Date: 16-18th July 2025
Travelled: 130 kms from Bitter Springs to Nitmiluk
Visited: Nitmiluk National Park
Stayed: Nitmiluk Camping Ground, $80, S14.31774, E132.42044
A final early rise and walk to the spring for a swim before breakfast and making ready for the road. Weโve really enjoyed Bitter Springs, the campground is certainly nothing special but thereโs shade everywhere and a relaxed feel about the place.
Back down the road to Mataranka and the dump point. Whilst Iโm doing what needs to be done Pam walks over to the bakery for some meat pies and what proved to be a surprisingly good apple and rhubarb pie. First bakery in 1000+ kilometres.
On the road north again with only just over an hourโs run into Katherine. On the CB radio we hear the truck drivers chatting, the highway north of Katherine is blocked by a serious accident and the road will be closed all day. Happily where not going any further north today. We fill with diesel at the first servo on the left which petrol spy tells us is the cheapest at $175 pl. Itโs become quite apparent from Pam intuitive and in depth investigation that NT servos are a mecca for foodies.
We make straight for the town centre and Woolworths. The centrum is full of motorhomes and caravans parked up waiting for the highway to re-open. Itโs a big shop and the supermarket is packed with grey nomads looking for mark-downs.
The fridge re-stocked as we turn for Nitmiluk or Katherine Gorge as it was known when we went to school. We have already booked a long rig site for the rip-off fee of $80 pn, settle in walk the visitors centre, book a river cruise for tomorrow and have a general wander before beverage time.
Next morning I follow Pam on another forced march this time to Baruwei Lookout which provides some wonderful views up the gorge. Itโs not that far in reality but hundreds of steps.
We wander up to the jetty come 1pm for our cruise up the Katherine River. Katherine Gorge is actually a series of 14 gorges that cut through the central plateau of Arnhem Land. The gorges are divided by a series of rocky rapids at various intervals.
Our cruise is through the final two gorges before the river flows through the open country past Katherine township towards the Timor Sea. There is a 300m walk around the rapids dividing the two gorge we negotiate today.
The pictures above the first gorge, below the second gorge.
The cruise provided some stunning scenery and the young woman acting as our guide and boat driver provided excellent commentary, plus we get to do some croc spotting.
We do a last walk along the Baruwei Loop, before packing up and continuing north. On reflection, a two night stay would be enough at Nitmiluk for us.
Michael + Pam
3 thoughts on “Katherine Gorge, Northern Territory ๐ฆ๐บ 2025”
Looks great 80 bucks a night is a bit hot๐คฃ
We are ina nice rv in Dardanup after seeing family in Eaton and spending a great night near the beach in Bunbury heading slowly home over the next week.
Safe travels โค๏ธ
Johannes
looks like it was worth the drive just for the pies & cakes ๐ The sites look nice with concrete pad at the back for those who tow a car – but they look a bit narrow, especially when you put the slide out out, would go very close to your awning??? Looks like you’re having great weather – cold & frosty back here.
Hi guys, Michael – is that the look you have before or after Pam’s early morning ‘forced’ march!!!!!! ๐
How lucky were you to take a picture of Katherine Gorge & capture a spirit flying over the water – well done!!