Nitmiluk National Park

Nitmiluk National Park, carved by the ancient Katherine River, is a dramatic landscape of towering sandstone cliffs, deep gorges, and lush pockets of monsoon forest. It’s a place where Indigenous Jawoyn culture meets spectacular natural beauty, offering a raw, immersive Outback experience just a short drive from Katherine.

Highlights & What to See

• Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk Gorge): The park’s centrepiece – a series of 13 gorges you can explore by canoe, boat cruise, or scenic flight. Paddling through the still, reflective water with ancient rock art overhead is unforgettable.
• Leliyn (Edith Falls): A stunning plunge pool and waterfall at the northern end of the park. The short walk to the upper pool rewards with a perfect swimming spot surrounded by paperbarks.
• Jawoyn Rock Art Sites: Visit the sheltered galleries at the start of the gorge walk, where you’ll see ochre paintings depicting creation ancestors. Join a ranger-led tour for deeper cultural insight.
• Jatbula Trail: A 58 km, 5-day walking trail from Katherine Gorge to Edith Falls – one of Australia’s great treks, with waterfalls, rock art, and sweeping escarpment views.
• Sunset Cruise on Katherine River: Watch the gorge walls glow orange and red as the sun drops, while freshwater crocodiles slip silently into the water.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors spend one full day, which allows time for a morning canoe or cruise through the first two gorges, a swim at Leliyn, and a short walk to a lookout. For a deeper experience, stay two days to tackle the Jatbula Trail (book well ahead) or explore the upper gorges by scenic flight. The dry season (May–September) is the best time to visit, with mild days and clear skies.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Katherine – the gateway town, with supplies, accommodation, and the Katherine Museum.
• Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park – limestone caves with guided tours, 30 km south of Katherine.
• Mataranka Thermal Pool – a warm, palm-fringed swimming hole in Elsey National Park, about 100 km south.
• Nitmiluk National Park (southern section) – lesser-visited gorges and the 17-Mile Valley walk.
• Litchfield National Park – a 3-hour drive north, with waterfalls, magnetic termite mounds, and swimming holes.
• Kakadu National Park – a world heritage area 2 hours north, offering wetlands, Aboriginal rock art, and wildlife.

Please check official sources for current details.