Things to do with kids in Katherine & the Daly
Nitmiluk Gorge, half an hour from Katherine, is the big day out. A two-hour gorge cruise is the easiest way to see it with kids, and under-sixes ride free. Energetic families can climb to Baruwei Lookout first thing, before the heat, for a view down the gorge.
North of town, the Leliyn Trail loops past lookouts over Edith Falls in about an hour, and the kiosk by the car park sells ice creams. Plan it as a walk: the pools are closed every wet season until rangers have checked them for crocodiles.
South at Mataranka, a short, pram-friendly path winds through tall palms to the thermal pool, and a longer walk follows the river. On the way north to Darwin, the old railway yard at Pine Creek has a steam engine from the original line. It keeps short hours, so check before you go.
36 family outings, waterfalls and walks across the region, sorted by drive time from Katherine. Choose your suburb at the top to sort from where you are staying.
✓ Everything
Free · 19
Top things to do in Katherine & the Daly
Look down on Nitmiluk Gorge from Baruwei
The 1.8km return track from the Nitmiluk Centre, 30km north-east of Katherine, climbs to views over the gorge and 17 Mile Valley. It takes about an hour on steep, loose ground, so go early before the heat. The river is closed to swimming after a crocodile sighting; see the gorge on a two-hour cruise instead, free for kids under six.
about 30 min
Lookout · Baruwei Lookout
Photo: John Gillmore, CC BY 3.0
Walk the Leliyn loop above Edith Falls
Leliyn (Edith Falls) is 60km north of Katherine on a sealed road, and the kiosk by the car park sells ice creams. The 2.6km Leliyn Trail climbs past two lookouts over the falls and the Edith River, about an hour, and suits energetic children. The pools close every wet season until rangers have surveyed for crocodiles, so plan this as a walk.
about 40 min
Waterfall · Leliyn (Edith Falls)
Photo: Lance Vanlewen, CC BY-SA 4.0
Walk through the palms at Mataranka
A 500m loop through towering Livistona palms off Homestead Road, Mataranka, reaches the clear thermal pool, and prams and wheelchairs can get there. From the homestead, walk along the Waterhouse River to Stevie's Hole and back, 1.2km and about 45 minutes. Parks NT runs crocodile surveys at its Top End swimming spots, so treat this as a shady walk. Interstate visitors need an NT Parks Visitor Pass.
about 2 hr
Walk · Mataranka Thermal Pool
Photo: Kendra Baker, CC BY-SA 4.0
See an old steam engine at Pine Creek
The National Trust's railway precinct displays one of the original Beyer Peacock locomotives, with a large goods shed and a railway worker's house. It opens Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 1pm, depending on visitor numbers, so check before you drive. Adults pay $5 and children under 16 are free.
about 1 hr 30
Museum · Pine Creek Railway Heritage Precinct
Photo: Reinhard Dietrich, Public domain
Everything on the map
Over the border
Nearest first, from Katherine
Waterfalls, lakes and swimming
Over 30 minutes
from Katherine
Over 1½ hours
from Katherine
Walks and lookouts
Over 30 minutes
from Katherine
Over 1½ hours
from Katherine
Museums and history
Over 1½ hours
from Katherine
Libraries, cinemas and theatres
Also in this region, more than 4 hours from Katherine
Timber Creek (about 4 hr 15): Gregory's Tree
Gregory (about 4 hr 45): Bullita Homestead
Limmen National Park (about 6 hr 30): Southern Lost City
Caranbirini Conservation Reserve (about 7 hr 45): Barrawulla Loop Walk (Caranbirini Lost City)
Borroloola (about 8 hr): Old Police Station Borroloola
Drive times are estimated from the distance, so treat them as a guide. Tap a card for the full page.
Region boundary: ABS Tourism Regions 2021 (Tourism Research Australia), CC BY 4.0. Outings from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL) and venues' own listings; nature spots from OpenStreetMap and park services.