Jatbula Walking Trail

Nitmiluk Centre – Biddlecomb Cascade: 8 kms, allow 4 hours
After registering at the Nitmiluk Centre at Katherine Gorge, begin your adventure by catching a shuttle boat across the famous Katherine River. Following the blue marker arrows, the track meanders in a north-easterly direction and affords some great views of the escarpment. Enjoy the coolness below the thick canopy of paperbarks as you follow 17 Mile Creek.

Cross the creek and head upstream across a vast floodplain where you’ll be dwarfed by the tall grasses. Next is a side track to Northern Rockhole. Drop you packs, grab your swimmers and spend an hour paddling and relaxing before continuing on to Biddlecombe Cascades, where you’ll find a scenic campsite with a toilet, pit barbecue and ECD.

Biddlecomb Cascade – Crystal Falls: 10.5 kms, allow 5 hours
The track leads north from camp passing over small creeks and boggy country before opening up into savannah grasslands. Admire the grotesque shapes of the termite mounds typical of this country and spot the many bird species found in the region. Aboriginal art can be found scattered on a large outcrop of rock found along the way.

Before reaching the campsite, you’ll come to the edge of the escarpment where the drop below is both beautiful and exhilarating. Tonight’s campsite, with toilet, pit barbecues and an ECD, is beside a large river that, downstream, drops over the escarpment to form Crystal Falls. To view the falls, rock hop across the river and follow the marked track downstream. The 30 metre drop waterfall is breathtaking.

Crystal Falls – 17 Mile Falls: 9.5 kms, allow 4.5 hours
Follow the track as it heads west across a valley and then north again. The track is quite even and flat for the first part of the day and is a welcome break to the rocky ground of previous days. About 6.5 kilometres along is ‘The Amphitheatre’.

Take the time to descend into the large U-shaped crevice and see the masses of colourful butterflies, hear the crystal clear gurgling creek and loud croaking of native frogs. Search the rock walls for the intricate rock art painted by Jawoyn ancestors. Continue only a few kilometres more to another beautiful campsite beside a series of rock pools and small cascades above 17 Mile Falls. There is a lookout over the falls that shouldn’t be missed at sunset, as well as a pit barbecue and ECD.

17 Mile Falls – Sandy Camp Pool: 15.5 kms, allow 6 hours
Follow the edge of the escarpment and cross several gullies before the track becomes quite rocky underfoot. It then becomes quite boggy again before turning sandy as you approach the Edith River. Follow the river south, crossing it using tree roots and rock slabs.

You may choose to camp the night at Edith River Crossing or continue on downstream until you reach Channels Waterhole. A swim is worth the effort. The track continues on and is lined with pandanus and paperbarks until it opens up to open and sandy country. Tonight’s camp is on a sandy beach beside a tranquil waterhole.

Sandy Camp Pool – Leliyn / Edith Falls: 14.5 kms, allow 6 hours
Leaving camp, the track passes Horseshoe Pool and continues through savannah woodland country not too far from the river. About 7.5 kms along you’ll come to another checkpoint at Edith River South. From here the track is lined with the river on the left-hand side and escarpment on the right, enjoy the stunning setting as you trek the last part of the Jatbula Trail.

One last stop is a must at Sweetwater Pool. This is a large waterhole surrounded by rocky ledges perfect for a picnic. Day trippers can access this point from Leliyn / Edith Falls so it may be your first encounter with another person since leaving the Katherine (Nitmiluk) Gorge. After a swim make your way to Leliyn / Edith Falls, the section is quite easy as it heads down the escarpment on a well maintained track. Make sure you deregister at the Edith Kiosk before enjoying a hot shower.