 Visit the Katherine Region NT
The northern boundary of the Katherine Region extends from the border of Western Australia in a direct line drawn from Kununurra (WA) to Pine Creek (230km south of Darwin on the Stuart Highway) and on to the west coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria in line with Groote Eylandt.
The southern boundary goes from the Western Australia border where the Buchanan Highway crosses to a point about 120km north of Tennant Creek on the Stuart Highway and then on to the Queensland border.
 A vast area of extremes and pleasant delights.
The Katherine Region hosts many towns including Pine Creek, Katherine, Borroloola, Mataranka, Timber Creek and Daly Waters.
Driving from Darwin, the first town in the Katherine Region is Pine Creek which was established in the 1870s in the gold rush days and there may still be some around for those with a keen eye and patience.Don't pass up the chance to have swim in the Copperfield Recreational Reserve or see the Umbrawarra Gorge Nature Park.
 Katherine, 314km south of Darwin on the Stuart Highway is the next encounter. Katherine Low Level Nature Park is the ideal swimming and picnic area but check the swimming safety signs during summer due to flooding at this time of the year. The Katherine Gorge is nearby in the Nitmiluk National Park which houses the famous Edith Falls. Katherine Gorge is not one gorge but thirteen gorges in total. Looking for and finding the Katherine hot springs is well worth the effort. Just south of town are the limestone Tindal Caves and Cutta Cutta Caves which are occupied by the rare Orange Horseshoe bat and the Ghost bat. Another 66km south of town is Manyallaluk - 'the dreaming place' where you can experience the Aboriginal cultural tours.
 South west of Katherine on the Victoria Highway are the towns of Victoria River and Timber Town plus the Flora River Nature Park, the expansive Gregory National Park (which covers tropical and semi-arid zones) and see Aboriginal sites in the Keep River National Park.
A further 75km south of Katherine on the Stuart Highway is Mataranka. This is the area which was featured in the book We Of The Never Never about life on Elsey Station. Visit the Elsey National Park or Mataranka thermal pool is also a very nice place to relax. Be tempted.
Further 'down the road' past Larrimah and then past the turn off to Daly Waters is the Carpentaria Highway east to Borroloola (982km south east of Darwin on the McArthur River) which was first settled in 1885. Use this as a base to visit the Sir Edward Pellew Group of islands or simply try your hand at catching 'barra'. Newcastle Waters, about 715km south of Darwin, off the Stuart Highway was the starting point for the Murranji droving track.
 Conditions apply to those who want to fish, hunt and shoot.
This Region is BIG. Yes there is a lot of it and yes, its a long way to go for a sandwich but go you must. Take your time to plan your itinerary and try to allow time for everything in the Region because it will fascinate you once you start. Let yourself get hooked.
For forther information on The Katherine region visit the Northern Territory Tourist Commission.
IMPORTANT: To travel through Aboriginal lands or to access sites, a Visitors Permit may be required. Follow the link to find out more.
Maps and images are © and used by permission of Northern Territory Tourist Commission.
Disclaimer: The information contained about this region is provided as a guide only. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, Break Loose Publishing disclaim any liability or responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained herein. For our complete Disclaimer please follow the link at the foot of the page.
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