Katherine.Katherine, it's truely an awesome example of God's handiwork. Katherine is one of two large towns you will travel through on route between The Alice (Alice Springs) and Darwin and the main attraction to the area (other than the fact it has constant running water) is the spectacular Katherine Gorge.
Where the outback meets the tropics, about 300 kilometres south of Darwin the township of Katherine is situated on the banks of the Katherine River, which flows down from the world-renowned Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk National Park). The Gorge, 30 kilometres from the town and within the Nitmiluk National Park, is actually 13 separate gorges connected over a stretch of 12 kilometres by rapids and rocky terrain.
It is a relatively remote destination with abundant waterways including gorges, rivers waterfalls and the ocean. It's these characteristics that attract an invasion of adventure seekers all year round. This is an adventure playground for visitors who canoe, camp, bushwalk, and helicopter their way around the Park. Further downstream, extended canoe trips with overnight camping in the peaceful bush is the best way to experience the Katherine River, a serene water way that supports a rich eco-system of native animals and birds. Bushwalkers are well catered for in Katherine with over 100 kilometres of walking trails ranging from 4 hour to five-day treks in the Nitmiluk National Park alone. One of the most famous is the Jatbula Trail, a challenging four to six-day, 58-kilometre bushwalk from Katherine Gorge to Edith Falls that takes in diverse scenery, plunging waterfalls and Aboriginal rock art. The region's other big rivers provide opportunities for serious fishing adventures. The Daly, Roper, Victoria and McArthur Rivers are prime barramundi haunts, and anglers can bring their own boat, hire one or join a guided safari to add landing a big barra to their list of conquests. There are a number of shopping complexes within the Katherine town centre, and several good art and craft stores worth a look. There are also plenty of other things to do around town including visiting the Katherine Museum, Old Train Station, School of the Air and Springvale Homestead. The landscape in the area is fabulous.
Swimming is also popular in the Katherine Gorge. A I said above there are some spectacular walks in this area although it can be dangerous during the wet season, as Katherine is prone to flooding, especially between November and March when the waters are extremely rough. Freshies, that's freshwater crocodiles, are also found in the gorge, but generally in the colder months. Canoeing is also popular in the gorges, and canoes can be hired. There are also various cruise and walking tours around the gorges although if you are looking at doing a long walk independently then check with the visitor centre, as for some walks a permit is required. The Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park is also a must. Cutta Cutta Caves are located only 27km south of Katherine. The caves are a series of limestone caverns dating back 500 million years featuring sparkling columns, pillars and flowstones of calcite crystal. The limestone caves and endangered Orange Horseshoe Bats are wonderful to see. Two nearby Aboriginal communities are also worth visiting, these are Manyallaluk and Barunga. Manyallaluk is on the edge of the Nitmillaluk National Park and Barunga is on the edge of the Arnhem Land. If you intend to visit Barunga then go during the Barunga Wugularr Sports and Cultural Festival in June, it's worth the time. For a hands on cultural experience you can’t go passed the Cultural Tour of the indigenous community of Manyallaluk (Apr – Oct). Here you can learn the traditional ways of basket weaving, spear throwing, fire lighting and Didgeridoo playing, or maybe go out to the Top Digj & Art Gallery and learn to paint and listen to the words of the resident artist Manual Pankal from the Dalabon indigenous community. Take a stroll through the four art galleries in Katherine specializing in local Aboriginal art and artifacts including art from a wide region, Central Australia, the Kimberleys and Arhnem Land. For a refreshing dip go and have a swim at the Katherine Hot Springs or if you are heading south make sure you stop in at the spectacular Mataranka Thermal Springs and Bitter Springs. Sabu Sing sits perched on his stockhorse at the southern end of town and is a magnificent bronze statue in tribute to a great stockman and station manager in the Top End who tragically died in a car accident in 1993.
The Katherine Museum is a must, they have a wonderful display of photo’s dating back to the early settlers, including history on WW II, aboriginal artifacts, all the images and footage from the devasting 1998 Katherine Floods, Clyde Fenton, the first flying doctor and horticulture in the early days. For the ultimate stockcamp experience without going to a cattle station try out Marksie’s Stockmans Camp Tucker Night. Dine under the stars around a campfire and take in that bush experience. You will be treated with traditional camp fire cooking of roasts, stews, damper and you will have the opportunity to try a variety of different cuisines from Kangaroo, Buffalo and Camel. Great fun for the whole family.
There is a wide variety accommodation in Katherine from apartments, to hotel rooms, to cabins, Bed and Breakfasts The Katherine Region has an abundance of events which happen throughout the Dry Season from cultural experiences like the Walking with Sprits Festival (July) or Barunga Festival (June), to the prestigious Katherine Show (July), Katherine Festival (August) and Katherine Country Music Muster (May) plus the many regional fishing competitions. Yes Katherine is truely an awesome example of God's handiwork, enjoy John.
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The Katherine region sets the scene for some real Northern Territory style adventure. 
There are some pretty thermal pools along the Victoria Highway where you can swim, the swimming hole by the weir on the Katherine River is also a good place to swim during the dry season and there are picnic tables and facilities in the Katherine Low Level Nature Park.
Just 8km west of Katherine is Springvale Homestead, the oldest original homestead in the Territory, it was built in 1879 by Alfred Giles the former Overland Telegraph linesman. 
