Nitmiluk National Park
- Introduction
- Fact file
- A look at the past
- Aboriginal culture
- Natural features
- Native plants
- Wildlife
- PWCNT Nitmiluk (08) 8972 1886
- PWCNT Katherine (08) 8973 8888
- VISIT the upper pool at Leliyn and take the track to Bemang Lookout and Edith River crossing
- CANOE along the scenic Katherine River
- WALK one of the trails along the Arnhem Land escarpment and catch a beautiful sunset
Introduction
In Nitmiluk National Park, the powerful Katherine River, rising in Arnhem Land, has cut through the ancient sandstone to create a series of spectacular gorges, creating an idyllic setting for boat cruises and canoeing. Impressive stone country, towering escarpments with hidden caverns and caves, gushing waterfalls, broad valleys and many Aboriginal art sites are additional highlights of the park.
Fact file
Access
From Darwin via Stuart Hwy to Katherine then Gorge Rd; via Stuart Hwy to Edith River (42 km north of Katherine) then to Leliyn (Edith Falls)
Best Season
May to September; access roads possibly flooded in wet season
Location
345 km south-east of Darwin; 30 km north-east of Katherine
Park Information
Permits
Permits required for camping, walking and boating; contact park HQ or visitor centre
Size
300 000 ha
Where to Stay
Katherine (08) 8972 2650
A look at the past
In the 1880s, the manager of nearby Springvale station, Alfred Giles, is thought to have been the first European to sight Katherine Gorge. The waterway proved a great attraction for locals in the early 20th century and was the location for Charles Chauvel’s 1950s Australian film classic Jedda.
Aboriginal culture
The Katherine Gorge area was the land of the Jawoyn people and paintings in the rock shelters and overhangs are evidence of their cultural heritage; the second gorge is sacred to Bolung, the Rainbow Serpent. Katherine Gorge was handed back to the Jawoyn people in 1989 and they established Nitmiluk National Park in joint management with PWCNT.
Natural features
The park lies at the junction of three geological formations – the Pine Creek Geosyncline and the McArthur and Daley basins. Katherine Gorge is a series of 13 gorges that cuts through an ancient sandstone plateau formed some 1400 million years ago. Monsoonal waters have eroded the sandstone over the last 20 million years, creating the massive gorge and countless ravines.
Native plants
More than 450 species of plants have been recorded with some, such as the wattle, Acacia helicophylla, endemic to the park. The narrow ravines shelter small pockets of monsoonal rainforest plants while the open plains and valleys have common eucalypt species such as Darwin woollybutt, fan-leafed bloodwood, river red gum and the beautiful salmon gum. Speargrass and native sorghum are widespread and spinifex clumps grow in the high rocky terrain.
Wildlife
The waterways of Nitmiluk are a habitat for fish and other marine creatures, the most common being barramundi and freshwater bream. Archerfish can be spotted near the river banks, along with the northern snake-necked turtle. Freshwater crocodiles are common, with the occasional ‘salty’ finding its way into Katherine Gorge during a big wet season. Gould’s sand goanna, the frilled lizard and a variety of frogs, such as the green tree frog, are common, while the cane toad is a recent invader. Agile wallabies, antilopine wallaroos and dingoes roam the tropical woodland, while elusive rock-wallabies haunt the high rocky outcrops. Most Top End bird species are here, with the rare and colourful Gouldian fi nch nesting in salmon gums in the Yenberrie Hills, near Leliyn.
Featured Activities in the National Park
Bushwalking
There is an excellent network of walking trails in the park, including short walks from the visitor centre to Lily Ponds, Southern Rockhole, Smitt’s Rock and Butterfly Gorge. A short climb up a natural staircase, 300 metres from the centre, to the top of the escarpment yields a beautiful view of the Katherine River. Pat’s Lookout provides another excellent view of Katherine Gorge and can be reached via Windolf Walk (3 km), which leaves from the centre. Jatbula Trail (65 km, 5 days) leads from the northern side of the Katherine River to Northern Rockhole, Biddlecombe Cascades, Crystal Falls, the Amphitheatre, 17 Mile Falls and Leliyn. It is one of the best walks in northern Australia and there are campsites, fireplaces and emergency beacons along the way. Leliyn Trail (2.6 km return) climbs to the top of the escarpment then down to the Edith River, via two beautiful pools. Sweetwater Walk (8.6 km return) follows the Edith River to Sweetwater Pool, a good spot for camping and swimming. Walkers must obtain a permit from the visitor centre, even for a short walk.
Canoeing/kayaking/boating/sailing
Canoe hire – per hour or for several days – is available. There are campsites along the river and you can reach the upper gorges but canoes and equipment need to be carried over rock bars that separate the gorges. Late in the dry season the river is languid and the water level low so portage becomes strenuous. Canoeing is banned during the wet season. Private canoes and dinghies can be launched from a boat ramp near Nitmiluk Centre.
Scenic touring
Nitmiluk Tours operates several cruises up the gorge, ranging from two-hour trips to half and full-day safaris. In the wet season, a powerful jet boat travels through the rapids to the third gorge. Helicopter rides leave from a helipad within the park and provide an excellent overview.
Swimming
There are delightful swimming holes at Southern Rockhole, Northern Rockhole, 17 Mile Falls, Biddlecombe Cascades, Crystal Falls and Leliyn. Check with the rangers before swimming in Katherine Gorge because saltwater crocodiles can be present after the wet season.
Campsites
Nitmiluk Gorge Caravan and Camping Ground
Leliyn (Edith Falls) Camping Ground
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