KATHERINE

Katherine was named by explorer John McDouall Stuart in the late 1800's , after the daughter of one of his expedition sponsors.  The area was renamed 'Nitmiluk' - meaning 'cicada place ' - in 1989 when traditional owners, the Jawoyn Aboriginal people, gained title to the land. 

The Katherine River flows through 13 separate gorges that carve their way through the Arnhem Land Plateau.  You can canoe or cruise between sheer cliffs, to the sandy freshwater beaches of the main gorges, and view ancient Aboriginal rock paintings high on the rock faces.  Waterfalls and rock pools are found along over 100 kilometres of walking tracks, beginning at the park's visitor centre. 

Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge) is just 32 kilometres from Katherine on Gorge Road.  There are 180,00 hectares of natural wonder.  There are 13 gorges in the system, carved out of the rock by the torrential summer rains over millennia. Three of the gorges are readily accessible on an organised tour and boat cruise, alternatively visitors may prefer to hire a canoe, or take a trek. Stunning examples of Aboriginal rock art, many thousands of years old, are to be found within the gorge system. 

The girls booked into comfortable accommodation at Knotts Crossing Resort,  then had a huge meal at one of the local sports club. Pamela and Karen had half a chicken each, while Margaret was served half a lamb!!!  No, it was mutton actually. It was help yourself to a variety of vegetables from the bay-marie. 

They booked the three Gorge tour, and next day drove to the departure point, arriving at 8.30 a.m.  The not too long walk from the car park near the tourist cafe and shop was in quick time, due to darling flying foxes forming a canopy.  What a stench!!  Waiting under a canopy covered with their 'shit' was not pleasant. 

A very knowledgeable Aboriginal young man was captain and guide for the four hours of wonderful cruising.  Captions on some of the photos will explain more.  

WHAT A SURPRISE TO SEE A WALLABY FEASTING ON THE ONLY GREEN PATCH IN THE AREA. 

JUST LOOK AT THOSE ... FLYING FOXES. 

THEY WERE FIRST TO ARRIVE AT THE TICKET OFFICE 

A FAT BABY FRESH WATERCROC GETTING VITAMIN D.  

THIS BEAUTIFUL WATER WOULD BE FULL OF  CROCS. 

LOVELY GREEN TREES ON BOTH SIDES 

EVERYONE WAS IN  AWE OF THE ROCK FORMATION. 

IT WAS  LAYING EGG TIME FOR THE CROCS.  THEY LAY ABOUT 40-60 EGGS.EACH BREEDING SEASON. THEY LAY IN A MOUND OF PLANTS AND MUD. SALTWATER CROCS CARE FOR THEIR YOUNG. THE FEMALE GUARDS THE NEST. 

THEY STEPPED OFF THE BOAT, THEN WALKED A SHORT DISTANCE TO THE NEXT LEVEL WHERE THEY BOARDED ANOTHER BOAT.  THIS HAPPENED TWICE. 

THE WATER LEVEL IS GETTING LOW, HENCE HAVING TO CHANGE BOATS. 

BEAUTIFUL LEAVES. 

LOOK AT THE ROCK ART. 

MORE ROCK ART 

MAYBE FRUIT OR A POD. 

ROCK ART

THE 'JEDDA' ROCK. USED IN THE MOVIE 'JEDDA' 

SPY THE BIRD? 

WONDER HOW DEEP IT GOES 

KAREN AND PAMELA HAVING A REST ON ONE OF THE WALKS TO THE NEXT BOAT

BECAUSE OF LOW WATER, CANOEISTS HAD TO MAN HANDLE THEIR  CANOES. 

PAMELA DECIDED NOT TO SWIM AS MANY DID, BUT TO TAKE A PADDLE. SAID THE WATER WAS ........FREEZING 

THERE IS A CROC, CRUISING THE SHORE. 

VIEWING PLATFORM NEAR THE BOOKING OFFICE. NOTE THE CROC FACE IN THE  GRAY ROCK? 

TOURISTS BOATS AT THE READY 

A GOANNA ON A ROCK.  DINNER FOR A CROC???

MARGARET TOOK THIS PHOTO FROM A POST CARD. 

Just had to show their magnificent chocolate dunnie at Knotts Crossing motel !