Kakadu > Travel Info > Itinerary ideas > Katherine - 5 days

Depart tropical Darwin and head 110kms south to the picturesque town of Adelaide River. Call in at the pub for a cool drink then visit the War Cemetery and learn about the regions wartime history. Drop by the Pine Creek Railway Precinct before continuing to Katherine. Enjoy an afternoon dip in the Katherine hot springs before bunking down at your hotel.
 

Visit the local Aboriginal art galleries and admire the etchings, canvas and barks artworks. After lunch explore the Jurassic Cycad Gardens. Marvel at this exotic attraction, which is home to over 200 Cycad species nestled amongst the rocky landscape. Drive to Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park and enjoy a tour of this underground cave system.
 

Make your way to the Nitmiluk Visitors Centre, a short 30kms from Katherine. Explore the interpretive displays and learn about the local Jawoyn people. Hire a canoe and paddle through the majestic Katherine Gorge or take a boat cruise and learn more about the geology, natural attractions and culture of the river. Spot the local reptiles and enjoy a delicious barbecue dinner on the Crocodile Night Adventure tour at Springvale Homestead.
 

Get up early and head 110kms south to Mataranka, gateway to Elsey National Park. Learn about this “Never Never” country at the local museum. Picnic at the palm fringed thermal pool and take a dip in its medicinal waters. Stay refreshed and head to Bitter Springs for a swim and a short bushwalk. Visit the Elsey Homestead replica and nearby cemetery for an insight into Jeannie Gunn’s famous novel, We of the Never Never, before heading back to Katherine.
 

Depart Katherine for Darwin. Be sure to stop at Leliyn Falls (Edith Falls) in the Nitmiluk National Park just 50kms north of Katherine. Take the 4km walk to Sweetwater Pool and enjoy a picnic and cool dip before heading back to Darwin. Watch the sunset from one of Darwin’s waterfront restaurants.