The Katherine region attracts adventure seekers year round with its abundant waterways, gorges and rugged outback country. Travellers can tackle the Katherine Gorge in a canoe, trek along the 58-kilometre Jatbula Trail, fish for barramundi or traverse the many four-wheel drive tracks. Its most well-known watercourse is the Katherine River, which flows through the famous Katherine Gorge. The Gorge, 30 kilometres from the town of Katherine, within the Nitmiluk National Park, is actually 13 separate gorges connected over a stretch of 12 kilometres by rapids and rocky terrain.

The Katherine area hosts a variety of events every year. The Katherine region has many festivals throughout the year that showcase the culture and characters of the area. There are annual art and craft festivals lasting the whole weekend and outback events such as camp drafts and rodeos.