The gorges and the surrounding landscape have great ceremonial significance to the local Jawoyn people, who are custodians of Nitmiluk National Park.

During the Dry, roughly from April to October, the Nitmiluk Gorge waters are placid in most spots and ideal for swimming and canoeing.

The Jatbula Trail follows the route travelled by generations of Jawoyn people between Katherine Gorge and Leliyn.

It is named for Peter Jatbula, a man who was instrumental in securing land rights for his people and who walked this route with his family.

Birds that can be seen include ospreys, red-tailed black cockatoos, great bowerbirds, white-gaped honeyeaters and red-winged parrots.