Parks Of The Katherine Region

Distances shown are from Katherine, and area measurements are in hectares.

Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park (180352ha/30km): This Park features the magnificent Katherine Gorge, carved through the sandstone of the Arnhem Land plateau by the Katherine River. A boat trip up the river reveals the towering escarpment where Aboriginal rock art, fascinating geology, wildlife and a variety of plant life provide excellent opportunities for the photographer. Picnics, swimming, commercial canoe hire and helicopter flights are all popular activities. Walking tracks ranging from a 30 minute stroll to a 5 day hike to Edith Falls are signposted throughout the Park.

The Park is north-east of the Katherine township on a sealed road. The most comfortable months to visit the Park are from May to September, during the dry season. During the wet season, flooding may cause some activities to be unsafe, and road access may be closed for short periods.

Edith Falls (40km): This area is part of the Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National park. You can visit a series of small waterfalls, rockpools and the picturesque main pool, a popular swimming spot. The Park is north of Katherine township off the Stuart Highway.

Katherine Low Level Nature Park (2km): This area is very popular for picnics, swimming, canoeing, wildlife observation and riverbank walks. Swimmers must take care during the wet season as strong currents are often present.

Cutta Cutta Caves (1499ha/27km): This Park features a series of caverns displaying spectacular limestone formations. The caves are home for a variety of wildlife including the Brown Tree Snake and the rare Orange Horseshoe Bat and Ghost Bat. There are Ranger guided tours of Cutta Cutta Caves available operating 7 days a week during the dry season. The Park is south of Katherine on the Stuart Highway.

Elsey National Park (13840ha/110km): This is a newly developed park where the crystal clear waters of the Roper River provide areas for swimming, fishing, canoeing and pleasant riverbank walks through pockets of rainforest. Small waterfalls and the popular Mataranka Thermal Pools surrounded by a forest of paperbarks, pandanus and palms make this Park a relaxing and enjoyable spot to stay. The Park is off the Stuart Highway just south of Mataranka township.

Flora River Nature Park (122km): The Park includes 25km of the Flora River and adjacent floodplain and savannah woodland. The principal attraction of the Park is the river itself, with its springs, tufa dams, and unique riverine vegetation. Many opportunities exist for fishing, boating and canoeing

Keep River National Park (57540ha/540km): Keep River National Park situated on the Western Australian border on the northern side of the Victoria Highway, offers rugged escarpment and gorge scenery, Aboriginal art sites and fascinating geology. Enormous boab trees and a variety of wildlife including the rare Gouldian Finch make photography and bushwalking excellent activities throughout the cooler months of May to September. The Park is off the Victoria Highway on two-wheel drive gravel roads.

Gregory National Park (Proposed) (1333600ha/270km): This new Park in the early stages of development features tropical and semi-arid plant life with spectacular range and gorge scenery. Significant Aboriginal cultural sites, evidence of early exploration, European and pastoral history are features of the Park. The unique wildlife and plantlife provide excellent photographic opportunities. Swimming is unsafe because saltwater crocodiles live in the rivers, streams and billabongs. Commercial boat tours are available on the Victoria River at Timber Creek or Victoria River Crossing.

Access to the Park is from the Victoria Highway from either Katherine or Kununurra. A four-wheel drive vehicle is required to drive within the Park. All roads including the Victoria Highway may be impassable at times during the wet season and drinking water must be carried. For further information contact the Timber Creek Information Centre or Katherine Conservation Commission Office, phone (089) 72 8770.

Caranbirini Conservation Reserve (696km): Caranbiribi is a small conservation reserve located 46 kilometres south of Borroloola on the western extremity of the Bukalara Range. The Reserve protects a number of habitats including sandstone escarpment, a semi-permanent waterhole with surrounding riverine vegetation and areas of open woodland. The Reserve plays an important role in preserving the region's unique flora and fauna as it is located within the ecological transition zone between the tropical north and drier centre. Surrounding the waterhole are interesting sandstone spires, known as "lost city" formations. These formations rise to 25 metres in height and provide a vivid contrast in colour and shape to the surrounding countryside.

Barranyi National Park (5421ha/680km): Barranyi National Park (North Island) lies within the Sir Edward Pellew group of islands approximately 30km from the mouth of the McArthur River and Carrington channel entrances. The island is the traditional home of the Yanyuwa Aboriginal people. Barranyi National Park plays an important role in the preservation and protection of their Aboriginal culture and tradition.