Seeing the gorge at first light was beautiful and we highly recommend you do that cruise. The Katherine Gorge cruise takes you deep into the network of waterways that flow through the Katharine Gorge.
Definitely, make a day of it and paddle into the second gorge, which I found the most beautiful.
Do the 3.2km loop walk up to the lookout which offers great views over the gorge. You can do the shorter walk taking a steep climb up to Barrawei Lookout from the Katherine River and back down again.
If you’re staying in Nitmiluk National Park, in the evening at sunset walk down to where the tour boats leave from and view the hundreds of fruit bats flying over the river.
Nitmiluk Caravan Park is the perfect place to stay right near the entrance to Katherine Gorge, about a 30-minute drive from the town of Katherine.