Why do swimming areas close in the wet season?

Saltwater crocodiles may move in

Katherine Gorge Quiz: Nitmiluk Canyons and River Cruises

This Katherine Gorge quiz paddles through the sandstone canyons of Nitmiluk National Park in the Northern Territory. Play 10 interactive questions on its 13 gorges, the Katherine River, Jawoyn ownership since 1989, boat cruises, canoeing, freshwater and saltwater crocodiles, wet season closures, Edith Falls, the Jatbula Trail and rock art.

Start Katherine Gorge Quiz

🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

Territory
Where is Katherine Gorge?
Park
Which national park includes the gorge?
Count
How many gorges are in the system?
River
Which river carved the gorges?
Owners
Which Aboriginal people own the park?
Cruise
How do many visitors see the gorges?
Crocs
Which crocodiles live in the gorge year-round?
Wet
Why do swimming areas close in the wet season?
Falls
Which waterfall and pool is in the park's west?
Trail
Which multi-day walk links the gorge and Edith Falls?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: Where is Katherine Gorge?
Answer: Northern Territory
It is south of Darwin.
Q2: Which national park includes the gorge?
Answer: Nitmiluk National Park
Nitmiluk means place of cicada dreaming.
Q3: How many gorges are in the system?
Answer: Thirteen
They are linked by rapids and rocks.
Q4: Which river carved the gorges?
Answer: Katherine River
It cut through sandstone.
Q5: Which Aboriginal people own the park?
Answer: Jawoyn
Land was handed back in 1989.
Q6: How do many visitors see the gorges?
Answer: On boat cruises
Some cruises walk between gorges.
Q7: Which crocodiles live in the gorge year-round?
Answer: Freshwater crocodiles
They are shy and smaller.
Q8: Why do swimming areas close in the wet season?
Answer: Saltwater crocodiles may move in
Rangers check before reopening.
Q9: Which waterfall and pool is in the park's west?
Answer: Edith Falls
Its Jawoyn name is Leliyn.
Q10: Which multi-day walk links the gorge and Edith Falls?
Answer: Jatbula Trail
It is about 62 km long.

Paddling Thirteen Sandstone Gorges

Katherine Gorge lies in Nitmiluk National Park in the Northern Territory, south of Darwin. The Katherine River has cut a chain of thirteen gorges through ancient sandstone, separated by rapids and boulders. The park's name comes from the Jawoyn word for place of cicada dreaming.

The land was handed back to the Jawoyn people in 1989, and the park is jointly managed with them. Visitors see the gorges on boat cruises, sometimes walking over rocks between gorges, or paddle canoes past cliffs with rock art. Freshwater crocodiles bask along the banks.

In the wet season, rising water may bring saltwater crocodiles, so swimming areas close until rangers check them. In the west of the park, Edith Falls, called Leliyn, has popular swimming pools. Hikers can walk the Jatbula Trail, about 62 kilometers from the gorge to Edith Falls.

What This Quiz Teaches

Travel fans will enjoy these questions.

Where the gorge is
How many gorges there are
Who owns the park
How visitors explore
Which safety rules matter

Did You Know?

Helicopter flights show the gorges from above.
Dry season is the busiest time to visit.
The town of Katherine is nearby.
Wallabies and many birds live in the park.
Waterfalls pour into the gorge in the wet season.