Nitmiluk National Park

Northern Rockhole, Jatbula Trail, Nitmiluk National Park, NT. Photo credit: Peter Eve/Tourism NT

Nitmiluk National Park

Whether you’re trekking, swimming or taking a scenic flight, Nitmiluk’s mixture of rocky escarpments, waterways, and monsoon rainforest make for a dramatic way to get back to nature.

Visiting Nitmiluk

There are two entrances to the park. The main visitor centre and cruise jetties are roughly 30km NE of Katherine. The other is at Leliyn (Edith Falls) on the West side of the park. Both entrances are reached via sealed roads.

The best time to visit the park is in the dry season (May to Oct). During the wet many areas close and some activities are unavailable.

Exploring Nitmiluk National Park

Katherine Gorge
Nitmiluk is one continuous gorge but in the dry season, when the river level falls, it splits into 13 sections.

During the dry season swimming is generally fine along the length of the gorge, but do observe any warning signs as freshwater crocs may still be around.

During the wet season parts of the river become gushing torrents and saltwater crocs can access the gorge. Swimming in these parts is prohibited – not that you’d want to anyway.

Cruise the gorge
Boat tours are one of the most popular ways to see the gorge and depart from the Nitmiluk Centre. Some cruises include breakfast or dinner. Others are full-day trips including lunch and a chance to swim. You can plan your Nitmiluk tour here

Canoe the gorge
Sitting low in the water, with nothing but steep rock faces around you and sky above, gets you acquainted with the gorge in a very private, personal way.

You can hire a canoe at the Nitmiluk Centre. Because the sections of the gorge are separated during the dry season you’ll have to carry the canoe from section to section. It’s not too arduous a task, but does require a degree of fitness.

Fly the gorge
Helicopter flights put the beauty and vastness of this area into perspective. An expensive option, but worth it if it’s within your budget.

The Jatbula Trail
The famous Jatbula Trail starts at the visitor centre and stretches for 58km to Leliyn, which makes a fine end point and a great place for a swim. You’ll be able to dip into plenty more swimming holes, and discover Aboriginal rock art sites, along the way.

It takes five days and four nights to complete, so it’s one for the more adventurous walker and those with a bit more time in their schedule. Once you’ve done it though, you’ll be able to say you’ve truly explored Nitmiluk in depth.

The campsites on the route have limited spaces, so book ahead to guarantee your place. You should also register at the Nitmiluk Centre before departing, and deregister when you arrive at Leliyn campsite. None of the campsites are powered, apart from the one at the gorge.

Exploring Nitmiluk on foot
There are plenty of other walks if you don’t have five days to spare. You’ll find maps and guided tours at the Nitmiluk Centre. There you’ll also find the Display Centre and Heritage Museum where you can learn about aboriginal life, history and the cultural significance of the area.

Fishing
Widely available throughout the park but prohibited in certain specific areas – look out for signs.

Butterfly Gorge
This shaded gorge is lovely for a paddle and is, as the name suggests, home to thousands of butterflies.

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What Is The Dreamtime?

Australia is alive with Aborigine tales of creation. These stories hark back to the Dreamtime, a period when the land was populated and shaped by spiritual beings that created the first people.

The creative spirit, or Rainbow Serpent, lives in the deepest gorges, rivers and waterholes. It is said to be both a life-giver and a destroyer, with the power to cause floods and storms if disturbed.

In Nitmiluk (the Aborigine name for the gorge) the Jawoyn people call the Serpent Bolung. They believe it inhabits the deep pools in the second gorge.

Pregnant women aren’t allowed to swim here. You mustn’t take drinking water from the gorge, and Bolung mustn’t be disturbed.