Katherine

Drought Breaker 2 · Member

Katherine

elliemike · Guru

Drought Breaker 2 wrote:
Hi Nomads out and about this wide country, we are presently at Mataranka on our way up north further. Just out of curiosity, has anyone stayed, and shopped in Katherine. Listening to different people on their views on the town, we are somewhat weary about parking there to shop, has any of you travellers had a problem leaving their vehicles/caravans/motorhomes to walk around and look and shop in the town. Thanks for any replies and stay safe on the roads

We were there Twice in August (Also in previous years travelling) and did not have any problem. Was not at all concerned about parking the car and van,

in the street, or the large van parking area behind the Tourist Information Office Good coffee and Cakes at the Tourist info. Excellent Toilet Facillities. Also there is a Caravan Water Fill Point outside the building ($2 per 100 ltrs.)

Shopping centre across the road from the Tourist Info Office.

We stayed out at Manbulloo Stn CP Enjoyed it there. In the past we stayed closer in but this is not far out. and about 15 minutes into Town. Never been downtown in Katherine in the Evening though.

-- Edited by elliemike on Sunday 12th of August 2018 05:03:55 PM

-- Edited by elliemike on Monday 13th of August 2018 09:57:02 AM

Desert Dweller · Guru

We flew up to Darwin & hired an SUV to visit Kakadu & Katherine Gorge on a 3 week trip in September last year.

We stayed at Manbulloo Station a few kms out of town in a cabin for 3 nights, they also have a lovely shady CP.

We shopped at Woolworths & bought alcohol at BWS with no problems at all after providing ID at BWS. Lots of armed police around.

From memory the alcohol outlets don't open until 2pm with good reason.

The local layabouts gather in the parks, stay away from the toilets, they're disgusting.

We aren't against indigenous folk, we think that they need a lot of assistance & funding.

Not a lot to see in town from our experience, quite a few shops gutted & boarded up.

The cruise up the gorge is well worth it though.

-- Edited by Desert Dweller on Sunday 12th of August 2018 07:20:32 PM

LLD · Guru

We stayed here for 5 days in early June at http://www.shadylanetouristpark.com.au

No problems.

A picture that amused us. Fireworks with Alcohol next door.

.

The Belmont Bear · Guru

A couple of years ago we hired a motorhome out of Darwin and toured around the top end for a few weeks. We spent a few nights at the Riverview CP which was only about 5 minutes from town, it had good amenities including pool and restaurant. We found parking in the main street (not always that easy in a 6 berth Maui) shopped at the supermarket/bottle shop in the mall and visited the very good information center without any issues. As DD said there were a few indigineous people sitting around under trees in the parks but they seemed to be minding their own business and not bothering anybody at least in the middle of the day when we were there.. When the bottle shop opened there were definately a few locals hanging around outside the entrance to the mall but again they were behaving themselves. I cant say that we felt at all uneasy or unsafe during the 3 or 4 visits that we made into the centre of town.

cheers
BB

-- Edited by The Belmont Bear on Sunday 12th of August 2018 07:57:10 PM

Wanda · Guru

No problems at all, just be aware. Large parking area for caravans/motor homes just off the main street(on the right side going north) opposite side entrance to Woolies or behind the Visitor information centre. Most of the Independant service stations also take your Coles/Woolies vouchers for cheap fuel.
Just do it, its not that scarry
cheers
Ian

-- Edited by Wanda on Monday 13th of August 2018 09:00:31 AM

Magnarc · Guru

I have an amusing recollection of Katherine from 8yrs ago. Walking down the main street there were signs that said, "No alcohol to be consumed in public areas" or words to that effect, I can't remember the exact wording but sitting under one of them with his back against it, was a bloke drinking from the bladder taken from the cardboard box of the cask. It would have made a great pic but I was not game in case he took offence!!!

kesa32 · Senior Member

We just left Katherine, did the 2 gorge cruise this time while we were there ( stayed 2 weeks ago on the way to Darwin )
Don't worry about the locals , their pretty harmless, at worst they might try to " humbug " you for money etc

We also stayed @ www.shadylanetouristpark.com.au/ , it's really good , very clean amenities etc and on the Gorge side of Katherine , only a few minutes from Katherine

Drought Breaker 2 · Member

Many thanks to everyone that has answered my query, will take everything on board

Tony Bev · Guru

I went through Katherine three times, in the last five years, but did not stay at a caravan park, or inside the townsite

As others have already said, there is a large area behind the Tourist info centre, for caravans and RV's

I never had any problems with the locals, there or anywhere else