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Katherine & Surrounds, NT

Katherine, the third largest town in the Northern Territory, has a population of around 11,000 and is located on the banks of the Katherine River, around three hours drive from Darwin.

Known For:

  • Natural beauty
  • Outdoor adventure
  • Cultural experiences

Katherine

From breathtaking natural beauty to unique cultural experiences, this region of Australia has something for everyone. Visitors can explore national parks full of wildlife, visit ancient Aboriginal sites, or take relaxing bush walks through natural landscapes. Additionally, there are plenty of restaurants and cafes to enjoy a delicious meal, while nearby activities like fishing and swimming provide additional entertainment options.

For those seeking a cultural experience, the town of Katherine is home to plenty of historic buildings and monuments worth exploring. There are a range of exciting attractions to see, from the Katherine Outback Heritage Museum, to the Katherine Hot Springs.

The Jawoyn Aboriginal people first settled the area thousands of years ago, and the town was named Katherine by the explorer John McDouall Stuart, after Catherine, the daughter of his benefactor. Katherine, often described as a place where ‘the outback meets the tropics,’ is well equipped with a range of accommodation and facilities.

Travellers visiting Katherine may like to browse the Katherine Railway Museum or view the fine collection of Aboriginal art at the Katherine Art Gallery, relax in the Katherine Thermal Springs, gain an insight into the workings of a cattle station with a visit to the historic Springvale Homestead, built in 1878, or explore the Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park, located a short distance from the town.

Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge) is within easy reach of the town. Travellers can canoe, cruise and swim between sheer cliffs to the sandy freshwater beaches of the main gorges, and view ancient Aboriginal rock paintings high on rock faces of this spectacular natural wonder.

Where to stay?

Experiences

  • Caravan and Camping
  • Cultural
  • Historic/Heritage
  • Nature based
  • Remote

Popular Activities

  • Cruising
  • Golfing
  • Scenic Flight
  • Shopping
  • Swimming
  • National Park
  • Fishing
  • Fishing - Game
  • Outback

About Katherine & Surrounds

  • Locality: Urban locality
  • Katherine & Surrounds Postcode: 850
  • State: Northern Territory
  • Region: Katherine & Surrounds
  • Latitude: -14.46457
  • Longitude: 132.26457
  • Elevation: 110m
  • Population: 1488
  • Median Income: $48776
  • Area (Sq/km): 5.02
  • Timezone: Australia/Darwin

Explore The Outback

Australia has a vast remote interior, much of it largely untouched. By night, the outback is deathly quiet, with the only light provided by the stars and the moon - a perfect oportunity for stargazing. Explore the isolated heart of the country, meet and connect with Aboriginal people and experience one of the oldest living cultures in the world. Go ‘walk-about’ and immerse yourself with Australia’s endless outback horizons.

Outback Experiences

Luxe Accommodation

Enjoy a distinctly Australian luxury experience, such as the unforgettable reefs, islands, beaches and coast; rugged mountain ranges, rainforests and vast national parks; and the many vibrant food and wine regions. Take a once in a lifetime adventure and discover the sheer indulgence of experiencing the wonders of Australia in style and stay in total luxury.

Australia has wide variety of accommodation options to suit most budgets and travelling preferences. Choose from luxury lodges, boutique hotels, serviced apartments, motels, bed and breakfasts, caravan parks as well as youth and backpacker hostels.

Accommodation

Glasshouse Mountains

The Glasshouse Mountains in the hinterland of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast are actually the cores of 20 million year old volcanoes. The sides of the volcanoes have eroded away leaving only the hardened rock spiremountain cores we see today. Learn more about this awe-inspiring landscape.

Glasshouse Mountains