Jatbula Trail

The Jatbula Trail is a 62 kilometres (39 mi) one-way walking trail in the Northern Territory of Australia. It starts at Nitmiluk Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park and finishes at Edith Falls (Aboriginal Jawoyn language: Leliyn).

Jatbula Trail
Length62 km (39 mi)
LocationNorthern Territory, Australia
TrailheadsNitmiluk Gorge, Edith Falls
UseHiking
DifficultyGrade 4
SeasonWinter
MonthsJune to September
Sightssandstone plateau, monsoon forests, waterholes, cascades
HazardsDehydration, Snakes, Hyperthermia
Maintained byParks and Wildlife Commission of the NT
Websitehttps://nt.gov.au/leisure/parks-reserves/plan-your-visit/bushwalking-hiking/nitmiluk-national-park-jatbula-trail

The Trail follows the route travelled by generations of Jawoyn people between the Gorge and Edith Falls. It is named after Peter Jatbula, a Jawoyn man who was instrumental in securing land rights for his people and who walked this route with his family. Members of Peter Jatbula’s family still live in the area today and continue to help look after "Country".[1]

From the standpoint of Australia's indigenous people, the word "Country" speaks to the custodial relationship and responsibility that they have towards the landscape around them. It is a rich heritage in which "culture, nature and land are all linked".[2]

Path
Map of Nitmiluk National Park, showing the trail

The trail terrain consists of sandstone plateau scrub, woodlands, monsoon forests and riverine landscapes along the Western Arnhem Land escarpment.[3] The Trail is marked by blue triangles, usually located every 20 to 50 metres.[1] There are overnight camp sites at Biddlecombe Cascades, Crystal Falls, 17 Mile Falls, Sandy Camp and Sweetwater Pool. Each is near a spring or cascade.[4]

Management

Bookings are essential and the number of walkers on each section of the track is restricted. With the exception of SweetwaterPool, the last campsite, overnight stays at the campsites are mandatory, making the entire trek either five or six days (four or five nights).[5]

Reviews

According to visitors, the trail passes through spectacular landscapes and there is swimming available at each campsite.[5][6][7] Sights include rivers lined by paperbark trees, spinifex grasslands and monsoon forests featuring palm trees and ferns.[7]

References
  1. "Jatbula Trail information sheet" (PDF). Nitmiluk National Park. Parks & Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  2. "Aboriginal Country". www.visitmungo.com.au. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
  3. "Jatbula Trail". northernterritory.com. Tourism NT. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  4. "Jatbula Trail". Northern Territory Government information and services. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  5. Duffy, Eliot. "5 Days On The Jatbula Trail". We Are Explorers. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  6. "Jatbula Trail". AllTrails. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  7. Bramblett, Reid. "The Jatbula Trail: An Aboriginal songline". Reids Guides. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
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