Keep River National Park

Nestled in the Australian Outback near the border of the Northern Territory and Western Australia, 468 km west of Katherine, is the small but incredible Keep River National Park. This is one park that you have to call ahead of your visit to find out what the access road conditions are since, between November and April, the roads are sometimes flooded. Some say that the best time of year to visit the park is May to August when the temperatures and weather is better. However, there are those that say visiting the park during the rainy season is wondrous.

The wetlands are alive and teeming with life during those months and the woodlands turn to a lush green. Since most visitors prefer to visits during the drier months, the quiet campgrounds are a bonus.

For a small park, just over 700 square km, there is a plethora of things to do and see in Keep River National Park. The park has it all: dramatic landscapes and incredible rock formations, aboriginal cultural sites, rock art, a wide range of wildlife, and incredible habitats. The walks, the views, the wildlife and the aboriginal heritage combine to make this a little park that packs an amazing punch and creates awe filled memories.

The two campgrounds in Keep River National Park, Jarnem and Gurrandalng, give you several walk options with, in my opinion the Jarnem 4 hour walk is the best option. Jarnem has three walk options: a 2 hour walk to the lookout and back, a 2 hour walk to the art sites and back, and a walk that encompasses the complete loop. Gurrandalng, on the other hand has a 2 hour that follows the Keep River bed to an old wet season shelter site of the Miniwoong people and offers up absolutely stunning views.

In addition, there is the Ginger’s Hill Walk, the Jinumum Walk, and the Nganalam Walk to keep your interest piqued and take you to aboriginal heritage sites. Make sure to take lots of water with you although there is some drinking water available in the park and walk in the cool of the day. It’s important that you don’t leave your trash behind, pack it out.

Remember that, although your pet is a member of the family, pets are not allowed in Keep River National Park. So leave them in the safekeeping of a kennel or home. Following the park’s rules will ensure that you don’t leave an indelible footprint on this jewel.

The Australian Outback is a world apart from anything else you may have experienced. Once you get a taste of the Outback, you’ll be left wanting more!

The Town of Katherine

On the shores of the Katherine River is nestled the town of Katherine, the third largest town in the Australian Outback with a population of just under 8000. For thousands of years, the Jawoyn people have found this area to be a rich and vibrant food source. The area was settled in 1878 with the arrival of Alfred Giles, a cattle rancher. In 1884, Gilles built his homestead, which stands to this day on the banks of the Katherine River to this day. Conducted tours out to the homestead are available. While there are many multi-day tours that start in Darwin and stop for a visit in Katherine, it is worth your time to visit Katherine for several days to visit the surrounding area. The stunning Outback landscapes will pull you back time and time again.

The wild beauty of the Nitmiluk National Park will captivate you. The crown jewel of the park is the 50 km Katherine Gorge. With its deep gorges carved into the red sandstone over the past 1.6 million years, Katherine Gorge is best explored on a Jawoyn guided boat tour. If you are truly an adventurer, you can rent canoes for a self-guided exploration.

To the west of Nitmiluk National Park is the idyllic Edith Falls. At the base of the falls, enjoy a dip in the pandanus ad paperbark fringed natural pool. Leliyn Trail will take you on a challenging walk that is physically demanding. Although the trail is only 2.6 km, the walk is rather steep and rocky but absolutely worth the exertion. Edith Falls marks the end of the Jatbula Trail, a 58 km trail that starts at the Katherine Gorge headquarters. Easy vehicle access is available to those that prefer not to hike 58 km. There is camping at Edith Falls so you need not rush to see the sights.

Just 27 km south of Katherine are the Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park. A colony of rare orange horseshoe bat and ghost bats, an endangered species, call these caves home. Although there are guided tours, the tours do not venture into the areas that the bats inhabit so that they won’t be disturbed. As opposed to the temperate caves of Southern Australia that are not occupied by animals, the Cutta Cutta caves are tropical caves inhabited by animals.

As with many of the Australian Outback attractions, your breath will be stolen by the incredible beauty of the natural environment. There are the parks, the caves, thermal springs, plateaus, wildlife, and more…so much more…to do and see in the Katherine area.