While best known as the ‘crossroads of the north’, this remote Northern Territory town is also home to a thriving coffee scene. Discover the top Katherine cafes worth planning a trip around.
Three hours and 20 minutes might seem like a long time to spend on the road for a decent cup of coffee. But trust me when I say, the iced lattes at Maiden’s Lane cafe in Katherine are worth the drive from Darwin (which has many great cafes itself).
Up here in the north, we operate on something called Territory Time. Things move at their own pace depending on the humidity, the river levels and how many buffalo are on the highway.
In the same way we look at time through polarised, rose-coloured glasses, we’re equally optimistic about distance. So, when I heard about the Laksa Turkish Eggs breakfast at Maidens Lane, I didn’t hesitate to jump in the car and drive 317 kilometres to try it.
After a few hours on the Stuart Highway, the soft poached eggs and chilli coconut broth welcomed me to Katherine with open arms. The dish is served with a cucumber and garlic labneh, pickled chillis and your choice of roti or sourdough dippers, and it is beautifully paired with an iced latte made with Campos Coffee beans.
While it was the Turkish Eggs that brought me to Katherine for a weekend visit, I soon discovered that the outback town is home to a thriving cafe scene. Let me introduce you to the best cafes in Katherine, also known as K-Town…
1. Maidens Lane
Step into this brunch and burger joint for sweet and savoury treats.
The Laksa Turkish Eggs are worth the trip. (Credit: Alley Pascoe)
Stop by for excellent coffee.
The aforementioned Maidens Lane cafe is an institution in the Big Rivers region. On any given morning, the brunch and burger joint in the industrial area will be packed with tradies, mums and bubs, office workers and tourists from Darwin (like me) or further afield. For something savoury, try the Dirty Bird crispy fried chicken burger or the Avocado Tartine with whipped avo ricotta, pistachio crumb and a hot honey drizzle on sourdough. For a sweet treat, indulge in the French toast with strawberries, cream and maple syrup.
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2. Black Russian Caravan Bar
Enjoy warming toasties at the Black Russian Caravan Bar. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/Christopher Nayna)
The toasties are crispy, cheesy and cheerful at the Black Russian Caravan Bar, which is located at the Katherine visitor centre. Expect the classics – smoked ham and cheese, a Rueben, and chicken and leek – and some wondrous wildcards: creamy garlic mushies, smoky beans and cheesy chipotle chicken. The coffee is expertly brewed, with everything from the humble macchiato and mocha to a turmeric latte and a hibiscus and lemon myrtle iced tea on the menu – making it one of the most loved cafes in Katherine.
3. Pop Rocket Cafe
Pop Rocket Cafe is situated by the stunning Katherine Hot Springs. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/Lachlan Gardiner)
In the dry season, you’ll find the Pop Rocket Cafe brewing up Blast Coffee in a shipping container by the Katherine Hot Springs on the way into town from the north. Local legend Trent de With, from Rod and Rifle Tackle World, raves about the breakfast bao buns, bursting with “bacon, eggs and a spicy mayo." Make like Trent and have a long black with your brekkie or spice up your life with the Spicy bunny juice, made with apple, orange, carrot, ginger and a hint of chilli (if you’re game).
4. The Finch Cafe
The Finch Cafe offers delicious bites plus refreshing smoothies. (Credit: Tourism & Events NT/Christopher Nayna)
You can’t miss the Finch Cafe: just look for the massive finch mural on the main street of Katherine. Pull up a seat in the tropical courtyard and savour a sea salt matcha and a homemade lamington. It’s impressive menu items like these and the trendy street art that make Katherine feel closer to downtown Melbourne. The two places may be 3440 kilometres apart, in different time zones and opposite climates, but they both have an impressive cafe scene.
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5. Bhoj Coffee Shop
The newest spot in town, Bhoj Coffee Shop, is just off the main drag, on the grounds of the Katherine Motel, overlooking the pool. Follow those directions to find award-winning blends from Dtown Coffee Roasters. Bhoj Coffee Shop is another jewel in Katherine’s cafe crown, and another reason to visit the Territory town.
6. Banjo Bar + Terrace
The cafe offers outdoor seating. (Credit: Alley Pascoe)
The restaurant at the Contour Hotel serves up a buffet breakfast from 6am to 9am. The alfresco area is surrounded by palm trees, frangipanis and elephant ear plants, making it the ideal oasis to sip on a cappuccino over a leisurely brekkie.
7. The Hungry Goat
Visitors to the Top Didj Aboriginal Art Gallery can take in the incredible art, while sampling a serving of scones or a spinach and feta pastry, with a latte, affogato or espresso. If you like your culture with a side of coffee, The Hungry Goat is the place to be.
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Alley Pascoe is a bestselling, award-winning writer based on Larrakia Country in Darwin. She writes articles for all your favourite magazines, and she co-writes memoirs with the most fascinating people. Her books include Heartstrong with Ellidy Pullin, Love and Pain with Silverchair’s Ben Gillies and Chris Joannou, and Sink or Swim with Alexa Leary.
September to April in the Northern Territory rewards those who seek adventure.
Sure, the Northern Territory shines during the high season, but did you know it transforms into lush magnificence in the summer low season? From September to April, hundreds of waterfalls roar into action, vegetation flourishes and natural pools swell, all thanks to spectacular storms. This is when some of the country’s best arts and cultural events hit the calendar, too.
Travelling at this time of year means you’ll also be rewarded with off-peak travel pricing on accommodation, tours and experiences, and can even enjoy many of the top sites all to yourself.
1. Kings Canyon is transformed
Kings Canyon transforms in the low season. (Image: Kassia Byrnes)
Kings Canyon’s towering sandstone domes and crevasses are a sight to behold year-round, but during the low season you can witness a rare phenomenon. This ancient outback wonder’s arid landscape bursts to life when it rains, temporarily transforming it with waterfalls that thunder down the cliffs. At the base of the canyon is the verdant Garden of Eden and its permanent watering hole.
2. John Hayes Rockhole is a natural wonder
Hike to a desert oasis. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT)
Hidden in the Trephina Gorge Nature Park in the East MacDonnell Ranges, John Hayes Rockhole is an oasis waiting to be discovered. Visit the narrow canyon during the high season, and you may see only a sandy creekbed, but after rain in the low season the pool is full of cool water. It’s accessible via a 4WD-only track off the Ross Highway, or you can set out early and join the nine-kilometre Trephina Ridgetop Walk. The reward for undertaking the hike is worth every step, and there’s a dedicated, tent-only campground for those who’d like to soak up the serenity overnight.
3. The Red Centre Light Trail shines bright
Watch the Outback light up after sunset. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT)
The Red Centre’s rich cultural heritage and lack of light pollution make it the ideal setting for immersive light shows, and you can experience the most iconic ones on an epic six-day road trip in April. Witness the Parrtjima cultural festival inMparntwe (Alice Springs) before heading to Kings Canyon for Bruce Munro’s Light-Towers, where 69 glowing towers shine to a celestial soundscape. At Uluṟu, Munro’s Field of Light blankets the red soil with glowing frosted-glass stems, and the Wintijiri Wiru drone show lights up the sky in front of the sacred cultural site. Along the way you’ll witness the changing landscapes of the desert from the West MacDonnell Ranges to the Valley of the Winds.
4. The Parrtjima festival lights up the Red Centre
Witness the magic of Parrtjima. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT)
For 10 days every April, the Red Centre turns into a dazzling display of colour for the Parrtjima festival. Held at Alice Springs Desert Park, the unmissable celebration shines a spotlight on the world’s oldest living culture using modern technology. Artworks by local Aboriginal artists are transformed into large-scale illuminated installations with accompanying soundscapes, offering a unique opportunity to see the spectacular sunburnt landscapes, night skies and 300-million-year-old West MacDonnell Ranges in a new light. The jam-packed line-up of art and cultural events also includes workshops, markets, short films, talks and live music.
5. Cruising along Nitmiluk Gorge is breathtaking
Sail between towering sandstone cliffs. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT/Nic Morley)
Drifting down the emerald waters of Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge between towering red sandstone cliffs carved over millions of years, all while waterfalls stream down around you, is an experience like none other. Nitmiluk Katherine’s two-hour NitNit Dreaming Two Gorge Tour sails through gorges past ancient rock art while a local guide imparts knowledge about the Jawoyn culture and significance of the landscape.
6. You can explore local culture on the Tiwi Islands
Immerse yourself in Tiwi culture. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT/Elise Cook)
Take an 80-kilometre ferry ride from Darwin to arrive at the Tiwi Islands, an archipelago of 11 picturesque islands and a haven for art lovers and anglers. On the Tiwi By Design walking tour you’ll be guided to the Tiwi Design Art Centre, one of Australia’s oldest art centres, to observe local artists in action and join a screen printing workshop.
If you’re more partial to sinking a line, book a stay at Tiwi Island Retreat in April. It’s one of the best months to fish for barramundi, and their world-class fishing adventures are your best chance at reeling in a prized catch.
7. Scenic flights over Kakadu’s waterfalls are jaw-dropping
Soar above Jim Jim Falls. (Credit: Tourism and Events NT/Jarrad Seng)
Seeing Kakadu National Park’s gushing waterfalls and dramatic escarpments from above offers a dose of unparalleled beauty – and it’s all best witnessed in the low season.
Taking flight from Darwin, Kakadu Air Services offers an unforgettable experience, with doorless helicopters revealing unobstructed views of the 1.8-billion-year-old landscape. Soar above the untouched savannah that turns into a tropical green paradise, marvel at the thunderous Jim Jim Falls and Twin Falls, and whiz through ancient sandstone canyons. If you’re lucky, the scenery will look all the more dramatic with rolling tropical storm clouds in the distance.
8. Litchfield National Park is an amazing place to cool off
Dive into natural swimming holes. (Image: Tourism NT/Joshua Griffen)
Litchfield National Park is peppered with stunning natural swimming pools for you to beat the heat in. Take a refreshing dip in pristine, crocodile-free spots such as Buley Rockhole, a series of spring-fed cascading pools, and the nearby Florence Falls, which is enveloped by monsoon rainforest and features a crystal-clear plunge pool fed by a 15-metre-high waterfall. Be sure to check the Northern Territory Parks & Reserves website for closures before you go.
