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KATHERINE

Introduction

Katherine is situated 350 kilometres down the Stuart Highway from Darwin and takes its name from the Katherine River, discovered by John McDouall Stuart in 1862 and named after the daughter of James Chambers, a South Australian pastoralist who helped sponsor the epic expedition.
At the junction of Victoria Highway leading to Western Australia, Katherine is one of the Territory's most important tourist centres.
Katherine today is a rapidly expanding township and the centre of a vast beef industry which ensures its future prosperity. The town did not go ahead until the early 1940's when a bitumen road was constructed between Alice Springs and Darwin. As a result of this increased accessibility the natural attractions of the town were frequented and the town began to prosper. The modern shopping facilities and tidy streets we see today are symbolic of the confidence of territorians in the town.
Like other Territory centres, Katherine also boasts its own zany festival. Held in June, the Katherine Karnical is a madcap raft race from the new bridge to the low level in which every subterfuge is used to sink the opposition craft. A parade is held through the main street in advance of the race and a singalong is held after the event.

Attractions

• Katherine Gorge This is a series of remarkably beautiful gorges through which the Katherine river winds it's way framed by the sheer 60metre sandstone walls.

• Katherine Gorge National Park This park is home to a wide variety of fish, crocodiles, parrots, finches and lorikeets.

• The Nitmiluk National Park is probably the most beautiful of all the National Parks in the region because of the delicate rainforest which grows in the gorges.

• Aboriginal art at the Jim Jim Falls

• The Katherine Canyon has a tunnel-like cathedral which leads to Butterfly Gorge.

• The Hanging gardens where rock springs and shade have encouraged the growth of delicate ferns and swallows' caves where tiny martins line the roof with mud nests.

• Mataranka is another perfect spot where a crystal clear thermal pool can be found fringed with palms. 

• Cutta Cutta Caves south of Katherine is an underground system of caverns stretching for 700 metres.

• Victoria River features the impressive sandstone Stokes Ranges, with its rock formations

• The town of Katherine has its own little "Hot springs" to relax in. Tucked away in the Katherine River bed the springs pump from deep within the earth at a mild temperature.

• Built during the War , the Low Level Bridge enabled traffic to cross the Mighty Katherine River. Being only 6 feet above the ‘Dry Season’ water Level, it is impassable during the majority of the wet season (Dec- April).

Activities

• Superb fishing at Victoria River

• The Katherine "Hot Springs" is a perfect recreational area for swimming, tanning, picnics and has great walking and biking trails that run along the river taking you through the River Red and Ghost Gum trees.

• A great swimming and camping spot is Edith Falls in the Nitmiluk National Park

• Bushwalks above the Jim Jim falls with experienced guides where Aboriginal Art can also be viewed

• 4X4 trails in the wet season in the Jim Jim Falls area where Aboriginal Art can also be viewed

• Canoe trips down the Flora and Daly Rivers accessible along the Victoria Highway

• Bowling facilities available at the Katherine Bowling Club

• Watch the latest movies at the Katherine Cinema