Photos of Nitmiluk National Park in the Northern Territory, Australia

The Katherine River, which rises in Arnhem Land, has carved a series of 13 magnificent gorges through sandstone, 30 kilometres to the north east of the town of Katherine. The gorges are altogether about 12 kilometres long and are separated from each others by rocks and boulders and the surrounding landscape have great ceremonial significance to the local Jawoyn people, who are custodians of the 180,000 hectare Nitmiluk National Park that has been established around the gorges and includes nearby Leliyn or Edith Falls.

This wonderland can be explored on tours with flat-bottomed boats, that go upstream but can only stay in one gorge; tourists have then to walk to the next gorge where they board another boat. But canoeists are welcome to explore on their own as well and there are hiking trails to explore too, with beautiful views and opportunities to swim in the clean and cool waters of the river. At the point where the gorges actually start is an impressive Aboriginal rock painting, clearly visible.

Edith Falls or Leliyn is 60 kilometres north of Katherine by road and has a beautiful series of waterfalls and pools, cascading into a lake, ideal for swimming. There are trails to the top to enjoy the view and cool off in the pools there. There are facilities for camping here as well. There is a 66 kilometres walking trail from Nitmiluk Gorge to Edith Falls, the Jatbula walk, which with proper preparation, can easily be done in 4 to 5 days, offering magnificent scenery and waterfalls on the way.