The Jatbula Trail is one of Australia's most unique hiking journeys and we are privileged to be able to offer this in partnership with the traditional owners, the Jawoyn people
The trail follows parts of an ancient Jawoyn song line through the Nitmiluk National Park. The Jatbula Trail takes us up onto the Arnhem Land Escarpment, through shady monsoon forests, past spectacular waterfalls and their crystal clear swimming pools and introduces us to stunning Jawoyn Aboriginal rock art sites. We camp in some of the most amazing wilderness country in Australia.
The Jatbula Trail is 62km from start to finish and is a full pack bushwalking adventure taking us far away from city life and immersing us into this ancient wonderland. The Jatbula is an exclusive destination opening only during the dry season from June to September, with a limit of 15 people per day permitted. Trek Tours Australia operate trips in June, July, and early August, the coolest and driest months – enjoying perfect blue sky days, cool nights and plenty of water for our afternoon swims.
Itinerary Summary
Day 1 : Pick up Darwin, drive to Nitmiluk Gorge, afternoon Nitmiluk Gorge Cuise, overnight Katherine
Day 2 : Walk to Biddlecombe Cascades | 8.3kms
Day 3 : Walk from Biddlecombe Cascades to Crystal Falls | 11kms
Day 4 : Walk from Crystal Falls to Amphitheatre and on to 17 Mile Falls | 10kms
Day 5 : Walk from 17 Mile Falls to Sandy Camp Pool | 17kms
Day 6 : Walk from Sandy Camp Pool to Leliyn (Edith Falls), drive to Darwin | 15.7 kms
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- 5 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners.
- All delicious snacks on the trail.
- 2 professional wilderness guides.
- All national park permits and camping fees.
- All group camping equipment including mosquito net, sleeping mat and sleeping bag.
- All catering equipment including cutlery, cups, plates, bowls.
- Emergency satellite communication/navigation equipment.
- Wilderness first aid equipment and supplies.
- Transport from Darwin and return.
- Nitmiluk Gorge Cruise
- Gear hire available
- 1 night pre-trek accommodation near Katherine.
- This is a small group tour – maximum group size of 10 people.
- For group enquiries please contact us.
Notes to consider
Our 6 day Jatbula Trail adventure is a demanding walk, we advise you to do as much training as you can before your tour with us. The more you train for the walk the easier you will handle the terrain and the more you will enjoy this wonderful part of the world. It’s also important to come along with an open mind ready for an awesome experience whatever the weather, whoever the group. It is very important that you bring the right gear for the conditions. A comprehensive gear list is included in the available downloadable brochure. Quality backpacks are also available for hire. If you are at all concerned about your ability to complete the Jatbula Trail trek, please feel free to call one of us here at Trek Tours Australia.
Day 1 : Pick up Darwin, drive to Nitmiluk Gorge, afternoon Nitmiluk Gorge Cruise, overnight Katherine
We pick you up from your Darwin accommodation from 8am and head to our friends at the NT General Store for a pre trek briefing. Heading South to Katherine on the Stuart Highway, we stop for lunch at one of the iconic top end towns. Reaching Nitmiluk Gorge, we are welcomed by the Jawoyn people and ready ourselves for an afternoon cruise up the famous Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. Along the way, cultural guides will share their knowledge of plants, animals, dreamtime stories and Jawoyn culture. You’ll see spectacular geographical features, local wildlife, and abundant vegetation.
We transfer to our local accommodation near the gorge for a gear demo with your guides followed by a hearty first night’s welcome dinner.
Nitmiluk Gorge Cruise | Meals: Lunch, Dinner
DAY 2: CROSS THE RIVER AND WALK TO BIDDLECOMBE CASCADES
Crossing the Katherine River we begin our Jatbula Trail trek into this wild ancient country. It’s going to be warm however after an hour into our walk we find the first of our many awesome swimming spots – the Northern Rockhole. Trekking to our first campsite at Biddlecombe Cascades we cool off for the afternoon, breathe deep and relax amongst the many natural spa and plunge pools. All this while your professional wilderness guides prepare a nutritious and tasty early dinner.
8.3kms | Meals: Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3: WALK FROM BIDDLECOMBE CASCADES TO CRYSTAL FALLS
Today we make an early start and take advantage of the cool morning. Our walk takes us through some magnificent pandanus palm forest with its abundant bird life, and colourful fruit. Trekking through vast open savannah country we explore the ancient stone country where Jawoyn Aboriginal art sites are hidden in many of the spectacular rocky outcrops and overhangs. Crystal Falls is our campsite tonight, a truly stunning location blessed with deep crystal clear pools, surrounded by lush monsoon forest. Amazing, beautiful, stunning, incredible, these words don’t even come close to describing the place we camp tonight – another delicious meal, a moonlight swim, and a deep sleep under the stars. This is Jatbula Trail living at its best.
11kms | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4: WALK FROM CRYSTAL FALLS TO AMPHITHEATRE THEN ON TO 17 MILE FALLS
Walking out of camp we climb to an elevated position above Crystal Falls, giving us a birds eye view of this spectacular waterfall cascading over the escarpment. Continuing our trek today we discover an incredible natural amphitheatre tucked away in a monsoonal rain forest setting. Descending into this magical place we explore the rocky overhangs and nooks to find incredible Jawoyn rock art. ‘The Amphitheatre’, as it is called, provides some of the most magnificent recorded indigenous art in this region. After lunch our walk takes us along the edge of the Jatbula Trail escarpment, culminating in the breathtaking vistas of our camp tonight – 17 Mile Falls.
10kms | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5: WALK FROM 17 MILE FALLS TO SANDY CAMP POOL
Today takes us into the Edith River catchment. Trekking through Pandanus groves and lush grasses we follow the course of the river to Channels Waterhole. A shady, sandy, cool oasis awaits, providing us with a perfect lunch stop and of course a midday swim in the Edith River. Continuing our walk today through lush green wetlands we have time to watch the prolific birdlife and maybe even spot a buffalo. Camp tonight is Sandy Camp Pool a picturesque billabong of Olympic proportions; it overflows with water lilies and is surrounded by towering paperbarks. As the name suggests we enjoy a wonderful sandy camp giving us another comfortable sleep under the stars, beside one of our favourite billabongs on the Jatbula Trail.
17kms | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6: WALK FROM SANDY CAMP TO LELIYN (EDITH FALLS), DRIVE TO DARWIN
A early morning swim sees us in great shape to begin our trek to our lunch spot at Sweetwater Pool. Walking alongside the Edith River with its many billabongs and waterholes in the early part of the day is amazing. Today is a wonderful opportunity to see some of the top ends shyest wildlife – perhaps a turtle, some Brolgas or maybe even a Water Monitor. You will have a relaxing swim as your guides prepare a delicious last lunch at Sweetwater Pool. The afternoon trek along the Edith River and its numerous waterfalls brings us to the end of the Jatbula Trail and our incredible journey together. Arriving at Leliyn (Edith Falls) we have the opportunity for a last swim of the tour in one of the top ends favourite swimming holes. Driving back to Darwin, we stop at the historic Adelaide River Inn for a superb celebratory dinner and experience a unique slice of top end food and hospitality. We aim to arrive back in Darwin by 8pm.
15.7kms | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
NOTES TO CONSIDER
Our 6 day Jatbula Trail adventure is a demanding walk, we advise you to do as much training as you can before your tour with us. The more you train for the walk the easier you will handle the terrain and the more you will enjoy this wonderful part of the world. It’s also important to come along with an open mind ready for an awesome experience whatever the weather, whoever the group. It is very important that you bring the right gear for the conditions. A comprehensive gear list is included in the available downloadable brochure. Quality backpacks are also available for hire. If you are at all concerned about your ability to complete the Jatbula Trail trek, please feel free to call one of us here at Trek Tours Australia.
WHAT YOU CARRY
On the 6 day Jatbula Trail adventure you will need to carry all your personal equipment in a full trekking backpack that is 70-90 litres in capacity. This includes sleeping bag, inflatable sleeping mat, a mosquito dome, a proportion of the group’s food supplies and all personal items as specified in our gear list. Depending on the quality and quantity of personal gear and toiletries, your pack may weigh up to 15kg. A comprehensive gear list is available detailing what equipment/clothing is included in the tour cost, what items are available for hire and what you will need to bring with you
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Grade 4: Bushwalking experience recommended. Tracks may be long, rough and very steep. Directional signage may be limited.
Trek Tours Australia’s 6 day Jatbula Trail Adventure is a demanding walk, we advise you to do as much training as you can before your trek with us. The more you train prior to this adventure the easier you will handle the terrain and the more you will enjoy this wonderful part of the world. The Jatbula Trail is located in Nitmiluk National Park, east of Katherine in the tropical, hot and humid Top End of Australia (this can still be the case even in the winter walking months).
As most of our guests are travelling from significantly cooler and less humid parts of Australia, the Top End walking weather can be a challenge. We recommend being well hydrated before embarking on the days walk. This includes being well hydrated the day before your hike departure and importantly taking on water regularly on the vehicle transfer to the trail-head and during the hike.
It’s also important to come along with an open mind ready for an awesome experience whatever the weather, whoever the group. It is very important that you bring the right gear for the conditions. A comprehensive gear list is included at the end of this brochure. Quality backpacks are also available for hire. If you are at all concerned about your ability to complete this walk, please feel free to call one of us here at Trek Tours Australia for more advice (1300 133 278).
