Jatbula Trail (62km), Nitmiluk National Park, Northern Territory

Jatbula Trail is a 62km, grade 4 hike located in the Nitmiluk National Park, Northern Territory. The hike should take around 5 days to complete.

Length: 62km

Duration: 5 days

Grade: 4

Style: One Way

Start: Nitmiluk Visitors Centre

End: Leilyn (Edith Falls)

Location: Nitmiluk National Park

Closest town: Katherine

Northern Territory

From state capital: 345km

Longitude: 132.420788

Latitude: -14.315494

Hike summary

Embark on the arduous five-day Jatbula Trail in Nitmiluk National Park for off-the-beaten-track scenery, waterfalls and Jawoyn Aboriginal rock art.

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 Leilyn (Edith Falls) You will walk in the footsteps of generations of Jawoyn who traditionally travelled through parts of the trail.

The trail can be completed in 5 days/4 nights or 6 days/5 nights with each night spent at a stunning campsite close to a babbling spring, cascade or a plunging waterfall.

Jatbula Trail overview

Day 1 - Nitmiluk to Biddlecombe Cascades - 8.3 km
Day 2 - Biddlecombe to Crystal Falls - 11 km
Day 3 - Crystal Falls to 17 Mile Falls - 10 km
Day 4 - 17 Mile Falls to Sandy Camp - 16.8 km
Day 5 - Sandy Camp to Sweetwater Pool 11.1 km or via Leliyn 15.6 km
Day 6 - Sweetwater (overnight) to Leliyn - 4.5 km

The Jatbula Trail is graded as medium to hard. You need to be reasonably fit with some bushwalking experience as it involves carrying heavy loads over rough ground. Read more about the walking track grading system.

The walk can be completed in five or six days. Camping is only allowed for one night at each site along the trail.

Leliyn is not a campsite on the trail and separate fees will apply if you wish to camp there.

Book your walk

The trail has a limit of 15 walkers leaving each day so you will need to book.

Bookings open on 1 November for the following year.

A camping fee needs to be paid with your booking. The fees are:

$3.30 per adult/night
$1.65 per child/night

You can book online here

When to walk

The best time of year to walk the Jatbula Trail is from 1 June to 30 September.

During the cooler months, from June to August, the temperatures range from 30 degrees Celsius during the day dropping to 10 degrees Celsius at night.

Conditions on the trail start to heat up in mid-August with temperatures rising to over 40 degrees Celsius from October to late November.

From December to April the trail is difficult due to high temperatures and humidity, monsoonal rain and the risk of flooding. Increased vegetation growth in the wet season can also hide trail markers, adding to the difficulty.

It is possible to walk the Jatbula Trail between 1 October and 31 May but you must be experienced, well prepared and you will need special permission from parks.

You must apply in writing for special permission to [email protected]

Getting from the trail

The trail finishes at Leliyn and you can be transferred to either Katherine or to the Nitmiluk visitor centre.

Leliyn to Katherine is 63km or approximately 45 minutes drive
Leliyn to Nitmiluk Gorge is 90km or approximately 1 hour drive.

How to book your transport

The following companies provide ground transfers:

Gecko Canoeing and Trekking
Phone: (08) 8972 2224
[email protected]

Travel North
Phone: (08) 8971 9999
[email protected]

Remember to tell someone outside of your group of your travel plans in case of an emergency.

Cars and public parking

Public parking is available at both ends of the trail, but be sure to tell the parks desk or Leliyn kiosk your name, car details and return date.

There are a number of bus and airlines services that provide regular return travel between Darwin and Katherine.

Route and GPX file

Total distance: 61474 m
Max elevation: 314 m
Min elevation: 119 m
Total climbing: 807 m
Total descent: -798 m

Download file: jatbula trail.gpx

Trail Features

Gravel Path
Sandy Trail
Rough Trail
Undefined Trail
Waterfalls
Aboriginal Art
Rock Scrambling
River Crossings
Scenic Viewpoints
Untreated Water
Swimming Spots
Overnight Campsites

Gear you might need

As well as including the Ten Essentials, my planning, food and packing checklists provide an summary of things to consider on your day, overnight and multi-day hikes. Every person and every hike is different, so customise your kit according to your needs. Download your free checklists here >>

Location

Access Conditions

2WD Access
Bitumen Road
Entry Fee
Large Car Park
Public Toilets
Drinking Water
Picnic Shelter
Picnic Table
BBQ Facilities
Camping Area

Getting there

Starts at the Nitmiluk Visitor Centre, Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge), Katherine, Northern Territory
The walk is one way only and starts at Nitmiluk Gorge.
You can be picked up from the town of Katherine which is 27km from Nitmiluk Gorge.
You will then need to take a ferry from Nitmiluk Gorge to the start of the trail near 17 Mile Creek.
The ferry costs $8.50 per person.
Ferries depart daily at 7am, 9am and 11am.
To book call the Nitmiluk visitor centre on 1800146 743.

Get directions

Let someone know before you go

It’s a good idea to let someone know where you’re going. Fill in a trip intention form to send important details about your trip to your emergency contact. If you are lost or require help and have phone reception, call 000 and ask for police. The international standard emergency number is 112, if you dial this number in Australia you will be treated exactly the same as a 000 call. If you believe your life is at risk, activate your personal locator beacon (PLB), then make your position visible to rescue teams and keep warm and dry.

Weather

About the region

Be drawn to the spectacular sandstone country of Nitmiluk National Park and the majestic Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge with spectacular cliffs that glow in the changing light.

Nitmiluk National Park, just 30 kilometres north-east of Katherine, covers a vast area, including 13 impressive gorges carved from the ancient sandstone country which stretch for as far as the eye can see.

Explore the world-famous park and gorge country on foot, by canoe, boat or helicopter.

Accommodation is available within the National Park. Choose from camping, to chalets through to the upmarket Cicada Lodge. Nitmiluk National Park has something for everyone.

Gallery

Hikes you might like

Let someone know before you go. Register your trip intentions here. Your trip intentions will be emailed to your emergency contact.

Suggest an edit

Does this hike info need updating? maybe the route, features or access conditions have changed? Suggest an edit here.

Acknowledgement of Country

Trail Hiking Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we hike and pay respects to their Elders, past and present, and we acknowledge the First Nations people of other communities who may be here today.

Preparing to Hike | Hiking Safety | Hiking Skills | Hike Navigation | Hacks and Tips

1 Review on “Jatbula Trail (62km)”

Overall rating

Rose Cunningham

Met a group last week at Leliyn top pools who’d just finished this awesome walk. They all said they’d do it again the next day.

24/03/2022, 05:24

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Sarah Marie

Yes! Can’t wait to do this next year ???

24/03/2022, 05:24

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Darren Edwards

Just completed this with my family. An excellent adventure

24/03/2022, 05:24

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Take A Walk Publications and Adventures

This is an excellent walk. You get to camp beside permanent water every day and there is plenty of Aboriginal art along the way. It’s one of our favourite walks in the Northern Territory.

24/03/2022, 05:24

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