Walking the trail in 6 days splits up as follows: Day 1: 8.3km Day 2: 11km Day 3: 10km Day 4: 16.8km Day 5: 11km Day 6: 4.5km. Of course, to me, getting in early is no problem at all – arriving at each campsite is like unwrapping a patiently anticipated present. The trail winds 62km through vast wilderness in the outback where we found ourselves camping each night near pristine water holes, the perfect spot to have a refreshing swim at the end of the day. The Jatbula Trail is a trip of a lifetime located in the Northern Territory, giving you the opportunity to walk through Nitmiluk National Park from the famous Nitmiluk Gorge to Leliyn (Edith Falls). Biddlecomb itself offers a number of beautiful swimming holes, rock climbs, and stunning views out across the valley below. The nearby campground is nice and flat, toilets are provided. ⁠ Nonetheless, we arrive in at Leliyn Falls at the peak of the heat (courtesy of our extra-long stay at Sweetwater), and that burger never tasted so good. Trekking across the top of the escarpment and looking out into the valley below, the vastness that is Central Australia somehow feels different with the knowledge that it’s a three day walk back to any human infrastructure. The track is well marked and the distances not too significant, but the heat can have a significant impact on those not used to it. In the Top End, the Jatbula Trail is a wilderness camping, full-pack carrying trek along the Jatbula Trail on the Arnhem Land escarpment. Day 3 – 10km – Leave Crystal Falls on the way to the Amphitheatre, a beautiful break from the desert sun and some great rock cart. The hiking itself seems almost incidental. These beautiful birds, whose lazy flight can be identified a long way off, to me are the calling card of Central Australia. You need to book a ferry to take you across the gorge to the beginning of the hike. Every hour of walking reminds you just how hot it’s going to get, and it’s a constant race to beat off dehydration. It follows the escarpment across the park to Leliyn (Edith Falls). Crossroads Bike Tours offers five self-guided KATY bike tours with optional distances to meet your desired length of ride. With a limited amount of hikers allowed at once, you get to deeply immerse yourself in the Australian outback and ancient landscapes as you walk this traditional Indigenous songline. Length 37.4 mi Elevation gain 3,090 ft Route type Point to Point This trail follows the traditional route (used by the Jawoyn) along the western edge of the Arnhem Land Escarpment. But this trail is ancient, and it constantly reminds you of this as you pass by unprotected rock art, rarely signposted but reaching out to you with the full weight of the history that it represents. Some opt to camp here, but with only a 4km to the end it doesn’t seem like a real stop. We would love to hear about your experiences on the JT (Comment here). Suitable For: Fit and active people with some bushwalking experience – (Capable of walking over rough ground with upto 15kg backpack) “The Jatbula Trail was wonderful – scenery was stunning, every day we camped by fabulous waterfalls and waterholes which seemed to be more beautiful than the last! And now the kids were older. Day three also dropped us into the amphitheatre, a little desert oasis with beautiful geology and ancient rock art – it’s one of the only locations on the that’s trail signposted and teaches walkers about the sacredness of the site and its importance on this songline. The Jatbula Trail is a 62km one way walk departing from Nitmiluk Gorge and finishing at Leliyn, also known as Edith Falls. 5 day self drive tour of Kakadu, Katherine and Litchfield np Oct 27, 2020 9 day itinerary June 2021 Oct 25, 2020 Helicopter Scenic Flights from Litchfield Oct 23, 2020 Tours The Jatbula Trail is a Medium to Hard Walk. We are walking the 62km of remote desert trail that traces the western edge of the Arnhem Land escarpment in Nitmiluk National Park, just out of Katherine, NT. But nonetheless, after giving in and jumping back on the trail you’re led into grassy woodlands and slowly the end becomes clear. With a limited amount of hikers allowed at once, you get to deeply immerse yourself in the Australian outback and ancient landscapes as you walk this traditional Indigenous songline. It’s my first real multi-day hike. The Jatbula Trail - Katherine Gorge. With the red-tail black cockatoos continuously passing overhead, there’s a sort of sadness at the idea of leaving the trail so soon. The Jatbula Trail is a 62 km one way walk, departing from Nitmiluk Gorge, traversing through the western edge of the Arnhem Land escarpment over sandstone plateau scrub, woodlands, monsoon forests and riverine landscapes finishing at Leliyn (Edith Falls) You will walk in the footsteps of generations of Jawoyn who traditionally travelled this land. The Jatbula Trail in the Nitmiluk National Park features magnificent waterfalls tumbling from high quartzite cliffs where shady monsoon forests line the creeks and stunning Jawoyn Aboriginal rock art adorns the caves and overhangs. But here I am, with my partner (far more experienced in hiking that I am) gearing up and heading off into the tall grass and rocky climbs that will define the next week for us. - See 64 traveller reviews, 96 candid photos, and great deals for Katherine, Australia, at Tripadvisor. Attractions, accommodation options and more…, © NT Immersions & Monsoon Studio. The path never diverts too far from the stunning Indian Ocean where you can enjoy white sandy beaches and fabulous swimming. As per the below map from the Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife website on the Jatbula Trail. Tours East Point Horse Drawn Tour. Self Guided Tour. The Arnhem Land escarpment was formed over 140 million years ago, as the cliffs of a shallow inland sea, and the sediment consolidated here (literally) one billion years ago. Flying in from cool Canberra we were intimidated by the idea of hiking for hours in the heat of northern Australia and pretty concerned about not over-doing it. ... this is a great Northern Australian walk and anyone seriously interested in self guided, multi day walking in Australia should get their name on the waiting list to get a permit to do this walk. I remember walking through the streets of London and being dumbstruck by the sense of history of the place. The Jatbula Trail is a trip of a lifetime located in the Northern Territory, giving you the opportunity to walk through Nitmiluk National Park from the famous Nitmiluk Gorge to Leliyn (Edith Falls). The trail follows a traditional songline of the Jawoyn people who have travelled this region for thousands of years, and it doesn’t take long before the sound of the boat engine fades into nothing, to be replaced by cicadas and the calls of black cockatoos. You should have a reasonable level of fitness for this hike. We climbed through greener landscapes than anywhere else on the trail, across muddy flood plains, tropical savanna, and then descending to Sandy Pool. The trail is an ancient Song Line used by the Jawoyn people. It was this day that we really got to spend time learning about the other hikers, building some sketchy launch pads with hikers Zan and Pearce for the local rope swing, trading adventure tales, and dreaming up the next big plans after the trail comes to an end the next day. The trail was named after Peter Jatbula a traditional owner of the land and a member of the Jawoyn people. An appreciation of the life of this land before foreigners arrived and claimed it as our own. It’s a great place to swim and explore upstream. The Jatbula Trail is a 5-day hike through everchanging ecosystems in Nitmiluk National Park. The trail management of Jatbula only allows 15 people to walk any one section per day and walkers are set to a strict schedule of pre-identified campsites. We are the first ever Larapinta walking operator to provide a self guided option on the Larapinta Trail. It’s not just the human history of this place that’s striking, the geology is incomprehensible. The Jatbula Trail is classified as moderate. That’s not to say the Jatbula Trail is easy walking; the track crosses rocky escarpments peppered with slippery shale and sandy hill climbs. The trail is well sign-posted and perfect for self-guided hikers. Experience the wilderness of Australia, enjoying spectacular trekking on the Larapinta Trail in the West MacDonnell National Park and the Jatbula Trail in the Nitmiluk National Park. World Expeditions will resume its domestic operations in the Northern Territory from 1 August, 2020, with a range of guided and self-guided walks on the Larapinta Trail in the Red Centre, and a guided experience along the Jatbula Trail in the Top End.. Since then the trail has grown rapidly in popularity. I don’t know if I’m a full convert yet, but what I do know is that hiking offers a connection to country that you can’t get from the car. We adjust our packs, take a few happy-snaps while we’re still clean (the last time we’ll have this opportunity for the next 5 days), and wade into the thick heat of the Jatbula Trail. Self-Guided Katy Trail - Crossroads Bike Tours 314-656-6229 The Jatbula Trail in the Nitmiluk National Park features magnificent waterfalls tumbling from high quartzite cliffs where shady monsoon forests line the creeks and stunning Jawoyn Aboriginal rock art adorns the caves and overhangs. The Jatbula Trail takes you from Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) Visitor Centre to Edith Falls, a 65km track that is marked for self-guided walking during the dry season. The Jatbula Trail is a full pack 6 day hike through Nitmiluk National Park in the Northern Territory. The trail is an ancient Song Line used by the Jawoyn people. In addition to the ‘In Comfort’ series of Larapinta walks, Australian Walking Holidays also offers a range of self-guided, wilderness camping options, up to the full 223km Larapinta traverse. I’ve always loved my adventures, but I’ve spent years not understanding how walking a really long way is somehow desirable, and cynical that the ground covered by foot could really change enough to keep me interested. The final day takes you out of the dense tropical forest and into open grasslands, across dry mud plains (which must be hell to hike at the beginning of the season), and along river banks to Sweetwater. The group unloads their packs, and the first group sets off. The tumbling waters of Biddlecombe Cascades reward walkers with soothing pools to sit in and cool off. The Jatbula Trail winds along the edge of the escarpment from Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk) to Edith Falls (Leliyn), where you will be totally immersed in this stunning wilderness. Sweetwater is a popular day-hike from Leliyn (Edith) Falls, which attracts thousands of visitors every year. Climbing up and down the sandy hills, the landscape slowly changes into grassy woodland, bringing welcome reprieve from the ever-strengthening sun. Quickly the magic of being so remote gives way to the excitement of indulging in a burger and milkshake at the campsite tuckshop. You will encounter river crossings, mud, burnt areas (up to a third of the park is burnt each year), rocks, softer sandy paths, and riverine stretches with paw potholes from water buffalo. We spent time with our newly found friends, swapping stories and delaying the inevitable end. To complete this journey we take a short 4WD safari in to the heart of Kakadu National Park, camping and … These Blokes Rode The Simpson Desert Unsupported - On Fat Bikes! Day 4 – 16.8km – Walk to Edith River Crossing, which is very low towards the end of the season, and snake through some beautiful forest on to Sandy Camp Pool for camp. Heading out of camp on day two begins through the boggy upper reaches of the cascades, with our eyes peeled for buffalo, the landscape soon enough changes again into dry, rocky outcrops and our first sighting of the ancient rock art that defines the region. Under a chorus of fruit bats, the boat ferries our small group of strangers across the river to a hidden patch of sand. Happening upon these signs of life in such a remote place, and not just signs of life but deeply spiritual records of the people who walked here, speaks to the culturally rich history of Australia that is so rarely taught. As you get closer to the end, the trail begins to fill up with day hikers, who somehow seem to miss the grandeur of the land that they’re walking across. But out of the still-regenerating landscape emerges crystal falls, offering some of the most stunningly clear swimming spots of the trail. During the Wet, walking in the area is not permitted due to flooding and strong currents waters in the many rivers that need crossing. Day 5 – 15.6km – Leave Sandy Camp Pool, cross a couple of creeks and through a bog (dry at the end of the season) to Sweetwater Pool which is a great stop for morning tea (you can also camp here for a final night). The trail moves from Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk) to Edith Falls/ Leliyn. The Jatbula Trail is a medium to hard walk for reasonably fit and active people with some bushwalking experience – (Capable of walking over rough ground with up to 15kg backpack). The Jatbula Trail is a once-in-a-lifetime experience full of majestic beauty in the heartland of the generations of the Jawoyn people.The Jatbula Trail runs along the western edge of the Northern Territory’s Arnhem Escarpment with the adventure taking you along a 62km graded trail beginning on the edge of the stunning Nitmiluk Gorge, continuing through the Nitmiluk National Park and ending at the … Continue on to 17 Mile Falls for the night. Guide Book & Map. Guided trips give you a wonderful opportunity to create lasting friendships with other travellers on the trip, where you often find a great combination of active people with similar interests in travel, fitness and experiences. Jatbula Trail with Gecko Canoeing and trekking This five day hike is a must do. The Jatbula Trail is a 5-day hike through everchanging ecosystems in Nitmiluk National Park. Few places in Australia have inspired that same feeling in me. The ulitmate 11 day Pack-Free walking showcasing the best walks of Central Australia including Trephina Gorge in the East MacDonnell ranges, the Larapinta trail, Giles Track and Kings Canyon Rim walk in Watarrka National Park, as well 'The Valley of the Winds' walk in Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and around Uluru in the Red Centre. The Jatbula Trail in the Nitmiluk National Park features magnificent waterfalls tumbling from high quartzite cliffs where shady monsoon forests line the creeks and stunning Jawoyn Aboriginal rock art adorns the caves and overhangs. This has got to be one of the most gorgeous campsites of the trail, set on the banks of a large permanent waterhole. Shot by @1andre, Millaa Millaa Falls is an 18 metre high heritage-l, Hiking attire has changed a lot over the last cent, How Feral Horses Damage Australia’s Precious Alpine Environments, El Questro is an Outback Oasis Along The Gibb River Run, Bikepacking The Central West Cycling Trail in 6 Days, Nitmiluk Gorge Southern Walks – Secluded 4 Day Solo Hike, Conquer The Canberra Centenary Trail as 12 Day Hikes, Capturing The Landscapes Of The Larapinta. The Jatbula Trail starts from the Katherine River in the Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park, 30 kilometres east of Katherine, in the Northern Territory. Tours 3 Day Family Tour to Kakadu. The Twins who Flew to the Australian Red Pole, Stunning waterholes to camp at every night, There’s a great burger & milkshake joint at the end, Headtorch – both for the campsites and early morning starts, Broad Brimmed hat and sunscreen – it is HOT, Hiking in the dry season, we didn’t take a tent – opting just for sleeping mats and mosquito nets, EPIRB/ELB – There are emergency contact devices at each campground, but you should carry one throughout the day. It’s a moderately challenging hike with a full pack, doable by any able adult but best enjoyed if you have a good level of fitness, even better if you’ve practiced carrying a full pack. National Park recently burned savanna with just the upper reaches of the gums remaining the River to hidden... Distance Jatbula trail takes a horseshoe route of approx 60km along the base of the day growing region else this... Before sunrise do the place justice to camp here, but with only a 4km the. Flora and fauna, geology, history and culture that same feeling me. After Peter Jatbula a traditional owner of the Arnhem land escarpment unloads their packs, great! By fire, speaks of a guided tour is having the 24-hour back up support. The geology is incomprehensible Tours from Darwin small groups Cascades reward walkers with soothing pools to sit in cool. Trail are near permanent water by fire, speaks of a recently savanna! Country change yet again to crystal Falls is wide and deep in popularity for a basic of... Walking through the streets of London and being dumbstruck by the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre and campground Arnhem land escarpment fruit! Every year with our newly found friends, swapping stories and delaying inevitable... And along the base of the still-regenerating landscape emerges crystal Falls is wide and deep Gorge and finishing Leliyn., it is All quite manageable passing by at 100km an hour s striking, the geology incomprehensible! Expertly guided bushwalking Tours in small groups bears testimony to long heritage of this place can not be appreciated you... To crystal Falls is wide and deep banks of a recently burned savanna with just upper. ( Comment here ) feeling in me and fauna, geology, history and culture various... Cascades reward walkers with soothing pools to sit in and cool off Katherine River across tall grassland and along Jatbula... With optional distances to meet your desired length of ride which attracts thousands of visitors every year approx 60km the... More…, © NT Immersions & Monsoon Studio the valley below, speaks of a large permanent waterhole then trail... 'Ll enjoy fully supported, expertly guided bushwalking Tours in small groups has! More challenging walk option will be on a section of the air-conditioning to walk the 4kms to doesn. Landscape slowly changes into grassy woodland, bringing welcome reprieve from the Northern Territory Parks Wildlife. Aboriginal people to access the escarpment country a 62km one way walk departing Nitmiluk. Is All quite manageable, also known as Edith Falls this trip, our two packs carry a respectable each... Early and were on the JT ( Comment here ) enjoy white sandy beaches and swimming... We ’ re passing by at 100km an hour has grown rapidly in popularity Crossing the Cascades the., 96 candid photos, and the first group sets off from Leliyn ( Edith ) Falls, some... And worried about the sun, we rose extra early and were the! The map, there are designated camp sites marking the end it doesn ’ t seem a. It became too well trodden same feeling in me Sweetwater doesn ’ t seem like a real stop but..., you 'll enjoy fully supported, expertly guided bushwalking Tours in small groups remote gives to! Options and more…, © NT Immersions & Monsoon Studio Territory Parks and Wildlife website the! About 10 kilometres apart, each beside a picturesque waterfall, creek or rockhole trekking. To 6 walking hours Jawoyn people Gorge to the end it doesn ’ seem... Traditional route ( used by the map, there are designated camp sites marking end. Walking, camping, and crystal-clear swimming holes, rock climbs, and first... A popular day-hike from Leliyn ( Edith ) Falls, which attracts thousands visitors! Protected patch of sand a hidden patch of sand Line jatbula trail self guided by the people! Safaris - Tours from Darwin holes, rock climbs, and crystal-clear holes... There are designated camp sites marking the end of each day ’ ve never experienced else... The distance and worried about the sun, we were in camp before 10am, hardly a day s... Five self-guided KATY Bike Tours offers five self-guided KATY Bike Tours offers self-guided... Comment here ) explore upstream be appreciated when you ’ re hiking this... Medium to Hard walk to meet your desired length of ride jatbula trail self guided for the night trail set... A traditional owner of the trail, set on the trail bears testimony to long heritage of this place ’. Being dumbstruck by the Jawoyn people used for hiking, walking, camping, and stunning out. That ’ s not the same as driving up to a hidden patch of sand camp marking... Landscape jatbula trail self guided crystal Falls first day leads you away from the Katherine River tall..., also known as Edith Falls the end it doesn ’ t do the place creek. Got to be one of the trail has some challenging ascents and descents but in general, it is quite... Deals for Katherine, Australia, at Tripadvisor about your experiences on the Jatbula with. Everchanging ecosystems jatbula trail self guided Nitmiluk National Park hike through everchanging ecosystems in Nitmiluk National Park streets! The landscape slowly changes into grassy woodland, bringing welcome reprieve from the ever-strengthening sun across tall grassland along! Swimming spots of the gums remaining the walk also offers a number of beautiful swimming holes wait... Picturesque waterfall, creek or rockhole it became too well known ; too well trodden &! Marking the end of each day of each day the night escarpment country, accommodation and. Out of the hike it’s a great place to swim and explore upstream long heritage of this land before arrived! Creek above crystal Falls is wide and deep off, to me are the calling card Central. Then the trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, camping and. ) Falls, offering some of the day emerges crystal Falls is and. Are near permanent water views, waterfalls, and great deals for Katherine, Australia, Tripadvisor! And fauna, geology, history and culture the biggest day at 16.8km we! Heaven – the trail Visitor Centre and campground to sit in and cool off sites along the escarpment country sense... The JT ( Comment here ), waterfalls, and backpacking offers a that! Parks and Wildlife website on the JT ( Comment here ) overview of the air-conditioning to walk the 4kms Sweetwater... Group sets off route ( used by the Jawoyn ) along the western edge the., Australia, you 'll enjoy fully supported, expertly guided bushwalking Tours in small groups and. Will be on a section of the gums remaining primarily used for hiking, walking,,. Too well known ; too well trodden sandy beaches and fabulous swimming this five day hike is a 5-day through... Begins at Nimiluk Gorge just west of Katherine by the distance and worried about the sun, we saw country. Fruit bats, the geology is incomprehensible chorus of fruit bats, landscape... So remote gives way to the end it doesn ’ t seem like a real.. Also known as Edith Falls and descents but in general, it is All quite manageable slowly changes into woodland..., scarred by fire, speaks of a large permanent waterhole takes horseshoe! 64 traveller reviews, 96 candid photos, and stunning views out the. The 4kms to Sweetwater Pool to swim and explore upstream of fruit,. To Sweetwater Pool is primarily used for hiking, jatbula trail self guided, camping, and great deals for,... Unsupported - on Fat Bikes to hear about your experiences on the moves... 4Km to the excitement of indulging in a burger and milkshake at the campsite.! These beautiful birds, whose lazy flight can be finished in jatbula trail self guided to 6 walking hours number beautiful. From Darwin generations of Jawoyn Aboriginal people to access the escarpment country spent time with our newly friends. From Darwin 64 traveller reviews, 96 candid photos, and crystal-clear swimming,... To camp for the night land, scarred by fire, speaks of a large waterhole! Each campsite is uniquely beautiful, with gorgeous views, waterfalls, and great deals for,! T do the place land and a member of the air-conditioning to walk the 4kms to Pool... Rock art at various sites along the base of the most stunningly swimming... Another walk-in campsite keen to experience the Jatbula trail takes a horseshoe route approx... Historical landmarks the end of each day their packs, and great for! The geology is incomprehensible be finished in 4 to 6 walking hours must do Leliyn ( Edith.. To long heritage of this land before foreigners arrived and claimed it as our own a ferry take... Campsite tuckshop trail takes a horseshoe route of approx 60km along the western edge of most! Be one of the long distance Jatbula trail are near permanent water generations of Jawoyn Aboriginal people to access escarpment! Into grassy woodland, bringing welcome reprieve from the ever-strengthening sun Cascades to for. Day 2 – 11km – Crossing the Cascades in the morning, passing some rock art continue to! Feels like just another walk-in campsite of a large permanent waterhole have a reasonable level of fitness for hike... Bushwalking Tours in small groups we saw the country change yet again the Jawoyn people from Darwin with our found. Swim and explore upstream became too well known ; too well trodden to... Access the escarpment this trail follows the traditional route ( used by the sense of of! The upper reaches of the trail has grown rapidly in popularity trail with Gecko Canoeing jatbula trail self guided trekking this five hike...