Our Spaswinefood Australian adventure took us to the town of Katherine twice, both going to and coming from Darwin. Katherine, the fourth largest town in Australia's Northern Territory (NT), is home to the spectacular Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park. The town, 320 km (200 miles) southeast of Darwin, gets its name from the Katherine River, where it is situated. The Northern Territory consists of four regions (Darwin, Katherine, Barkly Region and Central Australia). The Katherine region consists of 480,000 square kilometers. It is home
to 10 parks and 6 major rivers (Katherine, Daly, Victoria, Roper, Flora and Limmen). Katherine offers many opportunities for outback adventures, especially along its waterways. Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park is one the most popular places for an outback adventure.
 |
| Katherine Gorge, Nitmiluk National Park © Spaswinefood |
Katherine: Adventures in the Northern Territory's Outback
Shortly after leaving Kununurra, Western Australia we crossed into the Northern Territory. After exploring Timber Creek's Victoria's River we travelled onto Katherine. In an earlier article I described our visit to Timber Creek where we did a late evening cruise on the Victoria River. Next day, we arrived in Katherine. After a quick stop at Katherine's Visitors Centre it was onto the delightful Shady Lane Caravan Park for the night.
We were fortunate to be able to visit Katherine twice while in the Northern Territory. The first time, we enjoyed a brief overnight stay. We were soon back on the road heading north towards Darwin. After touring the Top End sites we did a longer stopover. From Cooinda Caravan Park, Kakadu National Park it was back down the Stuart Highway to Katherine. It was a very pleasant drive back down the Stuart Highway. We stopped for lunch at Masiey's Cafe, Pine Creek, and then it was onto Katherine.
 |
| Pine Creek, Northern Territory © Spaswinefood |
Upon returning to Katherine the second
time we stayed at the Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park Caravan Park. This time we took time to explore the area.
 |
| Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park Caravan Park © Spaswinefood |
The caravan park was frequented by colorful birds and kangaroos. The kangaroos loved to hangout around the water taps at the park.
 |
| Kangaroo & Joey, Nitmiluk National Park Caravan Park © Spaswinefood |
Nitmulik Caravan Park is indeed a nice caravan park to just kick back and relax for a few days. It was especially nice to see a little joey in its mom's pouch.
 |
| Nitmiluk National Park Caravan Park © Spaswinefood |
During our stay the kangaroos dropped by a number of times. The park also offers more upscale accommodations at the Cicada Lodge.
 |
| Cicada Lodge, Nitmiluk National Park Caravan Park © Spaswinefood |
Katherine Gorge, Nitmiluk National Park
is a place where there is much to see and do.
 |
| Nitmiluk Visitors Centre Sign © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Nitmiluk Vistors Centre © Spaswinefood |
The Jawoyn people willingly share
their country with visitors.
 |
| Plaque, Nitmiluk Vistors Centre © Spaswinefood |
The park offers amply opportunities for walking,
canoeing, cruising and doing an air tour.
 |
|
| Nitmiluk National Park, Katherine Region © Spaswinefood |
|
The park is a great place to observe fruit bats, hanging out in the trees near the Katherine River gorges.
 |
| Fruit Bats #1, Nitmiluk National Park © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Fruit Bats #2, Nitmiluk National Park © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Fruit Bats #3, Nitmiluk National Park © Spaswinefood |
Touring Nitmiluk National Park Gorges
We did a NitNit Dreaming Cultural Tour of
two gorges in the national park. We were introduced to the cultural
significance of the gorges while viewing the landscape and wildlife in the area.
 |
Nitmiluk Tours, Nitmiluk National Park © Spaswinefood
|
 |
| Nitmiluk Tours, Nitmiluk National Park © Spaswinefood |
The park is also a great place to observe Aboriginal rock art.
 |
| Rock Art, Nitmiluk National Park © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Rock Art Explained, Nitmiluk National Park © Spaswinefood |
While cruising through the gorges it was a perfect day to view the changing landscape.
 |
| Cruising Nitmiluk National Park Gorges © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Taking care of Nitmiluk National Park © Spaswinefood |
On that beautiful June morning the rock walls in the gorges looked very stunning.
 |
| Nitmiluk National Park Gorge © Spaswinefood |
Soon we reached the end of first gorge. Here we had to transfer to another boat to continue our trip through the second gorge.
 |
| Changing Boats, Nitmiluk National Park © Spaswinefood |
Soon we were traveling through the second gorge.
 |
| 2nd Gorge, Nitmiluk National Park © Spaswinefoood |
 |
| Rock Wall, Nitmiluk National Park © Spaswinefood |
Later we neared the end of the second gorge.
 |
| End Gorge, Nitmiluk National Park © Spaswinefood |
Like all Northern Territory waterways you have to watch out for crocodiles, both salt and freshwater. It is important to only swim is designed areas, which are monitored for crocodiles.
 |
| Swimming Closed, Katherine River © Spaswinefood |
Yes, we did see some crocodiles on our cruise.
 |
| Chilling, Nitmiluk National Park © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Crocodile, Nitmiluk National Park Gorge © Spaswinefood |
All too soon we reached the end of the second gorge. The boat turned around and we returned back down the two gorges.
 |
| Moon, Nitmiluk National Park © Spaswinefood |
When we neared the dock I viewed a lookout point overlooking the gorge.
 |
| Lookout, Nitmiluk National Park © Spaswinefood |
Katherine is indeed a great base for many outback adventures. With more time we would also like to experience the culture and festivals in the Katherine Region.
Katherine Hot Springs
I could not resist stopping by the Katherine Hot Springs while in the area.
 |
| Katherine Hot Springs Sign © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Swimming Area, Katherine Hot Springs © Spaswinefood |
The Katherine Hot Springs is located in a monsoon forest of paperbark and ghost gum trees. It is popular for swimming. There are picnic tables and barbecue facilities. It was the perfect hangout for the local teenagers the day we visited. It has been described as a place to observe birds and wildlife.
The Silver Screen Café was one of the restaurants that we checked out while in town.
 |
| Silver Screen Café, Katherine © Spaswinefood |
Visitors will find that Katherine area offers a good selection of restaurant and accommodation options.
Onwards to Central Australia
After leaving Katherine we continued
our journey south on the Stuart Highway to Mataranka's Homestead Caravan Park. Two days later we arrived in Alice Springs. Australia's Northern Territory, a large federal territory, covers the central northern (Top End) and central Australia (Center). It is the third largest area and the least populous federal area within Australia. The population of the Northern Territory lives mainly along the Stuart Highway, in the main towns of Darwin (capital), Alice Springs, Katherine, Nhulunbuy, Palmerton and Tennant Creek. The Northern Territory's main industries are tourism and mining. Clearly there is so much to do and see
in Australia’s Northern Territory. I invite you to join me in my travels in
Australia and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
Sharon
June 2015
Katherine, Northern Territory,
Australia
© Spaswinefood
No comments:
Post a Comment