From tropical savannahs to monsoonal spring-fed forests, the diverse landscapes of this region make it one of Australia’s top birding destinations.
Home to around 240 bird species, the greater Katherine region will give you an insight into a world of flight and colour and inspire you to start your own list of rare birds.
Out west
West of Katherine in the grassy plains of Timber Creek you’ll find Black Kites and Red-Tailed Black Cockatoos. Travel southeast and wander through the thermal springs of Mataranka amongst nests of rare Red Goshawks and the Sacred Kingfisher.
Gould rush
The historic gold rush town of Pine Creek is fast becoming a birding paradise, boasting the largest number of species in the Northern Territory. Many tours pass through this area in search of the vulnerable Gouldian Finch, Black-Tailed Treecreeper and the Blue-Winged Kookaburra.
Converted from disused railway tracks, the landscaped ponds of the Pine Creek Water Gardens now attract a number of species including the great Bowerbird and Red-Winged Parrot.
Inglorious bustards
The floodplains of Borroloola, near the Gulf of Carpentaria, offer remote and exciting bird-watching opportunities.
The area attracts a diverse population including the Australian Bustard, Masked Owl, and the rare and endangered northern (crested) Shrike-Tit.
Robins
Just 27km from Katherine, the Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park is home to over 170 species of birds, including the vulnerable hooded parrot. The best time for bird-watching is in the early morning and late afternoon.
If the lure of flying mammals interests you, the park features tropical limestone caves housing five species of bats. These include the rare orange horseshoe-bat and the ghost bat.
