Katherine sits on the Katherine River on Jawoyn, Dagoman and Wardaman Country. It grew around a telegraph station and later the railway, and today serves the cattle, defence and tourism industries of the region.
Things to do
Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge). Thirteen gorges carved into sandstone by the Katherine River, jointly managed by the Jawoyn people. Take a cruise, hire a canoe, walk to lookouts or take a scenic flight.
Katherine Hot Springs. Warm, clear thermal pools beside the river, a short walk from town.
Leliyn (Edith Falls). A waterfall and plunge pool in the north of Nitmiluk, about 60 km from town.
Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre. Exhibitions and performances showcasing regional Aboriginal and contemporary art.
Mataranka. About 105 km south-east, Elsey National Park's thermal pools are a classic stop.
History and Country
Katherine is on the Country of the Jawoyn, Dagoman and Wardaman peoples. John McDouall Stuart named the Katherine River in 1862 after the daughter of one of his sponsors. The Overland Telegraph Line was built across the river in the 1870s, and a telegraph station was established nearby. The railway from Darwin reached Katherine in 1917. During the Second World War, Katherine was an important military base and was bombed by Japanese aircraft in 1942. In 1998, Katherine was devastated by a major flood, and the town has since rebuilt.
Nitmiluk National Park in detail
Nitmiluk National Park is jointly managed by the Jawoyn people and Parks and Wildlife NT. The Katherine River has carved a series of gorges into the Arnhem Land plateau.
- Cruises: gorge cruises of varying lengths run in the dry season.
- Canoeing: canoe hire allows you to paddle the gorges at your own pace; overnight trips require permits.
- Walking: tracks range from short lookouts to the multi-day Jatbula Trail from the gorge to Leliyn (Edith Falls).
- Crocodiles: freshwater crocodiles live in the gorges. Estuarine (saltwater) crocodiles can enter in the wet season; follow signage and swimming advice.
Katherine Hot Springs
The hot springs, a short walk or drive from the town centre, are fed by thermal water and are free to use. Access has been improved with paths and ramps.
Aboriginal culture and art
Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre showcases regional art and performance. Aboriginal art centres in the region include Mimi Arts in Katherine. Jawoyn-led tours operate in Nitmiluk.
A three-day itinerary
Day 1: Hot springs, the museum and the arts centre.
Day 2: Gorge cruise or canoe at Nitmiluk, plus the Baruwei lookout walk.
Day 3: Leliyn (Edith Falls) for a swim, or south to Mataranka's thermal pools.
Seasons
The dry season (May to September) is the main travel period, with warm days and cool nights. The wet season brings heat, humidity, storms and flooding.
Getting there
Katherine is about 320 km south of Darwin on the Stuart Highway, and The Ghan stops here.
Safety
Assume crocodiles are present in waterways. Carry water and check road conditions in the wet.
Katherine's history in detail
The Katherine River crossing was an important point on the Overland Telegraph Line, completed in 1872. The old telegraph station site lies just outside the modern town. Springvale Homestead, built in the 1870s by Alfred Giles, is one of the oldest surviving homesteads in the Territory. The railway bridge over the Katherine River, built in the 1920s, and the old railway station are other heritage landmarks. During the Second World War, Katherine was a key staging point for troops and supplies, and the region still hosts the Tindal RAAF base.
The 1998 flood
On Australia Day 1998, ex-Cyclone Les brought torrential rain, and the Katherine River rose to record levels, flooding much of the town. Many homes and businesses were damaged. Flood markers around town show the height of the water. The flood led to improvements in warning systems and planning.
Cutta Cutta Caves
About 27 km south of Katherine, Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park protects limestone caves with stalactites and stalagmites. Guided tours run in the dry season; the caves are home to rare bats and other species. Check Parks and Wildlife NT for tour times.
Where to next
- Mataranka — south, with Bitter Springs and the Mataranka Thermal Pool in Elsey National Park.
- Pine Creek — north, a historic gold town on the Stuart Highway.
- Kakadu National Park — north-east via Pine Creek and the Kakadu Highway.
- Timber Creek and Gregory National Park — west along the Victoria Highway.
- Darwin — 320 km north.
Packing tips
Bring a hat, sunscreen, a swimsuit, insect repellent and a refillable water bottle. In the dry season, nights can be cool; a light jacket is useful.
More things to do
Katherine Hot Springs. The Katherine Town Council describes several natural thermal pools in the heart of town, connected by a boardwalk. The main pool has a wheelchair access ramp, handrails and rock-formed steps. The springs are open from 7 am to 7 pm daily. They're closed to swimmers in the wet season (about October to April), when the river rises. Local tourism material gives the water temperature as about 25–30°C. There's a shady picnic area and a playground above the springs.
Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre. About three minutes south of Katherine Terrace on the Stuart Highway, it runs a year-round program of visual and performing arts, and its store represents regional artists. It's open from 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday and from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday, and closed on Sunday and public holidays.
Springvale Homestead. A few kilometres out of town, it's one of the oldest pastoral homesteads in the NT, dating from the 1870s.
Katherine Museum. In the old airport terminal, it covers the Telegraph era, the 1998 flood, and local aviation and pastoral history.
Katherine School of the Air. It serves remote students across the region, and you can visit to learn how it works.
On the river. The council also lists scenic flights, fishing, canoeing and catered sunset river cruises.
What do you do at Katherine Gorge?
At Nitmiluk, choose a boat cruise through one or more gorges, hire a canoe, take a scenic helicopter flight, or walk the escarpment trails to the lookouts. Swim at Leliyn (Edith Falls) when it's open. See Nitmiluk National Park.
The drive from Darwin
Katherine is about 320 km south-east of Darwin on the sealed Stuart Highway. The council says it's about a three-hour drive, and local material allows about 3.5 hours. The road passes the turn-offs to Litchfield, Adelaide River and Pine Creek. Watch for road trains and wildlife. It's about 1,190 km on to Alice Springs.
Where to stay
Katherine has motels, caravan and tourist parks (including Springvale Homestead), cabins and a few hotels. Inside Nitmiluk, there's a campground and a lodge at the gorge, plus campgrounds at Leliyn. Book ahead from May to September.
Best time to visit
The dry season, about May to September, is warm and dry, with the hot springs and most swimming spots open. The wet season (around October to April) brings heat, storms, the hot springs' swimming closure and possible flooding. It's also when the waterfalls are at their best from the air. See the wet season and road closures.
Katherine with kids
The hot springs' shallow pools and playground, a boat cruise at Nitmiluk, and the School of the Air are all good for families. Supervise children closely around rivers, and follow all swimming signs. Crocodile management applies in Top End waterways. See crocodile safety and the outback with kids.
Katherine as a base
Katherine is called "where the outback meets the tropics". It sits at a crossroads: the Stuart Highway runs north to Darwin and south to Alice Springs, the Victoria Highway goes west to the Kimberley, and the Savannah Way heads east to Queensland. The Ghan stops here for a scheduled off-train excursion on its journeys. See outback by train and the Northern Territory road trip.
Practical information
Katherine has a hospital, supermarkets and accommodation. The wet season (roughly November to April) can flood roads and parts of Nitmiluk. Continue on the Savannah Way or north to Darwin.
Explore nearby
Nearby park guide: Judbarra/Gregory National Park.
Nearby park guides: Keep River and Limmen.
Related park guide: Elsey.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Katherine from Darwin?
About 320 km south of Darwin on the Stuart Highway, roughly three and a half hours' drive.
Can you swim at Katherine Gorge?
Swimming is permitted in some areas of Nitmiluk at certain times of year once rangers have surveyed for saltwater crocodiles. Always obey signs and check with the park.
What is the drive from Darwin to Katherine like?
It's about 320 km on the sealed Stuart Highway, roughly three to three and a half hours. It's an easy drive through savanna, with road trains and wildlife to watch for.
Are Katherine Hot Springs open all year?
The springs are open daily from 7 am to 7 pm, but Katherine Town Council says they're closed to swimmers during the wet season, about October to April, when the Katherine River rises.
What do you do at Katherine Gorge?
Take a cruise or hire a canoe in Nitmiluk Gorge, walk to the escarpment lookouts, take a helicopter flight, and swim at Leliyn (Edith Falls) when open.
Sources and further reading
Facts on this page were checked against these primary and official sources. Conditions change — confirm before you travel or buy.
- Nitmiluk National Park — NT Government
- Visit Katherine — Katherine Town Council
- Tourism — Katherine Town Council
- Visit us — Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre
- Explore Katherine visitor guide — Katherine Visitor Information Centre
