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Katherine Gorge Amazing Waterscape In The Australian Outback
tunning Katherine Gorge, art you see here is up to 7000
the major attraction of years old. The traditional
Nitmiluk National Park in owners, the Jawoyn Aboriginal
the Northern Territory of people, only regained the title
Australia, is an absolute must to their lands in 1998. They gave
see. Katherine Gorge shows that the area its name: Nitmiluk -
the most impressive experiences meaning Cicada Place.
in the Australian Outback don't
cost an arm and a leg, don't have The main attraction of Nitmiluk
to be shared with a kazillion National Park is Katherine Gorge
other tourists, and they don't itself.
require any special preparations.
No visit to the Australian
Outback is complete without a
The 180,353 hectare Nitmiluk flight, cruise, canoe trip or
National Park is typical rugged hike up the spectacular 12 km
Australian Outback country: red Katherine Gorge, winding its way
rocks and escarpments, and dry between red sandstone cliffs up
bushland with pockets of to 70 metres high.
rainforest along streams and
water holes. Wherever there is 23 million years it took the
water the area is teeming with Katherine River to form this
wildlife: lizards, insects, natural wonder... An amazing
birds, turtles, and even harmless region that can be discovered and
freshwater crocodiles. enjoyed in many ways.
On top of the natural beauty, For those with little time there
flora and fauna Nitmiluk offers is the usual array of boat tours
insights into Aboriginal history and scenic flights to choose
and Aboriginal culture. The rock from. Both can be recommended and
will reward you with impressive walking trails winding through
views and spectacular photos to the park, including serious full
take home. day and over night hikes. You
won't see many tourists on these.
However, Katherine Gorge is also
one of the big tourist
attractions in Australia where it For example you can walk along
is very easy to get away from the the rim of the gorge to Smith's
tourists... Rock, which marks a huge fork in
the river. This full day hike
Here are some suggestions on how offers breathtaking views and
to do just that: opportunities to duck down to the
gorge itself for a swim. Other
Go hiking along Katherine Gorge trails take you to scenic
outlooks (Windolf Walk), secluded
The shortest track at Katherine swimming spots (Southern or
Gorge is a 400 m steep climb near Northern Rockhole) or simply
the Visitor Centre and boat ramp. beautiful places well worth
It will take you to a magnificent visiting (Lily Pond and Butterfly
spot overlooking the start of the Gorge, which really is filled
gorge. Many of the Katherine with butterflies...).
Gorge promotional pictures are
taken from here (and nearly every The king of all walks is the
visitor to the park will come up Jatbula trail, a three to five
here to take a photo...). day hike to Edith Falls (now
called Leilyn), the popular lake
But for those who want to get and waterfall in the north
away from the masses and explore western part of Nitmiluk National
the gorge further there are Park. The hike spans 66 km and
another 100 km (!) of marked leads away from Katherine Gorge,
through scenic rocky country to only way to explore the whole
spring fed creeks, waterfalls, length and the most spectacular
wetlands and pockets of parts of the gorge.
rainforest. It is well marked and
not technically difficult in any If you choose to go on an
way. Above all it offers stunning overnight trip you will often
scenery. However, it IS a five find that you have the more
day walk and requires fitness and distant parts of the gorge
preparation. entirely to yourself. No other
people, no tour boat engines, no
Go canoeing in Katherine Gorge shouting and splashing. Wildlife
doesn't take much notice of a
Canoeing is my favourite way to canoe quietly moving along the
see Katherine Gorge. The days in still waters here and you will
the Australian Outback are hot! see a lot.
If you're in a canoe you just
slide over the side, cool off and One and two person canoes can be
climb back in... But there is rented for half a day, a full day
another reason: or over one or more nights. The
rental of the canoe includes
You often read that thirteen waterproof containers for your
individual gorges make up the food, sleeping bag, camera, tent,
Katherine Gorge. They are change of clothes, whatever you
actually sections of one and the wish to take. No special
same gorge that become separated preparations or equipment are
by rock bars and boulders when needed.
the water level drops during the
dry season. Tour boats have to An overnight canoe trip in
stop at these rock bars, Katherine Gorge definitely gets
canoeists don't. A canoe is the my vote as the number one
experience in the Australian Outback!
About the Author:
B. Bradtke is the founder and editor of the Outback Australia Travel Guide (http://www.outback-australia-travel-secrets.com),
a site specializing in off beat travel away fom the tourist crowds. Visit to find out more about the secrets of Katherine Gorge (http://www.outback-australia-travel-secrets.com/katherine_gorge.html) and other attractions.
Source: www.isnare.com |
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