Description of the attraction
Nitmiluk National Park, 224 km from Darwin, was founded in the basin of the Catherine River and Edith Falls. It was even originally called Catherine's Gorge National Park. Its northern end is bordered by the Kakadu National Park.
The Catherine River gorges and their surrounding landscape are of great ceremonial importance to the Jawoyn Aborigines, the guardians of the park. In their language, the word "nitmiluk" means "the place where the cicadas sleep." In the park, you can see rock paintings of the ancient inhabitants of these territories.
You can explore the gorges by canoe or punt. During the dry season, the gorges become isolated from each other due to the fact that the water level in the river drops sharply.
30 km from the gorges, in the town of Katherine, there is the visitor center of the national park, where you can learn interesting facts about the geology of the park, its landscapes and the history of the aborigines. You can also book a guided tour here.
The main attraction of the park is the deep Catherine Gorge, "carved" in ancient sandstones by the Catherine River, which originates in the Kakadu National Park. It consists of 13 separate gorges with river rapids and waterfalls. During periods of drought - usually from April to October - the river in the gorge is calm, ideal for swimming and canoeing. Despite the fact that freshwater crocodiles live in the river, which make their homes on its banks, they are not dangerous to humans. But saltwater crocodiles that fall into the river during the rainy season due to rising water levels can attack, so swimming is prohibited here at this time of year.
The park is full of hiking trails, ranging from river walks and night hikes to the five-day trek from Catherine Gorge to Edith Falls. An unforgettable experience will be given by a helicopter excursion - one of the best ways to see the entire system of gorges. A 12-minute flight will allow you to admire the breathtaking views of the Arnhem Plateau, and in 25 minutes you can fly around the entire Katherine Gorge.
