Itinerary
Using qualified, accredited guides, this trip covers approximately 63 kilometres of stunning walking trail. Wildlife encounters, self sufficient ‘backpack’ camping, fantastic service, – it all adds up to being a unique experience. A trip you may never forget.The Jatbula Trail is an ancient ‘Song Line’ used by the Traditional Aboriginal people of the area. It covers lowland river and creek country, hillsides dotted with dry land eucalypts, higher escarpment country overlooking the Seventeen Mile Valley and beyond and pockets of moist paperbark forests where the temperature drops and you find yourself sitting in a cool comfortable environment.
Day 1 – (L, D) Camping – Transfer Darwin to Katherine:
6:30AM-7:00AM pick-up from Darwin. We stop for a leg stretch at Pine Creek, an historical mining town. Mayses Cafe is famous for a great Mango Smoothie. You will arrive in Katherine in time to take an optional boat cruise in the magnificent Nitmiluk Gorge and participate in one of the regions best traditional cultural activities, spending time with local artists and trying some of the age old traditional practices of firelighting, spear-throwing and painting. Tonight we camp nearby Nitmiluk National Park at our basic ‘but private’ bush camp, providing dinner and time to make sure that all your equipment is in working order before heading out on the trail.
The Walk
Day 2 – (L, D) Camping – Hiking approx 10kms.
Your friendly guide will pick-up you up at 7 am approximately from your Katherine accommodation, where you will be transferred to Nitmiluk National Park and the 5 day walking trail, here you will catch a boat across to the mouth of the Seventeen Mile Creek where your trail begins.
Hiking into Northern Rock hole for Morning Tea allows time to adjust backpacks and hiking boots before they get too uncomfortable. Take a rest in the shade, drink some cool water and then continue onto camp at Biddlecombe Cascades where there will be time for a relaxing soak in some of the scenic and shaded rock pools.
Day 3 – (B, L, D) Camping – Hiking approx 12kms.
After starting early – always good to get going on sunup – we continue on our way to Edith Falls. Today we will see the first of our Rock Art paintings, sheltered by an amazing rock formation; we will spend Morning Tea, again resting our backs and feet before moving onto camp at Crystal Falls. Crystal Creek is a great place to get out and stretch the body in the huge waterhole right beside the camp.
Day 4 – (B, L, D) Camping – Hiking approx 10kms.
Another early start gets us to the Crystal Falls Lookout first thing for a sunrise, then we move onto the Amphitheatre for Morning Tea where we can leave our packs behind for 40 mins and descend into the cool monsoon forest to explore for more Rock Art, or maybe just sit in the shade and enjoy the serenity. Camp tonight is at the top of 17 Mile Falls, a walk to the bottom can be arranged, or you can just relax at the top of the falls in one of the cool and scenic pools.
Day 5 – (B, L, D) Camping – Hiking approx 16kms.
Setting off at sunrise will give us time to get to the Edith River Crossing for a late Morning Tea/Early Lunch. Again a great place to take off the backpack and let the feet relax for a while. After our break we arrive at camp for the evening, a place called Sandy Billabong. Here you can swim or spa, a great place for bird watching in the afternoon, and the pool provides amazing reflection shots as the afternoon sky changes colour.
Day 6 – (B, L) Camping – Hiking approx 15kms.
One more early start will get us through some long grass, across a couple of creeks and through a bog all in time to have lunch at Sweetwater Pool. This is another amazing place to have a rest and contemplate why we do what we do! After leaving here it is but a mere 5kms more to Edith Falls where we can take the scenic lookout walk back to the kiosk where a cold drink and an ice cream will be waiting for us. We will be picked up at 3:00PM and head back to Darwin, arriving at around 7:30PM, or for those returning to Katherine, you will be back in time to unpack and repack then return to your overnight accommodation where a warm shower and soft bed will be calling your name.
Day 7 - You will be met at your Katherine accommodation between 7-7:30am (0700-0730). You will then be transferred in a 4WD vehicle to Gecko premises, where you will pack your personal effects required for the tour into waterproof bags. You will be fitted with Personal Flotation Devices (PFD) a requirement, to be worn whilst on the river.
You will then be transferred to the Katherine River in a 4WD vehicle, sometimes over un-made roads and tracks. A safety brief and paddling instructions for kayaking and canoeing will be given before entering the water. At a relaxing rate, there will be stops along the river for a morning break, lunch, swim and time to view the diverse river environment, bird and wildlife. Approximately 4pm (1600) you will step ashore for an overnight remote camping experience (no set campsites). There will be time to relax; fish or read all whilst your guide prepares the evening meal. After a campfire meal, enjoyed with your favourite bottle of wine or spirit, sleep in a bed-roll (swag) under a blanket of stars.
Day 8 - Wake to a dawn chorus in the brisk morning air. There is time for an early morning swim. After a hearty cooked breakfast, we pack-up camp and continue paddling down-stream. As we get further from immediate civilisation, the feel of remoteness sets in. The river continues to change from shady paperbark forests to lush pandanus channels, through open sections, surrounded by the river woods and over some small sparkling rapids which are fun and easy to negotiate. At the end of this satisfying day, you will find yourself in a bit of a routine and will have camp set-up quickly. Leaving yourself enough time to explore, relax, chat , check-out some animal tracks or just ‘find yourself’.
Day 9 - After a sumptuous breakfast, we will pack up camp for the last time (you will now know where everything goes), we will return to the kayaks for one last relaxing day. You will be ‘tuned in’ to all the sights and sounds around you and will find yourself exhilarated by every experience, enjoy it while the moment lasts. At approximately 2:30pm (14:30) you will be picked up from the river and transferred in a 4WD back to Gecko premises to collect your belongings. You will then be transferred to your Katherine accommodation or bus terminal as per prior arrangements made. Tour end 5:30pm approximately.
Departure Day - return to Darwin or onward journey to your next destination! We trust you’ve had an amazing 10 days experiencing all that is Katherine.
