water. As well, abundant aboriginal drawings and rock paintings are everywhere, offering a more prehistoric and mysterious past unfolding right in front of one's eyes. Teeming with human history and pretty to look at, Katherine makes a wonderful travel destination with plenty to offer the more active visitors as well as a relaxing serenity for those more relaxation-inclined.

Katherine, proper, is a small town of 6,000 which was actually named after the river itself. During the establishment of the telegraph lines connecting yet more of Australia, in 1862, the explorer John McDouall Stuart named the river first, then the entire area after his sponsor, James Chalmer's, wife and daughters.  Thus the Katherine River became Katherine, the town.  The museums and historical artifacts and restorations in Katherine itself, provide a rich and well-presented view of those times as well as the progression into modern times of the region itself. Fascinating presentations preserve the interesting social history and well-made homes and building of the historical era.

The Gorge

Katherine Gorge is actually a system of gorges, all cut into the colorful limestone over multitudinous centuries.  There are 13 gorges in all, all interesting and all quite different, offering sheer walls and slow-moving river water in the Dry Season. Those gorge walls providing beautiful shade and color contrast are just perfect for canoing or taking one of the cruises offered there. The Wet Season is a bit more challenging as the waters most certainly pick up steam and the river becomes more rapid by far.

When to visit

The Dry Season offers the most promising time of year for visiting, with the park's 100 hundred kilometres of walking trails and the 3 different boat tours supplying trips down the Katherine River into and through the gorge itself, exploring geological and human history in a stupendously beautiful and serene setting. Swimming is most recommended in the slow, meandering river with pools and more private swimming areas in abundance.

Things to do

In large, perhaps the most fascinating activity of discovering and really enjoying the Katherine Gorge involves renting one of the canoes and taking off on one's very own journey of self-discovery.  This should be booked well in advance, however, since the park only allows a maximum of 75 canoes on the river at one time. By doing this, the park insures a quality and uncrowded experience.

All in all, Katherine Gorge is a truly fascinating place, full of history and of scenic beauty.  As a travel destination, it offers a little bit of everything for the family or for the solo discoverer.

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