Edith Falls (Leliyin)

Edith Falls, Northern Territory

Nature

• It is a series of cascading waterfalls and pools on the Edith River in the Nitmiluk National Park.
• It is located approximately 60 km north of Katherine.
• Falls descends from an elevation of 176 metres above sea level.

History

The Traditional Owners

• The Aboriginal people of Jawoyn are the traditional owners of the Nitmiluk National Park.

1800s – 1900s Early Intervention

• 1800 – 1962 – The land was used for pastoral and mining industries.

1900s – 1980s

• 1948 – A settlement for Aborigines was established.
• Many Jawoyn moved away into the short-lived government settlement for Aborigines.
• 1962 – The Katherine Gorge National Park was declared.
• 1963 – Edith Falls area was declared as a National Park.
• 1977 – The amalgamated 2900 sq. km. Nitmiluk National Park came into existence.  

1980s – The Handback

1989 September 10th – Nitmiluk was handed back to the Aboriginal traditional owners. 

1989 – It was leased back to the Northern Territory Government to be jointly managed by the traditional owners and Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory.

Major Beliefs

• The landscape of Katherine Gorge was created by Nabilil (crocodile) in the primordial time (burr).
• He came from the sea, furnished with his fire-stick and passed through the Dagoman and Nangiomeri lands before reaching the Gorge.
• He named all of the area’s distinctive features in Jawoyn language.

For more information on the beliefs of the ancestral Jawoyn people please visit this website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jawoyn

Tradition / Customs

Land and Language

• 1871 – The Edith River was named after the wife of SA Governor Sir James Fergusson, Lady Edith Christian Fergusson by W. McMinn.
• The Edith Reservoir was named at about the same time too.
• Leliyn is the traditional Jawoyn Aboriginal name for the falls.
• The Aboriginal people traditionally used this area for fishing, hunting and as a refuge.

Art & Culture

• The Aboriginal people of Jawoyn have an on-going cultural connection with the Park.
• The Aboriginal people originally used this area for cultural practices.

Animals / Birdlife

For more information on the animal and birdlife of the region please visit this website: excursion-guide-leliyn-edithfalls-nitmiluk-national-park.pdf

Edith Falls – Nitmiluk National Park Tours

Features of the tours:-

• Swim at the rock pool of Edith falls and the secluded Sweetwater pool
• Picnic lunch
• River cruise or canoe on Katherine Gorge
• Aboriginal rock art
• Wildlife spotting

Notes for traveller safety and comfort:-

• Not wheelchair accessible
• Travellers should have moderate physical fitness 
• Please hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, towel, insect Repellent, swimming gear and water bottles
• Wear comfortable walking shoes