River, stream, or creek camping near Katherine with campfires
Katherine’s at the crossroads for camping adventures in the northern, western, and central Top End.
- Katherine
Popular camping styles for Katherine
River, stream, or creek camping near Katherine with campfires guide
Overview
On the Katherine River south of Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory, the town of Katherine is at a crossroads for travel through the Top End. On reaching Katherine, travellers can head north-west to Darwin on the Stuart Highway, south-west into Western Australia along the Victoria Highway, or south into the Red Centre and eventually Alice Springs. Katherine is on the cusp between the outback and the tropical north, so campers have easy access to a range of landscapes and environments from here, as well as a range of traveller facilities, caravan parks, and other accommodation options. It’s a convenient base for planning camping trips into Nitmiluk National Park, Kakadu National Park, Litchfield National Park, and other parts of the Katherine Region.
Where to go
Nitmiluk National Park
Just northeast of Katherine, this national park (previously called Katherine Gorge National Park) is famous for its numerous gorges and waterfalls, such as Edith Falls and the Nitmiluk Gorge, which can be explored by kayak and are suitable for swimming in the dry season only. There are two campsites within the park, for campers who would rather stay there than in Katherine.
Kakadu National Park
The southern and south-western parts of Kakadu National Park can be reached from Katherine. There are a few small, basic outback campgrounds in this southern part of the park, including Kambolgie, Gunlom, and Maguk campgrounds. Between them, tent, caravan, and camper trailers are catered to.
Litchfield National Park
Northwest of Katherine, Litchfield is beloved for its swimming holes and waterfalls, which offer campers plenty of chances to cool off with a refreshing dip. There are three campgrounds within the park, each located near a waterfall or creek and best accessed by four-wheel drive.
When to go
There are two main seasons around Katherine and the Top End: the wet season (November to March) and the dry season (April to October). Peak tourist season is the dry season, when temperatures are cooler. To camp in the wet season you’ll need waterproof camping gear and to be prepared for very hot, steamy conditions. Swimming is prohibited in many places in the wet season because of the threat from saltwater crocodiles, which are removed at the start of the dry season.
