Katherine Region

Katherine Region

Stretching from the border with Western Australia to the Gulf of Carpentaria, the Katherine Region of the Northern Territory is full of things to do and see – including Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge), historic Pine Creek, the beautiful Edith Falls, the remote Gulf Region, the thermal pools at Mataranka, and the premier fishing destinations of Victoria River and Daly River.

Lovers of the great outdoors will find plenty to do here – the landscape here is as diverse as it is beautiful - it is a combination of gorges, escarpments, rugged Outback, waterways, and savannah grasslands, making it the ideal place for fishing, bushwalking, camping, canoeing or bird watching. The region includes six national parks, and over ten nature parks, conservations areas and reserves, which are home to hundreds of species of birds and other wildlife.

The wildlife is easily spotted whilst walking in the region and there are numerous walking trails – Nitmiluk National Park alone has more than 60 miles of walking tracks, ranging from gentle strolls to challenging hikes.

Originally inhabited by the Dagomen and Jawoyn Aboriginal people, Katherine itself was “discovered” in 1862 when the explore John McDouall Stuart passed through. The town of Katherine developed following the arrival of the Overland Telegraph Line. After favourable reports about the suitability of the land here, the homestead “Spring Vale” was established here in 1879 – it still exists today, and is the oldest homestead in the entire NT. Katherine boasts a number of other “firsts” – it was here that the first flying doctor worked, and his original aeroplane is housed in the Katherine Museum. 56 miles from Katherine Township is Pine Creek, famous for its gold mining (which only ceased in 1995) and railway heritage.