Jatbula Trail Information Booklet - Walking Maps

Jatbula
Trail
Walking Maps
On the Track
Jatbula Trail
Walking Maps
Introduction
The Jatbula Trail is one of the most popular extended walks in Australia. Situated
amongst the stunning ancient landscape of Nitmiluk National Park, the 62 km
walk follows the route travelled by generations of Jawoyn people, from Nitmiluk
(Katherine Gorge) to Leliyn (Edith Falls). Following the western edge of the Arnhem
Land Escarpment, the trail traverses sandstone plateau scrub, woodlands, open forest,
sandstone monsoon forest and riverine landscapes.
The trail was named after Jawoyn Traditional Owner Peter Jatbula who was
instrumental in securing land rights for his people and who walked the route of the
trail with his family. The Jawoyn people and the Parks and Wildlife Commission
work together to provide visitors with an opportunity to walk through this ancient
natural and cultural landscape.
The one-way trail starts on the eastern side of 17 Mile Creek, via a short boat ride
across the Katherine River. Here walkers begin their journey through stunning
scenery, with opportunities to view Jawoyn rock art and swim at pristine waterholes
at each camp site.
Experiencing the Jatbula Trail is truly a must, however it is essential to be well
prepared to safely enjoy the walk. Please be sure to read the information provided as
your safety and enjoyment of the walk is important to us.
B e a g l e G u lf
Gunn
Pt.
DARWIN
Point Stuart
Chambers Bay
Shoal Bay
Peter Jatbula
Finke Bay
Lee Pt.
DJUKBINJ
NATIONAL
PARK
Charles Pt
Palmerston
34
KAKADU
49
Grose I.
Noonamah
114
WAY
HIGH
AR
NH
78
Fog Bay
JABIRU
101
EM
56
JIM
AD
RO
90
JIM
Batchelor
80
H IG
RT
UA
S T 49
LITCHFIELD
NATIONAL
PARK
Anson Bay
HW
AY
NATIONAL
Adelaide
River
PARK
Hayes Creek
Douglas Hot
Springs
65 Emerald
69
Springs
U
KAKAD
Daly River
H IG
Nitmiluk
National Park
Riv
er
AY
H W 47
Umbrawarra
Gorge Nature Park
19
ith
Ed
NITMILUK
NATIONAL
PARK
River
Pine Creek
INSET
(see inset)
Edith Falls
Katherine Gorge
43
rine
the
Ka
W
GH
HI
52
AY
Cutta Cutta
Nature Park
54
Leliyn
(Edith Falls)
30
KATHERINE
Jatbula Trail
(Nitmiluk Visitor Centre
to Leliyn)
Flora River
Nature Park
T
V IC
OR
IA
Mataranka
kms
20
0
20
40
kms
60
ELSEY
NATIONAL
PARK
8
30
Nitmiluk Visitor Centre
and surrounding day
and overnight walks
Parks and Wildlife Commission NT
2
On the Track
Jatbula Trail
Walking Maps
Edith River Crossing
4
17 Mile Falls
The Ampitheatre
Sandy Camp
5
Leliyn (Edith Falls)
Edith River
South
6
7
Sweetwater
Pool
Legend
1
KEY LOCATION
TOURIST INFORMATION
BBQ FACILITIES
TOILETS
RANGER STATION
DRINKING WATER
180
The Ampitheatre
Northern Rockhole
0
3.8
8.3
19.3
25.8
4.5
15.5
22
Camp 2
Biddlecombe Cascades
11
17.5
Camp 3
Crystal Falls
Location
The Ampitheatre
Camp 4
17 Mile Falls
Location
Edith River Crossing
Camp 6
Sandy Camp
Location
Edith River South
Camp 7
Sweetwater Pool
6.5
Leliyn (Edith Falls)
Crystal Falls
Nitmiluk Visitor Centre
Sweetwater Pool
Biddlecombe Cascades
3
Edith River South
Northern Rockhole
2
Sandy Camp
ABORIGINAL ART
1
Northern
Rockhole
Edith River Crossing
EMERGENCY CALL DEVICE
1
140
17 Mile Falls
LOOKOUT
1
160
Elevation (metre
CHECK POINT
Location
Biddlecombe
Cascades
200
NO CAMPING
Camp 1
260
220
MEALS
Days along the Trail
280
240
CAMPING
Distance Graph
NOTE:
300
SWIMMING
HELIPAD
3
Crystal
Falls
CAMPSITES
CARAVAN PARK
Camp 8
Download the
‘Before You Go’
booklet before
heading out and
be prepared.
3
4
4
5
5
5
29.3
41
46.1
51.7
57.2
61.7
25.5
37.2
42.3
47.9
53.4
57.9
21
32.7
37.8
43.4
48.9
53.4
10
21.7
26.8
32.4
37.9
42.4
3.5
15.2
20.3
25.9
31.4
35.9
11.7
16.8
22.4
27.9
32.4
5.1
10.7
16.2
20.7
5.6
11.1
15.6
5.5
1
Nitmiluk
Visitor Centre
10
4.5
Leliyn (Edith Falls)
Progressive daily total only as a guide. Walking trail should only take between 4 - 6 days to complete. Distances in
kilometres.
Parks and Wildlife Commission NT
3
2
Jatbula Trail
Walking Maps
On the Track
Northern Rockhole
Your adventure begins. The trail winds through
the 17 Mile Valley and comes to a large waterhole.
Depending on the wet season, the falls flow during
the months of December to July.
2
This spectacular waterfall is situated amongst high
cliff faces and during the drier winter months the
black algae coated rock face provides a picturesque
back drop to the waterhole. This is a perfect first
stop for an early lunch or morning tea.
(8.3 km)
Permanent water.
Falls running Dec.
to May (3.8 km)
nM
ntee
Seve
Northern Rockhole
eek
ile Cr
1
Parks and Wildlife Commission NT
4
Jatbula Trail
Walking Maps
Biddlecombe Cascades
Spectacular views of the 17 Mile Valley
can be seen along this section of the trail.
The campground is located on sandy
ground. Nearby are the swamp-fed
Cascades which flow all year round and
provide a great spot for cooling off.
On the Track
3
(19.3 km)
Biddlecombe Cascades
2
(8.3 km)
Parks and Wildlife Commission NT
5
On the Track
Jatbula Trail
Walking Maps
Crystal Falls
The trail meanders through the rock country above the
17 Mile Valley escarpment.
Pockets of thick vegetation can be seen along with
Aboriginal paintings created by the Jawoyn people. The
campground is located on Crystal Creek with good
shade, swimming and drinking water. Crystal Falls flows
all year round as it is fed by nearby swamps and springs.
4
(29.3 km)
(25.8 km)
Crystal Falls
Rock art in
The Amphitheatre
3
(19.3 km)
The
Amphitheatre
A horseshoe-shaped depression in the side of the
escarpment forms the Amphitheatre. Around
the base of the high walls are Jawoyn Aboriginal
paintings. Please help protect the paintings - do
not touch.
Within the Amphitheatre there is a monsoon
rainforest pocket with a semi-permanent stream
where you can usually find water.
Parks and Wildlife Commission NT
6
(46.6 km)
Jatbula Trail
Walking Maps
On the Track
17 Mile Falls
17 Mile Falls is a spectacular singledrop waterfall which flows throughout
the year, although the volume decreases
throughout the dry season. From the
top there are good views of the valley
below. The 17 Mile Falls campground,
3.5 km from the Amphitheatre, offers a
permanent drinking water supply and
swimming.
(41 km)
5
There is no water available between 17
Mile Falls and Edith River Crossing so
ensure you carry enough drinking water
for the 11 km hike.
17 Mile Falls
Edith River Crossing
Parks and Wildlife Commission NT
(29.3 km)
Nearing the crossing the trail passes
through thick stands of Grevilleas and
Melaleucas. The trail crosses the river at
the Edith River Crossing.
4
There is no reliable water between Edith
River Crossing and Sandy Camp so ensure
you carry enough water for the 5.6 km
hike.
7
On the Track
Jatbula Trail
Walking Maps
Sandy Camp Pool
From Edith River Crossing the trail follows the Edith
River downstream. There are numerous small waterholes
along the way. Sandy Camp Pool is a large picturesque
water hole on the Edith River which provides good
camping on sandy beaches under the shade of large
Melaleuca trees (Paperbarks).
Sandy Camp Pool
(41 km)
(46.6 km)
5
Sandy Camp
Pool
(52.2 km)
Parks
and Wildlife Commission NT
(57.7 km)
8
On the Track
Jatbula Trail
Walking Maps
(41 km)
Edith River South
This location is not suitable for camping.
One km further is the Lerombol
Rainforest. This is a large rainforest pocket
associated with the Edith River and smaller
tributaries.
Camping is permitted at Sweetwater Pool
(5 km from Edith River South).
(46.6 km)
5
(52.2 km)
(57.7 km)
6
Sweetwater Pool
Sweetwater Pool is the last camping destination
before reaching Leliyn (Edith Falls). There is a
large waterhole, ideal for cooling off.
Sweetwater Pool
Parks and Wildlife Commission NT
9
On the Track
Jatbula Trail
Walking Maps
Leliyn (Edith Falls)
At the end of Jatbula Trail you will come across small
waterfalls and cascades. Spectacular views from the
escarpment edge can be seen.
Leliyn has a commercially run campground and
camping fees apply.
Leliyn (Edith Falls)
7
(62.2 km)
(52.2 km)
(57.7 km)
6
Transport from Leliyn
Gecko Canoeing and Trekking provide a bus service
from Leliyn (Edith Falls) to Katherine township,
minimum numbers of 4 passengers are required.
•
Bookings: Ph 08 8972 2224 / 1800 634 319
•
Email: [email protected]
•
Web: www.geckocanoeing.com
Parks and Wildlife Commission NT
10

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