Katherine Gorge tours from Darwin: Are they worth it?
A Katherine Gorge tour from Darwin lasts about 14 hours, most of which is sitting on a bus. You’re better off visiting Nitmiluk National Park as part of a Northern Territory road trip.
Katherine Gorge is one of the undisputed highlights of the Northern Territory’s Top End. It is unquestionably worth seeing and experiencing, whether on a canoe tour or gorge cruise.
But doing a Katherine Gorge tour from Darwin is a different matter.
Katherine Gorge is in Nitmiluk National Park, which is a fair old way from Darwin, the northernmost city in Australia. It’s a 317km drive from Darwin to Katherine, which takes over three hours.
Darwin to Katherine Gorge distance and driving time
Katherine Gorge from Darwin is even further. That’s a 345km drive, and it’ll take you just over three-and-a-half hours. Do a day tour to Nitmiluk National Park from Darwin, and you will spend an awfully long time sitting on a bus.
It is far better to make your own way down to Katherine and explore some of the other attractions around the town, such as the Katherine Hot Springs and the Top Didj Cultural Experience. Better still, make it a Top End road trip, taking in Litchfield National Park and Kakadu National Park in a loop back to Darwin.
7 great Darwin experiences to book before arriving
- Swim face to face with an enormous crocodile in the Cage of Death.
- Enjoy the romance of Darwin Harbour on a sunset dinner cruise aboard a traditional fishing ketch.
- Explore Darwin’s food and art scenes on a 3.5 hour walking tour – with lunch or dinner included.
- Flit between Darwin’s top attractions with a hop-on, hop-off bus tour.
- Combine a wildlife tour with the famous jumping crocodiles cruise.
- Get a history fix on a Bombing of Darwin WWII tour and harbour cruise.
- Get the adrenalin pumping on a high speed airboat or jetski tour.
Katherine Gorge tours from Darwin: Itinerary
Nevertheless, Katherine Gorge tours from Darwin are clearly popular enough for several companies to run them. There’s not a lot of difference between the itineraries, so let’s use the AAT Kings one as an example.
This full day tour from Darwin to Nitmiluk National Park includes lunch. On the way south down the Stuart Highway, it visits the Adelaide River War Cemetery and stops for a swim at Edith Falls. There’s then a two hour Katherine Gorge cruise between the dramatic sandstone gorge walls. And then it’s back to Darwin again.
How much do Katherine Gorge tours from Darwin cost?
These Katherine Gorge day tours from Darwin cost from $309 and can be booked through Viator.
They include pick-ups from several Darwin hotels, and the tours last around 14 hours.
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.
Best Katherine accommodation
The best Katherine accommodation choices are:
- For a pool-based resort: Knotts Crossing Resort.
- For location next to Katherine Gorge: Nitmiluk Chalets.
- For really good value: Pine Tree Motel.
- For a solid holiday park: Big4 Breeze or Discovery Parks – Katherine.
- For glamping with a view: Gorge View Bush Retreat.
Six amazing day trips from Darwin that will improve your visit
- Litchfield National Park day tour – including jumping crocodile cruise. (💲 Great value 💲)
- Tiwi Islands Indigenous cultural experience including ferry.
- One day or four day Kakadu National Park tour.
- Kakadu scenic flight – with gorges, waterfalls and epic floodplains. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Full day Katherine day tour – including Katherine Gorge cruise.
- Arnhem Land full day tour – with ancient rock art.
The best places to stay in Darwin
You can check out deals on a wide range of Darwin accommodation options. But these are some of the best choices.
- For luxury on a special occasion: The superior suites with direct lagoon pool access at the Mindil Beach Casino Resort.
- For the buzziest location at the Waterfront: Adina Apartment Hotel Darwin Waterfront.
- The one with the best guest ratings: Hudson Parap.
- For affordable city centre apartments with a pool: City Gardens Apartments.
- For the magic combo of quality, price and location: Travelodge Resort Darwin.
More Northern Territory travel
Explore important Aboriginal sites in Keep River National Park on the drive from Katherine to Kununurra.
Cool down at the Buley Rockhole in Litchfield National Park.
Cool down at the Buley Rockhole in Litchfield National Park.
Feast on pan-Asian dishes at Hanuman Darwin.
Enjoy the swimming holes while camping at Lorella Springs Wilderness Park near Borroloola.
Stop at the Mataranka Hot Springs on the drive from Darwin to Daly Waters.