Wildlife Tours Australia Katherine Gorge Cruise & Edith Falls Day Trip

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A day trip from Darwin south to Nitmiluk National Park, with a two-hour boat cruise through Katherine Gorge and a swim at Edith Falls (Leliyn).

Days

13.5 hours, full day

Age

6+; under 18s with a parent or guardian

Group size

Small group, max 28

Start / finish

Darwin / Darwin

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Air-conditioned mini-coach from central Darwin pick-up points, plus a gorge cruise boat

Meals

No meals are listed as included; food stops on the way

Route

Map of Wildlife Tours Australia Katherine Gorge Cruise & Edith Falls Day Trip

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Included experiences

Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk) — two-hour NitNit Dreaming cruise
Nitmiluk Visitor Centre — Jawoyn cultural displays
Edith Falls (Leliyn) — swim in the plunge pool
Stuart Highway — Adelaide River or Pine Creek stops

Wildlife Tours Australia Katherine Gorge Cruise & Edith Falls Day Trip

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

EARLY MORNING: DOWN THE STUART HIGHWAY

This is a big day, so it starts before sunrise with a pick-up in Darwin and a long run south down the Stuart Highway, named after John McDouall Stuart, who crossed the continent from south to north in 1862. Breakfast is a stop at Adelaide River or Pine Creek, where you can buy something to eat. Adelaide River is home to the largest war cemetery in Australia, where people killed in the 1942 air raids on Darwin are buried. Pine Creek boomed after gold was found in 1871 by workers digging holes for the Overland Telegraph Line. Along the way your guide talks about the history of the Top End and the plants and animals you pass.

MIDDAY: KATHERINE GORGE BY BOAT

Past the town of Katherine the road leads into Nitmiluk National Park, which was handed back to its Jawoyn traditional owners in 1989 and is managed jointly with them. Nitmiluk means the place of the cicada dreaming. Here you board the two-hour NitNit Dreaming cruise on the Katherine River, which has cut a chain of 13 gorges through the ancient sandstone. Cliffs up to 70 metres high close in on both sides, changing from orange to deep red as the sun moves across them. As you glide along, the crew share Jawoyn stories of the gorge. At the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre, also run by the Jawoyn, there are cultural displays, souvenirs and a café.

AFTERNOON: EDITH FALLS (LELIYN)

Before or after the cruise, depending on the timing of the day, you visit Edith Falls, known to the Jawoyn as Leliyn, on the north-western edge of the park. The walk down to the water is steep and rocky, so take it slowly. At the bottom, the falls tumble into a broad plunge pool fringed with pandanus palms and paperbarks. In the right season you can swim in the cool water, a welcome break after the morning's drive. If the pools are closed for swimming, it's still a lovely place to sit in the shade and watch the water fall.

EVENING: BACK TO DARWIN

From Nitmiluk you head back north along the Stuart Highway, through Pine Creek and Adelaide River again, as the light turns gold over the termite mounds and open woodland beside the road. It's a long drive, so this is a good time to rest, look through your photos or ask your guide the questions saved up during the day. You arrive back in Darwin in the evening.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Selected Darwin inner-city pick-up and drop-off points.
Minimum age: Not suitable for children aged 5 and under, because of the swimming holes and terrain. Travellers aged 6 to 17 must be with a parent or legal guardian.
Fitness: A moderate fitness level is needed, with walks down to waterfalls, uneven ground and sometimes hot weather. Walking is about 500 m; driving is about 820 km. Not suitable for travellers using wheelchairs, walkers, prams or strollers.
Dietary needs: Give food allergies and any medical conditions at the time of booking.
Please note: Routes, cruise vessels and itineraries may change with weather, park, road or river closures, or traditional landowner ceremonies; some spots occasionally close to swimming. Please reconfirm your tour within 7 days of departure.

What to bring

2 litre refillable water bottle
Swimwear, beach towel and thongs
Wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes with grip
Light, all-weather clothing you can layer
Tropical-strength insect repellent and fly net
One small day pack (5 to 7 kg); suitcases can't be carried
Cash or card for snacks and meals
Camera and/or binoculars

What is included

NitNit Dreaming boat cruise through Katherine Gorge
Guided bushwalks (about 1 to 2 km, depending on fitness and conditions)
Accredited outback driver-guide and local commentary
Air-conditioned mini-coach
Pick-up and drop-off at selected Darwin inner-city locations

Not included

NT Parks day pass for entry to Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park — buy in advance
Meals — stops are made to buy breakfast and lunch in Adelaide River, Pine Creek or at the visitor centre
Transfers to the pick-up point
Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
Spending money

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 3 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

A long day from Darwin to Katherine Gorge but well worth it. The cruise was relaxing with amazing views and the guides were knowledgeable and friendly.

Yit T Wong Verified· Travelled 23rd June 2026

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(5/5)

The day tour to Katherine Gorge was great, with Leigh an informative and accommodating guide. We loved the cruise through the gorge, and one of us had a swim at Edith Falls. A long day though.

leo Coren Verified· Travelled 20th October 2025

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(5/5)

A lovely boat trip through Katherine Gorge and a refreshing swim at Edith Falls. Our guide explained a lot and I learnt plenty.

Kerstin K Verified· Travelled 5th October 2025

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