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Wonderful Nitmiluk National Park in Australia

Nitmiluk National Park is in the Northern Territory of Australia, 244 km southeast of Darwin, around a series of gorges on the Katherine River and Edith Falls.

Previously named Katherine Gorge National Park, its northern edge borders Kakadu National Park. The gorges and the surrounding landscape have great ceremonial significance to the local Jawoyn people, who are custodians of Nitmiluk National Park. In Jawoyn, Nitmiluk means "place of the cicada dreaming".

Katherine Gorge, a deep gorge carved through ancient sandstone by the Katherine River, is the central attraction of the park. Katherine Gorge is made up of thirteen gorges, with rapids and falls, and follow the Katherine River, which begins in Kakadu.

During the Dry, roughly from April to October, the Katherine Gorge waters are placid in most spots and ideal for swimming and canoeing. There may be freshwater crocodiles in most parts of the river, as they nest along the banks, but they are harmless to humans.

Saltwater crocodiles regularly enter the river during the wet season, when the water levels are very high, and are subsequently removed and returned to the lower levels at the onset of the dry season. Thus, swimming in the wet season is prohibited. Cruises of various lengths go as far as the fifth gorge.

Facilities Nitmiluk National Park

The gorges can be explored by canoe and flat bottomed boat. In the dry season the gorges become separated as the level of the river falls. They are interconnected in the wet. There is a visitor centre located at the Katherine Gorge, about 30 km east of the town of Katherine. Information displays are set up that explain the geology, landscape and aboriginal history of the National Park. Tours can be booked at the centre or at the visitor centre in the town.

Jatbula Trail

Panorama of Katherine Gorge
The Trail follows the route travelled by generations of Jawoyn people between Katherine Gorge and Leliyn. It is named for Peter Jatbula, a man who was instrumental in securing land rights for his people and who walked this route with his family. Members of Peter Jatbula’s family still live in the area today and continue to help look after country.

Wildlife

Freshwater Crocodiles are widely distributed along the river year-round. During the wet season, rises in water levels may allow Saltwater Crocodiles to enter the gorge, where they are caught and relocated to lower levels when the dry season begins. Birds that can be seen include Ospreys, Red-tailed Black Cockatoos, Great Bowerbirds, White-gaped Honeyeaters and Red-winged Parrots. Part of the Yinberrie Hills Important Bird Area, identified as such by BirdLife International because of its importance for endangered Gouldian Finches, lies in the park.

If you are not convinced of the beauty of Australia's Northern Territory, then you only need visit Nitmiluk National Park, and your opinion will completely change forever..

This approximately 292,800 hectare national park is home to the Jowoyn Aboriginal people, and co-managed by the Park and Wildlife Service of the Northern Territory. Nitmiluk will captivate you with its gorgeous sandstone landscape, wide valleys and number of cultural sites.

The highlight of the park is undoubtedly, the Katherine Gorge. This spectacular deep gorge is carved through ancient sandstone, where the Katherine River freely flows. The best way to maximize your visit to the gorge is to do an overnight trip here. But if camping is not your cup of tea, you always have other accommodation options nearby. Once you reach the gorge, you can further explore its magnificence by hiking or canoeing. Another more comfortable and relaxed alternative is to go on one of those regular boat cruises that take passengers to different parts of the gorge.

You can reach Nitmiluk National Park at the top most section of the Northern territory. Katherine is the main gateway to Nitmiluk, and is served by all sorts of public transportation such planes, bus and train. From here, you can reach the park via two main access points. One of which is situated 30 kilometers northeast of Katherine. The other access point is through the western part of the Park, through the Leliyn or Edith Falls. You can reach this entrance by turning off Stuart Highway. A number of travelers do an overnight in Katherine, and leave for the park early in the morning. Nature lovers choose to camp within the park, particularly at the Nitmiluk Caravan Park at Katherine Gorge.

You may visit Nitmiluk National Park at any time of the year, but the period of May through September offers the most ideal weather. During wet season, there is a strong occurrence of flooding of the Katherine River thus restricting some of the usual activities in the park.

It is arguably more convenient to drive your own transport when going to Nitmiluk. But in case you don't have one, you can always make use of the shuttle bus service from Katherine. The earliest bus leaves from the town at 8 am. But take note that it only goes back and forth the park three times a day.

The bus drops you off at the Nitmiluk National Park Visitor Centre, which is actually an excellent starting point of your exploration. While here, you can get an overview of the park's landscapes and more information about the Jawoyn Aboriginal people. The visitor center is also the right place to get maps and guidebooks as well as sign up for a camping spot in the caravan park. You may also purchase your ticket to Katherine Gorge cruise here.

Once you enter the park, your imagination will be instantly captivated by its beauty. Go for a leisure stroll along the riverbanks or kayak the unknown waters. If you want to sweat it out, tackle the challenging five-day hike along the Jatbula Trail. The trail, which stretches to 66 kilometers, showcases luscious flora, Aboriginal rock art, waterfalls and other wildlife habitats. But Jatbula is only one of the many walking trails in Nitmiluk. All these trails have a story to tell and surprises to reveal to adventurous hikers

Nitmiluk National Park





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