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Length: 62km
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Duration: 5 days
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Grade: 3-4
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Style: One Way
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Start: Nitmiluk Visitor Centre
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End: Leilyn (Edith Falls)
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Location: Nitmiluk National Park
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Closest Town: Katherine
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Distance from CBD: 345km
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State: NT
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Latitude: -14.315494
Longitude: 132.420788
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Select items to indicate conditions for access to the trail.


2WD Access


4WD Access


Public Transport


Bitumen Road


Gravel Road


Steep Road


Winding Road


Speed Bumps


Vehicle Ford


Entry Fee


Large Car Park


Small Car Park


Accessible Parking


Accessible Toilet


Public Toilets


Drinking Water


Untreated Water


Picnic Shelter


Picnic Table


BBQ Facilities


Campfire Pit


Camping Area
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Nitmiluk National Park...
Select items to indicate features found along the trail.


Concrete Path


Timber Boardwalk


Gravel Path


Sandy Trail


Rough Trail


Undefined Trail


Prams & Strollers


Manual Wheelchair


Motorised Wheelchair


Bicycle Trail


Mountain Bike Trail


Historic Rail Trail


Dog Friendly


Urban Walk


Coast & Beach


Historic Lighthouse


Waterfalls & Lakes


Rainforest Walk


Goldfields & Mining


Heritage Walk


Aboriginal Art


Alpine Region


Alpine Huts


Exposed Ledges


Rock Scrambling


Steep Terrain


Bush Bashing


River Crossings


Scenic Viewpoints


Well Marked


Drinking Water


Untreated Water


Fishing Spots


Swimming Spots


Overnight Campsites


Trail Running


Horse Riding
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
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.
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.
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.
GPX File
Max elevation: 314 m
Min elevation: 119 m
Total climbing: 807 m
Total descent: -798 m
For more information on these trails please visit the Do the NT.
Hikes Nearby
23 thoughts on “Jatbula Trail (62km)”
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Awesome hike would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed hiking cradle mountain in Tassie same scenery but a tropical version
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.
Book in on the 1st November ! Most places go to tour companies – or book with one of them. Would love to do it! Love this NP
Did this hike in June, was just beautiful, and hot. Being able to swim at every camp was fantastic. Only allowing 15 hikers through a day adds to its appeal.
This is for you Jatbula Hiker Opal!!! ?
Hahaha you cheeky miss!
This is my favourite hike in Australia. I would also hire a kayak and camp overnight in the upper parts of Katherine Gorge before starting the hike proper.
Yes! Can’t wait to do this next year ???
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.
Dani Campbell this is top of my list, I really really really want to do this one
Lyn Harms
Just completed this with my family. An excellent adventure
I’ve sent you a pm ☺️
Beautiful walk if haven’t been add it your list
what about this one. Peter McNamara Ben Wyatt only 5 days away.
Looks great! Poida?
Yep yep yep
Me too next year fir me! It’s been in my list fir years now I have to next year I’m more than ready now!!?
Diane Ferreira like this page and we will find a hike to do
Sounds fab Robs
Anyone have a gpx of this trail?
Hi Alexandra, I have just uploaded mine to the site