Nitmiluk Gorge

Cruise or walk the gorge famous for its towering sandstone cliffs and rock art sites

Heat warning

Temperatures across the Northern Territory can be very hot between October and April, it can exceed 40°C.

Check for active heatwave warnings before you visit, go to the Bureau of Meteorology website.

Central Australia has dry heat, and the Top End is humid. Both can cause exhaustion and dehydration.

Find out how to prepare and stay safe in the heat.

Nitmiluk (also known as Katherine Gorge) is a 13 gorge system that meanders around the Katherine River in Nitmiluk National Park.

You can experience the gorge by:

This park requires visitors to the NT to have a NT Parks Visitor Pass.

Park sites	Status	Comments	Forecast opening
Swimming in Katherine River - gorge 1	Closed	Permanently closed to swimming and canoeing.	-
Swimming in Katherine River - gorges 2 and 3	Closed	No swimming in the river while crocodile surveys are underway.	7 October 2026
Swimming in Katherine River - gorges 4 upwards	Closed	No swimming in the river while crocodile surveys are underway.	7 October 2026
Private canoeing (day) - gorges 2 and upriver	Closed	No canoeing while crocodile surveys are underway.	7 October 2026
Overnight canoeing	Closed	No canoeing while crocodile surveys are underway.	7 October 2026
Fourth Gorge campsite	Closed	No canoeing while crocodile surveys are underway.	7 October 2026
Sixth Gorge campsite	Closed	No canoeing while crocodile surveys are underway.	7 October 2026
Ninth Gorge campsite	Closed	Please note there are no suitable camping spots in the ninth gorge following the floods. All the sand has been washed away leaving the exposed rock surface.	1 July 2027
Jatbula Trail	Closed		1 June 2027
Northern Rockhole - swimming	Closed		1 June 2027
Baruwei Loop Walk	Open		-
Boat tours	Open	For more information contact Nitmiluk Tours on 1300 146 743 or go to the Nitmiluk Katherine website	-

The Nitmiluk Visitor Centre is located at the entrance to Nitmiluk Gorge.

The centre has a cafe, souvenir shop and cultural displays.

Book boat tours, helicopter flights and canoe trips at the centre.

Opening hours vary. Find out more on the Nitmiluk Tours website.

Canoe and camp the gorge - hire a canoe from the visitor centre and camp along the Katherine River.
Bushwalk and camp the gorge - take a few days to meander around the gorge.
Discover the gorge from the air by booking a helicopter tour.
Take a boat tour along the gorge.
Fish the gorge (lures only).
Take a short walk around the bushlands near the visitor centre.
Bring your mountain bike and ride the trails.

Gorge Road, Nitmiluk

08 8973 8888

Yes

Prepare and stay safe in parks and reserves. Check forecast temperatures before you visit.

Take a swim in the paperbark and pandanus fringed natural pool

Visit

Share this page: