|
The main cave entrance was first discovered around the 1900 by a European
stockman, who named the cave “Smith’s Cave”. During World War II, servicemen who
frequented the cave referred to it as “16 Mile Cave”, with remnants of their
presence in the many 303 gunshot that were aimed at the stalactites. The
Jawoyn people have a long association with the region, with evidence of past
Aboriginal activity found through the park, although there has been no evidence
of Aboriginal use of the caves.
The main cave entrance was first discovered around the 1900 by a European
stockman, who named the cave “Smith’s Cave”. During World War II, servicemen who
frequented the cave referred to it as “16 Mile Cave”, with remnants of their
presence in the many 303 gunshot that were aimed at the stalactites.
In 1967 the area was handed to the then Northern Territory Reserves Board
(now the Parks and Wildlife Service), and tourist operators soon started
conducting cave tours. In 1979 the area was renamed “Cutta Cutta Caves”. The
park is open all year round, with the period May to August being the most
comfortable time to visit the park. During the ‘wet season’ (December to April),
the caves may be closed due to flooding. Access is via the Stuart Highway, 30
km south of Katherine, with the car park and visitor centre one kilometre from
the Highway along a sealed road. Facilities in the park include picnic facilities,
toilets, walking tracks, and the visitor centre kiosk. There are
also guided tours. Source:
Parks and Wildlife
Commission of the Northern Territory |
