Katherine
Travel Guide > Oceania > Australia > Northern Territory > Katherine
Introduction
Katherine is a town of under 10,000, making it the third largest town in the Northern Territory in Australia (after Darwin and Alice Springs). Traditionally, gold was the economic life source of the town, but tourism has been increasing as travellers are drawn to the town for its location near Nitmiluk National Park and Katherine Gorge.
Sights and Activities
- Nitmiluk National Park - Nitmiluk NP features Aboriginal rock art and a number of gorges, including the popular Katherine Gorge.
- Kakadu National Park - A little further north is Kakadu National Park, which can be reached by driving up the Stuart Highway and turning onto the Kakadu Highway at Pine Creek.
Events and Festivals
Getting There
By Plane
Katherine does have an airport, but no commercial flights fly there. Charter flights can be arranged. Most people get to Katherine by flying to Darwin and driving from there.
By Train
The Ghan is an train that runs from Adelaide to Darwin twice a week (and vice versa), stopping at Katherine along the way. Note the Ghan is not cheap: an adult one-way ticket from Adelaide costs at least $710; from Alice Springs, it costs at least $355 one-way.
By Car
Katherine is located at the intersection of the Stuart Highway and the Victoria Highway. You can drive south to Katherine from Darwin along the Stuart (4 hours), north from Alice Springs along the Stuart (13 and a half hours), or east from Broome along the Victoria Highway (18 hours). Since these are very long distances through desert, make sure you are carrying enough water.
By Bus
Eat
Drink
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