
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
Species |
Places spotted |
Birds: |
|
206 bird species |
Nitmiluk National Park |
Fish / Reptiles: |
|
Freshwater fish, turtles, crustaceans, 78 reptile species, 25 amphibian species |
The pools at Edith falls
|
Animals: |
|
44 types of mammals |
Nitmiluk National Park |
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