Nitmiluk National Park tours: Can I canoe Katherine Gorge?

There are several Nitmiluk National Park tours available. To canoe Katherine Gorge, however, book on to a half day Nitmiluk Tour canoeing trip. The most popular Katherine Gorge tour option involves a cruise through the first gorge, then a self-guided canoe tour through the second gorge.

When it comes to Nitmiluk National Park tours in the Northern Territory, easily the most popular way to see Katherine Gorge is on a cruise. But there is another option.

Canoe Katherine Gorge, and there’s a greater feeling of peace and tranquility. You’re closer to the water, and you feel more like a part of the landscape. As with kayaking tours in Australia, such as paddles in the Whitsundays or kayaking with dolphins in Byron Bay, you can set your own pace somewhat.

Katherine Gorge is the highlight at the end of the long drive from Alice Springs to Katherine up the Stuart Highway. Alternatively, it’s a key leg of the Top End driving route through the national parks from Darwin. The drive from Darwin to Katherine takes around three-and-a-quarter hours.

Katherine Gorge canoeing tours

It’s not just one gorge near Katherine, however – it’s a series of gorges. And just how many of them you want to tackle will inform your decision on whether you want to take a Katherine Gorge canoeing tour.

Katherine Gorge canoe tour — A Katherine Gorge canoeing tour with Nitmiluk Tours allows you to explore Nitmiluk National Park closer to the water. Photo courtesy of Tourism Australia/Nicholas Kavo.

Indigenous-owned operator Nitmiluk Tours offers three different Katherine Gorge canoeing tours. The shortest of these is the Malappar Traveller trip, which takes around 4.5 hours and is available between June and October.

This is the best all-round option of the Nitmiluk National Park tours, as it starts off with the cruise through the first gorge. Once at the second gorge, you switch to the canoe and paddle around exploring the lush, green overhanging gardens.

Katherine Gorge tours: Canoeing beyond the first gorge

You can go further if you want, but you have to carry the canoe between gorges. To canoe Katherine Gorge on the Malappar Traveller tour will cost you from $74. That’s the per-person price in a double canoe – it’s $84 for a single canoe.

Other adventurous options in the Nitmiluk National Park include walking the five day Jatbula Trail. You can stay in the park at the Nitmiluk Chalets.

Katherine experiences to book in advance

Two gorge boat cruise through Nitmiluk National Park – with commentary on nature, wildlife and Aboriginal Dreaming stories.
Half day Nitmiluk Gorge canoe hire – get closer to nature, paddling through at your own pace.
Outback show with live music, horse and working dog demonstrations.
Top Didj Aboriginal cultural experience – learn about ancient customs and feed baby wallabies.
Cutta Cutta Caves guided tour – spot bats and birds in the limestone cave system.