Starting from the southern car park at the end of Katherine Gorge Road, this circuit walk explores the escarpment alongside Katherine River via the Baruwei Loop Walk track, visiting Baruwei Lookout along the way. The lookout atop the escarpment provides you great views over the Katherine River and the western end of the same-titled gorge. If you’re staying or living nearby, try to get up early and experience an amazing sunrise here. There are canoe and boat trips if you’d like to explore the river itself. Keep in mind that the track is quite exposed, wear a hat and bring plenty of water to better enjoy the hike. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Giles Street and drive for another 165 m
At roundabout, take exit 2 onto Giles Street and drive for another 29.1 km
Keep left and drive for another 30 m
Turn right and drive for another 85 m
Turn left and drive for another 25 m
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Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From the southern car park at the end of Katherine Gorge Road (near the Cicada Lodge), head along the walking track that starts towards Cicada Lodge, then veers left shortly after. Follow the said track as it heads southwest between the car park(to the left) and the caravan park(to the right). Stay on the track as it crosses the road near an intersection and heads parallel to it afterwards to continue along Katherine & Baruwei Lookout Track(counterclockwise).....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
Find the Katherine Gorge at the start.
After another 440 m continue straight.
After another 490 m continue straight.
After another 760 m continue straight.
After another 1.5 km pass the water tap (8 m on your right).
After another 420 m turn left, to head along Baruwei Loop Walk.
After another 10 m come to the "Baruwei Lookout" (20 m on your right).
After another 30 m come to the viewpoint (on your right).
The starting point of an alternate route. An alternate route taking you closer to the river. There's a jetty where you can book canoe & boat trips as mentioned in the description. To take the alternate route turn right here. Details below.
After another 50 m continue straight, to head along Baruwei Loop Walk.
After another 410 m pass the car park (45 m on your left).
The alternate route finishes here. Continue straight to rejoin the main route at the 4.1 km waypoint. Details below.
Turn left.
After another 440 m find the "Nitmiluk Visitor Centre" (15 m on your right).
Nitmiluk Visitor Centre
Nitmiluk Visitor Centre
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After another 55 m veer right.
After another 55 m turn right.
After another 30 m come to the end.
An alternate route taking you closer to the river. There's a jetty where you can book canoe & boat trips as mentioned in the description.
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start heading along Baruwei Loop Walk.
After another 335 m turn left.
After another 60 m pass the toilet (20 m on your left).
After another 5 m come to the end.
At the end of this alternate route, rejoin the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Katherine Gorge & Baruwei Lookout
Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length
4.7 km
Time
1 h 30 min to 2 h 15 min
Quality of track
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage
Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure
Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (2/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (2/6)
Weather
Weather generally has little impact on safety (2/6)
Some facilities on route
Toilet: There is one 3.7 km (plus an extra 400 m along side route) from the start.
Bushwalk
1 h 30 min to 2 h 15 min
Toilet: There is one 3.7 km (plus an extra 400 m along side route) from the start.
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Find the Katherine Gorge at the start.
After another 1.5 km pass the water tap (8 m on your right).
After another 10 m come to the "Baruwei Lookout" (20 m on your right).
After another 440 m find the "Nitmiluk Visitor Centre" (15 m on your right).
