Katherine
Northern Territory
Katherine is the Northern Territory's largest town, with a population of around 9,000 people. Katherine is approximately 300 kms from Darwin, 1,200 kms from Alice Springs, and 500 kms from Kununurra. It is a good hub due to its location and access into South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia and Northern Territory on your Outback adventure.
You will find a good choice of accommodation for all budgets in Katherine, from backpacker style, caravan and camping parks and hotel / motels.
The main attraction in Katherine is the spectacular Katherine Gorge, which is a part of the Katherine River in the Nitmiluk National Park.
Katherine Attractions
Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk National Park)
Katherine Gorge is a spectacular place and well worth visiting if you are in Katherine. There are a number of tour options, with Katherine Gorge Cruises available throughout the day, including a Dawn Break Breakfast cruise and the Nabilil Dreaming Sunset Cultural cruise. You can also hire canoes, talk along the numerous walking trails, or take a helicopter flight over the Gorge.
Leliyn (Edith Falls)
Edith Falls are on the Western side of the Nitmiluk National Park. They can be reached by turning off the Stuart Highway 42kms North of Katherine, then travelling another 19 kms down a sealed road. Edith Falls has camping facilities, including hot showers and a kiosk. There are walking trails and many rock pools where you can have a swim.
Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park
Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park is 30 kms South of Katherine via the Stuart Highway. The complex cave networks are the main feature of the 1,499 hectare park. The park is open all year, however the caves may be closed due to flooding in the wet season (December to April). Tours operate throughout the day, however numbers are limited so book ahead.
Manyalluk Aboriginal Cultural Tour
Manyalluk is an Aboriginal owned and operated tourism business on a 3,000 square kilometre property bordering Arnhem Land, Nitmiluk National Park and Kakadu National Park. The Manyalluk cultural tour gives you the opportunity to meet people in their environment that dates back beyond 40,000 years. Here you can experience Aboriginal culture such as spear throwing, fire-lighting, bush tucker and pandanus weaving. Manyalluk is around 100 kilometres from Katherine, and has camping facilities and safari huts.
Mataranka Thermal Pools
Mataranka Thermal Pools are around 100 kms South of Katherine on the Stuart Highway. The water is spring fed and keeps a fairly constant temperature of 34 degrees Celsius. The Mataranka Thermal Pool may be closed in the wet season due to flooding.
Katherine Visitor Centre
Cnr Lindsay Street and Katherine Terrace
Katherine
NT, 0851
Telephone: +61 8 8972 2650 or Toll Free: 1800 653 142
www.visitkatherine.com.au
info@ktc.nt.gov.au
Katherine Weather - Average Temperatures and Rainfall
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Avg. Max (°C) | 34.7 | 34.2 | 34.3 | 34.1 | 32.2 | 30.1 | 30.4 | 32.3 | 35.8 | 37.8 | 37.5 | 36.0 |
| Avg. Min (°C) | 24.2 | 24.0 | 23.1 | 20.7 | 16.7 | 14.0 | 12.8 | 14.6 | 20.0 | 23.8 | 24.8 | 24.5 |
| Avg. Rain (mm) | 275.1 | 247.0 | 207.5 | 39.6 | 5.3 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 1.8 | 6.6 | 34.0 | 88.6 | 217.0 |
| Avg. Rain Days | 17.9 | 17.4 | 13.7 | 3.7 | 0.8 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 3.7 | 9.3 | 15.0 |