What is Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge?
Nitmiluk, or Katherine Gorge, is a series of 13 sandstone gorges carved by the Katherine River in the Northern Territory, about 30 kilometres from the town of Katherine.
The gorges form the heart of Nitmiluk National Park, owned by the Jawoyn people and jointly managed with the Northern Territory government. The name Nitmiluk comes from the Jawoyn words for the place of the cicada dreaming.
Visitors explore by boat cruise, canoe or helicopter. In the dry season, rocky rapids separate the gorges, so boat passengers walk between them.
Walking and swimming
The Jatbula Trail is a 62-kilometre multi-day walk from the gorge to Leliyn (Edith Falls), passing waterfalls and swimming holes.
Swimming is allowed in some areas when rangers decide it is safe from saltwater crocodiles.
Rock art can be seen along the gorge walls.
The gorge walls rise up to about 70 metres in places, glowing red and orange in the early morning and late afternoon. In the wet season, the river becomes a raging torrent and cruises are limited. Campgrounds, cabins and the Cicada Lodge near the visitor centre offer places to stay, and lookout walks give views over the first gorge.
Did You Know?
Freshwater crocodiles live in the gorge and are generally shy of people.