| Katherine | ||
 | ||
| State | Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| Federated state | Northern Territory | |
| Inhabitants | 6.600 (2008) | |
| Prefix tel | 61 8 | |
Position
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| Tourism site | ||
| Institutional website | ||
Katherine is the largest country among Alice Springs is Darwin and it is a great place to stock up in case you want to venture into the outback or if you are traveling to Alice Springs. Katherine is also the base for visiting the famous Nitmiluk Nation Park, also called simply Katherine Gorge. The town itself has no notes of particular interest except for the thermal pool which is located about 5 km from the center (Katherine Low Level Nature Park).
To know
Geographical notes
Katherine is located 1200 km from Alice Springs and 320 km from Darwin, directly on the Stuart Highway. Main basis for the Nitmiluk National Park - Katherine Gorge, just 30 km from the town.
When to go
| Climate | gen | Feb | mar | apr | mag | down | Jul | needle | set | Oct | nov | dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum (° C) | 34.7 | 34 | 34.3 | 34.1 | 32.2 | 30.1 | 30.4 | 32.3 | 35.8 | 37.8 | 37.4 | 36 |
| Minimum (° C) | 24.2 | 23.9 | 23.1 | 20.7 | 16.7 | 14 | 12.8 | 14.6 | 20 | 23.8 | 24.7 | 24.5 |
| Precipitation (mm) | 275.1 | 248.9 | 201.5 | 39.6 | 5.3 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 1.8 | 6.6 | 34 | 88.6 | 217 |
From May to September is the best time, there is no excessive heat during the day and temperatures are always above freezing during the night. It is therefore recommended to bring a bathing suit and even a heavy sweater for the night. If you are camping, be prepared for the cold night. The thermal excursions can be considerable in this period.
Background
The history of this town is mainly linked to the birth of the telegraph station in the mid-1800s. Since then the town has grown in popularity with the white man, thanks above all to tourist attractions, first of all the Nitmiluk National Park - Katherine Gorge. Before the white man, the area was mainly inhabited by the Aborigines of the Jawoyn and Dagoman tribes.
How to orient yourself
There are three arteries in this small town:
- Katherine Tce: practically the Stuart Hwy that changes its name in the town center (where the main supermarkets also reside)
- Giles Street: the street leading to the Nitmiluk National Park - Katherine Gorge. Here are the main hotels and campsites in the area, as well as the best, albeit few, restaurants.
- Victoria Highway: home to other campgrounds and thermal pools (free admission)
How to get
By plane
The airport is located approximately 11 km from the city. The only airline to fly to Katherine is Airnorth, other charter flights arrive from Alice Springs is Darwin
By car
Be prepared for long distances, water and always check the fuel level. It is not unusual to encounter even a single car in a 100 km journey. The petrol stations are located at a distance of 50-100 km, but it is better to stop in excess, than in default, avoiding running out of gas in the desert, with 40-50 degrees in the sun. Katherine to Darwin (4 hours), e Alice Springs (14 hours). Obviously non-existent traffic
On the train
The station is located about 10 km from the city center. There are two trains (Ghan) per week linking Darwin with Adelaide and stop at Katherine. For more information and costs, check on the Trainways website [1]. Reservations are recommended if traveling between June and September.
By bus
Greyhound Australia [2] is the only official bus company that connects Katherine with Darwin, Alice Springs, Queensland is Western Australia. The station is located downtown at the Katherine Transit Center (6 Katherine Tce).
How to get around
- Car: You can rent a car in the city center from Europcar (Cameron, corner Giles Street), Hertz (Katherine Tce corner O'Shea Tce) and Thrifty (6 Katherine Center)
- Taxi: The prices are quite low, also in virtue of the fact that the country is still small.
- Feet: Getting around on foot is quite fast, as the main shops, pubs, supermarkets, hotels and hostels are almost all less than 1km from the center.
What see
Katherine's best surprise is the Katherine Low Level Nature Park (free admission), a park including multi-level thermal pools, extremely popular on Saturdays and Sundays, thanks also to the children's play area and the inevitable barbeque for a lunch or dinner at the order of grilled meat. It is located on the Victoria Highway, approximately 3 miles from the city. The alternative for hot days is the Public pool ($ 4) downtown.
Events and parties
Check the Internet for exact dates that vary from year to year
- May: Katherine Country Music Festival, for fans of the genre
- June: Katherine Canoe Marathon, a 2-day 80km competition along the Katherine River.
- June: Barunga Festival, organized at Queen's Birthday (first weekend). This festival actually held about 80km from Katherine is organized by Aborigines to enhance Aboriginal art and culture. A full immersion not to be missed.
What to do
- Nitmiluk Tours, ☎ 61 8 1300 146 743.
$ 30 (canoe) -600 $ (helicopter 2.5 hours). This Tour Operator managed by the Park guards is the best choice to visit the Nitmiluk National Park - Katherine Gorge. Suggested the day in canoe, managed to your liking, without guides (40 $ per person). Cruise and helicopter trips are also available. Crocodiles can be present in the first gorge but they are the freshwater ones, normally not aggressive. However, be careful - [link not working]School of the Air, Giles Street, ☎ 61 8 8972 1833. 6.50$.
8.30am-4: 30pm (Mon-Sat), otherwise opens at 1:30 pm. It is a real school, but only the teachers are physically in Katherine, while the pupils are only connected via radio or internet (satellite) from the outposts of Australia and, nowadays, from other countries as well. The interest is in the uniqueness of the school. If you can, dedicate an hour of your day to it. There is another location a Alice Springs - Katherine Railway Museum, Railway Tce. 3$. 1-4pm. To spend half an hour looking at the history of the railroad in the Australian outback.
$ 30 (canoe) -600 $ (helicopter 2.5 hours). This Tour Operator managed by the Park guards is the best choice to visit the 
8.30am-4: 30pm (Mon-Sat), otherwise opens at 1:30 pm. It is a real school, but only the teachers are physically in Katherine, while the pupils are only connected via radio or internet (satellite) from the outposts of Australia and, nowadays, from other countries as well. The interest is in the uniqueness of the school. If you can, dedicate an hour of your day to it. There is another location a Shopping
- Coco's Katherine Didjeridoos, 21 First St. The shop in the garage and the studio in the back, in the open air. A strange place but you can find some good surprises.
- Outback Disposals, 58 Katherine Tce. This shop offers everything you need for camping
How to have fun
- Crossways Hotel, Katherine Tce, ☎ 61 8 8972 1022. Typical outback pub. Nothing to write home. Ok for a beer and sometimes live music
- Katherine Hotel Motel, Katherine Tce (corner Giles Street). Another pub in the country, also with live music on Saturday nights, although not always
Where to eat
Average prices
- [link not working]Katherine River Lodge Motel, 50 Giles street, ☎ 61 8 8971 0266, @[email protected]. 10$-24$. Within the Budget chain Hotel, this restaurant is one of Katherine's more viable alternatives. The balcony allows you to spend a cool evening with excellent cuisine. Economical price.
- Katie's Bistro, Cameron Street, ☎ 61 8 8972 2511, @[email protected]. 10$-40$. Excellent quality, especially in fish. Barramundi suggested. Kangaroo meat is a house specialty. This restaurant is arguably Katherine's best.
- Diggers Den Tavern, 7 Victoria Highway, ☎ 61 8 8971 0422. 10$-25$. Popular cuisine at popular prices. Nothing special but still a nice evening. Not always open during the week
Where stay
For each of the accommodations suggested below it is advisable to check the website and contact the hotel / hotel / hostel directly for booking. Prices may vary, even substantially, according to the season.
- [link not working]Katherine River Lodge Motel, 50 Giles street, ☎ 61 8 8971 0266, @[email protected]. 79$-139$. Budget chain hotel at an affordable price. The rooms are quite bare but clean with even a small swimming pool, which can help pass the downtime in this corner of Australia. The restaurant is good (see section where to eat)
- Contact Knotts Crossing Resort, Cameron Street, ☎ 61 8 8972 2511, @[email protected]. 85$-155$. A campsite that, in addition to tents, offers bungalows and rooms in its own motel. The most interesting part is the restaurant, Katie's Bistro, which can also be accessed from the outside, probably Katherine's best option. Great swimming pool
- Palm Court Kookaburra Backpackers, Third Street (corner Giles Street). 35$-140$. More of a converted motel than a true backpacker. A common accommodation for many travelers passing through this city
- St Andrews Serviced Apartments, 27 First Street, ☎ 61 8 8971 2288. 170$-225$. Apartments for rent complete with everything needed for cooking and they are self-sufficient. Pool in the back
- Victoria Lodge, 21 Victoria Highway, ☎ 61 1800 808 875. 20$-60$. Simple and clean rooms
- All Seasons Katherine, Stuart Highway, ☎ 61 8 8972 1744. 100$-150$. Very elegant hotel on the doorstep of Katherine
- Jan's B&B, 13 Pearce Street, ☎ 61 8 8971 1005. 100$-150$. Old time B&B with a swimming pool for the hottest days.
How to keep in touch
You will find internet available in all hotels / motels / hostels, in some cases at no cost, in others for a few dollars. Katherine Library in Randazzo center (Katherine Tce) also offers access to a few dollars. Another alternative is the Didj Internet Cafe on Gile Street, on the corner of Railway Tce.
Safety
The usual precautions must be taken for your own personal safety, more to avoid thefts from other tourists than from locals.
The presence of saltwater crocodiles in the Katherine River is not excluded, although there have not been any sightings in years. Freshwater crocodiles are rarely dangerous, but in case you want to take a dip it is recommended to do so in the pools at higher levels and in any case quickly. In the rainy season, watch out for overflowing rivers. A few years ago a crocodile was also spotted in the children's playground, where the water had come.
Around
- Excursion in Nitmiluk National Park - Katherine Gorge. The park is located about 30 km from the town. The visit can be done either on foot, along the river, or by renting a canoe and walking along it. For the less sporty there is also a motor boat and a helicopter. Nitmiluk Tours is the suggested operator for these excursions
- Visit to Leliyn (Edith Falls). About 60km from Katherine these falls are magnificent. Positioned on three levels, they form 3 pools where you can swim without fear of any crocodiles. A little paradise on the way to Darwin
Itineraries
- Routes are possible both on the water and on land in the Nitmiluk National Park - Katherine Gorge.
