Katherine Gorge

Katherine NT 0850 (Pop 6 500)

Katherine is a busy Stuart Hwy town sitting on the Katherine River 320 km s-e of Darwin. Traditionally and historically also an important meeting place for local Aboriginal tribes, early explorer John Stuart named the river and nearby gorge to honour his sponsor’s (James Chambers) daughter. The Overland Telegraph Station (1872) and railway (1926) contributed to the area’s settlement. Today tourism, goldmining and the Tindal RAAF airbase are important to Katherine's economy. Tick Markets 1^st Sat each month. Country Music Muster (May), Katherine Cup (June), Flying Fox Festival (Aug).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Katherine Railway Station, Railway Tce now a museum full of historical railway displays and memorabilia. Open Mon-Fri.  Katherine Museum, Gorge Rd many fascinating historical artifacts, displays and publications. School of the Air, Giles St. Listen to on-air lessons and learn its interesting history. Open (Apr-Oct) weekdays.

Nearby:
Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) NP (30 km n-e) 180 352 ha park established around 13 gorges on the Katherine River and Edith Falls. Of great ceremonial significance to the park’s custodians, the Jawoyn Aborigines, it offers great canoeing, swimming and bushwalking. There are 10 walks in the park from Lookout Walk (2.5 km return) to Edith Falls Wilderness Walk (152 km return) and gorge cruise tours are also very popular. Cutta Cutta Cave Nature Park (37 km s-e) 1 500 ha park of limestone rocks, numerous caves and thermal springs (Mataranka and Douglas). Cutta Cutta is the only cave open to the public and only grows in the wet season.  One hour long tours are held regularly. Low Level Nature Reserve, (3 km south) WWII pier and waterhole for swimming, canoeing and great fishing. Knotts Crossing (2 km e) site of original township. Flora River Nature Park (110 km s-w) interesting rock formations, river pools & cascades and good camping.

Accommodation:
Katherine has several hotels/motels and 8 caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: cnr Lindsay St & Stuart Hwy. Tel (08) 8972 2650.

Airports:
Katherine Tindal Civilian Airport. (15 km s-e); Darwin International Airport (DRW), 1 Fenton Court, Marrara. Tel (08) 8920 1811. (312  km n-w).

Hospital:
Katherine Hospital, Giles St. Tel (08) 8973 9211.