Katherine NT

Green7Racing · Newbie

Katherine NT

gwb · Senior Member

We stayed in Katherine a few years ago, a week on the way to Darwin and a week on the way back down and thoroughly enjoyed it. We are looking forward to going there again next year hopefully. Just the usual care, the Katherine population were nice and may our stay quite enjoyable.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Can anyone describe any harm actually ever happening to them in any of these places that crop up as "unsafe" from time to time?

Yes, I know, no one actually ever says "black people", but this is racial prejudice at it worst and needs calling out.

Cheers,

Peter

bgt · Guru

Peter I think you are being a bit harsh. Fortitude Valley or Redfern could also be considered as "unsafe". Racial? I think we all tend to generalise. We have spent enough time in some of the roughest cities in the USA. Found ourselves in black only suburbs. Yet we were never threatened. It all boils down to common sense. Lots of bottles, cans and old cars around then keep moving. Don't judge by skin colour but by what you observe.

Mike Harding · Guru

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:

Can anyone describe any harm actually ever happening to them in any of these places that crop up as "unsafe" from time to time?

Yes, I know, no one actually ever says "black people", but this is racial prejudice at it worst and needs calling out.

Oh Gawd. Virtue signalling at its best.

It's a while since I've been in Katherine but, like most such towns, one needs to be "sensible" about where and when one wanders around but, generally, I'd be more concerned walking the back streets of Paris.

Whenarewethere · Guru

We were told not to walk around the back streets of Naples, especially at night. We did, lovely people, food was cheaper & better. As said above, we were on our guard, but common sense!

rgren2 · Guru

When we visit Katherine, we stay here, bit out of town, but a great safe place, a vege bloke drives around each day to sell his wares. No problems in town. Really nice place.
https://www.katherineholidaypark.com.au/

-- Edited by rgren2 on Wednesday 16th of September 2020 03:47:23 PM

Cuppa · Guru

Spent two months living in Katherine some years back & have visited several times, most recently last year, and never once felt unsafe. It may have something to do with my views which lead me to treat all races as I would like to be treated myself, & treat anyone intoxicated with caution - not that we saw much intoxication. The only violence I ever witnessed in Katherine was from middle aged white female cafe owner against a frail old black man whom I judged to be in his 80's. Her physical & verbal attack on him seemed provoked by nothing more than his presence & was one of the worst cases of racism I have witnessed anywhere.
So many places with aboriginal populations carry an undeserved reputation borne out of fear & hearsay. I may be a bit strange but such things act as a magnet to me, I feel the need to visit & see for myself. Not once have I regretted doing so, & many times have had very enjoyable encounters with those I have been warned about. I am not naive enough to think it impossible to get caught up in local problems, but normal common sense works just as well in places like Katherine as it does anywhere else.

Learn a little about the Jawoyn people & Jawoyn country, show genuine interest & respect & you may be surprised by what you get in return.

Much the same when as a young Englishman I hitch-hiked around Northern Ireland at the height of the 'troubles' in the early 70's at the age of 16. That was an eyeopening experience which confirmed for me that 'seeing for yourself' was a worthwhile experience - it was a beautiful place with warm hearted people, not the pile of bombed out rubble & IRA killers waiting to kill me that the English media portrayed.

Most of the negatives are perpetuated by folk who pass through & just LOOK, too fearful & awkward to 'engage'. I believe the perpetuation helps them to rationalise the discomfort they felt & it fits nicely with Australia's institutionalised racism against it's first peoples.

-- Edited by Cuppa on Wednesday 16th of September 2020 04:11:53 PM

bgt · Guru

The key to travel is to travel with open eyes and an open mind. After all, isn't that why we travel? BUT common sense will keep you safe. Not prejudice.

Bjr1 · Member

A few years ago we were sitting in our caravan having lunch in the large parking area behind the main street. Was approached by a local indigenous person who handed me my car keys that I had accidently dropped on the ground outside. We have been to Katherine a number times and have never been concerned about our safety.

bgt · Guru

Peter I rethought your comment. I went back and reread the first 2 posts. I see no racial comments. I think you put 2 and 2 together and got 5. This is why the silent majority stay silent. What ever they say can and is taken out of context or interpreted to suit an agenda.

Magnarc · Guru

Been to Katherine a few times but we never felt threatened in any way. We thought it was a really nice town and very friendly people, but there was one instance that I think deserves to be told. Along the main street there were numerous signs which carried the words "No alcohol to be consumed in public places" or words to that effect, I can't remember the actual words. As we walked along there was this Aboriginal feller sitting with his back against the sign drinking a bottle of red. I have enjoyed many nights around a fire with other nomads and indigenous people and I learned a lot from them.

Go to Katherine put your fears "because thats what they are, fears" behind you and enjoy your trip. If you treat people in the way that you would like to treated you will find that they will respond nine times out of ten.

travelyounger · Guru

We use to shop at Katherine all the time and never had any problems only at the rush for the bottle shop opening at 2.30 it was like a stampede

Cheers

Tony Bev · Guru

Welcome to the forum, Green7Racing

I have never stayed overnight at Katherine, but I have been through a few times, last time about 2 years ago

I found it no different than any other town

Each time I parked up at the large car park, over the road from the main shopping centre, near the visitors info place, while I walked around

It was always fairly full, of RV's

The last time I was there, some young (10 to 14 years old) locals, were asking would you like them to return your trolley, for you

I looked upon this as an enterprising venture, and gladly gave my trolley, with the gold coin, still in place

I can understand that some people, perhaps those who are a bit timid in using free camp sites, may have felt intimidated

Green7Racing · Newbie

Thanks all for your comments.
BGT got it right regarding prejudices, I am originally from the country but now living in Melbourne so I actually feel more at home in small rural communities among local people and have never felt threatened there by anyone of any colour. The only time I have ever been directly threatened was by two white people in the centre of Melbourne.
Racism has no place in our world and neither should we feel uncomfortable about reaching out for advice because of the fear of being jumped on from a great height by ill informed people.
Having traveled and worked in many countries around the world open eyes and open minds are valuable assets both for safety as well as getting the most from the experience.
I will take on the advice about avoiding the bottle shop at 2:30 though
Cheers everyone.
Mark

Greg 1 · Guru

We were in Katherine mid last year. Had no problem personally, but someone broke through the back fence of the caravan park that we were in and stole some bits and pieces from under one of our neighbouring vans awning. So like anywhere, you need to secure your things including locking your van when you go out. This sort of thing happens no matter where you go, so there is no stigma attached to Katherine.

bilbo · Senior Member

K - town is fine....nothing to worry about.....(If)?? you were planning a road trip this year to the NT .....with Vic rego on your car/caravan???.....DONT...you will cop serious flack from a lot of white fellas......cheers Bilbo

Green7Racing · Newbie

Hi Bilbo.
Were planning for July 2021.
Hopefully well be considered well and truly disinfected by then.
Cheers all and stay well.
Mark

Gaylehere · Guru

The last time we were up that way was back in 2017. We did the afternoon boat tour of the gorge and stayed at the CP out at the Gorge and went to the ranger's information talk in the evening. Enjoyed all. Cheers.

Greg 1 · Guru

Do the sunset dinner cruise up the gorge. Food to rival any restaurant, fabulous setting and one of the highlights of our last trip.

Cuppa · Guru

Another absolute 'must do' is a night or three at Edith Falls 60kms north of Katherine - NP caravan park with all facilities and a kiosk. We would never go to Katherine without spending some time there. Take pool noodles for long floats in the water. This link to one of my blog posts shows some photos of Edith Falls (not the camping area) if you scroll down http://cuppa500.com/Blog/2019/08/30/the-bungles-to-borroloola-via-a-bit-more-rough-stuff/

Lovely caravan park a bit out of town - about 9kms I think, on the road out to Broome - Manbulloo Homestead - friendly, shady & with all facilities & on the banks of the Katherine River.

-- Edited by Cuppa on Monday 21st of September 2020 01:51:57 PM