Advice/ideas for Katherine

[Daver6]

Hi all,

Looking to head to Darwin in late May for a week or so. Considering heading to Katherine for a few nights, the attraction being a paddle through the gorges. It seems a little unclear when the kayaking season actually starts. Some say from May, others suggest June.

Any other highlights folks would recommend in the area? MrsDaver6 and I are always keen on a hike. Any cultural experiences that aren't too cringe worthy?

Finally, any experience with the various accommodation options there? Cicada Lodge seems to be the pick of the places. Any thoughts on whether it's worth the asking price? Would love to hear from anyone personal experiences in the area.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Hi all,

Looking to head to Darwin in late May for a week or so. Considering heading to Katherine for a few nights, the attraction being a paddle through the gorges. It seems a little unclear when the kayaking season actually starts. Some say from May, others suggest June.

Any other highlights folks would recommend in the area? MrsDaver6 and I are always keen on a hike. Any cultural experiences that aren't too cringe worthy?

Finally, any experience with the various accommodation options there? Cicada Lodge seems to be the pick of the places. Any thoughts on whether it's worth the asking price? Would love to hear from anyone personal experiences in the area.

Thanks in advance.

At that time of year I’d do the George twilight/dinner tour.

I’ve not paddled it, but the cruise - with a side walk - three course meal including croc and Barra, plus drinks is spectacular.

And have your camera at the ready for the following light.

 

[kookaburra75]

I can recommend Top Didj Cultural Experience & Art Gallery, which out just out of town on the road to the Gorge. MrsK and I went there as part of a four day trip through Kakdu Kookaburra's Kakadu & Other Places

The Gorge is spectacular, and paddling through it would be a good way to experience it. In May the water levels will be down a bit, so you will have to carry your kayaks over the rock bar between the bottom and top gorges.

 

[Daver6]

I can recommend Top Didj Cultural Experience & Art Gallery, which out just out of town on the road to the Gorge. MrsK and I went there as part of a four day trip through Kakdu Kookaburra's Kakadu & Other Places

The Gorge is spectacular, and paddling through it would be a good way to experience it. In May the water levels will be down a bit, so you will have to carry your kayaks over the rock bar between the bottom and top gorges.

Great info. My slight concern is it seems that it might not be open to kayaking in May due to it being too dangerous still (I presume water too high/flowing from the wet season).

 

[TripleB]

It all depends on when the water stops overflowing ... so the crocs can be found and shot. Then people can do stuff in the water.

Food options are a bit dire outside the resort. Katherine Country Club is probably your best bet. Pretty standard RSL quality food.

If you are going to do some walks - make sure that you take plenty of fluid (more than you think). May should be ok - but it can still be pretty hot and humid.

On the subject of walks - Edith falls (about 45 minutes drive from Katherine) is also lovely. The walks are a bit less intense than the ones around Katherine gorge.

 

[TripleB]

If you are driving between Katherine and Darwin - Pine Creek is worth stopping in. There is a bakery/coffee shop in an old railway carriage on Millar Street (which does ok coffee insofaras Territory coffee goes) and there is assorted old railway and gold mining stuff scattered about town.

Also don't overlook the town of Adelaide River about an hour south of Darwin. The old railway station is really interesting. It used to only be open on weekends. It's run by volunteers. And I always enjoyed (as far as one can) the War Cemetery there too.

 

[RB]

You might find a bit of info in my 2012 trip report-Katherine Gorge starts around Post 33. The photos seem to be very small in size for some reason

 

[jb747]

Any time I went to that part of the world it was to head into the bush to go pig shooting....

 

[SYD]

Did you end up going (or there now)?

We‘re committed for late July visit, then onto ASP and the rock. So any advice, tips and traps always useful.

A work colleague who was until recently living up there said Kayaking the gorges was a must do.

 

[TripleB]

If you are driving between Alice and AYQ - consider going via the Mereenie Loop Road (which starts about at Hermansburg) and Kings Canyon. Kings Canyon is amazing.

The catch is that the loop road is a (good) graded dirt road which may not be acceptable to your car hire company (my car still has red bull dust in it 6 years later!). It's sealed from Kings Canyon to AYQ and then if you come back on the highway from AYQ to ASP that's all sealed too.

 

[Daver6]

Did you end up going (or there now)?

We‘re committed for late July visit, then onto ASP and the rock. So any advice, tips and traps always useful.

A work colleague who was until recently living up there said Kayaking the gorges was a must do.

Yes! In Katherine as we speak and having an amazing time I'll post some of my "findings" when I'm back next week and have better internet.

If you have specific questions ask away and I'll do my best to answer.

 

[RooFlyer]

Damn. Didn’t see this before. Any chance of getting to Mataranka hot springs, south of Katherine?

 

[Daver6]

Damn. Didn’t see this before. Any chance of getting to Mataranka hot springs, south of Katherine?

It was on our maybe list but we've run out of time unfortunately.

 

[Daver6]

Did you end up going (or there now)?

We‘re committed for late July visit, then onto ASP and the rock. So any advice, tips and traps always useful.

A work colleague who was until recently living up there said Kayaking the gorges was a must do.

I'll split this into a few posts

Ok. Katherine and the region exceeded my expectations. Firstly, as an outback town Katherine was fairly decent. Apparently a population of ~6k in 2016, it seemed like a bigger town than that to me.

Accommodation wise we strayed at the Ibis Styles. I didn't really do my homework and didn't realise this is a few clicks south of the main drag in East Katherine. At first I thought it might be annoying not being able to walk to places for a meal (and drinks) but it didn't turn out to be an issue. The Ibis Styles is essentially motel style accommodation. Nothing fancy at all. Room was a decent size but lacked somewhere comfy to chill out. The bathroom was dated and could have used a deep clean. Nothing horrendous though.

The on site restaurant was closed for dinner due to staff shortages. This also meant the bar was closed. They were open for breakfast with some mornings buffer and others a la carte. We didn't check it out.

On the plus side, the pool was a decent size and nice enough area. Again, nothing luxurious but good enough to cool down and have a tinnie. There was also an on site laundry (for a small fee).

Yes, I purchased a Norwegian beer at the BWS in Katherine



I think the general accommodation options in Katherine are pretty dire and I'm not convinced any of the other options would be that much better or more central. The nicest option is Cicada Lodge but that is at the Gorge and a good 25 minutes out of town. It's also MUCH more expensive. Turns out the main restaurant there is also closed due to lack of staff. That turned out to be a bit of a theme in town.

Food wise we had dinner at the Katherine Country Club a local Chinese place (not worthy of a visit) and Katherine Club Inc. | Good People, Good Times, Great Place!

Both the Country Club and Katherine Club offer a pick-up and drop-off service but only from Wednesday onwards (this may vary).

The Country Club and a nicish outdoor area which was quiet a pleasant place to sit. Service was a bit slow and my parmy a little average.




The Katherine Club had some pool tables and an outside but fully unclosed undercover area. It happened to be steak night and my t-bone was cooked to perfection and excellent. If you have more than one night, go to each of the clubs for something different.

We had brunch one day at https://maidenslane.info/ I would highly recommend this spot, even if just for your coffee fix. Food was great and while in a light industrial area, you wouldn't know it while sitting there.

 

[Daver6]

When we originally decided to spend time in Katherine, the number one reason was to kayak the gorge. When we booked we knew it might be a little iffy in terms of too early in the season. It turned out to be the case. In hindsight I feel this was a blessing in disguise. Any review of kayaking the gorge will make mention that you need to drag our kayak over rocks to get from the first to the second gorge. There's probably a couple hundred metres of shallow water, light rapids you'd need to get through. Wearing reef shoes would make life a lot easier.

The pictures I took of the area aren't the greatest in terms of showing what you'd need to get your kayak over, but might give you an idea.



Now I don't want to discourage kayaking. However, the water level is only going to get lower as the weeks go by. If you want to see the gorge from the river level, which I think is a must, then if you don't take one of the cruises, a kayak would be a good option. You can keep it simple and just stick to the first gorge too.

We originally wanted to do this Nabilil Dreaming Sunset Dinner Tour | Nitmiluk Tours dinner cruise but we left booking way too late. A week out showed scarce availability well into the future.

Instead we opted for the dawn tour Dawn Tour | Nitmiluk Tours which while it meant an early start, the colours were spectacular. Worth getting up early for. The light snacks mention was tea/coffee some fruit and a croissant which you had prior to boarding. Economy legroom was acceptable

 

[Daver6]

Some pictures from the cruise

 

[Daver6]

A freshie sunning itself


The area where the boat left from, there where thousands of these bats. They were noisy and stunk, but thankfully no Covid in sight

 

[SYD]

Yeah, I almost booked the Ibis but the reviews weren’t great. Ended up booking the Pine Tree Motel. Hopefully adequate for 2 nights.

Great pics and info.

Note to self - book cruise! There was plenty of availability last time I checked but with QF throwing more A330s to DRW, that will change!

 

[Daver6]

Yeah, I almost booked the Ibis but the reviews weren’t great. Ended up booking the Pine Tree Motel. Hopefully adequate for 2 nights.

Great pics and info.

Note to self - book cruise! There was plenty of availability last time I checked but with QF throwing more A330s to DRW, that will change!

I actually have a bit more to post. I'll try get to it later this evening or tomorrow.

It was only the dinner cruise that was booked out. Others including the dawn one had plenty of availability.

 

[SYD]

I actually have a bit more to post. I'll try get to it later this evening or tomorrow.

It was only the dinner cruise that was booked out. Others including the dawn one had plenty of availability.

I just booked the 3 gorge for late July. Actually, some days in June and July are booked out and limited seats on many days in June.

Tour the gorge - Nitmiluk Tours

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