Katherine is a great holiday destination

Katherine, located at a major road junction and near the famed Nitmiluk Gorge, has nature parks, limestone caves, hot springs and historic homesteads, and is a great place to relax.

Between three and four hours' drive south of Darwin on the Stuart Highway, Katherine is a popular stop for travellers from Queensland, Alice Springs and points further south. The Katherine River flows through the centre of the town and besides being the town's lifeblood is the location of a number of attractions including the famed hot springs.

Katherine Visitor Information Centre
Cnr Lindsay Street and Katherine Terrace,
Open daily 8:30am-5pm
Ph: 1800 653 142

The Ghan
The Ghan train derives its name from the early Afghan pioneers who opened up Australia's arid interior by the use of camels. Today you can make the journey on the Ghan train from Adelaide to Dawin via Alice Springs and Katherine. It is one of the best train journeys of the world. The transcontinental journey travels through the spectacular outback and there are off-train touring options at Alice Springs and Katherine. Travel North is the booking agent for the Ghan in Katherine and their fleet of new air-conditioned buses will take visitors to the stunning local sights.
Travel North Ph: 1800 089 103

Katherine Museum
Built as an airline terminal from 1944-45, the Museum houses a collection of artefacts, photographs, maps and historical items relating to the region. The Clyde Fenton Hangar houses a Gypsy Moth aircraft plus photographs and information on the famous flying doctor, Clyde Fenton.
Gorge Road, Katherine;
Open March to September Mon-Fri 10am-4pm and Sunday 2pm to 5pm
Ph: 8972 3945

Katherine School Of The Air
Broadcasting daily to children in an area of over 300,000 sq km, the school is open for visitors during the school term.
Giles St, Katherine;
Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sat 2-5pm
Ph: 8972 1833

Katherine Hot Springs
These natural thermal springs (with wheelchair access), 3 km from Katherine along the Victoria Highway, consist of a number of clear pools among trees near the Katherine River. A constant 32 degrees, their therapeutic benefits are best enjoyed during the cooler months. The picnic ground is pleasant and there are walking trails and a campground nearby.
Victoria Highway, Katherine;
Open daily

Katherine Motel
Under new management and recently refurbished. Centrally located in the main street of Katherine, the motel provides a warm welcome and is close to all the local shopping. Family interconnecting rooms are available. Relax in their tropical pool or dine in their excellent restaurant.
3 Giles Street Katherine.
Ph: 89721622
http://www.katherinemotel.com/

AROUND KATHERINE

Cutta Cutta Caves
Twenty-seven km south of Katherine, these spectacular limestone caves are home to a variety of wildlife including the rare orange horseshoe bat and the ghost bat. Rangers run guided tours daily during the dry season. A short tropical woodland walk starts from the carpark.
Stuart Highway;
Open daily 8:30am-4:30pm
Ph: 8972 1940

Elsey National Park
Off the Stuart Highway, just south of Mataranka township, 110 km south of Katherine, the Roper River has areas for swimming, fishing, canoeing and walking. Small waterfalls and the popular Mataranka Thermal Pools are surrounded by a forest of paperbarks, pandanus and palms.

Flora River Nature Park
The Park, 122 km southwest of Katherine, includes 25km of the Flora River and adjacent floodplain and savannah woodland. The last 32 km of road is suitable for 4WD only. The park has a campground and is an ideal spot for canoeing, boating and fishing. The Springfed River has a series of waterfalls. Tufa dams, with their unique riverine vegetation, can be seen at Djarrung and Kathleen Falls.

Knotts Crossing
Just 5km from Katherine along the Gorge road, Knotts Crossing was the site of Katherine's Overland Telegraph station. The weir and shallow river crossing, once the main river crossing, is a popular swimming and fishing spot. Just 1 km upstream, one of the original Overland pylons can be seen.

Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park
Katherine Gorge, 30 km north of Katherine, is a series of 13 dramatic gorges separated by rapids. Boat tours, which go as far as the fifth gorge, are the best way to appreciate this national park. There is Aboriginal rock art high on the cliffs. There are over 100 km of walking tracks in this 3,000 sq km park, with walks varying from one hour to five days. The Park is home to barramundi, freshwater crocodiles, rare birds such as crimson and double-barred finches, as well as goannas, bats and wallabies. Open all year round, entry is free, but camping fees apply. Edith Falls (Leilyn), 61km north of Katherine, is situated in Nitmiluk National Park's north-western corner. A natural pool at the base of the falls, fringed by paperbarks and pandanus, is safe for swimming most of the year and camping is allowed around the pool.
Nitmiluk Visitor Centre, Katherine Gorge;
open daily 7am-6pm
Ph: 8972 1253

O'Keefe House
Constructed as an officers' mess in 1942, the house was later the residence of Sister Olive O'Keefe. This bush timber, corrugated iron and flywire building is a classic example of bush architecture.
Riverbank Drive;
Open Mon-Fri 1pm-3pm, May to September

Railway Station Museum Craft Gallery
The gallery, housed in the historic Katherine Railway Station, has handmade and locally produced goods for sale. There is a National Trust display on Katherine's WWII history.
Railway Terrace, Katherine;
Open daily

Springvale Homestead
On Shadforth Road, 8 km southwest of Katherine, this 1878 homestead built by Alfred Giles is the oldest homestead still standing in the Northern Territory and is open to visitors. There are photographic displays on the district's early history. The attached motel and camping ground has a swimming pool. Crocodile spotting tours are run from May to November.
Shadforth Road, 8 km from Katherine;
Open daily 9am-5pm
Ph: 8972 1355