Plan Book Travel Australia

DESTINATION: Nitmiluk NP

Nitmiluk' is the traditional Jawoyn owners' word for 'Cicada Dreaming', an important Aboriginal Creation story. Located 29km from Katherine on sealed road, the 2920km park, on the southernmost end of the Arnhem Land Plateau, contains a series of 13 beautiful gorges carved out over time by theKatherine River and separated by rapids. Rock art adorns the gorge walls and the park is home to prolific wildlife, including freshwater crocodiles and 168 species of birds. Walking, swimming, fishing (lures only), canoeing and cruising along the river are popular activities.

The park is a bushwalkers paradise with 120km of walking trails, ranging from 400m to the 65km one-way Jatbula Trail, from Katherine Gorge to Leliyn-Edith Falls (accessed via the Stuart Hwy). Guided walking tours and extended camping bushwalks are available. For information on these and other park details, see the excellent national park information sheets. If bushwalking sounds too strenuous, why not take a helicopter tour for a birdseye view of the gorge and surrounding country.