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The Katherine Art Gallery is at Top Didj Cultural Experience & Art Gallery on the Gorge Rd. It holds an excellent collection of Aboriginal Art. Presenting a portfolio of artists from the region, the gallery reflects the cultural diversity and influences of the Jawoyn, Warlpiri and Dalabon Aboriginal people. The gallery also houses a range of collections from regions of Arnhem Land, the Central Western Desert, and areas in Western Australia. Clients from all over the world maintain contact with the gallery to purchase the didgeridoos, artefacts and paintings. There is something for everyone and every budget in the Katherine Art Gallery.
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Top Didj and Art Gallery has a beautiful bush location 7 km from the post office on the way to Katherine Gorge. This is home of the Katherine Cultural Experience. The gallery offers a large range of didgeridoos and authentic Aboriginal artwork. There are Aboriginal crafts including boomerangs, weaving, artifacts, clap sticks, carvings and souvenirs. Cultural Experiences (a) Cultural Talk- with Manuel Pamkal relating to growing up in the bush, cultural differences, tribal life and his own family tree (b) Painting- Tourists get a chance to sit down with Manuel Pamkal and paint a traditional Rarrk painting (Cross Hatch). (c) Fire Lighting- Tourists have an opportunity to participate in the ancient craft of lighting a fire by rubbing two sticks together and be fascinated by the story describing the two sticks. (d) Spear Throwing- Manuel explains the use of a Woomera and Spear to perfectly hit the target which is a fake kangaroo. Visitors then get the chance to participate. (e) The owners belong to wildlife rescue so there is always a joey to hold or feed.
Displays including a room on the Overland Telegraph Line, another on the Chinese in the Territory, a Gypsy Moth Aircraft, plus detailed history of the changes of the town from the first settlement at Knots Crossing to the building of 'The Katherine', to the modern settlement.
The Katherine School of the Air in Giles Street, is a distance education school, making it a living example of an historic outback schooling tradition. The School caters for isolated students residing in the top half of the Northern Territory or temporarily travelling in remote areas. Curriculum materials are delivered to the students via correspondence and high frequency radio. Radio broadcasts can be clearly heard as far away as Germany and the Antarctic. The Katherine School of the Air delivers education to children in an 800,000-km² radius. Travellers can stop by and experience the School for themselves, watching and listening as the pupils participate in lessons. This is a great opportunity to gain insight into a unique part of life in the most remote outback areas, and to learn about the vision that made the School of the Air possible. Entry fees apply
Good first stop to get free info, maps, etc.
It's in Nitmiluk National Park about 30 minutes northeast of the town. There are many ways to experience the spectacular Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge) and its world-renowned gorge system - you can walk, swim, canoe, boat or fly. Walks over the sandstone plateau range from an hour to 5 days and offer spectacular views of the Gorge, as well as other landscapes. Some, like the 58-km Jatbula Trail, take in most of Nitmiluk's landscapes - monsoon rainforest, stone country, upland swamp, woodland and river – while the shorter walks may not be quite so varied, but are always spectacular. You can hire canoes at the Gorge, or bring your own. Commercially operated 2-, 3½- and 4-hour cruises are available, as are helicopter flights. Rivers rising during December to April can restrict all activities but there is always something to do. Swimming and canoeing are generally only activities for May to November. The cruises available vary between the 2 varying seasons. Free entry.
About 27 km south of Katherine via the Stuart Highway. Daily guided one-hour tours of the unique cave system plus 20-minute 'Tropical Woodland Walk' directly off the car park. Check tour times before you visit.