May 2022 - Adventure, baby!

The Five Best Things To Do In Katherine, Northern Territory

Plan to spend several days at the remarkable Katherine, a big country town located three hours drive south of Darwin on the Katherine River.

1. Explore the mighty Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge

Experience the wonder of Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park with a Katherine Gorge Cruise Tour.

The tranquil Katherine Gorge Cruise Tours are the perfect way to experience the highlights of Nitmiluk National Park, particularly if you are time pressed or aren’t into long hikes or kayaking. They are especially suitable for families with kids whose legs aren’t up for long walks.

2. Enjoy an authentic cultural experience

Enjoy an authentic Aboriginal experience at Top Didj & Art Gallery in Katherine, NT, including storytelling, spear throwing, fire-lighting and traditional Aboriginal rarrk painting.

The Top Didj Cultural Experience was a highlight of our Top End NT trip. The cultural experience is led by Manuel Pamkal, a traditional indigenous man who grew up in the Top End. Manual very generously shares his experience as a child living On Country and surviving in the bush, giving visitors like us a deeper understanding of Australia’s indigenous communities.

Read more about visiting Top Didj & Art Gallery in Katherine.

3. Go underground at the Cutta Cutta Caves

Discover natural limestone caves at Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park in Katherine, Northern Territory.

The caves, located 27km south of Katherine, were formed millions of years ago. They are easily reached by the Stuart Highway, with the caves themselves a short walk along a dirt path from the visitors centre.

Read more about visiting Cutta Cutta Caves.

4. Relax in the Katherine Hot Springs

Take a dip in the refreshing Katherine Hot Springs, natural thermal springs on the banks of the Katherine River. The spring water is the perfect swimming temperature year-round, a balmy 32 degrees.

Read more about visiting Katherine Hot Springs.

5. Leliyn (Edith Falls)

Swim underneath a picturesque waterfall at Leliyn (Edith Falls) Nitmiluk National Park.

Leliyn (Edith Falls) is located on the western side of Nitmiluk National Park, a 60km drive north of Katherine along the Stuart Highway. It is easiest to access when driving between Kakadu National Park and the town of Katherine as a stop over.

Read more about visiting Leliyn (Edith Falls).

Where to stay

We stayed at Pine Tree Motel, which was reasonably priced and included a hot and cold breakfast. The motel was clean, conveniently located and the staff were friendly and helpful. Facilities at the Pine Tree Motel included a swimming and laundry.

Read more about things to do in Katherine.

Read more about visiting Litchfield National Park.

Take a dip in Katherine Hot Springs.

Visit Cutta Cutta Caves.

Get information on visiting Maguk Falls.

Visit Jim Jim Falls.

See the Spectacular Jumping Crocodiles.

See some of the world’s oldest rock art at Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) Rock.

Stay at the Mercure Crocodile Kakadu Hotel.

Spot wildlife on a Yellow Water Billabong Cruise.

Find things to do in Kakadu National Park.

Take a dip at Edith Falls.

Experience a tranquil Katherine Gorge Cruise Tour.

Check out things to do in one day at Litchfield National Park.

Find the 5 best things to do in Katherine.

Top things to do in one day at Litchfield National Park

Located just 90 minutes from Darwin, Litchfield National Park is the perfect Top End day trip with waterfalls, swimming holes, walking trails and termite mounds to see.

While you could easily spend days slowly enjoying the area, if you’re tight on time it is possible to hit up many of the highlights in one day.

Download a full-size version of the map and fact sheet here.

Tips for visiting Litchfield National Park

Ensure your car is full of petrol. There are no petrol stations in the park.

Bring food and water. There are very limited places to buy anything to eat or drink (just one small kiosk)

Bring sunscreen, hats and sunglasses. Even in winter the park is blazing hot.

Magnetic termite mounds

The magnetic termite mounds of Litchfield National Park are up to 100 years old and two metres high.

Wangi Falls

The iconic Wangi Falls feature picturesque walking tracks of varying and stunning waterfalls. Camping is permitted at the falls – facilities include a kiosk, hot showers and barbecues.

Florence Falls

Visit a secluded plunge pool in the middle of a monsoon rainforest at Florence Falls.There are a number of walks around the falls, and Florence Falls is open for swimming for most of the year.

Buley Rockhole

A popular spot with locals and tourists alike, the Buley Rockhole is a series of cascading small swimming holes fed by waterfalls in the middle of a rainforest. Buley Rockhole can get quite busy. Picnic and barbecue facilities are available.

Tolmer Falls

Tolmer Falls is one of the most spectacular falls in Litchfield National Park, cascading over two high escarpments into one deep plunge pool. A short walk from the car park leads to two viewing platforms at the top of the gorge. The 1.6 kilometre Tolmer Falls loop walk takes you to two viewing platforms at the top of the gorge. It’s an easy walk (that is rocky in parts), taking about 45 minutes. Swimming is not permitted.

Sandy Creek Falls (Tjaynera)

Access to Sandy Creek Falls/Tjaynera is limited to 4WD access only, plus a 1.4km trek through the rainforest. Sandy Creek camping ground is available for those wishing to stay the night. Swim only in the areas marked safe to do so.