Nature lovers will find plenty of things to do in nitmiluk national park katherine gorge. So, are you up for a canoeing adventure in katherine gorge. Half day, full day and overnight hire options are available. Before you leave, have a look at these 7 tips for a better canoeing adventure. Katherine is the top ends third largest town with a pioneering history dating back to the 1860s, it is settled along the banks of the katherine river, 320 kilometres southeast of. Once known as katherine gorge national park, nitmiluk bumps up against the southern side of kakadu and is everything you could hope for in a northern territories 4wd camper adventure. Visit katherine gorge on your trip to katherine or australia. Dimond gorge at mornington also offers canoes for hire. Get the full canoeing guide for nitmiluk national park for all the details. The boat ride through the first gorge introduces you to the jawoyn culture and natural surrounds. Cruises on the 1st gorge in katherine gorge national park australia katherine gorge map nitmiluk national park this 292,800 hectare national park is owned by the jawoyn aboriginal people and jointly managed with the parks and wildlife commission of the northern territory.
Half the group were going on a cruise and the other half myself included decided to canoe it. Depending on your expectations, the overnight canoe in katherine gorge can go from a bucket list item to a nightmare. The most comfortable months to visit the park are from may to september. Canoes at the entrance to katherine gorge at the lodge we were assured that the gorge was free of the saltwater crocodiles but the shier and smaller freshwater crocs could still be seen and in fact bred in the gorge. Katherine is a lovely town, it has a natural vibrancy and really comes alive from february to october as the tourists roll in. Take a dip in the relaxing hot springs near katherine township.
Canoe in katherine gorge we just returned from our big outback trip and one of the places we stopped was katherine. The number of canoes allowed in katherine gorge is limited. Katherine boats floats for hire tours in katherine. You can access the area off the main stuart highway at the town of katherine. Nitmiluk full day canoe hire day tour day canoeing katherine startfinish take a picninc lunch and explore the nitmiluk national park as you leisurely canoe through to the first 3 of the gorges that are calved deep into the sandstone cliffs by the constant flow of the katherine river over thousands of years. I went to katherine gorge with my friend and we had rented a canoe for the day. Situated near the katherine river banks these beautiful clear pools of water are surrounded by beautiful native vegetation. Full day canoe hire allows you to go beyond the second gorge, although this does involve carrying the canoe at some points. It was really a great experience, since we were able to paddle the first 3 gorges, have a picnic and a swim and head back to return the canoe by 16. Take a cruise or canoe along the magnificent katherine gorge nitmiluk, and be dwarfed by the towering glowing cliffs of the gorge. Self guided half day, full day or overnight canoeing trips of katherine gorge nitmiluk gorge provide an active and personal experience. Our vision is to create authentic and unforgettable holiday experiences, sharing and sustaining the.
It has a population of around 10,000, and is significant regional and tourism centre. Welcome to nitmiluk tours on behalf of the traditional owners of the land, the jawoyn people of katherine, i welcome you to nitmiluk the place of the cicada dreaming. Katherine gorge nitmiluk national park around 24 klm off. Consisting of separate gorges, nitmiluk gorge is a maze of waterways sculpted from the sandstone over countless millennia by the katherine river. Cultural cruises of nitmiluk national park are also available. The tropical katherine river has long been appreciated by our travellers as a fantastic way to experience the top end wilderness. My journey up kilimanjaro at 300 pounds is the raw story of karas ascent from the depths of selfdoubt to the top of the world. I love the whole national park, its ruggedness, the spectacular views, the challenging walks, the little waterfalls and rock pools that not many people find see hiking in katherine gorge national park.
We did the sunset dinner cruise highly recommend must book in advance. You may want to consider the different options to explore the gorge before booking your canoe for two days. Katherine gorge is situated in nitmiluk national park, some 244km from darwin. Admire the stunning views, get up close to the wildlife, explore the rocky escarpment riverbanks or cool off at a sandy beach. Why a katherine gorge canoe trip is the best way to see the gorge. Children aged six and over can join this tour in a double canoe with an adult. The renowned nitmiluk gorge boasts dramatic cliffs that plunge down to the katherine river. This is a great tour for families looking for a little bit more. Katherine startfinish take a picninc lunch and explore the nitmiluk national park as you leisurely canoe through to the first 3 of the gorges that are calved deep into the sandstone cliffs by the constant flow of the katherine river over thousands of years.
How to get to katherine gorge in nitmiluk national park. No visit to the northern territory is complete without visiting the spectacular nitmiluk national park, a region of rugged beauty, history and culture with the breathtaking nitmiluk katherine gorge as the centerpiece. Nitmiluk national park katherine regional office ph. Cruises in katherine gorge in nitmiluk national park.
The central attraction is the deep gorge carved through ancient sandstone by the katherine river. Admire the stunning views, get up close to the wildlife, explore the rocky escarpment riverbanks or. Overnight katherine gorge canoe hire gives you more options to explore further, but a high level of physical fitness is required. Take a scenic boat ride from the boat tour departure point to commence canoeing in the second gorge. Nitmiluk tours katherine 2020 all you need to know before.
Katherine gorge has been on my bucket list ever since it was featured in a movie i saw as a child, and it didnt disappoint. Nitmiluk national park katherine gorge wildlife location. Please just do make sure to book ahead by calling nitmiluk tours 08 8972. Make a splash in the landscaped pool and relax at the poolside bistro you will be. Make your way to the sandstone country of nitmiluk national park and explore the stunning gorges on foot, by canoe, boat or helicopter. You need to book overnight accommodation and canoeing at nitmiluk, the phone number to ring is 08 8971 0877. Recreational activities range from swimming in the cool waterholes and camping along the river to fishing for barramundi, kayaking or canoeing down the katherine river, cruising through the gorges on a boat tour, birdwatching, and hiking the many trails. Kayaking or canoeing through the katherine river wilderness. We just returned from our big outback trip and one of the places we stopped was katherine. The ultimate guide to katherine gorge nitmiluk national.
Weve got 23 tours going to katherine river gorge, starting from just 3 days in length, and the longest tour is 28 days. If you come during the peak tourist season mid june to mid august make sure you book ahead. The township is on the banks of the katherine river, which flows down from the worldrenowned katherine gorge. You can rent or bring your own canoe to the park, and helicopter flights can show you the parks wildlife from above. With rugged landscapes, thundering waterfalls and unlimited flora and fauna, nitmiluk is a haven for adventurers and nature lovers alike. Response from 526bm, public relations manager at nitmiluk katherine gorge canoe adventure tours responded 29 oct. There is also sir john gorge but they only allow two people a day into it.
It was two to a canoe and i shared with carina, a german girl who me and kate have been sharing a room with since alice springs. Experience the beauty, history and culture of the northern territorys nitmiluk national park. Nitmiluk national park covers a vast area of escarpment country, including gorges carved from the ancient sandstone country. Get up close and personal to the mesmerising nitmiluk katherine gorge, by canoeing your way through its many wonders. Greet the incredible array of wildlife as you glide along katherine river. Following a small walk on a rocky path to the canoe launch area be prepared for the adventure to really. Nitmiluk caravan park nitmiluk national park accommodation. Previously known as katherine gorge national park, its northern edge borders kakadu national park. Katherine river canoeing by world expeditions code.
Wildlife and landscape experience both the quietude of river life and the noise of its natural inhabitants. Southeast of adelaide river, you can venture east off the stuart hwy for a cold beer at the grove hill pub and on to pine creek, or choose west along the douglas daly scenic route and stop for a. You can canoe to the fourth, sixth and ninth gorges and camp overnight, but make sure you book ahead of time by calling nitmiluk tours on. It was hard work on our arms but the view was beautiful. Take your pick from well grassed, shady powered and unpowered caravan and camping sites, the permanent tent village or chalet accommodation. To fully experience katherine gorge, take a helicopter ride and get set down for a swim in one of the harder to reach gorges. Located in the northern territorys nitmiluk national park, this maze of sandstone waterways has been sculpted by the katherine river over countless millennia. If you are fit, and you like efforts, challenges and remoteness as part of your holidays, then go for it. Nitmiluk national park is in the northern territory of australia, 244 km southeast of darwin, around a series of gorges on the katherine river and edith falls. Katherine is a village in the lower top end of the northern territory, australia understand. Relax in the nitmiluk camping and caravan park, just minutes walk to the start of the nitmiluk katherine gorge system. From shorter 3 gorge flights to extensive flights over the entire katherine river and gorge system. Previously named katherine gorge national park, its northern edge borders kakadu national park.
For over 25 years, adventurers have paddled down the crystal rapids and pandanus channels on our classic top end itineraries. Nitmiluk gorge is one of the most picturesque places to canoe in australia. Nitmiluk tours canoe hire nitmiluk national park hire. Experience the beauty, history and culture, paddling on the waters of the northern territorys nitmiluk national park. If you do this canoe trip during the peak tourist season it is unlikely that you will have even the later sections of katherine gorge entirely to yourself. Keep an eye out for saltwater crocodiles, which enter the katherine river during the wet season. There are canoes for hire or you can get a permit to use your own canoe from the nitmiluk national park visitor centre. Explore the worldfamous park and gorge country on foot, by canoe, boat or helicopter. You can book your katherine gorge canoe adventure here.
Tour nitmiluk full day canoe hire australia book online. Katherine gorge is located within amazing nitmiluk national park, which spans more than 292,000 hectares. Some of the area boarders onto kakadu national park. Canoeing katherine gorge is indeed an amazing adventure, but it will not seduce everybody. Her inspiring trek speaks to every woman who has struggled with her selfimage or felt that food was controlling her life. The most popular month to go is september, which has the most number of tour departures. This maze of waterways has been sculpted from the sandstone over countless millennia by the katherine river. Check out our guide of the nitmiluk national park and surrounding katherine gorges. Katherine gorge a mustsee of the top end is katherine gorge, situated just 30 kilometres northeast of katherine nestled in the heart of nitmiluk national park.
Jatbula trail plus 56 day kakadu twin falls trail 56 day nitmiluk dreaming trail 45. A katherine gorge canoe trip is the best way to see. The wet season causes flooding of the katherine river and restrictions on some of the activities available. Katherine river canoeing includes accommodation as well as an expert guide, meals, transport and more. You can canoe to the fourth, sixth and ninth gorges and camp overnight, but make sure you book ahead of time by calling nitmiluk tours on 08 8972 1253 or 0 146 743. Nitmiluk tours is the 100% indigenous owned touring operation of the traditional jawoyn people operating all touring and. The gorge entrance to the park is 30km east of katherine on the sealed gorge road. Not sure if they let you in with your own canoe but doesnt hurt to ask. Powered and nonpowered sites are available near the gorge caravan park. Add katherine gorge to your katherine travel itinerary, and discover new vacation ideas by using our katherine route planner. The 292,800 hectare nitmiluk national park lies 244 kilometres southeast of darwin. A canoe trip is a great way to get away from the crowds and experience the splendour of nitmiluk gorge katherine gorge.
Katherine is the third largest settlement in the northern territory around 300 km south from darwin. The nitmiluk katherine gorge is located 29km from katherine, along a sealed road. Nitmiluk katherine gorge canoe adventure tours provided. The gorges and the surrounding landscape have great ceremonial significance to the local jawoyn people, who are custodians of nitmiluk. Visit nitmiluk national park on your trip to katherine or. Honest and unforgettable, karas journey is one of intense passion, endurance, and self. Katherine gorge is in the nitmiluk national park east of the town of katherine and is the centrepiece of the park. Katherine is the gate way to the four largest river systems in the nt, the roper river, the vic river, and the daly river. All tours that travel between alice springs and darwin in. Nitmiluk katherine gorge canoe adventure tours 2020 viator.
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