Things to do in Katherine, Northern Territory
The best things to do in Katherine, Northern Territory, include swimming at Katherine Hot Springs, visiting Aboriginal Art Galleries and discovering farm life at the Katherine Outback Experience.
The main reason anyone visits Katherine in the Northern Territory is Nitmiluk National Park. The home of Katherine Gorge is about 28km north-east of the town. Australia Travel Questions has a separate guide to Nitmiluk National Park, if that’s what you’re after.
However, the town of Katherine makes a decent base. There are also a few other things to do in Katherine that might keep you interested once you’ve gone canoeing in Katherine Gorge or walked the Jatbula Trail.
Things to do in Katherine, NT: Katherine Museum & Katherine Hot Springs
The Katherine Museum is a good starting point. It covers regional history, from World War II bombs to extreme flooding events. There’s also a lovely garden out the back, where birds and wallabies hang out.
The Katherine Low Level Nature Reserve is a good spot for a dry season swim in the Katherine River. That said, there’s a more popular option on the opposite bank. The Katherine Hot Springs is a series of spring-fed pools next to the river, open during the dry season once it has been checked no crocodiles have moved in during the wet season. They’re free to enter, and there are picnic areas and walking tracks nearby.
Aboriginal art galleries in Katherine, NT
Other things to do in Katherine include visiting the Aboriginal art galleries. Options include Mimi Aboriginal Arts and Crafts and the Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts & Culture Centre.
Most interesting, however, is Top Didj. The Top Didj Cultural Experience is a two hour activity designed to help visitors understand more about Aboriginal art. Indigenous artist Manuel Pamkal answers questions about Aboriginal culture and living off the land, while demonstrating and explaining his painting style.
Things to do in Katherine, NT: Katherine Outback Experience
A rather different taste of Northern Territory life is available courtesy of Katherine Outback Experience. Here, on a working farm, country musician Tom Curtain demonstrates how horses are trained. There are also working dog demos, plus plenty of singing. The farm also offers horse-riding tours.
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.
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.