Best Waterfalls in Katherine, Northern Territory

Discover the best waterfalls in the Katherineregion of Australia's Northern Territory. Browse ratings, distances, and insider tips.

23 waterfalls

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💧 Swimming Holes

Edith Falls (Leliyn)

Stunning natural pool at the base of a waterfall surrounded by pandanus palms. The upper pool is reached via a scenic 2.6km walk through savanna woodland — both pools safe for swimming in dry season.

292km·Katherine

💧 Swimming Holes

Bitter Springs

Natural lazy river — float through crystal-clear 34°C thermal water surrounded by palm forest. More peaceful and less crowded than nearby Mataranka. Bring a pool noodle and drift.

410km·Katherine

💧 Swimming Holes

Mataranka Hot Springs

Crystal-clear 34°C thermal pools surrounded by towering palm forest in Elsey National Park. A surreal oasis in the outback. The springs flow at 30.5 million litres per day.

420km·Katherine

💧 Swimming Holes

Fourth Gorge (Nitmiluk)

Fourth Gorge (Nitmiluk) is located in the Katherine region — gateway to the spectacular Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge system, thermal hot springs, and the transition zone between the tropical Top End and the arid Red Centre. The Katherine region offers gorge cruises, canoeing, bushwalking, and some of the NT's best hidden swimming spots.

330km·Katherine

💧 Swimming Holes

Biddlecombe Cascades (Jatbula)

Biddlecombe Cascades (Jatbula) is located in the Katherine region — gateway to the spectacular Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge system, thermal hot springs, and the transition zone between the tropical Top End and the arid Red Centre. The Katherine region offers gorge cruises, canoeing, bushwalking, and some of the NT's best hidden swimming spots.

330km·Katherine

💧 Swimming Holes

Second Gorge (Nitmiluk)

Second Gorge (Nitmiluk) is located in the Katherine region — gateway to the spectacular Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge system, thermal hot springs, and the transition zone between the tropical Top End and the arid Red Centre. The Katherine region offers gorge cruises, canoeing, bushwalking, and some of the NT's best hidden swimming spots.

330km·Katherine

💧 Swimming Holes

Third Gorge (Nitmiluk)

Third Gorge (Nitmiluk) is located in the Katherine region — gateway to the spectacular Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge system, thermal hot springs, and the transition zone between the tropical Top End and the arid Red Centre. The Katherine region offers gorge cruises, canoeing, bushwalking, and some of the NT's best hidden swimming spots.

330km·Katherine

💧 Swimming Holes

Fifth Gorge (Nitmiluk)

Fifth Gorge (Nitmiluk) is located in the Katherine region — gateway to the spectacular Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge system, thermal hot springs, and the transition zone between the tropical Top End and the arid Red Centre. The Katherine region offers gorge cruises, canoeing, bushwalking, and some of the NT's best hidden swimming spots.

330km·Katherine

💧 Swimming Holes

Sandy Camp Pool (Jatbula)

Sandy Camp Pool (Jatbula) is located in the Katherine region — gateway to the spectacular Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge system, thermal hot springs, and the transition zone between the tropical Top End and the arid Red Centre. The Katherine region offers gorge cruises, canoeing, bushwalking, and some of the NT's best hidden swimming spots.

330km·Katherine

💧 Swimming Holes

Top of Edith Falls Lookout

Top of Edith Falls Lookout is located in the Katherine region — gateway to the spectacular Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge system, thermal hot springs, and the transition zone between the tropical Top End and the arid Red Centre. The Katherine region offers gorge cruises, canoeing, bushwalking, and some of the NT's best hidden swimming spots.

330km·Katherine

💧 Swimming Holes

Upper Pool Edith Falls

Upper Pool Edith Falls is located in the Katherine region — gateway to the spectacular Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge system, thermal hot springs, and the transition zone between the tropical Top End and the arid Red Centre. The Katherine region offers gorge cruises, canoeing, bushwalking, and some of the NT's best hidden swimming spots.

330km·Katherine

💧 Swimming Holes

Big Horse Creek Swimming Hole

A peaceful swimming hole near Katherine, less visited than the gorge. Surrounded by paperbark trees and birdlife. Croc-monitored during dry season. Free. A local favourite.

310km·Katherine

💧 Swimming Holes

First Gorge (Nitmiluk)

First Gorge (Nitmiluk) is located in the Katherine region — gateway to the spectacular Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge system, thermal hot springs, and the transition zone between the tropical Top End and the arid Red Centre. The Katherine region offers gorge cruises, canoeing, bushwalking, and some of the NT's best hidden swimming spots.

330km·Katherine

💧 Swimming Holes

Butterfly Gorge Swimming Hole

Butterfly Gorge Swimming Hole is located in the Katherine region — gateway to the spectacular Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge system, thermal hot springs, and the transition zone between the tropical Top End and the arid Red Centre. The Katherine region offers gorge cruises, canoeing, bushwalking, and some of the NT's best hidden swimming spots.

330km·Katherine

💧 Swimming Holes

Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk)

The NT's third-largest town (10,000 people). Gateway to Nitmiluk Gorge, Edith Falls, and the Victoria Highway west. Essential stop between Darwin and Alice Springs with all services.

312km·Katherine

💧 Swimming Holes

Tully Inlet

Tully Inlet — swimming spot in Katherine, 913km from Darwin. The Red Centre's waterholes offer cool relief from the desert heat. Carry plenty of water.

913km·Katherine

💧 Swimming Holes

Tully-Massacre Inlet

Tully-Massacre Inlet — swimming spot in Katherine, 922km from Darwin. The Red Centre's waterholes offer cool relief from the desert heat. Carry plenty of water.

922km·Katherine

💧 Swimming Holes

Nitmiluk Gorge 3 to 5

The more remote upper gorges of Nitmiluk — accessed by extended boat cruise, kayak, or walking over the rock bars between gorges. The upper gorges are narrower, quieter, and home to freshwater crocodiles sunbathing on rock ledges. Swimming is possible between gorge sections. The upper gorges of Nitmiluk — seen by relatively few visitors — are the most dramatic and atmospheric sections of the Katherine Gorge system.

271km·Katherine

💧 Swimming Holes

Edith Falls (Leifin)

A stunning tiered waterfall and swimming complex in the southern section of Nitmiluk National Park, 42km north of Katherine. The main lower pool is croc-free and idyllic. An upper pool reached by a 2.6km walk through woodland is more secluded. One of the most consistently beautiful swimming spots in the NT. Edith Falls is the most accessible and picturesque swimming hole in Nitmiluk. The surrounding woodland camping area makes this a favourite NT overnight stop.

238km·Katherine

💧 Swimming Holes

Umbrawarra Gorge Nature Park

A little-known gorge 22km southwest of Pine Creek with shady rock pools for swimming, Aboriginal paintings, and ancient gold mine remnants from the 1870s. The walk follows the dry creek bed for 2km to reach the deepest gorge pools. Rarely visited and genuinely off-track. Umbrawarra Gorge combines three NT themes in one: gold rush history, Aboriginal culture, and a beautiful remote swimming gorge — all within easy reach of the Stuart Highway.

252km·Katherine

💧 Swimming Holes

Katherine Hot Springs

Natural thermal spring pools right in the town of Katherine. Crystal-clear 32°C water flowing through shaded parkland. Free, accessible, and a local favourite for cooling down.

314km·Katherine

💧 Swimming Holes

Northern Rockhole (Jatbula)

Northern Rockhole (Jatbula) is located in the Katherine region — gateway to the spectacular Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge system, thermal hot springs, and the transition zone between the tropical Top End and the arid Red Centre. The Katherine region offers gorge cruises, canoeing, bushwalking, and some of the NT's best hidden swimming spots.

330km·Katherine

💧 Swimming Holes

Gorge 8 to 13 (Nitmiluk)

The most remote section of the Nitmiluk gorge system — accessible only by multi-day kayak expedition. The upper gorges are pristine wilderness where freshwater crocodiles and rock wallabies are common. Camping on sandy beaches between gorges. One of the NT's great adventure experiences. Few visitors ever see Nitmiluk's upper gorges. The 3-day kayak journey to reach them is the NT's most complete gorge wilderness experience.

267km·Katherine