Katherine, Top End

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The main attraction in the town is the magnificent Nitmiluk National Park, commonly called Katherine Gorge. It is composed of a total of 13 separate gorges, and each is separated by somewhat rocky area in the dry season. The main activities offered in this 180,352-hectare park include bush walking, swimming, and boating.

Aside from the Gorge, there are other treasures that are as spectacular such as the Elsey National Park, the Victoria River Region scenery, the Mataranka Thermal Pools, the Pine Creek, as well as the Daly and Douglas River areas. The Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park with its limestone caves and its endangered Orange Bats are also worth visiting.

The landscape is quite fabulous in Katherine. Leisure and recreational activities in Katherine are mostly based on its wonderful nature. These include enjoying the Mataranka and the Katherine Hot springs, fishing on the Katherine, Daly, Victoria and Roper Rivers, and canoeing in the Nitmiluk Gorge. While appreciating the great mountain and scenic views, visitors can drop by and swim in one of the nice thermal pools located along Victoria Highway. Picnic tables and family relaxation facilities are also available at the Low Level Nature Park. Swimming is very popular in Katherine Gorge, and tourists can take advantage of its spectacular walks as well, though the latter can be dangerous during wet season when floods occasionally happen.

Tourists also love passing by the Katherine Museum which is just a few kilometres out of the town. The museum is well organized and features only the most interesting displays related to the history of the town. One can also visit the Old Train Station, the Springvale Homestead and the magnificent School of the Air.

There are a range of shopping complexes that can be found within the town centre, along with a number of good art and craft stores. There are also numerous accommodations to choose from around the town, depending on what visitors are looking for, and this includes hotels and hostels. Dining around Katherine is relatively easy - there is a number of budget but quality eating places, along with more expensive and sophisticated ones that cater different cuisines.

Katherine has been made very accessible via different transportation means. It can now be reached by train from the capital city of Darwin and from Alice Springs. It is only a three-hour drive away from Darwin, and it is also accessible by charter plane, with the airport only lying 7 kilometres south of the centre.