Itineraries for Your Trip to Katherine
3 Days in Katherine for Foodies
Take it from a Brit who lived in Australia for a few years, Aussie food feels like a warm hug of nostalgia—from roast lamb and fish and chips to cream scones and a full English breakfast. In my time Down Under, I was happy to find so many classic British dishes. But Aussie cuisine also has many unique traditions, whether it’s the year-round barbecue or coconut-dusted Lamington cake.
Melbourne and Adelaide are often touted as foodie epicenters, but it's in the Northern Territory that I really began eating like a local, tucking into a kangaroo steak and nibbling on weird and wonderful bush tucker. This 3-day itinerary is designed to give you a taste of real Aussie food—with a few surprises along the way.
When dining outdoors in hot, humid Katherine, pack a fly net and bug spray.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a bush tucker food-tasting tour at Nitmiluk or Kakadu National Park.
The first destination on any Katherine itinerary is the Nitmiluk National Park, a 20-minute drive north of the city. Rent a car or take a private tour, and head to the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre to join a walking, kayaking, or horseback riding tour along the sandstone gorges.
Spot crocodiles on a cruise or fish along the Katherine River. Then refuel at Nitmiluk Café with grilled barramundi. In the afternoon, discover the park’s ancient Jawoyn rock art sites and swim at Leliyn (Edith Falls).
Dine on Australian delicacies such as a kangaroo burger or crocodile steak at Cicada Lodge in the park.
Get an early start and head north to discover lush rainforest, waterfalls, and crocodile-filled billabongs of Kakadu National Park, Australia’s largest. But first, pick up snacks at the supermarket—chocolate Tim Tams, meat pies, sausage rolls, and Vegemite are classics.
Taking scenic bushwalks, joining crocodile-watching cruises, and swimming beneath waterfalls can make a person hungry. Combine your outdoor adventures with a cultural tour accompanied by an Aboriginal guide. Learn how the land’s traditional owners forage for foods in the wild bushlands, learn about herbs and plants with medicinal properties, and try some typical bush tucker (I dare you to try the witchetty grub—it’s surprisingly nutty!)
You’ll probably want to sleep in, and that gives you the perfect excuse for brunch—another popular Australian pastime. Join locals at the Black Russian Caravan Bar for a toastie (just don’t get there too late—they always sell out) with a choice of fillings.
Relax and unwind with a soak in the natural thermal waters of the Katherine Hot Springs before heading to a traditional cattle station for an Outback Experience Show. Tuck into a classic Aussie afternoon tea as you watch the stockmen ride horses and herd sheep, and enjoy live country music entertainment.
