Nitmiluk National Park

You'll be drawn to the majestic beauty and sheer size of the spectacular Nitmiluk Gorge.

Located on the lands of the Jawoyn people, rock art sites dot the park and dreaming stories bring the silent gorge walls to life.

You can learn about the Jawoyn people's association with the land at the Nitmiluk Centre or by taking a boat cruise of the first few gorges.

Take sunrise or sunset cruises and see the gorge turn all shades of mauve and red.

There are canoes for hire or you can get a permit to use your own canoe from the Nitmiluk National Park Visitor Centre.

You can canoe to the fourth, sixth and ninth gorges and camp overnight, but make sure you book ahead of time by calling Nitmiluk Tours on (08) 8972 1253 or 1300 146 743.

You can use fishing lures in areas of the Katherine River, but fishing is not permitted in Edith Falls.

Walkers have plenty of trails to choose from and waterfalls to see, but the ultimate trek is the 62km Jatbula Trail.

To fully experience Nitmiluk Gorge, take a helicopter ride and get set down for a swim in one of the harder to reach gorges.

Get the Nitmiluk National Park fact sheet and map PDF (949.1 KB).

Check if this park is open

Phone: 08 8973 8821

Park Sites	Access	Comments	Forecast opening
Nitmiluk National Park	Open		-
Swimming in Katherine River: gorge 1	Closed	Closed in accordance with the Saltwater Crocodile Risk Management Plan	-
Swimming in Katherine River: gorges 2 and 3	Open
Swimming in Katherine River: gorges 4 upwards	Open
Private Canoeing (day) - gorges 2 and upriver	Open
Overnight Canoeing	Open
Jatbula Trail	Open to on-line permit holders only	You can book online from 1 November for the following year's walking season. Permits are required for out of season walks (during 1 October to 31 May). To apply for a permit, contact jatbula.trail@nt.gov.au.
Northern Rockhole – Walk and swimming	Open
Southern Rockhole – Walk and swimming	Open		-
Baruwei Loop Walk	Open		-
Boat tours	Open	1st, 2nd and 3rd Gorge. For more information contact Nitmiluk Tours on 1300 146 743 or visit http://www.nitmiluktours.com.au/	-
Southern walks
Windolf Walk	Open		-
Butterfly Gorge Walk	Open		-
Lily Ponds Walk	Open		-
Lily Ponds – swimming at river	Closed	Closed in accordance with the Saltwater Crocodile Risk Management Plan.	Anticipated re-opening June 2021, dependent on weather.
Lily Pond Waterfall – swimming	Open
Dunlop Swamp – camping	Open
Smitt Rock Walk (via Yambi Walk)	Open
Jawoyn Valley Walk	Closed	Closed for seasonal weather conditions.	Anticipated re-opening Mid May 2021, dependent on weather.
Eighth Gorge Walk	Open
Waleka Walk (Pats Lookout to Butterfly Gorge)	Open		-
Waleka Walk ( Butterfly Gorge to 8th Gorge)	Closed	Closed between Smitt Rock and Eighth.	Anticipated re-opening Mid May 2021, dependent on weather.
Mountain bike trails
Jalkwarak Trail	Open with restricted access	Two sections of the Jalkwarak Trail are closed due to seasonal weather conditions: 1. The section between the visitor centre and the picnic ground area is closed, and 2. The section behind the ranger station through to Gorge road. All other sections of the trail remain open. Riders should travel with care.	-
Jatete Trail	Open	Recent rain has caused minor erosion in places along the trails. Riders should travel with care.	-
Gurumal Trail	Open	Recent rain has caused minor erosion in places along the trails. Riders should travel with care.	-
Windolf Trail	Open	Recent rain has caused minor erosion in places along the trails. Riders should travel with care.	-
Yambi Trail	Open	Recent rain has caused minor erosion in places along the trails. Riders should travel with care.	-
Waleka Trail	Open	Recent rain has caused minor erosion in places along the trails. Riders should travel with care.	-
Bamjon Trail	Open	Recent rain has caused minor erosion in places along the trails. Riders should travel with care.	-
Leliyn (Edith Falls)
Edith Falls	Open		-
Leliyn Loop Walk	Open		-
Sweetwater and Longhole Walk	Open		-
Sweetwater swimming	Open		-
Swimming in plunge pool	Open		-
Swimming in upper pool	Open		-
Campground	Open	Campground contact: 08 8972 2884 (phone bookings are not available).	-

Opening hours

All year round, but the park and some activities may close due to flooding in the Wet Season.

The best time to visit is between May and September.

Nitmiluk Visitor Centre is open daily from 8am to 5pm.

How to get there

The Gorge entrance to the park is 30km east of Katherine on the sealed Gorge Road. Follow the signs.

The turnoff to Leliyn (Edith Falls) is 40km north of Katherine along the Stuart Highway. The park entry is 20km further along Edith Falls Road.

Leliyn (Edith Falls)

A visit to Leliyn (Edith Falls) in the west of the park should also be on your list.

Swimming in the lower and upper pools is a must.

If you have time for a full day or overnight walk, go for a swim in the secluded Sweetwater pool.

You need a permit for the overnight walk to Sweetwater pool so book early by using the contact listed for Leliyn below.

Get the Leliyn (Edith Falls) fact sheet and map PDF (999.3 KB).

What to see and do

You can do all of the following activities in Nitmiluk National Park:

canoeing - get the Nitmiluk National Park canoeing guide PDF (1.8 MB)
bushwalking - get the Southern Walks guide PDF (10.4 MB) and Baruwei Lookout and loop walks guide PDF (1.5 MB)
swimming in marked areas - watch for closures
camping
view Aboriginal rock art
fishing
wildlife spotting
scenic lookout
boating
mountain biking
ranger-guided activities.

Camping

Gorge tourist precinct

Powered and non-powered sites are available near the Gorge Caravan Park. Camping fees apply and are payable on-site.

You need to book overnight accommodation and canoeing at the Nitmiluk Gorge sector. Call 08 8971 0877.

Leliyn (Edith Falls)

Non-powered sites are available at Leliyn (Edith Falls). For more information contact the Leliyn kiosk on 08 8972 2884.

Leliyn (Edith Falls) does not take bookings. The best time to arrive to secure a spot is 10am, as this is when campers who are not staying another day have to vacate their site.

Gurriluk youth group area

The Gurriluk youth group area is available for use by schools, youth groups and other community organisations.

You need to book. Call 08 8973 8821 or email parks.desk@nt.gov.au.

Get the Gurriluk youth group area information sheet.

Boating access

If you plan to launch a private motor vessel in the park you should be aware of the following:

you need to go to the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre when you arrive at the park to gain river use information before accessing the river
private motor vessels are allowed on the Katherine River in the first gorge. They need to be less than four metres long with a maximum 15 horsepower motor. The speed limit is seven nautical miles per hour
you are not able to use a private powered vessel in the Katherine gorge system from 1 June to 31 August. At other times you can use a private vessel in the first gorge, except when the river is closed due to Wet Season flooding.

You can fish only with lures - bait cannot be used, to avoid accidental capture of turtles.

Accommodation

Nitmiluk Tours provides a variety of accommodation at the gorge sector. Call 1300 146 743.

Facilities

Nitmiluk National Park has all of the following facilities:

information signs
ranger station
gas barbecues
drinking water
public toilets
disabled access
cafe
picnic area
caravans
accommodation
showers
walking trails
souvenir shop
telephone.

Please remember

When visiting the park, remember all of the following:

drones are not permitted
take your rubbish with you
stay on marked roads and tracks
cultural items and wildlife are protected
do not touch Aboriginal art sites
do not feed animals
pets are not permitted
nets, traps and firearms are not permitted
do not use soaps or detergents in or near waterways
camp only in marked camping areas
generators are not permitted
follow fishing laws - there is no fishing permitted at Edith Falls and you can only use lures in the Katherine River
check your vehicle is not transporting pests like weeds and cane toads.