Map of Katherine, NT 0850 - Census Demographics - Melway, Sydway, Brisway, Ausway, Street Smart (original) (raw)

Katherine is a town situated 320 kilometres (200 mi) southeast of Darwin in the "Top End" of Australia in the Northern Territory. It is the fourth largest settlement in the Territory after the capital Darwin, Palmerston and Alice Springs. Katherine had an urban population of 5,849 on the 2006 Census night.

Set in promising grazing and future agricultural country, the town's main economic source has often been gold, but this has lessened after the closing of the mine at Mount Todd. There is increasing tourism and the RAAF Base Tindal 17 km southeast of town is also contributing to the economy. The town has several churches, sporting clubs, parks, a well-kept golf course, and a showground.

The well known and spectacular Katherine Gorge in the Nitmiluk National Park near the town has many ancient rock paintings. These often become flooded during "the wet season" as the river can rise 18 m in the narrow passage. In a particularly wet season, the paintings higher up can become flooded, damaging these ancient treasures.

The original inhabitants of the area belong to the Jawoyn, Dagoman and Wardaman language groups.