Australian.Geographic_2014_01-02

January–February 2014 83

IT CAN BE extremely hot from October to

May and severe sunburn, heat stress and

dehydration are risks – visitors from cooler

climates need to be extra cautious. Drink

water regularly and wear loose, light-

coloured clothing and a wide-brimmed hat;

water-resistant 30+ sunscreen is a must.

Saltwater crocodiles have been known

to venture upriver during the wet season

but Nitmiluk NP rangers search for them

before opening the river to canoeing and

swimming – any found are captured

and removed.

Outside Nitmiluk NP, similar patrolling

occurs near Katherine; visitors to the town

have claimed to have spotted some sun-

ning on the riverbank.

Who to go with: Gecko Canoeing

Katherine River trips are only April–October.

But in the Wet, Gecko Canoeing offers

trips on the Ord River, near Kununurra in

the Kimberley. Three-day Katherine River

Safari $810; Six-day Katherine, Flora, Daly

rivers $1399; eight-day Katherine River

Discovery $2390. Nitmiluk Tours, run by

the Jawoyn Association, also operate sev-

eral guided Katherine trips, including boat

cruises and canoe and helicopter tours.

More information: http://www.parksandwildlife.

nt.gov.au, http://www.geckocanoeing.com.au,

http://www.nitmiluktours.com.au/tours/

KATHERINE RIVER ESSENTIALS

Down ‘pandanus alley’.

Nat, left, and Matt head into the

gloom: a stretch where trees meet

overhead to form a natural ceiling.

Visiting Katherine

The river is a three-

hour drive from

Darwin; a group will

do best by renting a

car. Individuals can

catch a Greyhound

bus from Darwin, with

tickets starting at $65.

NUMBER OF

REPTILE

SPECIES:

LENGTH 328km

RIVERS/CREEKS

THAT JOIN IT: 15

NUMBER OF

GORGES: 13

NUMBER OF

BIRD SPECIES: 170

SIZE OF NITMILUK
NATIONAL PARK:
2920sq.km
78
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ROHAN CLARKE; PETER WALTON; WAYNE LAWLER/CORBIS; MARK SMITH; JASON EDWARDS/CORBIS; BRENDON THORNE: JASON EDWARDS/CORBIS