Waterfalls & Hot Springs: Our Adventure in Nitmiluk National Park
Our start in Australia's Northern Territory
After crossing the border into the Northern Territory (goodbye Western Australia!), our first big stop was the town of Katherine. This area is home to the majestic Nitmiluk National Park, a place where rugged sandstone cliffs meet tropical waterfalls and crystal-clear thermal springs.
A Cozy Start in Katherine
We set up camp at BIG4 Breeze Holiday Parks – Katherine. It was a unique experience for us: a rainy, chilly night in the Outback! There’s something incredibly cozy about hearing raindrops on the tent of our Broome and Beyond camper while being tucked away in the jungle.
Once the clouds cleared (well, mostly—a rare cloudy day in the NT!), it was time to explore.
Stop 1: Katherine Hot Springs – A Natural Lazy River
The best part about these springs? They are totally free and located right on the banks of the Katherine River.
The Experience: The water is a perfect 30°C all year round. It’s like a natural “lazy river” where you can float through the jungle, passing small waterfalls and turquoise pools.
Wout of the World Tip: Walk all the way to the top pool. That’s the source, where the water is the warmest and clearest!
Stop 2: Katherine Gorge – The Heart of Nitmiluk
Nitmiluk means “cicada place” in the local Aboriginal language, and you can certainly hear why! The park covers 3,000 square kilometers, and the Katherine Gorge is its crown jewel.
The Hike: We took the Baruwei Lookout Walk. It’s a 2-hour return hike that rewards you with two different platforms offering a magnificent view of the 50km-long gorge. Seeing the river wind through those ancient red cliffs is something you have to see to believe.
Stop 3: Edith Falls (Leliyn) – Paradise with a Warning
In the northern part of the park, you’ll find Edith Falls. There are three levels of pools, and the lower one is just a short walk from the parking lot.
Croc-Wise: You’ll see “Be Crocwise” signs everywhere. While the risk of crocodiles is low here, we encountered something else: a Greater Black Whip Snake. It’s highly venomous and can be deadly—a real reminder that you are truly in the wild!
Practical Tips for Nitmiluk & Katherine (2026)
Best Time to Visit: The Dry Season (May to September) is the prime time. All swimming holes (like Edith Falls and the Hot Springs) are usually open, and the hiking trails are accessible. In the Wet Season (October to April), many areas can close due to flooding and increased crocodile activity. We visited in July—expect sunny days around 30°C and cool, crisp nights.
Distance to Darwin: Katherine is a very easy drive from Darwin. It’s about 320 km (3.5-hour drive) south along the fully paved Stuart Highway.
Distance to Lake Argyle/WA Border: It’s about 510 km (5.5-hour drive) from Lake Argyle to Katherine. Be prepared for long stretches of empty road!
Croc Safety: Always follow the “Be Crocwise” signs. Rangers survey the swimming areas at Edith Falls and the Gorge during the dry season, but never swim in the main Katherine River.
Coffee First: Our golden rule—never leave the campground without coffee! The campsite at the Gorge entrance has a great little cafe.
Watch our adventure
TRAVEL TIP! 🚐🇦🇺
Rent a 4×4 camper for the full experience! Use discount code WOUTOFTHEWORLD
Planning your dream road trip in Australia? Make sure to request a free custom travel plan from Dutchies Travel — and don’t forget to mention our code WOUTOFTHEWORLD for an exclusive discount!
How it works:
Under “How did you hear about us?” select ‘Influencer’
Fill in WOUTOFTHEWORLD to activate your discount
Many travelers assume that booking through a travel agency costs more — but that’s not true with Dutchies Travel. Thanks to their strong partnerships, they receive exclusive discounts from local providers. That means you often pay the same price (or even less!) than booking directly.
And the best part? 🧭 They handle the entire trip planning and booking for you — so all you need to do is enjoy the adventure!
💡 Extra bonus: You’ll also get a discount on everything you book or buy separately in their online shop when you use the code WOUTOFTHEWORLD.
The BIG LAP of Australia
We did it – completed the entire Big Lap of Australia! Our BIG LAP journey took us along the North, East, South, and West coasts of this incredible continent, covering over 25,000 kilometers of diverse landscapes and unforgettable experiences.
From tropical rainforests in Queensland to the most beautiful natural wonders, from the endless Outback to the white beaches of Western Australia – we’ve documented it all.
Watch the complete Australia Big Lap Video Playlist!
What you’ll find in our complete Australia guide:
- Detailed route information for every state and territory
- Comprehensive budget breakdowns and money-saving tips
- Camping recommendations and wild camping spots
- Must-see attractions and hidden gems off the beaten path
- Practical planning advice for families and solo travelers
- Seasonal recommendations and weather considerations
- Vehicle preparation and maintenance tips
- Border crossing information and permit requirements
Use our complete Australia travel guide as your personal route planner and discover why the BIG LAP is the ultimate Australian experience that will change your perspective on travel forever!
Follow our family travels around the world
Discover the world through our eyes as we embark on the adventure of a lifetime with our children. We left our home behind for an indefinite journey to continuously explore new cultures, landscapes, and life-changing experiences as a family.
What to expect from us:
First and foremost, authentic family travel stories with practical, tested advice.
Furthermore, kid-friendly destinations and activities that work in real life.
In addition, honest budget advice for family travel on any income.
Cultural insights and meaningful local encounters.
Also included are educational travel experiences that inspire young minds.
Comprehensive videos and blogs for every destination.
Moreover, real challenges and solutions for traveling with children.
Finally, safety tips and health considerations for family adventures.
To summarize, whether you’re planning a sabbatical, considering a career break for travel, or simply seeking inspiration for your next family vacation – our stories provide the tools, motivation, and confidence you need to make your travel dreams a reality.
YouTube Channel: Subscribe for weekly travel vlogs, comprehensive destination guides, and practical travel tips that actually work.
Instagram: In addition, check out our daily updates, behind-the-scenes content, and live stories directly from our current destinations.
While simultaneously gaining exclusive access to the following benefits:
Firstly, new destination reveals and route updates.
Furthermore, exclusive content and bonus material not available elsewhere.
For instance, live Q&A sessions about travel planning and logistics.
Crucially, community tips and advice from fellow travelers.
As a result, early access to our detailed travel guides and route maps.
And finally, special discounts on recommended travel gear and services.
Your support means the world to us and enables us to create even better, and therefore more comprehensive content for the global travel community. Together, we’re making travel more accessible, inspiring, and achievable for adventurers everywhere!
Welcome to Wout’s World!
We’re Wout & Suus, traveling full time around the world with our little globetrotters Jens & Céline.
So far, we’ve explored and filmed 153 countries, capturing it all in complete video travel guides, inspiring travel articles and more, to help you plan your next adventure!
Enjoy reading and watching and don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel to join the journey!
New videos every Saturday 11 AM GMT!
Explore More of the World
Find the Best Deals for Katherine & Nitmiluk
Hotels
Book your hotels
Campervans
Book your campervan with discount code WOUTOFTHEWORLD
Car Rental
Book a rental car
eSIM
Use code WOUTHOLA for 5% discount on your eSIM
This post contains affiliate links. If you book through these links, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep creating free travel content. We only recommend services we've personally used and trust. Thank you for your support!
More travel inspiration
The travel guide to Puerto Rico
Travel Guide to San Cristóbal, Galapagos Islands
