Mataranka to Darwin road trip: Your guide to the best stops
Mataranka to Darwin road trip: What to do in Katherine
Most people stop in Katherine to see Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park. The cruises are spectacular, and the canoe tours are well worth considering too.
However, Katherine is not just about the Gorge. Good things to do in Katherine include the Katherine Hot Springs, the Katherine Outback Experience and the Top Didj Cultural Experience.
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.
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.
Also in Nitmiluk National Park, but with a separate turn-off further north along the Stuart Highway, is Leliyn (Edith Falls). The natural pool at the base of the falls is one of the great Northern Territory swimming spots.
Next up: Pine Creek and Adelaide River