Katherine Region covers 408 500 square kilometres. Like much of the Top End, the region enjoys wet and dry season; it is during 'the dry' winter season between May and September that the area is at it most active. Tourism peaks during this period and the pastoral industry turns off most cattle.
Thousands of tourists pass through Katherine each year either to visit other destinations throughout the NT or to spend time at magnificent Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park. RAAF base, Tindal, Australia's Northern air command centre, is located 15 kilometres South of Katherine and the town is the regional hub of a number of thriving industries, such as horticulture, agriculture, mining, tourism and pastoral development.