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Katherine
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Nitmiluk National Park
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Nitmiluk National Park

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Nitmiluk National Park
4.5
About
Located on the lands of the Jawoyn people, Nitmiluk National Park draws travellers from all over the world to experience its majestic beauty and sheer size of Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge). Ancient rock art sites dot the park and the dreaming stories told by Jawoyn people bring the silent gorge walls to life.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
396 reviews
Excellent
265
Very good
107
Average
12
Poor
9
Terrible
3
fiona150462
Muswellbrook, Australia78 contributions
What a disgrace
Jul 2021
If we could give a zero we would for the cabin accommodation. At $340 a night , it’s a filthy disgusting eye gouging rip off. Never been more disgusted by a national park accommodation. We asked to speak to the manager. Not interested. Don’t Care. Rude reception who articulated that they don’t need to worry about trip reviews. Couldn’t care less. Why? Because obviously the government fund it. DO NOT STAY HERE- EVER!
Written July 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tracey Mortimer
13 contributions
Disgusting toilets!
Aug 2020 • Friends
Have stayed at Nitmiluk National Park (Nitmiluk Tours/Katherine Gorge campgrounds) for the past 3 nights. The grounds are nice, we are staying in the long rig powered sites and its been quite due to COVID so it has been great having lots of space. Dinner by the poolside last night was good and well priced. What lets this park down and will stop me visiting again is the state of the toilet blocks, their disgusting. They have not been cleaned since we arrived and according the the cleaning schedule on the wall it was last cleaned in March 2020. Their is no toilet paper left, has been no hand wash since we arrived and its very very dirty. During a COVID crisis you would think hygiene would be paramount, clearly not here. We have travelled all through the NT from Darwin to the Red centre and are on our way back - I would rate these toilets as bad as some of the roadhouse/servo stops we stopped at on our travelles such as Elliot. I'm a Terittorian and the state of these toilets is just embarrassing!

Clean your toilets Nitmiluk Tours and restock your bloody toilet paper and hand soap.......its not hard.
Written August 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rosky
New York City, NY68 contributions
One of the best gorges in the Outback
Nitmiluk or Katherine Gorge National Park...was one of the most beautiful gorges of the Outback. We would've voted the experience as Above Average because our canoe mishap...but this place deserves a rating of Excellent.

On TripAdvisor, this is the first entry for the Park... so I'll try to give as much information as possible.

We did a lot of research before we left...and thought the overnight camping would be a great experience. They only allow 15 canoes to be overnight in the Gorge...and we were looking forward to an adventurous trip. We decided not to go ahead...when we found out it takes 6-8 hours to get to the first area available for camping...so you would need 2 days to be able to do the overnight trip.

I can't place website addresses on trip advisor...but you can search nitmiluk tours or nitmiluk centre for your reservations for the canoe...either 1/2 day, full day or overnight. Then...you need to reserve your spot with the Northern Territory park and wilderness for overnighting.

If you wait until you get there....there is a high chance there will not be any canoes available.

I believe you can reserve a ferry ride in advance. Also, another way of seeing the park is through trekking...and the walk is called the Southern Walks. Lonely Planet describes and maps out these walks. Lastly, Geiko Canoes has guided trips which have won numerous awards here in Australia...and would be a great and easier way to see the Gorge.

So...now for our experience....

We ended up renting out the canoe...and showing up 15 minutes before our reservation.

Note #1...make sure you are on time. Everyone needs to get there 1/2 hour before the actual rental to register, etc...and if you are late...they can cancel your reservation.

Once you get registered...you are given brief instructions and are set off to start canoeing down the gorge.

Note #2...listen carefully on the different instructions...as the map provided is not the best...and you might miss areas where you want to stop.

My husband and I are not canoers...at all....although, we are fairly active and adventurous. Even though we are in our early 40s...We lift weights, run and ride bikes 4-6 times a week...and are constantly doing new things. On that note...let me say...this was extremely hard.

Of course, the canoeing was not hard...but the areas between the gorges are hard. I didn't understand how tough it was until I was there. You have to get off your canoe over the rapids and drag your canoe over the rapids...or over top the big rocks for almost 40 minutes worth of dragging. Most of us to this point were at the same pace...so a bunch of people are falling and struggling...and most everyone was laughing because we all looked like a bunch of dorks.

Almost everyone in our group was in their early 20s...but hey...we kept up with the best of them....until we hit the 4th gorge.

I already mentioned we are not canoeists...but we didn't even know the basics of a canoe.

Note #3...There are 5 different plugs on the canoe...but there is a tiny, black plug in the back of the canoe which empties out the canoe if it fills with water.

We didn't know it at the time...but our canoe had a crack...which led to it being filled with water. We thought we were getting tired aand couldn't balance, when we started flipping upside down...but in fact...our canoe was getting bottom heavy and was near impossible to keep afloat.

Note #4...take the waterproof container provided if you have a camera...otherwise...put into a ziplock bag.

We must've flipped over 20 times...and were exhausted. I personally, didn't like the idea of crocs being underneath my feet...and having to pull alongside of the shore to get back on the canoe when I saw the "Do not enter here" because of the crocs.

Note #5...do not enter into the beaches where they have signs as it disturbs the breeding process of the crocs.

After 3 hours of struggling, we decided to rest as we knew we were starting to get close to the end. By this point, we were late in returning our canoe...and it was starting to get dark. We even started to brainstorm on how we were going to camp overnight and make do without matches, etc. Forget about the show Survivor...we were living it.

As we were resting on the bank, a ferry went by...and we discussed...or should I say...debated on whether we should flag down for help. The catch? It was a full boat...of 75 or so people. I'm sure those people were commenting amongst themselves that they were happy they were warm and dry on the boat...and didn't decide to canoe. *smile*

The final decision was not to flag down the boat...but to dramatise our grief...and put our head in our hands. Well...it worked. Before we knew it...we were saved by the empty ferry and 2 helpers.

Thankful to see them...we of course couldn't stop laughing and explaining our situation. Then...the 2 guys plus my husband tried lifting the canoe onto the ferry... it was too heavy to even lift.

Out came the infamous black plug...and the geyser went on for 15 minutes. Without even waiting for it to completely empty...they put the stranded canoeists....and the cracked canoe into the ferry.

Note #6...Don't try this at home.

We got a free ferry ride...and a great story to tell...but we hope no one else has to go through quite the experience.

Sooo...what would I recommend for others? If you don't have long...or don't want to endure all the physical strain...go to the first gorge..and walk to butterfly gorge from there.

I would never want to deter anyone from doing the canoe...even after our experience. The gorge is really beautiful...and a much neater experience to be in the canoe vs the ferry....but you have to be in tip top shape...

The end of our story is we ended up camping right at the Gorge. Because it was almost dark, we didn't get to follow through with our original plan and head down the road.

It was the first of September, so the park wasn't crowded, and the facilities were nice.

I"m glad we ended up staying here because it was the only place we saw a lot of wallabies. They just hang out around the campsites at dusk...and throughout the night. They were within arms distance...so if you want to experience a little ozzie wildlife...especially for the kids...this is a neat place.

The second reason why I loved this campsite was the birds. There were birds I didn't hear anywhere else in the Outback. It really was amazing to wake up and hear hundreds of different types of birds. (sounds so cheeky...but it's true)

So...if you want a convenient site to the Gorge...with a nice bathroom and ameninities...this is a good bet.

I hope enjoy...and will be able to tell your own stories....

Written October 4, 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bethy S
Perth42 contributions
Boat Cruise - 2 gorges V 3 gorges
Oct 2012 • Couples
Last visit we did the ‘Nitnit Dreaming’ tour- 2 gorges & 2 hours. This time we did the ‘Timeless Land’ tour - 3 gorges & 3.5 - 4hours. Between the 2 tours, I assumed the extra 1.5-2 hours would mainly be spent in the third gorge. This is not the case. The third gorge is only 800m long so you only spent 15 mins in it. Most of the additional time is spent swimming. As it was 39oC the swim was great and refreshing, in such an amazing location. However if you don’t want to swim I wouldn’t recommend this tour. Some of our tour group didn’t want to swim, or didn’t know a swim was included so didn’t have their bathers! They said it was a bit boring sitting watching others swim for over an hour. This is not a criticism, just making people aware what the different tours involve. We enjoyed both equally.
The gorges are stunning with spectacular scenery. Definitely recommend either cruise along the gorge.
Written November 17, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ganlexy
Katherine, Australia47 contributions
Northern Rockhole Walk - 3 hours well worth it!
Jul 2011
The Northern Rockhole Walk in Nitmiluk National Park takes about 90 minutes each way. The Northern Rockhole itself is a beautiful swimming hole, and has a huge waterfall early in the dry season. We caught the ferry over the river ($14 per person) and did the walk with our 3 year old son. We took sandwiches and cold water, and our bathers. We had a great time. We had the water hole to ourselves for some time, which was nice as well. Worth the walk.
Written July 23, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
blackeldo
Kiama, Australia2,204 contributions
In The Top Three
Nov 2016 • Solo
Guidebooks say NITMILUK NATIONAL PARK is one of the 3 TOP END National Parks. I see no reason to argue. It doesn’t have the wide range of attractions KAKADU and LITCHFIELD offer, but its best venue, the FABULOUS KATHERINE (NITMILUK) GORGE tops anything they have.

Which is just as well – lack of time and vehicle meant I couldn’t trek the 62km/multi day JATBULA TRAIL between the Gorge and Edith falls or access EDITH FALLS. These are the other two main attractions in Nitmuluk NP – reader reports say the Falls are excellent. The Trail is for trekking nerds only but one I’d love to do if time permitted.

KATHERNINE GORGE
- is actually a series of 13 gorges separated by rapids. They start within 200m of the Visitors’ Center (700m on foot) and stretch many km roughly east. Gorge 9 seems to be the limit for most overnight trekkers/kayakers, gorge 4 for day trekkers/kayakers (although I found tracks closed beyond gorge 2 in low [wet] season), gorge 3 for the popular river cruises (gorge 2 in low season).
THE VISITORS’ CENTER is first call on arrival – this sizable modern building is a good place to spend time: in addition to reception/admin there are extensive free museum-like information displays, trekking-advice, gift shop and a little restaurant-café with yummy looking snacks at reasonable prices. There’s a nice adjoining outdoor shaded deck with vegetation-interrupted views down to the river.
Staff members were efficient and helpful.
RIVER CRUISES – not inexpensive, but I recommend one to gain a fuller appreciation of the gorges. Mine included swimming, although the longest option to the 3rd gorge was not available low season. My cruise uncrowded but reception said even in low season enquire ahead – often a number of big tour buses call in and fill the boat. Good informative commentary by boat guy.
THE TREKS are great – there’s something for everyone here from a quick scenic circuit to all day (or even SEVERAL days) bush gallop. Lotsa information at admin and good sign-posting.
Some of the longer tracks had closed for the wet season – nevertheless I spent 7 hours one day on those still open. Jeez, that gorgeous pool in the campground went down well afterwards.
THE CAMPGROUND is not small. Flasher permanent tents, chalets and lodge rooms nearby. Often booked out in high season, but almost deserted my early low (wet) season visit (wasn’t very wet my full 3 weeks in the Top End – typical of November I was told).
Lotsa wallabies and bird-life..
$11 for my single tent was reasonable considering no low season discount.
THE AMENITIES BLOCK is of reasonable size (but I’m not sure how it copes at the peak of high season – this is one BIG camp ground) and kept reasonably clean by hard-working high spirited local ladies. Adjacent laundry with machines and tubs. 2 clothes-lines.
THE POOL is drop dead gorgeous – irregularly shaped 25mXvariable, nicely landscaped – just the place on a 40C day.Poolside bistro/snack joint closed low season. Free campers’ WIFI worked best in pool area.
2 CAMP KITCHENS – smaller newer one closer the permanent tent area seemed to be for their and day-trip tour bus use. Lacked some basics – I think refrigeration and a microwave.
Main camp kitchen big but lacked cookers (apart from microwave), pots/pans/crockery/cutlery (thankfully my camping stuff is microwave friendly), dish washing cloths/brushes and tea towels.
Cleanliness confusing: I watched a local guy fastidiously cleaning benchtops, yet the refrig. had 2 containers of left-overs which looked/smelled old. Found a broiled frog in the jug – after I’d used it a few times. YEEEW!
HELICOPTER TOURS – even in very quiet early low season there seemed to be a helicopter constantly in the air. The perfect answer for time-short people and those wishing to gain a full idea of the extent of the gorges.

GETTING THERE – KATHERINE GORGE is in the south of NITMILUK NP (which adjoins the southern boundary of KAKADU in the north). It’s 345km by road south east of Darwin. From Katherine it’s 28km east on a good road.
EDITH FALLS is 292 km and also east of HWY 1 – abt 20km.

Hope some of this info helps your visit gang.
Written December 17, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1TraveltheWorld
Alice Springs, Australia12,302 contributions
Spectacular Sandstone Country
Sep 2014 • Couples
The main entry point to Nitmiluk is 30km North-East of Katherine, along Gorge Road.
The other access point to the park is 42km north which will take you to the Edith Falls (Leliyn) area.

We have visited 3 times now in the 10 years travelling through and it is always worth another visit for the spectacular gorges, walks, cultural sites and the cruises along the Katherine River.
There is far too much to see and do in just one day.

It has changed over the years with consistent upgrades and additions to the facilities and tours options with the local Jawoyn people.

Some of the shorter walks include the Baruwei Lookout and Loop walk, as well as many longer walks are available. Click the link below for more information.

http://www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/10557/southern_walks_15.pdf

The onsite visitor information centre will provide you with all the details and has a cafe, souvenirs, displays and will assist you in any of the many tours available.

You can also hire a canoe and paddle along the gorges. They are available right next to the boat ramp.

The camping areas have tables, picnic areas, gas BBQ’s and toilets. Canoe hire and much more.
Written August 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nic K
Sydney, Australia138 contributions
Nitmiluk - don't forget Edith Falls
Sep 2011
If you are in Katherine with the intention of visiting Katherine Gorge - DON"T FORGET EDITH FALLS. Edith Falls is approx. 60 klm north of Katherine in the same National Park as Katherine Gorge but on a different road. This is a lovely little falls with ample swimming facilities. You can swim across to the falls - but be warned- the swim is approx. 250 meters and the below surface water temperature can be very cold. I suggest to take a swimming noodle, lilo, life jacket or similar just in case you get tired or start to cramp. Take you own food and water there is nothing shop wise there. A day trip must do.
Written January 21, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tessabelle
Darwin, Australia90 contributions
Baruwei lookout and southern rockhole
Jul 2019 • Couples
We did a few of the hiking trails in one go and it was stunning scenery but thought I would review with a few tips. It’s all self guided and there are tons of maps around the car park so it’s quite hard to get lost as long as you stay on the paths; there is also public toilets and plenty of room for picnics so ensure to bring a backpack with snacks and heaps of water as there aren’t a lot of water pumps around there that I could see. Also bring a hat coz even though we went in dry season, it does get really hot as there isn’t much shade (being the Aussie bushland). We hiked up to the Baruwei lookout which is breathtaking and well worth the climb, just be a aware for little kids and older people - it’s very steep and you have to really take your time so ensure to wear enclosed shoes and keep hands free. Once up there, plenty of places to sit and enjoy the view and take some amazing photos - there isn’t any fences though so small kids keep a hold of. We then followed the trail around to southern rockhole - now this trail is fairly easy but again for kids / older people I wouldn’t recommend unless fit. Sounthern rockhole you literally have to climb down rocks and a lot of it is loose so be careful and wouldnt take kids under 5 down there. The waterfall was dry when we went as it is dry season but imagine it would be stunning in wet season! Still nice to sit and relax before the climb back up but wouldn’t swim there as the water is stagnant. Not far from the rockhole is “pats lookout” which is worth the extra little climb as you can see the whole gorge! Amazing place for photos and to enjoy some food. Just make sure to take all your rubbish as there are bins at the car park! There a lot of longer trails but those two were enough for us! Just watch your footing and ensure to wear thick socks as you end up walking a lot more then planned. Highly recommend for the adventurous!
Written July 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Belinda C
Traralgon, Australia184 contributions
Breathtaking!
Camped at the national park and took the 9am 2 hour cruise through 2 gorges. Having recently visited many gorges in WA, I was amazed to find that this one blitzed them all for beauty and spectacular scenery. We had to keep on clicking our cameras so as not to miss anything. After first gorge we walked over rocks to the boat waiting in the second gorge and admired the rock art along the way. Very relaxing and beautiful place to visit - not to be missed!
Written September 17, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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