Swimming, hiking and camping at Nitmiluk National Park

Nitmiluk National Park in Australia’s Northern Territory is a real treat to outdoor enthusiasts.
With its variety of hiking and mountain biking trails, waterfalls, swimming holes and canoeing options it’s pretty darn spectacular.

The park also hosts the famous 62km multi-day Jatbula trail. The trail can be completed over 5 or 6 days and books out months and months in advance. We were meant to do this hike at the end of August this year, however the trail was closed (for the first time ever) due to catastrophic fire danger. I was bummed, but it just means we’ll have to head back another time.

The park is split up into two main visitor areas; Leliyn (Edith) Falls and Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. Edith Falls is 30km to the north of Katherine, where as the gorge is to the east of town. Both areas are accessible by all vehicles and there are campgrounds at both Leliyn (Edith Falls) and at the Katherine Gorge Visitor Centre, as well as plenty of campground options in Katherine town.

Camping Options:

The Nitmiluk Campground at the gorge visitor centre is pretty pricey, at $23 per person for unpowered sites. They do have a pool and all the usual campground trimmings however, and at the time we stayed, free-to-use washing machines. What you’re really paying for here is the proximity to the gorge and activities though which is very handy. If this is out of your budget though there are some cheaper options in town.

The campground at Edith Falls is far cheaper at $12 per person (there are only unpowered sites) and is a few 100 metres to the ‘plunge pool’ aka the giant swimming hole. Saturday nights at Edith Falls are pretty fun with opt-in well priced group meals and live music!

Leliyn (Edith) Falls

The swimming hole is beautiful, rimmed with sandstone cliffs that glow at sunset – it’s pretty special. The falls themselves are pretty small however it’s still worth swimming over to them to check them out. If you’re not super confident swimming you can grab a noodle from the campground Kiosk to assist you in your 150m trip to the falls.

Edith falls is the end of the jatbula Trail. The huge pool and well equipped kiosk are great for those ending their hike, or anyone else that’s after a cool drink or coffee.

Hikes

There are a couple of hikes here that you can do from the pool, both of which take you to a new and exciting swimming pool. Remember to start early in the day and take plenty of water as the temperatures here exceed the high 30’s very regularly.

Leliyn Trail (Upper Pools) :
2.6km loop
This loop heads up and around the back of the main fall and takes you to the upper falls and pool. It then returns via the Bemang lookout.
The upper pools can be a little quieter and are a nice spot to spend the day.

Sweetwater Pools Hike:
8.6km return
This trail heads along the beginning of the upper pools hike before splitting off and following the Jatbula trail to the Sweetwater Pool.

Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge

Nitmiluk National Park has over 10 stunning gorges. You are able to hike or canoe out to different areas and camp overnight. As well as hiking, there is a new network of mountain biking trails that was opened in July 2020. They are still under construction and when completed, will boast over 10km of trails through the park.

Hikes

The hiking trails of the Southern Walks (the hikes at the Katherine end of the park) stretch out over lots of kilometres and all link up. The hikes all start at the visitors centre so depending on how big of a day you after you may need to camp out somewhere overnight to get to the furthest gorge (it’s over 10km one way on foot if you take the shortest route).

A few popular day hikes are: