Katherine Gorge Nitmiluk National Park

When we came through Katherine we wanted to go to the gorge and hire canoes but they were all booked up for 4 days so the plan was to return as we had to come this way to visit the Kimberelys anyway.
This time we had booked the canoes and also the campsite for 2 nights. After stocking up on food etc we arrived at the park which is very well set out and organised. We enjoyed a afternoon in the lovely resort type swimming pool and set off at 8am the next morning to kayak up the gorge.
They say that this is the best way to see the gorges, there are actually 13 gorges but of course in a day you can only do 3 or 4. However we are at the end of the dry season so the water is very low and we could only paddle to the end of the 3rd.
We did however leave the kayak and walk for about an hour over large boulders to get to the start of the 4th and see Smit Rock.The walk was rather tricky as the boulders were getting very hot and were all various shapes and large so it was like a bit of a maze but over not around them.
 We did have a 2 man kayak again and I have to say we did improve, paddling for over 4 hours I guess you have to find a way !!!

Paddling through 3rd gorge

The scenery is pretty impressive in the 2nd and 3rd gorge and again the photos don't really do it justice.
You can't swim in the gorges but we kept cool by dipping in our arms and of course the intake of water had to be kept up.
We got back about 2pm and felt pretty drained so off for a long swim again.

Lunch stop

End of 1st Gorge,these are left so you don't have to carry your kayak to the next gorge.