Katherine is a town in the Northern Territory of Australia. It is situated on the Katherine River, after which it is named, 320 kilometres (200 mi) southeast of Darwin. It is the fourth largest settlement in the Territory and is known as the place where “The outback meets the tropics”. Katherine had an urban population of approximately 6,300 at the 2016 Census.[1]

Katherine is also the closest major town to RAAF Base Tindal, located 17 km (11 mi) southeast, and provides education, health, local government services and employment opportunities for the families of Defence personnel stationed there. In the 2016 census, the base had a residential population of 857, with only around 20% of the workforce engaged in employment outside of defence,[2] the majority commuting to work in Katherine. Katherine is also the central hub of the great “Savannah Way” which stretches from Cairns in north Queensland to Broome in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.[3]

Beginning as an outpost established with the Australian Overland Telegraph Line on the north–south transport route between Darwin and Adelaide, Katherine has grown with the development of transport and local industries including mining – particularly gold mining; a strategic military function with RAAF Base Tindal; also as a tourism gateway to the attractions of nearby Nitmiluk National Park, particularly Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge and its many ancient rock paintings. The region floods heavily during the wet season.

Lajamanu, formerly known as Hooker Creek Native Settlement or just Hooker Creek, is a small town of the Northern Territory of Australia. It is located around 560 km (350 mi) from Katherine and approximately 890 km (550 mi) from Darwin. At the 2016 Australian census, Lajamanu had a population of 606, of whom 89.3 percent are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander origin, chiefly Warlpiri people.

MANYALLALUK THE DREAMING PLACE- Manyallaluk is an Aboriginal owned and operated tourism business providing visitors with the unique opportunity to experience Aboriginal culture. Situated 100 kilometres from Katherine, Manyallaluk offers one and three day touring options, including self drive tours. Visitors are welcome to camp, and to visit the art and craft centre, which features the work of local artists.

Kalkarindji (formerly Wave Hill Welfare Settlement, also spelt Kalkaringi ) is a town and locality in the Northern Territory of Australia, located on the Buntine Highway about 554 kilometres (344 mi) south of the territory capital of Darwin and located about 460 kilometres (290 mi) south of the municipal seat in Katherine.

Maningrida, also known as Manayingkarírra and Manawukan, is an Aboriginal community in the heart of the Arnhem Land region of Australia’s Northern Territory. Maningrida is 500 km (311 mi) east of Darwin, and 300 km (186 mi) north east of Jabiru. It is on the North Central Arnhem Land coast of the Arafura Sea, on the estuary of the Liverpool River.

The Kunibídji (Ndjebbana) people are the traditional owners of this country. Major players in the town’s economic and political life include the West Arnhem Regional Council, the Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation, the Maningrida Progress Association, and Mala’la Health Service Aboriginal Corporation. Maningrada Arts & Culture, with its Djómi Museum, is a major art centre, known both nationally and internationally.

Nauiyu Nambiyu is an Aboriginal community in the Katherine Region of the Northern Territory, Australia. The settlement was originally founded in the 1950s as a Roman Catholic mission on Mulluk-Mulluk aboriginal land. It is located on the banks of the large perennial Daly River, near the town of Daly River, Northern Territory, and located 230 km from Darwin, the capital of the Northern Territory

Known for being ‘Rockhole’, this community is only 20ks out side of Katherine,NT. It’s a small community that is apart of the Kalano Region