Katherine Gorge

Arrived yesterday afternoon after a 260 km drive from Yellow Water Billabong.  The previously named Katherine Gorge, now Nitmiluk N.P.  Is set around 13 gorges on the Katherine River.  Between April and October (the dry season) the Gorge waters are placid in most spots and, because the water is low, the gorges become separated by huge ancient rock falls partially blocking the river.  The tour company has boats stationed at the beginning of each Gorge and passengers disembark where the river is blocked and walk and clamber over the rock falls to where the next boat is waiting in the next Gorge. 

We were booked on the 2 Gorge trip. (There is insufficient water in the river for the 3 Gorges Trip to run). An excellent commentary was given by a young man descended from the original local indigenous people.  The towering rock walls of the gorges were interspersed with the occasional crocodile-nesting sand beaches. Spectacular scenery.

We drove back to Katherine on route to our next stop Mataranka, and visited an excellent regional museum there.  The early history exhibits were supplemented with graphic displays, information and videos of the massive and tragic flood of 2006 when the Katherine River completely destroyed the town. 

Any Wi-fi we can get is so terribly slow, I’m finding it impossible to upload photos so text only at present, I’m afraid