# Katherine, Nitmiluk and Mataranka

> 3-day road trip of about 407 km (253 mi) with 10 stops, from Katherine to Daly Waters Historic Pub. About 4 h 26 min of driving in total.

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/au-katherine-mataranka-never-never/

**At a glance:** 3-day road trip of about 407 km (253 mi) with 10 stops, from Katherine to Daly Waters Historic Pub. About 4 h 26 min of driving in total. A three-day, fully sealed loop on the Stuart Highway: gorge cruises, hot springs, caves and thermal pools around Katherine and Mataranka, suitable for campervans.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | 407 km (253 mi) |
| Driving | 4 h 26 min |
| Suggested days | 3 |
| Stops | 10 |
| Route | Katherine → Daly Waters Historic Pub |
| States | Northern Territory |
| Updated | April 27, 2026 |

## Route description

Base yourself in Katherine, about 320 km south of Darwin. Soak in the Katherine Hot Springs near town, then drive about 30 km to Nitmiluk Gorge, the largest national park of the region, where Jawoyn country offers boat cruises, canoe hire and walking trails. Water levels and crocodile checks decide what is open, so check Nitmiluk updates before you go.

On the second morning, either head north to Edith Falls, about 60 km from Katherine including a 19 km access road, for a swim at the big plunge pool, or south to Cutta Cutta Caves, about 27 km from town, which are open on guided tours only. Both are sealed access. Return to Katherine for a late lunch or continue south to Mataranka.

Mataranka is about 105 km south of Katherine (an hour and a quarter). Swim in the thermal pool in Elsey National Park, where the water stays at a steady warm temperature, and in the creek at Bitter Springs. The thermal pools suit an easy afternoon after a long drive. Fuel and groceries are available in Mataranka town.

For a taste of the outback, drive another 160 km south to Daly Waters (about two hours) and its historic pub, which has a campground and an evening show. Most travellers turn back to Katherine or carry on south on the Stuart Highway. The wet season, from November to April, brings flooding that can cut roads, so check conditions.

## Stop-by-stop itinerary

1. **Katherine** (Northern Territory)
2. **Katherine Hot Springs** (Katherine, Northern Territory): Warm, clear pools along the Katherine River lined with paperbark and pandanus, a few minutes from the town centre. Pleasant for a soak in the late afternoon; check local notices, as water levels and crocodile surveys can limit access.
3. **Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge** (Katherine, Northern Territory): A chain of thirteen sandstone gorges on the Katherine River, on Jawoyn land, explored by boat, canoe or on foot, with lookouts above. Water levels and crocodile checks govern swimming and paddling; cruises run mostly in the dry season.
4. **Edith Falls (Leliyn)** (Katherine, Northern Territory): A large, shaded plunge pool beneath a series of falls in the northwest of Nitmiluk National Park, with an easy walk to the upper pools. Good for swimming when signed safe; a pleasant detour of about 19 km each way off the Stuart Highway.
5. **Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park** (Katherine, Northern Territory): A limestone cave system south of Katherine home to rare orange horseshoe bats, visited only on guided tours to protect the habitat. The caves are cool and humid inside, a welcome contrast to the dry season heat above ground.
6. **Mataranka** (Northern Territory)
7. **Mataranka Thermal Pool** (Mataranka, Northern Territory): A thermal spring pool of roughly 34 °C in Elsey National Park, set among palms with the Waterhouse River nearby. A classic way to unwind on the long Stuart Highway drive; best early or late, when fewer people are there.
8. **Bitter Springs** (Mataranka, Northern Territory): A thermal creek winding through palm and paperbark, where you drift downstream in a clear current. It is quieter and more natural than the main thermal pool; take a pool noodle or float and watch for slippery steps.
9. **Daly Waters** (Northern Territory)
10. **Daly Waters Historic Pub** (Daly Waters, Northern Territory): Said to be the Territory's oldest pub, covered inside with bras, banknotes, number plates and travellers' scribbles. It sits on the old Stuart Highway route and Qantas and Overland Telegraph history; many stop for a meal and the evening show.

## Suggested stages and overnight stops

1. **Day 1: Katherine → Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park** (130 km, 1 h 25 min) On the way: Katherine Hot Springs, Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge, Edith Falls (Leliyn).
2. **Day 2: Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park → Bitter Springs** (96 km, 1 h 03 min) On the way: Mataranka, Mataranka Thermal Pool.
3. **Day 3: Bitter Springs → Daly Waters Historic Pub** (182 km, 1 h 59 min) On the way: Daly Waters.

## Best time to go

No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually July. Hot in August–June. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## FAQs

**How long is Katherine, Nitmiluk and Mataranka?**
3-day road trip of about 407 km (253 mi) with 10 stops, from Katherine to Daly Waters Historic Pub. About 4 h 26 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Katherine, Nitmiluk and Mataranka?**
We suggest 3 days: about 4 h 26 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Katherine, Nitmiluk and Mataranka start and end?**
It starts in Katherine and ends in Daly Waters Historic Pub.

**Which states does Katherine, Nitmiluk and Mataranka pass through?**
Northern Territory.

**When is the best time for Katherine, Nitmiluk and Mataranka?**
No month is ideal everywhere on this route; the most pleasant are usually July. Hot in August–June. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## Part of these destinations

- [Stuart Highway](https://camping-spirit.com/destinations/au-stuart-highway/)