Locality Guide - Katherine, NT

We regard Katherine as the gateway to the famous "Top End", Crocodiles, Barramundi, Cowboys, Tall Stories we’ve got the lot.

Situated some 321km South of Darwin on the banks of the Katherine River with a population of approximately 10,000 we have a diverse economic base comprising:

Defence
Tourism
Agriculture and Horticulture
Mining.

Central provision of many government and aboriginal services for the regions which extends from the Queensland border to the Western Australian border.

Defence

RAAF Base Tindal is the home of the 75 Squadron of FA-18 Jet Fighters and is situated 15km south of the town.  Total RAAF population including families in the Katherine area, is currently 2300 and with the development of the Delamere Bombing Range and the massive Bradshaw Military Training facility in the region, its future looks assured.

Agriculture & Horticulture

Produce in the area includes fresh vegetables, mangoes, citrus, peanuts, melons and strawberries.

Other commodities such as maize, soybeans, sesame, sorghum, cavalcade seed, rice, mung beans, watermelons, pumpkins and rockmelons are being grown by members of the Northern Territory Irrigation, Grain and Fodder Producers Association Incorporation.

Katherine is a key location in the thriving live cattle export industry both as a supply centre for the vast cattle stations and as a staging/aggregation point for cattle from the Kimberley, North Queensland and the Territory leading to the ports of Darwin, Wyndham and Broome.

Mining

Mining has played a major role in the Katherine Region over the years.  Two gold mines and a processing plant are due to open in the region during 2006.

Tourist Information
(08) 8972 2650

Katherine is a very popular destination from April to September for those people wanting to escape the southern winter.  The weather is idyllic with warm days and cool nights.  Either end of "the dry" is when the fishermen and adventure seekers come to the fore to experience the excitement of the "Top End Wet".  The rivers run hard and the flora and fauna burst into the growing and breeding cycles.  Everybody should experience the excitement of at least one wet season.

Documented attractions include Katherine Gorge, Cutta Cutta Caves, Katherine Hot Springs, Museum and other areas of historical significance.

Katherine is serviced by a major shopping precinct and a number of smaller convenience stores.

There are many restaurants in Katherine and a local cinema.

At the junction of the Victoria and Stuart Highways, Katherine is easily accessible by road from the north, south, east and west.

There are also regular flights to and from Katherine.

Most bus companies service the area on a regular basis. Bus companies include:

Mc Cafferty’s (08) 89721044

Buslink (08) 89710995

Community facilities in the region include the Katherine Hospital (08) 89739211.

Government and Aboriginal Services

Government providers based in Katherine and servicing the vast region include Sport and Recreation, Housing, Local Government, Health, Motor Registry and Family and Children Services.

A number of organisations including Kalano Association, Jarwoyn Association, Northern Land Council, Sunrise Health Services, Katherine West Health Board, Wurli Wurlingjang Health Board and the Centre for Remote Health employ a significant number of people and provide services to remote and local aboriginal communities.  Training facility in the region its future looks assured.

The Clyde Fenton Pre-School, contactable on (08) 8972 1124 services the Katherine area.

Primary Schools in the area include:

Clyde Fenton Primary School (08) 89721278

Katherine South Primary School (08) 89721277

Casuarina Street Primary School (08) 89712643

MacFarlane Primary School (08) 89723666

Beswick School (08) 89754529

Pigeon Hole School (08) 89750812

Jilkminggan School (08) 89754896

Minyerri School (08) 89759972

Numbulwar School (08) 89754650

Urapunga School (08) 89754645

The following secondary education facilities operate in the area:

Northern Territory Rural College (08) 89738311

St Joseph’s College (08) 89723555

Katherine High School (08) 89738200

Students seeking tertiary education can access the following facilities:

TAFE 1800 000 246

Northern Territory University (08) 8946 666
Internet: www.ntu.edu.au

Katherine has many sporting venues including golf courses, bowling greens, tennis, netball and basketball courts. Three codes of football are played in the town.

Other activities include bush walking, canoeing, fishing, 4WD touring, horse riding and water sports.