Strap yourself in and head about 300 kilometres south of Darwin to reach this outback town, the gateway to a network of rugged gorges filled with water and wildlife. Take a scenic flight or helicopter journey to see it from above, or explore via boat or even kayak for a different perspective.

Far more than just the township, the Katherine region stretches from the Western Australian border to the remote eastern coastline, taking in numerous Aboriginal communities. Many welcome visitors, particularly those with art centres, like the Ghunmarn Culture Centre in Beswick, which holds the special Blanasi collection. At the nearby Mulkgulumbu falls, an annual indigenous festival called Walking with Spirits offers a taste of traditional and contemporary music and dance.

Rest your soles in the rejuvenating thermal pool at Mataranka, then hit the Daly River and fish for barramundi – the perfect campsite dinner.