Nitmiluk National Park, Australia: Best Things to Do
Nitmiluk National Park, often nicknamed Katherine Gorge National Park in Australia's Northern Territory is a must-visit place when road tripping between Uluru and Darwin. Read our travel guide on the best things to do in Nitmiluk National Park. We promise you'll be blown away.
Although Nitmiluk National Park is often overshadowed by Kakadu National Park, the crown jewel of Australia's Northern Territory, it is a place you should for sure not miss when traveling in this part of the country.
Nitmiluk National Park is the most famous for splendid Katherine Gorge which is actually comprised of 13 separate gorges, but there are so many things to see and do such as exploring waterfalls, admiring the exceptional flora and fauna or hiking just to name a few, that this destination for sure deserves its rightful place on your Australia itinerary.
We were traveling in the region when the rainy season was in full swing, but despite the occasional rain showers and the heat, we truly enjoyed one full day in Nitmiluk National Park, and for a while, we forgot that in the evening we would have to return to our small campervan without air-con.
If you plan on visiting Australia's Northern Territory, keep on reading.
Nitmiluk National Park is for sure a place you must-visit. We've created this post to help you figure out what are the best things to do in the park, how to get to Katherine Gorge, what to pack, and where to stay.
THINGS TO DO IN NITMILUK NATIONAL PARK
To be honest, we did not have high expectations before our visit to Nitmiluk National Park.
As we were road tripping Australia for several weeks already, we thought that the highlights such as Uluru or Great Ocean Road are already behind us, and we were slowly heading to Darwin, as we had a scheduled flight from here to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in a couple of days.
How wrong we were.
Once we saw Katherine Gorge with our own eyes, we could not believe how beautiful it was, and it was for sure one of the best things we've seen on the road. Soon we found out there are a large number of best things to do in Nitmiluk National Park.
Here are several suggestions on the best activities in case you plan on visiting the northern part of Australia.
One-day Hiking | Nitmiluk National Park offers its visitors several hiking trails, and it only depends on you what trek you will choose. In the unbearable heat, our choice has fallen on Windolf Walk, so we had to take several walks to reach the lookout of the second gorge.
The whole loop was around 12 kilometers long, and we walked Baruwei Loop, part of Waleka Walk (Windolf Walk) and part of Yambi Walk.
The highlights were for sure Pat's Lookout and Southern Rockhole.
Multi-day Trekking & Camping | Although most of the travelers visiting Nitmiluk National Park usually spend in area one, maximum two days, if you are driven to explore the scenery the national park has to offer more thoroughly, there is an option to hike one of the most popular multi-day treks in the Northern Territory, Jatbula Trail.
Lace-up your boots, and enjoy this 62 kilometers long trail which will show you the best Katherine Gorge has to offer. The trail leads from Katherine Gorge and ends by the Edith Falls.
As it is one-way trek, you need to arrange your transport to get to the start and from the end of the trail.
Because of the popularity, only 15 hikers daily can walk Jatbula Trail. The permit must be booked together with campsites here.
Boat Tour | Katherine Gorge comprises of thirteen gorges, and the best way how to explore most of them is on a boat .
Cruising the Katherine River is probably the most popular activity in Nitmiluk National Park as it is an easy thing to do, especially when it is scorching hot and you will be rewarded by splendid views of the river and towering walls of the gorge.
Canoeing | If you want to explore the Katherine Gorge more thoroughly, but you want to do some physical activity without being on a boat with many people you don't even know, canoeing could be the right thing for you to do.
If canoeing in Nitmiluk National Park is the main reason why you are coming to the area, always make sure in advance, that it is possible to do this activity, as it is often forbidden during the rainy season for the safety reasons.
Helicopter | If you want to see the gorgeous Katherine Gorge from above, except for hiking to Pat's Lookout, there is an option to take a helicopter flight tour and enjoy the beauty from the bird's eyes view.
The gorge is so photogenic, that had we traveled on a higher budget, we would have for sure chosen this option as there is never enough of perfect post-card like views.
Swimming | When it is too hot in Nitmiluk National Park, it is hard to resist not to take a dip in the river.
It is usually safe to swim at some places in Nitmiluk National Park such as in Katherine River, in the pool by Edith Falls, in Mataranka Hot Springs, or at a popular picnic spot called Katherine Low Level Crossing.
Always ask rangers how's the current situation and whether it is allowed to swim in the park.
The situation is usually fine during winter months when the water level is low, and crocodile presence stable.
Exploring Waterfalls | Katherine National Park boasts quite many waterfalls, but some of them are only seasonal, depending on water level - sometimes there is no water, or too much water meaning way too many crocodiles. The most popular waterfall in the area is Edith Falls (Leliyn Falls) located on the western side of Nitmiluk National Park.
It is possible to swim in the pool under the falls, but usually only during the dry season.
When in the park, we saw a seasonal waterfall called Southern Rockhole, which was about 4 kilometers from the car park, at the end of the first gorge. We had to descent from the path down through the rocky steps to the river level, and then back to the upper level of the gorge.
As it was the rainy season, we must admit that we had a quite unsettling feeling when near the falls as we were worried about crocodiles despite the fact rangers in the Visitor Center told us it was allowed to explore this part of the park on own.
Learn more about Aboriginal Culture | Australia's Northern Territory is a region where you can learn a lot about Aboriginal Culture, as you still can see and feel the strong influence everywhere around.
Jawoyn Aboriginal people are native for the area around Nitmiluk National Park (Nitmiluk in Jawoyn language means Cicada Place), and it is possible to visit several galleries in the city to see the art, go to Nitmiluk Visitor Centre which has an awesome exhibition explaining a lot or when walking or canoeing in the park, you can still from time to time spot Aboriginal rock art when walking around with your eyes wide open.
Mataranka & Elsey National Park | Technically Mataranka Thermal Pools in Elsey National Park are not inside the Katherine Gorge National Park as it is 108 kilometers from the city, but in Australia, this distance is basically nothing, and it is for sure worth it to drive a bit to take a dip in the hot pools.
At first, it didn't seem like a good idea to jump in the thermals because the outside temperature the day we were in the area was 35°C, and water temperature 34°C, but the swim in the water was surprisingly pleasant.
It can sometimes happen that freshwater crocodile gets to the pool, but this species should not be dangerous for people even though we definitely wouldn't stay in the water if we saw one.
The swimming is allowed all year except for the flooding season when saltwater crocodiles can get to the pool.
Cutta Cutta Caves | An interesting underground cave system is only 27 kilometers south of Katherine via the Stuart Highway, and it is another worthwhile stop on your road trip itinerary.
The boardwalks inside the cave will walk you through one of Australia's only tropical limestone cave systems. It is not possible to get to the cave on own, but you can join a guided tour.
Crocodile Watching | It is possible to see crocodiles in Katherine Gorge quite often, but you should always be croc wise, and not to look for them on own as crocodiles are dangerous animals, especially in their natural habitat.
You can spot crocodiles often when cruising on the Katherine River or when canoeing.
When the gorge floods during the rainy season, it is prohibited to swim or canoe in the park as crocodiles can spread (saltwater crocodiles are much more dangerous than freshwater species), and it is usually allowed again after park rangers do the thorough check.
WHEN TO VISIT NITMILUK NATIONAL PARK
You can experience two seasons in Katherine Gorge: warm and dry or unbearably hot and humid with rains.
The best time to visit the area is between May and September (the shoulder season in April and October should still be fine too). During this 'winter' time it rains significantly less than in the other half of the year, and temperatures are pleasant, although they are still hitting 30 degrees.
The wet season is from late October to March, and during this time you can experience hot and humid weather - temperatures are often above 35 or even 40 degrees, it rains more often, and frequent rains can cause floods (the gorge can be flooded and inaccessible not only because of the high water level but also because of crocodile danger).
We were in the area in late December which is a wet and humid season, and we must admit that it was almost impossible to sleep at night because of the high temperatures. The ceiling of our car was covered in blood as we were killing mosquitos who annoyed us all night.
Fortunately, it usually rained at night. In case you decide to visit the area during this time of the year, we recommend you to stay overnight in accommodation with air-conditioning to take a break from the heat at least at night.
WHAT TO PACK FOR VISITING NITMILUK NATIONAL PARK
When you plan on spending your time near Katherine Gorge, pack accordingly for season you'll be visiting Australia in.
Be prepared that temperatures can be unpleasantly high, so never underestimate protection against the sun. As it is possible to camp overnight in the national park, make sure you are well-equipped.
Here are several essentials you should pack with you when visiting Nitmiluk National Park.
Filtered Water Bottle | Sunscreen | Bug Repellent | Daypack for Him & for Her | Runners for Him & for Her | Compact Camera | Binoculars | Swimsuit for Him & for Her
We've also written an in-depth Australian Outback Packing List, where you can find more stuff you should pack when traveling in Australia.
HOW TO GET TO NITMILUK NATIONAL PARK
Nitmiluk National Park is short driving distance from the city of Katherine, which can be your base for visiting the park for a day or two. It is a place where you can do shopping, eat in a restaurant or find a hotel, bank or car repair shops.
It is a bit more than 300 kilometers from Darwin to Katherine (which we learned is a negligible distance in Australia). We were traveling to Nitmiluk National Park from the opposite direction as we were road tripping the Australian Outback from South to North via Stuart Highway.
We sweetened the long drive to Katherine National Park with a stop in Mataranka Thermal Pools, which was surprisingly refreshing, and we recommend you this short stop on the way as well.
It is a bit difficult to get to Katherine Gorge without own transport, as it is common to explore Australian Outback by rental car
If you don't have a car, you can catch a regular bus from Darwin to Katherine, and from here take a tour, or you can join directly a day-tour from Darwin.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
KATHERINE GORGE TOURS
As we mentioned above, getting to Nitmiluk National Park without own transport is not an easy task, but even when you travel by rental car, you might need to book a guided service, in case you want to take a boat trip on the Katherine River.
Here is a selection of the best tours in Katherine Gorge National Park.
Boat Tour from Darwin | Boat Tour in the Park | Sunset Dinner Boat Tour | Canoe Tour | Helicopter Flight Above the Gorge
WHERE TO STAY BEFORE VISITING NITMILUK NATIONAL PARK
Your best bet where to stay before visiting the park is directly in the city of Katherine, as it is less than 30 kilometers from the park entrance, and staying here will guarantee you an early start.
It is not easy to find budget accommodation in Katherine, or overall in this part of Australia, and also, when traveling during the peak season, book your accommodation well in advance.
We've handpicked three best places to stay for every type of traveler.
Budget | Gorge Campground - All budget travelers who camp, sleep in a van or everyone traveling in a campervan can stay in this campground situated super close to the national park. You can choose between powered and non-powered sites.
Mid-range | Pine Tree Motel - Centrally located motel offers clean and modern rooms, air-condition, buffet breakfast, and an outdoor pool.
Luxury | Cicada Lodge - The absolutely outstanding hotel is situated by the park's entrance, alongside the Katherine River, and offers excellent services and an outdoor pool. This is for sure the best place to stay in the area, in case you can afford to splurge a bit.
As it is possible to travel to Nitmiluk National Park from Darwin, you can search for accommodation in Darwin via this link.
Alternatively, search for your accommodation via Hostelworld.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
