Jatbula Trail – Nitmiluk to Edith Falls 6 Days 60kms Northern Territory

Jatbula Trail/ DISCLOSURE: THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING I GET A COMMISSION IF YOU DECIDE TO MAKE A PURCHASE THROUGH MY LINKS, AT NO COST TO YOU –

 

The Jatbula Trail is a iconic walk located in the Northern Territory of Australia, A 60km hike through Nitmiluk National Park (in the Katherine region) from the Nitmiluk visitors centre (Katherine gorge) to Leliyn (Edith Falls) Since the 1980’s it has been a known walking trail and was named the Jatbula Trail after Peter Jatbula. A traditional land Jawoyn Elder who saw the idea of making the trail more accessible and to show the connection between the Jawoyn country and culture. 

However the trail has been walked for thousands of years by the Jawoyn people, Linking wet and dry season habitation areas. Along the trail stories and songs were told for the exchange ofT skills and knowledge but stories and songs were also a form of navigation. 

If you have not done so already, I recommend you booking into doing this trek

It has a walking season of only 4 months from June to the end of September and the booking period opens on the 1st of November and sells out very quickly. 

We had a blast, while swimming in water holes, rivers and waterfalls each afternoon. As soon as the sun went down and dinner was digested – it was star gazing time every night, it happened to be a meteor shower event on the 2nd to the 7th of August 2019. As you would Wake during the night, the sky was well lit with millions of stars and the occasional shooting star / shower.

If this is not on your bucket list then put it in there NOW – This year I had the privilege to lead a group of 13 with Lenka, which also has a love for the great outdoors. after months of anticipation from the group members our time was now, it was out time to arrive into Darwin and taste the warm winter weather and hit the trail. 

I arrived on the 2pm Virgin flight 31/7/19 and once checked into the YHA hostel set out to get the camping gas for the whole group, then went down to Darwin’s waterfront for a swim and a few beers at Bar Il Lindo with Brendon and Neville. We had dinner later that night near our hostel and when the boys Called it a night and with my terrible sleeping patterns I decided to stay awake for the remainder of the group which arrived after 1am the morning of the 1/8/19 – right now time for a few hours of shut eye before the show begins. 

The next day we had free time until 1pm where i asked the group to get a maxi taxi back to the airport and for them to meet Lenka and I as we were organising the hire cars. Apparently we had new cars, well they didn’t drive like it – more about that later.

we finally met the three remaining members of the group at the airport, Roozbeh, Lisa and Kathleen, then it was off in earnest down the Stuart highway on the A1 for our 3.5hr drive to Nitmiluk visitors centre. It was nudging 7pm when Lenka and I had to do the hellish drive back out for our car shuffle, so we had cars for the end of our trip and we did not get back to camp until after 9:30pm. And special thanks goes to the guys that bought both of us Food and a beer from the caravan park kiosk… 

 

The Jatbula Trail Day 1 – 2/8/18 11am 8 km Nitmiluk Visitors Centre to Biddlecombe Cascades

 

An early departure from the camp site but the anticipation from the group was high in taking the short stroll over to Nitmiluk visitors centre for breakfast and the last Coffee for 6 days was no issue. A mandatory trail briefing followed at 08:30 by Northern Territory Parks. Then we were off down the path to the boat departure point where we literally just crossed the width of the Katherine river to the start point. 

Thats it we are off by about 9:30 and after 3.5/ 4km we reach the Northern Rock hole for our first swim on trail, the special thing about this one is that its actually on trail, while the rest of the water holes are at camp. 
It was only another 6kms to camp and we were to reach Biddlecombe Cascades by Midday and after we all had lunch, some of us ventured down to the lower pool while the rest stayed at the upper pool. 

Let the Fun begin –

 

After camp dinner the night was spent watching star TV – while shooting a few Milky Way astro images.

 

BiddleCombe Cascades Upper Falls


JATBULA TRAIL DAY 2 – 3/8/18 – 8AM – 11.5KM Biddlecombe Cascades to Crystal Falls 

 

Day two was welcomed by a 8am departure back up along the escarpment and a few small creeks crossings before a small unnamed rock art site, here we had a break to clamber in finding some interesting rock art. We arrived into camp around Midday for a gorgeous camp site right near the river. After lunch many of us went swimming up stream to a waterfall / rock oasis. We all enjoyed the serenity of Crystal Falls camp and at sunset went up to a rocky outcrop to watch the sunset. 
Tonight was much similar than the night before camp dinner and Star TV 

 

JATBULA TRAIL DAY 3 – 4/8/18 – 8AM – 10KM Crystal Falls to 17 Mile Falls

 

This morning by now the group is getting use to the 8am departures as we set off crossing the river and only a little challenging section to reach the other side. Once the shoes and socks process was complete our short walk to Crystal Falls lookout presented and a grandeur view of “crystal Falls” and the gorge. We continued up until the 7km mark to reach the Amphitheatre, a Indigenous rock art site – this area is a old “rainforest” in a depression. After our break in viewing the art we head off for our final 3kms to camp and 17 Mile Falls. 

Again, like the previous days arrival into camp was around 12pm so that ment plenty of time to set camp, have lunch and have a play like little kids in the infinity pools and enjoy the grand view that presented itself. 
Dinner and you guessed it more STAR TV – 

 

JATBULA TRAIL DAY 4 – 5/8/18 – 07:45 – 17KM 17 Mile Falls to Sandy Camp 

 

I’am always sad to leave this camp site, anyway 07:45 and off we go – today was our longest day on trail in terms of distance. So we set off a bit earlier and took break roughly on the hour as these nest few days were ment to be in the mid 30’s. We did well to arrive at Sandy Camp just after 12:30pm and had there rest of the day to enjoy the huge pool. As I couldn’t resist it, I made a plan with Justin to use my para cord as a swing and that passed our time for a few hours in the mid afternoon. Gee I love being a big kid. 

JATBULA TRAIL DAY 5 – 6/8/19 – 8AM – 11km Sandy Camp to Sweetwater Pool 

 

Our 8am departure from camp saw us make the 11km journey to sweet water pool just after 11:30am and for the group to enjoy an amazing afternoon in such a gorgeous setting. Sweetwater being only 4.5km from Edith falls ment it was also accessible for day hikers and is a point where they are not allowed to go any further unless they have a permit to be on the Jatbula trail. 

Just after Midday Lenka and I decided to leave camp and walk out the 4.5km to do the car shuffle and pick up the car at Nitmiluk Visitors Centre. just after we started something told me to bring my head lamp but nah she will be right mate, as we should have more than enough day light and I expected to be back at camp around 5ish. 

After making nitmiluk Visitors centre by 2pm it was looking good to be back at camp by the said time. However enter Lenka’s car Issue’s, The car didn’t start so I was waved over and what seemed like a battery issue we went to get help for a jump start from the staff at the visitors centre. As that did not seem to be the problem as to why the cars ignition was not turning over and even after checking the fuses nothing could be found, So it was unfortunately off to ring the car hire Mob. 

While they said we had a service vehicle due to arrive at 4pm, that meant we had almost 1.5hrs so I decided to try and start the car again and as I turned the key in the ignition the plastic that housed the key fell apart. And of course there was no service vehicle coming at 4pm there was no one available until 5pm, I only found this out after calling back at 4pm. I managed to fix the key and put it back together, however it needed tape around it to keep it in place. Great – car starts but its too late to cancel the service vehicle. 

Not impressed as $280 later – this is before the fair trading act, as I intend to get a full refund. This means we are finally on our merry way after 5pm and get back to Edith Falls car park just after 6pm for our walk back in as the sun is fading. As light had faded we met Justin about 15 mins out from our camp site, What a drama and a swim straight in Sweetwater pool to wash the drama away. I can now tell you that 6 weeks later I finally got a refund from the head office of Bargain Car Rental.

Jatbula Trail DAY 6 – 7/8/19 – 8AM – 4.5km Sweetwater Pool to Edith Falls 

 

We leave Sweetwater behind at 8am for the short 4km walk to the upper pools at Edith Falls. We are here for about 1 hour and then arrive at Edith Falls Kiosk for a rushed bite to eat. And Finally 11:15 was our departure for the trip back to Darwin. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IF travelling to Darwin or the Northern Territory you might want to use Booking.com for your accommodation needs. 

 

Gear for your trip, i recommend to visit The North Face Or Merrel Australia and Mountian Designs

for Backpacks visit  Osprey Back Packs

 

Visit my photography face book page here: Indigo Photography

 

Indigo Adventures

Norman Herfurth

(C) Indigo Photography

Yours In Adventure 

 

“This Blog is of the Opinion of my own Personal Experiences and are not necessarily Fact. And is written to the best of my knowledge, there may be omissions, errors or mistakes. This blog is for entertainment and/or informational purposes only and shouldn’t be seen as any kind of advice.”