required. The trail today includes some interesting Jawoyn Aboriginal rock art sites hidden in the many rocky outcrops and overhangs. You should walk regularly with a weighted day pack (5–7kg) for several hours for leg strengthening and aerobic fitness. Walkers have the special opportunity to view beautiful and historic rock art of the Jawoyn people from rock outcrops of the, Day 1: Trek Katherine Gorge to Biddlecomb Creek - 8.3km, Day 2: Trek Biddlecomb Creek to Crystal Falls - 11km, Day 3: Trek Crystal Falls to 17 Mile Falls - 10km, Day 4: Trek 17 Mile Falls to Sandy Camp Pool - 16.8km, Day 5: Trek Sandy Camp Pool to Sweetwater Pool - 11km, Day 6: Trek Sweetwater Pool to Edith Falls (Leliyn) - 4.5km. As we don't have to worry about bad weather we can make the most of the clear skies and sleep under the stars. High season supplement applies from 14 June to 15 August. The Jatbula Trail is a once-in-a-lifetime experience full of majestic beauty in the heartland of the generations of the Jawoyn people.The Jatbula Trail runs along the western edge of the Northern Territory’s Arnhem Escarpment with the adventure taking you along a 62km graded trail beginning on the edge of the stunning Nitmiluk Gorge, continuing through the Nitmiluk National Park and ending at the … The shade of the cliffs encourages a rich monsoonal rain forest and the rock shelters exhibit the art of the Jawoyn Traditional Owners. COVID safety measuresare in place with extra cleaning and hygiene protocols, Remote adventuresmeans social distancing comes naturally, Small groups onlyGuided group sizes are strictly limited to a maximum of 12-16 people, From Discovery and CruisingTo Advanced Mountaineering Expedition. The terrain is varied throughout the track. Yomads offers adventures for the 20s and 30s on six continents. These cookies allow the provision of enhance functionality and personalization, such as videos and live chats. Choose from walking, cycling, winter or multi-activity holidays, on either the North or South Island. These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources, so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. The starting point of our walk is at Katherine Gorge. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Walking distance: 16.5km, After a big day on the trail yesterday, we enjoy a more leisurely walk today – with plenty of time to enjoy our last full day out in this magnificent country. The Arnhem Land escarpment is an exceptional wilderness area which winds its way along the edge of Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk) to Edith Falls (Leliyn) creating a truly extraordinary hiking experience. Crystal Creek above Crystal Falls is wide and deep. However it won’t be long until you are rewarded with a cooling swim spot at Northern Rockhole, and then continuing along the trail to your beautiful campsite at Biddlecomb Creek where there is a plethora of natural spa and plunge pools to relax your muscles after your first day. Our Independent Adventures range begins with trip departures from 4th January 2021. The Jatbula Trail is 62km from start to finish and is a full pack bushwalking adventure taking us far away from city life and immersing us into this ancient wonderland. They all have toilets. Katherine and repeat the same after the walk to return home. You will then need to take a ferry from Nitmiluk Gorge to the start of the trail near 17 Mile Creek. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information. This is the first real ‘high’ viewpoint that the trip gave us and I enjoyed the variation, to what for an experienced, off-track walker, could be perceived as a bit samey-samey terrain. Our meals are reviewed by Nutritionists to provide the right daily nutrition and energy for your demands of the walk. The Jatbula Trail is a once-in-a-lifetime experience full of majestic beauty in the heartland of the generations of the Jawoyn people.The Jatbula Trail runs along the western edge of the Northern Territory’s Arnhem Escarpment with the adventure taking you along a 62km graded trail beginning on the edge of the stunning Nitmiluk Gorge, continuing through the Nitmiluk National Park and ending at the spectacular Leliyn (Edith Falls). This information might be about you, your preferences, your device or used to make the site work as you expect it to. Katherine has a shop that sells outdoor gear but no hire. Your adventure begins after a quick ferry trip across Katherine River. Walking the trail in 6 days splits up as follows: Day 1: 8.3km Day 2: 11km Day 3: 10km Day 4: 16.8km Day 5: 11km Day 6: 4.5km. Outback, tropical or coastal – which active holiday is for you? JATBULA : How the trail came to be Story by Matt Sykes One of the many stunning waterfalls (Photo courtesy of Holger Strie) This... Read More. The cascades of Crystal Falls are an inviting backdrop to our campsite. We camp on a sandstone plateau beside the 17 Mile Falls, a spectacular single-drop waterfall comparable to Kakadu’s iconic Jim Jim Falls. This evening your group may like to meet at one of Darwin's great eateries for a celebratory dinner! The trail is marked by blue triangles, usually located every 20-50m. Private group travel is the ultimate way to see Australia how YOU want. Its cloud-covered mountains, reaching 1,000 metres, support fragile heath vegetation. We will string a line between trees and hang the mosquito nets, making a comfortable canopy under which you sleep. The Jatbula Trail follows the route travelled by the indigenous Jawoyn peoples for tens of thousands of years, along the escarpment edge for 62km from Katherine Gorge to Leliyn Falls in the Northern Territory. The trip commences with a COMPULSORY pre-departure briefing in the afternoon on the day before departure. Ready to book? Please Note • Camping is only permitted for one night at each site • Edith Falls is not a campsite on the Jatbula Trail. UTracks are the active European holiday specialists. This afternoon is spent trekking along the edge of the escarpment enjoying the amazing views, before arriving at our camp at 17 Mile Falls for the evening. World Youth Adventures is our specialist division dedicated to organising tailor made overseas school group adventures. This trek is the tropical equivalent of Tasmania’s Overland Track, a full pack bushwalk that gains access The permanent waterholes here attract abundant birdlife and are a wonderful place to enjoy another delicious picnic lunch. Conditions on the trail start to heat up in mid-August with temperatures rising to over 40 degrees Celsius from October to late November. Huma enables those with adventurous spirits to challenge themselves and make a difference for a cause close to their heart. The ferry costs $15 per person. Yes, you should expect to carry about 3kg of the group food along with your snacks for the week. They help us know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. Mornington 3931 Travel, fundraise and meet life-long friends on one of Huma's meaningful and unique challenges around the world. After enjoying a leisurely lunch at Edith Falls, we board the awaiting bus and transfer back to Darwin. The shade of the cliffs lends to monsoon forest in this area, a perfect spot for a morning break or lunch. Will there be crocodiles where we go swimming? Closest CBD: Darwin, The Edith Falls is a series of cascading waterfalls and pools thats a fantastic place to finish your Jatbula trail hike. Grade: 3-4 We give you the information you need to know about water and where the best accommodation is before and after your trip, plus overviews of Aboriginal & European history and wildlife you can expect to encounter. Tasmanian Expeditions is the most experienced operator of treks and adventure travel holidays in Tasmania. You can expect to carry between 15-17kg in this full pack expedition. Some of the trail’s best waterholes are found along this part of the trail. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. The trail is quite isolated and only has a maximum of 15 hikers per day so you need to be self-reliant and confident. know you are on the track.  |, Relax in the splendid isolation of Sandy Camp Pool What's involved with an Independent adventure? As you edge closer to tonight’s campsite at Crystal Falls you will be surrounded with lush monsoonal forests. Please see our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to, Wilderness walking in one of the Top End's best-kept secrets, Gain a deeper understanding of the local Indigenous culture with visits to ancient rock art sites, Explore the exceptional Arnhem Land Escarpment and Stone Country, View magnificent waterfalls tumbling from the high sandstone escarpment, Spend evenings under the stars at wilderness campsites, Take refreshing dips in the many fresh waterholes along the trail, Professional wilderness guides (2 guides), All group camping equipment including mosquito net, sleeping mats, ground sheet (tarpaulin), stoves, cooking and eating utensils, Emergency communications and group first aid kit, Accommodation in Darwin before and after the trip, Items of a personal nature, such as laundry and postage. Heading out from Biddlescomb Creek is a boggy start to the day but it isn’t long until you return to the familiarity of more rugged stone country and the chance to find more Jawoyn Aboriginal Rock Art. There is the opportunity to swim in some of the best holes of the walk before we reach the trail's end. With both guided and supported self-guided options available, our unique itineraries draw upon some of Canada's most inspiring parks, trails and landscapes from coast to coast. These cookies are set through our site by our advertising partners. The trail is an ancient Song Line used by the Jawoyn people. Whether you prefer cycling or walking, 2-star or 4-star, small groups or self guided, land, river or sea – UTracks can help you to explore Europe exactly the way you want. Multiple landscapes are on view, including exceptional waterfalls that tumble from high sandstone escarpments, savannahs, amazing gorges and shady monsoon rainforests filled with creeks and stunning waterholes.. We provide you with an app to help you navigate in real time on the trail and give you the campsite locations and points of interest but you are completely autonomous & self – supporting on the walk. Drive to Katherine Gorge, trek to Biddlecombe Cascades, We pick you up from your Darwin accommodation between 6:00 and 6:30am, before heading south on the Stuart Highway to Katherine. Separate camp fees apply. Crystal Creek above Crystal Falls is wide and deep. Jatbula Trail with Gecko Canoeing and trekking. As a B-Corp a focus on local community is an important part of who we are. It’s a great place to swim and explore upstream. This morning’s trek leads to The Ampitheatre, a natural pocket formed by a horseshoe depression in the side of the escarpment, protecting the sacred rock art of the Jawoyn people. Jatbula Trail The Jatbula Trail is a 60km, five or six day arc through Nitmiluk National Park, situated just north-east of Katherine in the Northern Territory. We continue along the Edith River with its Paperbark Forests, cascades and water holes arriving at Sweetwater Pool by early afternoon. Location: Nitmiluk National Park Walk 40kms on the OzHarvest Kakadu challenge supporting people in need across our country. You can choose to stay the night at Edith Falls (commercially run campground and separate fees apply) or continue on with your onward travel. The Jatbula Trail guides look after the trekkers well | Steve Trudgeon. Keep in mind that the days are hot in the Northern Territory and the trail has some ascents and descents. This adventure involves trekking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace in remote locations. Specialists in Service Learning projects, choose from more destinations than any other school group provider. This breathtaking Top End adventure is one of the most popular walking trails with our travellers. It follows the escarpment across the park to Leliyn (Edith Falls). After lunch, we cross the Katherine River and begin our trek into the stone country. Jatbula Trail with Gecko Canoeing and trekking This five day hike is a must do. Each camp has composting toilets. The track led out to the escarpment’s edge where we pulled up at a horse-shoe ring of cliffs, The Amphitheatre. Supported projects are based on internationally recognised standards and are third-party audited. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. The Jatbula Trail starts from the Katherine River in the Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park, 30 kilometres east of Katherine, in the Northern Territory. 4491 issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Our website uses cookies to improve your experience and to bring you relevant advertisements only. We are now deep in the wilderness of the Arnhemland Escarpment and Stone Country which extends almost 1000 kilometres through the heart of the Top End. Length 37.4 mi Elevation gain 3,090 ft Route type Point to Point They entail a series of positive impacts on the ground, which benefit local communities and ecosystems, that are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. © NT Immersions & Monsoon Studio. The Jatbula Trail in the Nitmiluk National Park features magnificent waterfalls tumbling from high quartzite cliffs where shady monsoon forests line the creeks and stunning Jawoyn Aboriginal rock art adorns the caves and overhangs. Jatbula Trail All campsites along the Jatbula trail are near permanent water. That for your average walking speed might slow down a bit. The Thorsborne Trail is a 32 kilometre walking trail within Hinchinbrook Island National Park. Now it is one of Australia's best-known and most-loved multi-day bushwalking trails. Route type: Linear trail, from A to B No, the crocodiles cannot be found on top of the escarpment. Hinchinbrook Island is a rugged, outstanding feature of the north Queensland coast. It’s a moderately challenging hike with a full pack, doable by any able adult but best enjoyed if you have a good level of fitness, even better if you’ve practiced carrying a full pack. The Jatbula is an exclusive destination opening only during the dry season from June to September, with a limit of 15 people per day permitted. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, camping, and backpacking. Make sure you download and read the detailed Jatbula Trail trip notes which contains all the essential information you need to know before booking. The campsites are ideally spread about 10 kilometres apart, each beside a picturesque waterfall, creek or rockhole. Each year we also plant trees on behalf of every customer who has travelled with us, aiming to build towards a carbon positive effect with our operations. The trail is an ancient Song Line used by the Jawoyn people. A … Refreshing and relaxing swim spots in picture perfect waterholes, Peaceful evenings under magnificent night skies, Exclusive adventure,  only 15 hikers per day on the trail, Our own range of Lightweight, highly nutritious meals that are locally sourced, delicious and easy to carry & cook ( freeze dried and dehydrated), Transfers or transport to Katherine / Nitmiluk Visitor centre, Ferry across the Katherine River – paid locally $15, Return transfers from Edith falls – vary according to destination & number of pax. are rough, sandy or have hill climbs. The Jatbula Trail follows the escarpment in Arnhem Land from Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) to Leliyn (Edith Falls). Separate camp fees apply. The Jatbula Trail is one of the Top End's best kept walking trails and Traveller's Andrew Bain tells of his experience on the trail. We classify this as a challenging- strenuous walk that best suits more experienced hikers with a good level of fitness and confidence, who are able to walk in a hot environment carrying a pack. You must commence the trail no later than 9am. The guides carry lightweight group tarps that act as shade or shelter in the unlikely event of unseasonal rain. The Northern Rockhole offers a fantastic swimming spot. The trail is marked by blue triangles, usually located every 20-50m. Ferries depart daily at 9am. The area is owned by its traditional people, the Jawoyn people, and the trail actually takes walkers along an ancient songline (a form of charting the land – the story of the land according to Indigenous people). The best preparation for your trek is multi day bushwalking involving relatively steep ascents and descents and in variable weather conditions. The nearby campground is nice and flat, toilets are provided. It’s a great place to swim and explore upstream. Enjoy the scenic waterholes along the Jatbula Trail | Linda Murden. Walking distance: 10.5km, Trek to the Amphitheatre then on to 17 Mile Falls, A good morning trek brings us to the Amphitheatre, an aptly named natural pocket in the escarpment. The food prep is a major hassle of many hikers trips and we solve that for you. We give you all the contacts &  details to nearby transportation, accommodation and hire services,  highlight any risks to be aware of and how to mitigate them. All campsites are close to permanent water, spots to swim (see Swim Spots, below) and offer a welcome and relaxing reward after the day’s hike. As per the below map from the Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife website on the Jatbula Trail. Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to four times a week (this can be cycling, jogging or walking) interspersed with relatively demanding bushwalks carrying a full pack weight (up to 17kg). Walkers have the special opportunity to view beautiful and historic rock art of the Jawoyn people from rock outcrops of the If you do not allow these cookies, we will not know when you have visited our site. The Jatbula Trail is a full pack unsupported trek. You will trek during the cooler months to ensure the best experience of the tropical environment. December through to May have high temperatures and humidity, monsoon rains and the risk of flooding, making it difficult for walking and not recommended. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. The information does not usually identify you directly, but it can give you a more personalized web experience. We operate the trip from June to August when walking conditions are at their best. It is ESSENTIAL that you make your travel arrangements to enable you to attend this briefing.  |, One of the many splendid swimming holes on the Jatbula Trail The Jatbula Trail is a once-in-a-lifetime experience full of majestic beauty in the heartland of the generations of the Jawoyn people.The Jatbula Trail runs along the western edge of the Northern Territory’s Arnhem Escarpment with the adventure taking you along a 62km graded trail beginning on the edge of the stunning Nitmiluk Gorge, continuing through the Nitmiluk National Park and ending at the spectacular Leliyn (Edith Falls).  |. After the walk, you will need to book a transfer from Leliyn (Edith Falls) to Katherine. Birdlife is abundant through this section of the walk with the permanent waterholes. And just relaxing in the dry season our Camping arrangements are delightfully lightweight prep is a full (... 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Clear skies and sleep under the stars range of adventure holidays available across Tasmania 's Overland Track, full!