Jatbula Trail in Nitmiluk National Park: How hard is the walk?

Tackling the Jatbula Trail walk from Katherine Gorge to Edith Falls in Nitmiluk National Park takes five or six days. It’s a medium-to-hard 62km route through the Northern Territory with basic campsites, creek crossings and rough terrain.

In recent years, Australia has cultivated a series of multi-day walking trails. The Bibbulmun Track in Western Australia is arguably the granddaddy here, but there are plenty more options elsewhere in the country.

Several of these are in the Northern Territory, including the Tabletop Track in the Litchfield National Park, Larapinta Trail in the West MacDonnell Range and Jatbula Trail in Nitmiluk National Park.

The Jatbula Trail walk stretches 62km from the National Park Visitor Centre at Nitmiluk Gorge (also known as Katherine Gorge). It finishes at Leilyn (also known as Edith Falls). Walkers should complete the Jatbula Trail in five or six days.

Jatbula Trail: Waterfalls and Indigenous rock art

The route of the Jatbula Trail passes visually stunning sandstone escarpments and stops at a series of delightful pools and waterfalls. They’re the sort that make you want to take off the walking boots and indulge in a bout of wild swimming.

The mix of terrains and landscapes is part of the appeal. Some sections are in wide open spaces, others in shady monsoon forests. There are also reminders of the cultural aspect of the hike. Indigenous rock art sites along the way are indications that you’re not the first to walk the route. Aboriginal people have been walking the Jatbula Trail for tens of thousands of years. It is an ancient Song Line, followed by the Jawoyn people who have long inhabited the area. The trail is named in honour of Peter Jatbula, the Jawoyn Traditional Owner who was instrumental in securing land rights for the Jawoyn people.

Jatbula Trail campsites

The five campsites along the route are all fairly basic, but they all have their own water source. Some even have their own waterfall to swim under. The first overnight stop is at Biddlecombe Cascades, 8.3km from the Katherine Gorge start point. From there, it’s 11km to Crystal Falls on day two. Day three sees another 10km to 17 Miles Falls, before a monster day four stretches 16.8km to Sandy Camp. On day five, the Jatbula Trail heads 11.1km to Sweetwater Pool. That leaves another 4.5km to Edith Falls on the last day, but you can tackle this final leg at the end of the fifth day if required.

Obviously, given the distances and rudimentary camping involved, the Jatbula Trail pitches at experienced hikers. It’s not the toughest trek Australia has to offer by any stretch, and the climbs aren’t too brutal. But with rough surfaces, creek crossings, remote location and high temperatures, the Jatbula Trail walk falls in the medium to hard bracket.

Booking the Nitmiluk National Park walk

There are rules, too. First of all, the Jatbula Trail must be booked online. Secondly, camping is only allowed for one night at each site. Thirdly, there’s a maximum of 15 people at each site.

In practice, that means you’re going to have to book well in advance if you want to walk the Jatbula Trail. It might just be easier to take a Katherine Gorge cruise or canoe Katherine Gorge instead…

The Nitmiluk National Park is accessed via Katherine. Katherine is the first real town in the Top End if you’re coming north up the Stuart Highway from Alice Springs. It’s best tackled as part of a big road trip through the vast Northern Territory.

More Northern Territory travel

What are the Aboriginal six seasons in the Northern Territory?

Get drunk at the Daly Waters Pub on the drive from Tennant Creek to Katherine.

How long is the drive from Alice Springs to Tennant Creek?

Is the Erldunda Roadhouse more than just a fuel stop?

Which road should I take from Kings Canyon to Alice Springs?

Enjoy the Sounds of Silence Dinner from a dune top next to Uluru.