At around 295,000 hectares in size and millions of years old, the Nitmiluk landscape is a rugged and ancient one. The Jawoyn people are the traditional owners of Nitmiluk and their cultural beliefs and practices underpin the land and visitor management of the park. The Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory and the Jawoyn people work together to care for Nitmiluk in a relationship called joint management. This ensures that the cultural aspirations of the traditional owners are upheld alongside the protection of the environment and the provision of visitor experiences. We can visit our local park and take a boat cruise down the Katherine Gorge, sleep under the stars, go swimming in the clearest of waters or hike the many kilometres of trails that cross the sandstone escarpment.

The park also protects many plants and animals that are dependent on specific habitats found almost nowhere else. It also ensures that the incredible rock art galleries and other sacred sites in the park are looked after for future generations. Nitmiluk National Park truly gives something to us all.

Over 260,000 visitors a year travel to Nitmiluk from all over the world. They come to see ancient rock art, listen to stories of long ago that shape the cultural law of today and experience for themselves the things that we are lucky enough to be able to see and do every weekend. With storm clouds gathering on the horizon and soaring daytime temperatures the build-up is probably not a great time to plan a long distance hike but there are still plenty of ways to experience this magical landscape for yourself.

If you have ever wanted to stand on million year stone and feel the heat soak through your boot soles while you watch the sun set on the horizon the Baruwei Lookout is a great place to head. Or perhaps an afternoons snorkel in the cool clear water of the Leliyn Plunge Pool, surrounded by tiny darting fish is more your style. There’s nothing quite like listening to the sleepy giggles of the kids as they settle down for a night in a swag, or maybe you are due for an evening of luxury and fine dining instead? The biggest difficulty of a place like Nitmiluk at this time of year is working out what you’d like to do first!