The fourth largest town in the Northern Territory, Katherine is a regional centre that has retained its importance due to the growth in regional tourism. The town is the place from which to explore the stunning natural attractions of the region, which include Katherine Gorge, Edith Falls, Cutta Cutta Caves and Douglas Hot Springs. Katherine is 340 km south of Darwin; 1,184 km north of Alice Springs.
Katherine is one of only two scheduled stops (the other is Alice Springs) on the Ghan railway between Adelaide and Darwin. During the 3 hours stopover, guests can take an around-town tour, taking in the attractions in and around Katherine, or Nitmiluk National Park, and visit Katherine Gorge. The Ghan station is 8km outside town off the Victoria Highway. Travel North run a shuttle bus between the train station and the town centre. The bus departs from the BP service station.
Katherine was originally connected to Darwin via the North Australia Railway, a narrow gauge railway which was completed in 1926. It fell into disuse and was eventually closed and the tracks lifted. In 2003 the line was replaced with standard gauge as part of extending the line to Alice Springs north to Darwin. The Ghan, run by Great Southern Railway, operates on this track.
The original Katherine Railway Station, located on Railway Terrace, was built in 1926 and serviced the extension of the railway from Pine Creek to Katherine, which had become the centre of a major cattle shipping scheme. The railway served the interests of Vestey’s Meatworks during their operation in Darwin and during World War II, the Old Katherine Railway Station became the headquarters of the North Australian Railway.
You can learn about the history of the rail in the area and how Katherine developed around the railway line at the Railway Station Museum, housed in the original station building. The museum has displays on wartime activities involving the railway and locals. Location: Railway Terrace, Katherine. Open 1pm - 4pm, Mon - Fri, May - Oct.
Katherine town and surrounds provide plenty of park and garden areas. Dakota Park, Giles Park, Jurassic Cycad Gardens, Jukes Park and O Shea Park are in the town. Attractions include Nitmiluk National Park and Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park (27 km south), Kintore Caves Nature Park (15 km north-west) with its populations of endangered cycads and Aboriginal rock art, Low Level Nature Park, Springvale Homestead and Katherine Hot Springs.
Nitmiluk National Park
Fishing for barramundi, tarpon and sooty grunter is also popular along the Katherine River. The low level Nature Reserve and the hot springs are regarded safe to swim. Both freshwater and saltwater crocodiles inhabit the river.
In summer, the Katherine region is one of Australia's major mango producing areas. The Northern Territory in general produces early season (September -November) mangoes; this is fortunate, as it helps avoid competition with the Queensland market as well as the wet season which is damaging to fruit. The Kensington Pride is a notable cultivar grown in the NT. Mangoes are a major primary industry in the territory and generate substantial revenue, despite susceptibility to fluctuations from year to year. Katherine mangoes are amongst the highest quality fruit in the Australian market.
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