How To Get To Katherine In The Northern Territory
Katherine is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Australia’s Northern Territory, and it’s easily accessible from Darwin! The small Outback town of Katherine is most known for being the gateway to the breathtaking Nitmiluk Gorge and Nitmiluk National Park (formerly known as Katherine Gorge and Katherine Gorge National Park). Though these locations are relatively secluded in Australia’s Top End, they are only a few hours from Darwin and therefore easy for travellers to access.
Here is a detailed guide for how to get to Katherine, NT!
Where is Katherine?
Katherine is a town in the Northern Territory of Australia. It’s located about 320km southeast of Darwin and is located in the heart of the “Top End”. Australia’s Top End is filled with gorgeous national parks, and Katherine is only about 60km south of Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge National Park).
Katherine is also near other highlights of the Top End. At just 150km south of Kakadu National Park and 250km southeast of Litchfield National Park, you can easily combine Katherine with a trip to these other gems of the NT. Whether you’re visiting all the highlights on a guided camping tour or you’re self-driving around the Top End, Katherine is worth including in your Northern Territory itinerary!
What is the closest airport to Katherine?
Katherine Tindal Airport is the closest airport to Katherine, though Darwin International Airport is the second-closest and a much better option for travellers. Katherine Tindal Airport is a small airport located about 15km away from the town centre. However, this airport only services a limited number of flights between Alice Springs and Darwin as well as private flight charters.
For most travellers, your best option is flying into Darwin International Airport. There is a much wider variety of flights and connecting destinations to choose from. Darwin Airport is only 315km away from Katherine (this is a short distance considering the colossal size of Australia)!
How To Get To Katherine In Australia’s Northern Territory
The easiest way to get to Katherine is by flying into Darwin and then driving yourself or taking the bus to Katherine. You could try to find flights into Katherine Tindal Airport as well, but those flights might be harder to find. If you fly into Darwin, you can also explore another nearby national park on the way to Katherine, such as Litchfield or Kakadu.
How do I get from Darwin to Katherine?
From Darwin, it’s super easy to get to Katherine in a rental car or with the bus. We’re going to cover the details of both options so you can decide which is best for you! But Katherine is located around 310km southeast from Darwin. The Stuart Highway takes you directly there, so it’s really convenient to reach Katherine by road from Darwin.
Self Drive
Once you arrive in Darwin, you can either book a rental car directly at the airport or you can rent one in the city. The easiest option is probably to just rent one from the airport, unless you plan to spend a few days in Darwin before driving down to Katherine. Once you’re in the car, it’s a straightforward, 3.5-hour journey along the Stuart Highway until you reach the town of Katherine.
Many travellers choose to self drive in the Outback and Top End of Australia. You have the ultimate sense of freedom and flexibility, especially if you want to camp and deeply explore the Northern Territory’s national parks. You do need an extra level of preparation though if you plan to explore the Top End with your own car. The Outback is very remote so it’s important to have all the recovery gear, first-aid supplies, and communications that you need to stay safe out there!
Bus
Bodhi Bus and Greyhound are two popular coach bus services that run between Darwin and Katherine daily. A bus ticket costs around $100 depending on your travel days and times. Bus journeys may take slightly longer than cars just because you have to wait for other passengers and there are sometimes other stops along the way. But you should still make it to Katherine in around 4-5 hours from Darwin.
Buses are a great option for travellers who aren’t comfortable driving their own car in the Top End. Though it’s a safe place to travel, maybe you’re a solo traveller or a first-time traveller who isn’t super confident with car hire. You can still explore the Outback and get from Darwin to Katherine using public transport!
What is there to do in Katherine, NT?
The best things to do in Katherine, NT mostly take place in the nearby Nitmiluk National Park. The stunning natural beauty here draws in travellers from all over the world. There are spectacular gorges, waterfalls, thermal springs, and waterfalls in addition to all the fascinating cultural, spiritual, and historical landmarks.
Katherine itself is a super small township in the midst of the Australian Outback. There are a few shops, tourist attractions, eateries, and accommodations in Katherine. Most travellers will probably stop through here on their way into the wonders of Nitmiluk National Park.
Though the town of Katherine is mainly just the gateway to the park, you can check out the Katherine Museum, Katherine Outback Experience, or Top Didj Cultural Experience & Art Gallery if you’re looking for local attractions in the area!
How far is the gorge from Katherine?
The famous Nitmiluk Gorge (Katherine Gorge) is only about 30km from the town of Katherine. You can reach the gorge via rental car, shuttle bus, or taxi. If you are visiting Katherine, chances are the Nitmiluk Gorge is at the top of your to-do list. The dramatic sandstone cliffs and pristine gorges carved by the Katherine River make up Nitmiluk Gorge, which is the #1 highlight of Katherine. Whether you’re taking public transport or you’re own car, the gorge is easy to reach from Katherine!
