Ten things to do in Katherine, NT

Nitmiluk National Park
This is probably what the Katherine region is most famous for. The Nitmiluk National Park, 30 kilometres from Katherine township, is an area of 2920 square kilometres and home to world-renowned Katherine Gorge - a network of 13 gorges carved from billion-year-old sandstone country by the Katherine River. It can be experienced by hiring a canoe, on a guided boat cruise, from above in a helicopter or by bushwalking the many marked trails.

Edith Falls
Edith Falls is a beautiful waterfall on the western boundary of Nitmiluk National Park. The paperbark and pandanus-fringed natural pool at the base of the falls is safe for swimming throughout most of the year, and the scenic bush surrounds make Edith Falls an idyllic spot for camping. The area is also great for bushwalking. The 2.6-kilometre Leliyn Trail is a steep and challenging loop, but walkers are rewarded with a refreshing swim in the upper pool of Edith Falls at the end of the trail and spectacular views of the Edith River.

Katherine Hot Springs
The Katherine Hot Springs are located right in the Katherine township; a perfect place to relax and unwind after touring of the area. These natural thermal springs are on the banks of the Katherine River and comprise a series of clear pools that are framed by native vegetation and surrounded by picnic grounds and scenic walking tracks.

Katherine art galleries
There are a number of art galleries in Katherine that showcase excellent collections of Aboriginal pieces from artists of the region and reflect the cultural diversity and influences of the Jawoyn and Dagoman Aboriginal people, who have lived in the Katherine area for thousands of years.

Cutta Cutta Caves
The Cutta Cutta caves are the Northern Territory's only publicly accessible tropical limestone caves, located 30 kilometres south of Katherine. Formed millions of years ago and still growing today, these unique formations are found about 15 metres below the surface. The Caves are home to a variety of native wildlife, including the brown tree snake, the rare orange horseshoe bat and a weird species of blind shrimp.

Mataranka Thermal Pool
The Mataranka Pool is located an hour south-east of Katherine and is fed by spring water from the Daly and Georgina basins at a volume of 30.5 million litres per day. This sandy-bottomed lagoon is fringed by a palm forest and maintains a constant temperature of 34 degrees, making it a rejuvenating swimming spot for travellers driving through the area.

Katherine Outback Heritage Museum 
If you enjoyed the period setting of the film 'Australia' you may be interested to learn the Katherine Outback Heritage Museum was originally constructed as an air terminal for the region during World War II.
It now contains an eclectic collection of artefacts, photographs, maps and pioneer memorabilia in an informative museum.

Springvale Homestead
Springvale Homestead, near Katherine, is the oldest original homestead in the Northern Territory. The station was established in 1878 and managed by Alfred Giles, the ex Overland Telegraph linesman. Giles brought sheep and cattle up from Adelaide to stock the station and he built the homestead in 1879. Near the homestead are four huge Indian rain trees planted by Giles' wife, Augusta, for each of their children. The homestead, which is open to visitors, displays many photographs and information on the early history of the property. The area around the homestead is home to abundant birdlife and animals such as wallabies.

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