Adventuring in Nitmiluk National Park
If you’re near Katherine, you need to drop in and visit Nitmiluk National Park in the Northern Territory.
This place is a hidden gem in the NT.
Everyone talks about Litchfield & Kakadu, but this place is just as good & heaps less busy.
If you want to explore Nitmiluk National Park, this article is for you. I want to give you my tips & tricks for you when visiting the Katherine area.
In this video, we explore Nitmiluk National Park
The History of Nitmiluk National Park
Nitmiluk has a very interesting history.
Did you know, Nitmiluk was only given back to the indigenous people in 1978. After years of protesting & campaigning, the Jawoyn people finally received their land back.
Now the area is co-managed by the Jawoyn people with NT Parks & Wildlife.
Having this area open for tourism provides jobs for the Jawoyn people & lets them share their culture with the world. Approximately 250,000 people visit Nitmiluk National Park each year, I was lucky enough to only see 5 people whilst I was there.
The latest evidence shows that the Indigenous people have been living in Australia for 65,000 years & likely in Nitmiluk for 30,000 years. The indigenous tribe in the in the area are called the Jawoyn, they have been living & managing the area for this time. This region has provided shelter, food, water for the local people, it’s their life line.
Katherine River in morning light
Exploring Nitmiluk National Park
You need to get out & walk in Nitmiluk National Park, this place is amazing. It gives you a totally new respect, and appreciation for the area.
I recommend doing a moderately hard walk, like the one to Southern Rockhole Waterfall.
This is approximately a 1.5 hour walk into the national park, you see gorgeous views of the Katherine river & stunning landscapes across the plateau.
I cannot stress this enough, get up early to do the walk. The colours as the sun rises is perfect, plus the heat is much less.
At the end of this walk is the most amazing waterfall in the world. Which you can swim in, if it’s been cleared by NT Parks & Wildlife.
Southern Rockhole Waterfall
Tips & Tricks to Enjoy Nitmiluk
Get a Boat Ride
If you can, book a boat tour through the gorge. This is a unique way to see the place, whilst staying out of the mouths of crocodiles.
Bring your Bathers
In the wet season, this place is full of spots you can swim. So bring your bathers every where you go, because you don’t want to be caught without.
A little hidden waterhole we discovered
Water, water & water
You need to bring plenty of fresh drinking water. This place gets hot in the wet season & there is often not much shade, so you’re in the full face of the sun.
