This National Park, formerly called Katherine Gorge National Park is situated in the Northern Territory of Australia, 244km south-east of the state capital of Darwin. This National Park is flanked to the north by another of Australia’s beautiful National Parks, Kakadu. Nitimiluk means, in the language of the Jawoyn people, who are the custodians of the park, ‘place of the cicada dreaming’. The gorges and surrounding landscape that is protected within this park are of great spiritual significance to the Jawoyn people.
The beautiful and dramatic centrepiece of the National Park is the Katherine Gorge, carved through the sandstone by the Katherine River. This river is accessible by boat tour which will take you as far as the fifth gorge. During the dry season when waters are lower, the river is also perfect for canoeing and swimming. The water are low and most sections are relatively placid. During the wet season, however, the waters rise and saltwater crocodiles enter the river. These are then relocated back downstream at the onset of the dry season. Due to the high waters and the presence of saltwater crocodiles, swimming is therefore prohibited during the wet season.
Interestingly, freshwater crocodiles are around all year on most sections of the river, nesting on the banks. These, however, pose no threat to human beings. These freshwater crocodiles are just one of the interesting wild creatures to be seen in this national park. The area is also a great place for bird watching. Here you will see a wide range of exotic birds and some that are seriously endangered also make their home in areas of the park. The Yinberry Hills Important Bird Area is partially within the area protected by the national park and it is recognised by BirdLife International as an important area for birds due to the area’s importance for endangered Gouldian Finches.
Those who wish to explore the park can of course do so on the river, with the caveats outlined above. Another option is to hike in the park. Here you will find the Jatbula Trail. This beautiful walking trail leads from Katherine Gorge to Leliyn. This path has been walked by generations of Jawoyn people. The track is named after Peter Jatbula. He was an important advocate for his people and was instrumental in securing their rights over the land on which they live. Peter Jatbula walked this path with his family and members of his family still walk it today – they help look after their ancestral homeland.
Whether on foot across land, or on the water, Nitimiluk National Park allows you to explore some of the varied wild county of Australia’s Northern Territory.
