The Katherine Museum
The Katherine Museum
4.5
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
About
Discover the unique history of the Katherine region at the Katherine Museum & Gardens. Start at the McNamara Cottage and gift shop, visit the Clyde Fenton Gallery, the Overland Telegraph Line building and Wallie’s Shed to see diverse displays of people, place and culture. Through outdoor and indoor displays, the museum showcases the resilience, resourcefulness and adventurous spirit of the people of the Katherine region. From town icon and Wardaman stockman, Sabu Singh, Galloping Jack and Russian Peanut Farmers to the Daisy Cutter bombs that fell during World War Two, Katherine’s strong military ties and the Katherine Floods, find out how and where it happened. Have a picnic or take a walk in the beautiful community gardens.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
112 reviews
Excellent
52
Very good
46
Average
11
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Roadtripping Nanny
Newcastle, Australia586 contributions
Sep 2022
Only $10- for adults to wander around this really interesting museum. Some things to see outside, but most are indoors. The large shed where the Gypsy Moth airplane is housed, is air conditioned with lots of comfy chairs if you need a break. There is so much information in this huge shed which explains everything you need to know about the history of Katherine. There are toilets and a gift shop and cold drinks to purchase. We thoroughly enjoyed our hour and a half at the museum.
Written September 6, 2022
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.
John B
Adelaide, Australia65 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
I though this was well worth the $10 entry fee. If you like to find out about the local history, and can read a little, this is a great place to visit. There are four building to visit, all be it one is quite small (telegraph building). I believe that this is a place you should ensure you visit.
Written March 22, 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.
Courts_thoughts
Sydney, Australia69 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
This museum is much bigger then meets the eye; 4 large buildings and machinery scattered throughout.
The main building hosts World War II, early settler and the flood doco - its the only air coned room So i actually suggest you finish in there to cool down.
Large new shed holds the gypsy moth; beautifully preserved (and shed soon to be air coned) as well as a lot of reading about aboriginal peoples and Katherine in general, Wally's shed is full of large displays from early settler Katherine which is interesting if you like artifacts over reading. Overland telegraph shed is the smallest and is quite an interesting read with artifacts that will make the kids question the smart phone vs what was once used.
Staff are fantastic and the tea rooms (open in the dry) are a lovely space to have afternoon tea.
Yes people complain about the cost; but you have to remember this is a not-for-profit committee run organisation that contributes a lot to what is a very small town. And compared to the gorge tours, helicopter flights and the cost of fuel.... it's really not that horrendous plus you get a lot for your dollar.
Museum gardens and gazebo can also be hired for weddings, parties, memorials etc
The main building hosts World War II, early settler and the flood doco - its the only air coned room So i actually suggest you finish in there to cool down.
Large new shed holds the gypsy moth; beautifully preserved (and shed soon to be air coned) as well as a lot of reading about aboriginal peoples and Katherine in general, Wally's shed is full of large displays from early settler Katherine which is interesting if you like artifacts over reading. Overland telegraph shed is the smallest and is quite an interesting read with artifacts that will make the kids question the smart phone vs what was once used.
Staff are fantastic and the tea rooms (open in the dry) are a lovely space to have afternoon tea.
Yes people complain about the cost; but you have to remember this is a not-for-profit committee run organisation that contributes a lot to what is a very small town. And compared to the gorge tours, helicopter flights and the cost of fuel.... it's really not that horrendous plus you get a lot for your dollar.
Museum gardens and gazebo can also be hired for weddings, parties, memorials etc
Written April 28, 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.
Wayde N
Sweden22 contributions
Dec 2018
Popped in because we were staying just next to at Knotts Crossing Resort. Was great to learn some of the local history and the timeline when things happened. Was some video to see about the big flood in the 80s.
Written November 8, 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.
C H
Manchester, UK20 contributions
May 2017 • Friends
Thanks guys, this is a little gem to visit and ideal stop of the Darwin City route. Well worth the trip/visit.
Written June 3, 2017
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.
Rossie_9
Melbourne, Australia118 contributions
May 2015 • Family
Large informative displays, including farm equipment and an aeroplane, make this a great place to visit. If this is your first visit to Katherine, make sure you watch the video (an ABC news report) about the big flood, as it will help you understand the area and the people much better.
Written June 1, 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.
David B
Bruce, Australia996 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
This museum has a lot of exhibits but the highlight for me was an ABC video describing the 1998 flood. It went for a long time but it was compelling.
There was information about the Jap bombing in WWII. There was also some history of Tindal.
Another building had historic telecommunications gear. Yet another, air conditioned building, had the gypsy moth that was used by the flying doctor.
Around the museum was a lot of decrepit machinery in poor condition.
The gardens are pretty but no dogs. Goodness knows why. We did not bother.
There was information about the Jap bombing in WWII. There was also some history of Tindal.
Another building had historic telecommunications gear. Yet another, air conditioned building, had the gypsy moth that was used by the flying doctor.
Around the museum was a lot of decrepit machinery in poor condition.
The gardens are pretty but no dogs. Goodness knows why. We did not bother.
Written August 29, 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.
Yuwadee
Southern Queensland, Australia6 contributions
Mar 2021
Great tribute to the bombing of Katherine and the floods. Very informative, I learnt a lot. Well worth the measily 10 fee
Written March 28, 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.
lizmullinar
Cessnock, Australia22 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
A really comprehensive museum, well with a visit with a ver helpful woman at the ticket office.lots to see and enjoy
Written September 8, 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.
60gbh
North Queensland, Australia84 contributions
Oct 2018
This is an excellent museum...don't rush your visit here. We could have easily spent three to four hours here with no problem. This is a credit to those with the vision and passion to record and preserve the past. A fascinating look at both indigenous, military and rural history of the top end.
Written August 26, 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.
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