Katherine
Why go there?
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. Its diverse landscapes and unique ecosystems set the scene for outback adventure activities like fishing, canoeing, bushwalking, bird watching, camping and four-wheel driving. Take a scenic flight or helicopter journey to see it from above, or explore via boat or even kayak for a different perspective!
The township of Katherine is 300km south of Darwin, and many of the nearby Aboriginal communities welcome visitors, particularly those with art centres, like the Ghunmarn Culture Centre in Beswick, which holds the special Blanasi collection of Aboriginal Art. At the nearby Mulkgulumbu Falls, an annual indigenous festival called Walking with Spirits offers a taste of traditional and contemporary music and dance.
Day trips from Katherine can be taken north to Pine Creek or south to Mataranka. Pine Creek has a strong gold mining heritage, with original buildings dating back to the 1800s, while Mataranka is famous for its tropical thermal pools and nearby Elsey National Park. The Victoria River region, south west of Katherine, is well known as a premier fishing holiday destination. Further north, the Daly River region is another spot popular for fishing and camping, with hot springs, gorges and rivers.
Don't Miss...
Cruising the spectacular Katherine Gorge at sunset
Trekking to plunging waterfalls on the Jatbula Trail
Canoeing through small sparkling rapids on the Katherine River
Celebrating culture and heritage at the Walking with Spirits Festival