Southern Rockhole

Southern Rockhole is a waterhole located along the Katherine Gorge in the Nitmiluk National Park. The waterfall is mostly active in the wet season, but you can swim at the swimming hole all year round (there are no crocodiles here as it is nestled in a small side tributary that leads into the gorge over a series of rocks and boulders). The rest of the Katherine River has been closed to swimming due to the risk of crocodiles, but this waterhole is still open.

It is a 4.3km hike one way to the swimming hole from the visitor center. The hike is marked with markers and maps along the way. (If you want to take a shortcut you can park 900m south of the visitor center along the side of the road and it turns it into a 3.4km hike one way.) You can also get a really nice view of the Katherine Gorge from Pat’s Lookout.

Location

Gorge Road, Katherine Gorge, NT

Directions

From Katherine Gorge Visitor Centre
*Hike south from the visitor center alongside Gorge Road. 900m
*Bear left. 800m
*Bear right onto Southern Walk. 400m
*Turn left onto Windolf Walk. 1.8km
*Turn left onto Southern Waterhole. 400M