Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GHUNMARN CULTURAL CENTRE
If you're interested in seeing genuine Aboriginal art produced by local communit-
ies, it's worth detouring off the Stuart Hwy to this remote cultural centre.
The small community of Beswick is reached via the sealed Central Arnhem Hwy
56km east of the Stuart Hwy on the southern fringes of Arnhem Land. Here you'll
9.30am-4pm Mon-Fri Apr-Nov)
, opened in 2007, and displaying local artworks, prints,
carvings, weaving and didgeridoos from western Arnhem Land. The centre also
features the Blanasi Collection, a permanent exhibition of works by elders from the
western Arnhem Land region. Visitors are welcome to visit the centre without a
permit − call ahead to check that it's open. If you can't get out here, drop in to
Djilpin Arts (
Click here
) in Katherine.
A very special festival at Beswick is Walking With Spirits (
Click here
) - magical
performances of traditional corroborees staged in conjunction with the Australian
Shakespeare Company. It's held on the first weekend in August. Camping is pos-
sible at Beswick Falls over this weekend but advance bookings are essential.
Butterfly Gorge
BUSHWALKING
A challenging, shady walk (12km return, 4½ hours) through a pocket of monsoon rain-
forest, often with butterflies, leads to midway along the second gorge and a deep-water
swimming spot.
Jawoyn Valley
BUSHWALKING
A difficult (40km loop, overnight) wilderness trail leading off the Eighth Gorge walk into
a valley with rock outcrops and rock-art galleries.
Jatbula Trail
BUSHWALKING
This renowned walk (66km one way, five days, difficult) to Leliyn (Edith Falls) climbs
the Arnhem Land escarpment, passing the swamp-fed Biddlecombe Cascades, Crystal
Falls, the Amphitheatre and the Sweetwater Pool. This walk can only be done one way
(ie you can't walk from Leliyn to Katherine Gorge). It is closed from October to April,
and a minimum of two walkers are required. A ferry service ($7) takes you across the
gorge to kick things off.
Canoeing
Nothing beats exploring the gorges in your own boat, and lots of travellers canoe at least
as far as the first or second gorge. Bear in mind the intensity of the sun and heat, and the
