A fantastic opportunity to experience the Jatbula Trail and this remote and significant Savanna River of the ‘Top End’!

Duration

9 Days

About

This Tour starts and ends in Darwin. A fantastic opportunity to experience the Jatbula Trail and this remote and significant Savanna River of the ‘Top End’ in the Katherine Region 9 Day Jatbula and Katherine River Discovery Tour’-Waterfalls, Rivers, Wildlife, and Aboriginal Rock-art sites.

Trekking – part 1 On the famous 'Jatbula Trail', 5 days Bushwalking through the remote stone country of the Jawoyn Peoples ‘Nitmiluk National Park’, along a traditional (Aboriginal) 'Message Stick' trail, which passes by Rock-art sites from the Katherine River to Edith Falls in Nitmiluk National Park

Kayaking – part 2 Using top quality equipment and qualified, accredited guides, this trip covers up to 50 kilometres of intimate river. Fed by springs and soaks year round, the river winds through rocky banks, paperbark forests, small sparkling rapids and pandanus channels. Wildlife encounters, comfortable ‘swag style’ camping, great dining, fantastic service, – it all adds up to being a unique experience. A trip you may never forget.

Day 1 - 7:00AM pick-up from Darwin. We stop for a leg stretch (and coffee) enroute. You will arrive in Katherine in time to take an optional boat cruise in the magnificent Nitmiluk Gorge. 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.

Day 2 - Hiking approx 8.2kms. We leave our camp at 7 am approximately, 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 - Hiking approx 11.3kms. 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 – Hiking approx 10.1kms. 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 – Hiking approx 18kms. 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 – Hiking 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 Katherine, you will be back in time to unpack and repack then return to our private campground again (or you can choose to stay at a Motel (at own cost).

Day 7 – You will be met at your Katherine accommodation between 7-7:30am (0700-0730). You will then be transferred 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. We will provide a transfer from your accommodation to the transit centre.

More info

Meals and Accommodation: 1 night Motel, 1 night Private Bush-Camp, and 6 nights remote bush-camping, that is, no facilities (except our own self sustaining equipment), camped under the stars at secluded riverside camps. Evening meals, if you choose to book in a Katherine Motel are not provided, so that you may have your choice of where and when, you want to eat.

The Canoes/Kayaks We use a range of ‘Scupper Pro’ sit-on-top kayaks or 2 person canoes, (mainly for adult/child or couple pairing). The sit on tops are self draining, comfortable and very stable. The canoes are 4.5m open style polypropelene suited for touring. Many of our guests have never paddled before. Our fully qualified and accredited guides ensure that this is not a problem.

Where We Stop We are totally self sufficient giving us the luxury of being selective with our campsites and resting points along the river. There’s plenty of time to relax, swim, fish, bird watch, encounter wildlife and appreciate the scenery. We regularly access these sites with group sizes of 2-8, ensuring that we have minimal impact on the environment.

The Jatbula Trail is located within the boundaries of Nitmiluk National Park, following the Seventeen Mile Valley from Nitmiluk Gorge to Edith Falls. The local Flora and Fauna is prolific and the scenery is varied and beautiful. The Katherine River, Seventeen Mile Creek and the Edith River flow all year round and during the long drty-season, become the only water sources for all manner of wildlife. The Katherine Region is a terrific place to visit and base your Northern Territory experience from. We are close to The Kimberley, Gregory National Park, Elsey National Park, Manyallaluk, Kakadu Heritage Area and of course, right on our doorstep, is the magnificent Katherine/Flora/Daly River System.

Where We Stop We are totally self sufficient giving us the luxury of being selective with our resting points, campsites however are designated due to the status of the National Park. There’s plenty of time to relax, swim, bird watch, encounter wildlife and appreciate the scenery. We regularly access these sites with group sizes of 2-8, ensuring that we have minimal impact on the environment. On the trail we are sharing sites with other hikers, numbers on the trail are generally small allowing groups to spread out and have their own area.

Tour Accommodation We are fully self-sustained while on the trail. While hiking we stop at designated camping sites. If not providing your own equipment, You are provided with:

You are Supplied With -Tent on walk and a Canvas bedroll on the river, ‘we call it a swag’ – for those who wish to sleep outside

• A self inflating mattress
• Sleeping bag which can be fully opened
• Liner (or sheet) and pillow, a torch & mosquito repellent

The Campsites Fixed campsites on the jatbula Trail and on river they are exclusive to us and well equipped.River trip includes:

• Dining Tables and chairs (with back rests)
• Cooking Grill, Kettle & Camp ovens
• Riverside views and swimming spots
• A shovel and toilet paper (for the call of nature)

We bring out our rubbish; bury human waste 100m from water and burn toilet paper in the fire.

While we are on the hiking tour we forgo chairs and tables along with grills and camp ovens. We cook with small fuel burning stoves allowing us to have hot meals and hot drinks throughout the tour.

The Meals

• Breakfasts consist of cereals/porridge/oatmeal
• Dinners are typical light weight meals cooked on a fuel stove
• Lunches are ‘sandwich’ or ‘wrap’ style (normally crisp breads)
• Tea, Coffee and Hot chocolate are available at camp
• The guide will do the washing up (unless you really want to help)

What to bring

We recommend that you pack lightly and limit the space required. A packing list will be provided for you. For your personal gear we can provide;

A 65-75 litre backpack, (ruck sack), or you may wish to use your own. You will only need minimal clothing – you can rinse items out daily. Keep things as light and small as possible to compensate for food & water, a headlamp or torch (spare batteries) and personal first aid kit.