Barunga Festival, Katherine : The Katherine region hosts a number of events during the drier monts from May to August. See Aboriginal culture at the Walking with Spirits Festival and Barunga Festivl. Mix with the locals at the Katherine Show and Katherine Festival. A number of regional fishing competitions will attract enthusiasts. From Katherine follow the Savannah Way to the Gulf of Carpentaria visiting remote fishing villages such as Borroloola and the Barranyi (North Island) National Park. Katherine is around 186 miles south of Darwin and around 1200 Kilometres north of Alice Springs. It is a few hours drive from Katherine to Kakadu Litchfield and Gregory National Parks. Katherine offers accommodation styles from upmarket apartments and motels to backpacker's lodges and camping sites. The Ghan train journey visits Katherine on its route from Adelaide to Darwin.
Mataranka, NT: The best way to explore the grandeur of the gorge is to tour it with one of the Jawoyn people who run Nitmiluk National Park in conjunction with the Parks and Wildlife Commission of
the Northern Territory. Aboriginal culture is strong in the area and there are many significant rock art sites throughout the park. The more challenging five day Jatbula Trail is a 37 mile trek which follows the song line of the local Jawoyn people. View the whole spectacular panorama from above on a scenic flight.
Katherine Gorge, Nitmiluk National Park: Dine on traditional bush tucker around a campfire under clear star filled skies. Take a refreshing swim at the Katherine Hot Springs. South of town you' ll find the spectacular Mataranka Thermal Pools and Bitter Springs. the Jewel in the crown of the Katherine region is Nitmiluk (Katheriine Gorhe) National Park. The park sits at the southern tip of Kakadu National Parkand Aboriginal owned Arnhem Land. Here you' ll find a landscape of rugged sandstone cliffs dramatic waterfalls and lush rainforest. The edith Falls waterfalls flow all year round and are a great spot for swimming picnice and camping.
