Katherine, Northern Territory - April 2021

After a few days at Mataranka Springs we drove 117km into Katherine. We had a drive past two of the caravan parks and didn't like the look of them, so drove a little further out to a lovely looking caravan park in beautiful spacious grounds, but it was way too expensive. So we rang around the other parks and chose Ibis Suites. Ibis have en-suite and powered sites. We chose a powered site at $40 per night (cheapest van park in Katherine), and there was so much room. Photo shows the closest van. 

There are 8 sites situated around a central toilet block with bbq's and laundry close by. Check in is not until after 2pm, weird for a caravan park, but as it is also a motel I guess its the same checkin for all. So while we were waiting we parked in the caravan parking and went to the information centre. Well worth a visit, interesting display, usual touristy things, and booking service.

We booked a Katherine Gorge River cruise and this was the first of our 'must' do's on this trip. We are glad we booked at the Information Centre as when we did a trip to Katherine Gorge Visitor Centre, called Nitmiluk National Park, we were very disappointed. The park was renamed its traditional name in 1989, Nitmiluk - meaning cicada place. The Katherine area has been a meeting place for thousands of years, and marks the point where the traditional lands of the Jawoyn, Dagoman, and Wardaman peoples meet.

There were very few tourists there, and the two staff there were not very helpful and in fact were annoyed that they had to get off their phone, and computer, to talk to us. Definitely not worth a visit, although beautifully presented, there are no information boards about the formations in the park inside.

 All the information is found outside in different areas.

The cruise itself was a mixed bag: scenery was spectacular, unfortunately we couldn't see a lot of it as we seated down the back with a solid wall either side. Our only view was out the back, or over peoples heads looking forward.

On the second boat we couldn't get seats together as family groups ran ahead and took all the river edge seats leaving very few seats left. Made it very difficult to sign what was said for Jonnie. The Dreamtime stories were interesting, especially if one could see the feature the story was about.

The path between the two gorges is spectacular, and only 400m in length, but we had to rush so quickly to get on the next boat that it was difficult to enjoy the scenery. Perhaps the guides need to walk at a slower pace, or restrict parties taking all the good river side seats. If they had ticketed seats it would have been fairer for everyone, and everyone could have enjoyed the scenery. 

We didn't think the two gorges cruise was worth the money, maybe because we were so looking forward to it, or because we couldn't see a lot of the features. It was over crowded and did not cater for people with disabilities. They also ran out of water, glad we had our own with us.

Not a lot to see or do in Katherine, There are hot springs that are free, a series of pools along the Katherine River, but they were closed. We were also going to visit Cutta Cutta Limestone Caves, just south-east of Katherine, but as we drove past the road in was closed. A walk along the river is nice. We were surprised to see a flood level indicator on the old rail bridge crossing.

Explorer John Stuart passed through the area in 1862, and ten years later the Overland Telegraph Line and Katherine Telegraph Station was built. It was John Stuart who named Katherine after the daughter of one of the expedition's benefactors. It was good to stock up on food at the local Woolies and to swim each afternoon in the caravan parks pool.

 

I'm not sure what is going on with the fonts and text.

They never seem to publish the way I want them to.