Hotels in Katherine

The ranger station in the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre has maps of available "bush campsites" throughout the park. These are very basic sites -- no showers, no soaps or shampoos allowed (they pollute the river system), and simple pit toilets or none at all. Most are beside natural swimming holes. You must buy a camping permit at the ranger station; the fee is A$3.30 per person per night.

There are caravan and camping sites at Springvale Homestead (tel. 08/8972 1355 or book through Travel North), 7km (4 1/3 miles) from Katherine township on the banks of the Katherine River. Sites are in a shady park, and there's a licensed bistro and kiosk, swimming pool, and children's water slide. Wallabies roam freely. Fees are A$10 per adult, A$6 per child for a tent site, and A$27 double for a powered site (A$10 for each extra person).