Episode 2: Nitmiluk Gorge

In this episode of Journey on The Ghan, you’ll come with me on one of the train’s stops – to Nitmiluk Gorge near Katherine in the Northern Territory.

Written by Michael Turtle

Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle. A journalist for more than 20 years, he's been travelling the world since 2011.

Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle and has been travelling full time for a decade.

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The 3000 kilometre trip from Darwin to Adelaide on board the luxury train, The Ghan, is one of the most iconic Australian journeys. In this episode, you’ll come with me on one of the stops – to Nitmiluk Gorge near Katherine in the Northern Territory.

This is a very special place for the local indigenous people, called the Jawoyn people. Although, it’s hard to know for sure – it’s claimed that the Jawoyn are the oldest living culture in the world – that they’ve been around for about 50-thousand years.

They have their own stories about Nitmiluk Gorge and they’ve been passed down for countless generations.

Nitmiluk Gorge, Katherine, Northern Territory, Australia

Tyrus, our guide, is indigenous and is Jawoyn through his grandfather’s side. He leads us through the gorge on two boat trips.

Where I see a rock escarpment, Tyrus sees a wall of history. Where I see a gum, he sees a family tree. Where I see a sight, he sees his story.

We’re lucky that he’s happy to share it – and it’s really interesting when he points out things and explains them as we cruise along.

Listen to the episode here:

Next episode, I’ll introduce you to some of the people who keep the train running the whole way through the desert. Your look at the inner workings is coming up then.

To see my full story about travelling on The Ghan, click here.

In the meantime, please subscribe to ‘Journey on The Ghan’ on your podcast app and feel free leave a comment as well.

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