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to the Katherine Region.
The Katherine
Region situated between the Top End and the Red Centre has a wealth
of natural attractions and activities. Katherine represents the
crossroads of the outback. Ideally positioned between three regions
of outstanding beauty and environmental significance, it offers
the perfect base for exploring the Gulf Region, Kakadu and the Kimberley.
The region covers
an area of approximately 408,500 square kilometres and includes
the Daly River area, north east to Kakadu, south to Dunmarra, west
to the Keep River National Park and east to Borroloola and the Gulf
Region.
Like much of
Northern Australia, the area enjoys wet and dry seasons. The dry
being from April to October, with cool nights and warm, clear, dry
days and wet from November through to March with balmy nights and
hot days, with cool, refreshing rains.
The traveller
has the opportunity when visiting the region to experience all that
the outback has to offer. From station homestays, to fishing on
wide deep rivers, aboriginal art and craft, bush walking either
guided or unguided. Your adventures can be on an air conditioned
coach, staying in comfortable motels or a more rugged outback safari
style for an experience closer to the bush.
With its wide
open spaces, comfortable sub-tropical climate, stunning river environments
and friendly locals, the Katherine Region has all the excitement
for a truly outback adventure.
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SPRINGVALE
HOMESTEAD:The
Historic Springvale Homestead is 8km from Katherine on the banks of
the Katherine River. Established in 1878 by Alfred Giles, Springvale
was one of the first pastoral properties in the Northern Territory,
Today it is
a tranquil tourist attraction offering comfortable accommodation,
restaurant, swimming pool and camping facilities for modern explorers.
The original Homestead still stands on the river bank under beautifull,
shady Indian Raintrees planted by Giles’ wife Augusta. ENTRY
IS FREE
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ELSEY
HOMESTEAD REPLICA:
Situated at mataranka Homestead Tourist Resort, the replica is an
authentic copy of the original timber homestead, hand constructed
of local cypress pine. This particular building was specially built
for the film “We of the Never Never”. The building display
historic information and artefacts. ENTRY IS FREE
ELSEY NATIONAL PARK: Off the
Stuart Highway just south of Mataranka township 110km south of Katherine
is the entrance of the Elsey National Park. The park incorporates
the spring fed Roper and Waterhouse Rivers. Walking trails lead
the visitor to tuffa falls, deep waterholes along pandanus fringed
water courses and through cool palm forests. The Thermal Pool, Stevie’s
waterhole, Mataranka Falls and the 4km Botanic walk are some of
the many places of interest along the beautiful rivers in this National
Park. Camping grounds are available within the park. Sorry No pets
and no generators.
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CUTTA
CUTTA CAVES:are
located 26km south of Katherine. These limestone caves formed 500
million years ago and are still growing today. The caves are situated
15 metres below ground. Also home to the rare Orange Horseshoe and
Ghost Bats.
A short
walk is required to reach the caves entrance with tours regularly
avaliable.
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LITCHFIELD
NATIONAL PARK
is one of the Territory’s major attractions. Numerous permanent
waterfalls such as Wangi Falls, Florence Falls and Tolmer Falls,
cascade from the sandstone plateaus of the Tabletop Range to create
beautiful swimming holesthroughout the park. Many other spectacular
features in the park include magnetic temite mounds towering on
the grassland plains. Lookouts, walking trails and picnic areas
are provided at many park features. Some of these features are accesible
only by four-wheel drive vehicle. This park is a delight for campers,
photographers, swimmers, anglers, bushwalkers and wildlife enthusiasts
. No pets allowed.
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MANYALLALUK,
winner of the Northern Territory and Australian Tourism Awards in
1993, 1994, 1995 is 50 kilometres south of Katherine, 15 kilometres
on the Central Arnhem Road and then 35 kilometres on an unsealed gravel
road.
A tour of Manyallaluk
provides the visitor with the opportunity to see aboriginal people
in their own environment, sharing their craft skills, knowledge
of bush medicine, bush foods and their culture which dates back
40,000 years.
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KAKADU
NATIONAL PARK: The Kakadu National Park covers approximately
20 000 square kilometres and consists of magnificent contrasts between
landforms and ecosystems. From December to March seasonal summer rains
flood the waterways revitalising the Kakadu landscape and creating
spectacular waterfalls. The dry season gives way to vast flood plains
and permanent waterways with lush vegetation and abundant wildlife,
a breeding ground for many species of birds.
Nearby standing
200-400 metres above the lowlands, with stunning sheer escarpment
walls is the virtually inaccessible Kakadu-Arnhemland Plateau. The
sandstone plateau has been sculptured by nature for over 2000 million
years into spectacular formations, including crevices, gorges, faults,
caves and archways, This creation is unique. A visit to Kakadu is
not complete without experiencing the beauty of the landscape. Combined
with aboriginal rock art galleries and cultural history dating back
40,000 years will leave it’s many visitors with a holiday experience
they will not forget.
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MATARANKA
THERMAL POOLis situated at Mataranka Homestead which
is often described as an oasis of the outback. The crystal clear
waters of the pool remain a contant 34 degrees celsuis, flowing
from the Rainbow Springs from deep underground at an amazing 30.5
million litres each day A beautiful place to break your journey
for a relaxing swim andy hour of the day or night - the pool is
always a perfect temperature.
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NITMILUK
(KATHERINE GORGE) NATIONAL PARK is located 29km from Katherine
on a sealed road. The park is 292,000 hectares in size. It consists
of 13 gorges calved deep into the sandstone cliffs by the constant
flow of the Katherine River over 1000’s of years. It is home
to many species of birds, fish, flora and fresh water crocodiles.This
spectacular natural wonder is also the ancestral home of the Jawoyn
aboriginal people whose paintings can be seen along the cliff faces.
There are more than 100km of marked walking trails in the park. Boat
cruises and canoeing are another popular way to see the gorge system
from the river.
Privately operated
shady caravan and camping facilities are situated in the National
Park, definately a place to stay for more than one night with so
much to see and do.
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"CHARLIE"
The buffalo.
Stop at the Adelaide River Pub, home of "Charlie". the buffalo
seen in the movie: Crocodile Dundee. He now stands with great honour
on the bar inside the pub. |
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