Getting to the gorge

Katherine Chamber of Commerce chairman, Kevin Grey said it is “one of the biggest issues” facing the town. 

“We have, and are developing, so many attractions in and around Katherine that people do not have access to,” Mr Grey said. 

“There is no regular route to the gorge at the moment, people take taxis and mini buses but there is nothing regular.

“I think it is important to facilitate transport out to the gorge, there would be plenty of support in town for it,” he said. 

Mayor Fay Miller said the issue is nothing new for the region, several private enterprises have attempted similar ventures in the past. 

“There was a bus that was privately run for a while, he did his best to offer a town bus service but it wasn’t supported by the locals, it needs to be supported to be viable,” Mayor Miller said. 

Mr Grey said in order to be successful a bus service would need to be supported by the government and multiple businesses. 

“Some people have tried it before and looked into it, but it isn’t economically viable for a singular business,” Mr Grey said. 

“It would be better to have a bus that visited a number of drop off points that are easily accessible.”

Mayor Miller agrees that a bus offering tourists multiple drop off points would be good for the town. 

“I think the idea of a hop on hop off bus is great,” she said. 

”We get a lot of visitors in town from the Gahn, so it would be great if they had the opportunity to see some places in town that you can’t walk to like the culture centre, NT Rare Rocks and Top Didj.”

“There is twelve million dollars still allocated to Nitmiluk Gorge so it will be up to the Jawoyn where that money is allocated,” Mayor Miller said. 

As the dry season approaches, Mr Grey said it is time to plan ahead. 

“Given the increase in last years’ tourism, we need to start planning forward and make sure the services are there,” Mr Grey said.