A quick culinary guide to Darwin & Katherine

Some delicious recommendations from a brief visit to both destinations.

Sep 04, 2024

Hello! I’m back in ‘civilisation’, technically. Although the journey home has involved a long bus ride from Katherine, and a red-eye flight from Darwin, which I can’t say feels at all civilised, really.

It was great to journey up to the Top End of Oz for the first time in almost a decade, especially welcome after a particularly dreary winter in Melbourne.

I have a couple of posts over the next few weeks coming out about the experience of doing a multi-day hike, including what I packed, ate and read, plus some field notes from the experience itself. If you haven’t already, consider subscribing to receive these posts in your inbox, as soon as they’re published.

Just quickly, a few culinary highlights from the two places the most time was spent in, when not on the Jatbula Trail – Darwin and Katherine.

If you’re an international reader, Darwin is our most northern city, the capital of the Northern Territory. Katherine is a town around three hours’ drive south from Darwin, located a stone’s throw from Nitmiluk National Park and in the country’s famed ‘Outback’.

A plate of hotcakes with bacon, egg, pesto and mint, plus an almost empty glass of iced tea. — Breakfast number one at Ruby G’s.

Darwin

Let’s start with brekky at Ruby G’s Canteen in Darwin, located in the industrial area. Very nice pastries and big breakfasts on offer. On my first day in Darwin, I ordered the hot cakes (veggie iteration) with pesto, a fried egg and bacon (which I don’t normally love, but this worked). Plus some iced tea (strawberry and mint), while adjusting to the heat. It was nice, but a bit too soda-y for my own liking.

We went back the next day to grab takeaway, before hitting the road. This time I ordered the ‘dry-season greens’ – a medley of veg, with puréed white bean, on sourdough. An attempt to get some veg in my belly, before it was inundated with dehydrated meals. My name, requested for the order, was noted down as ‘Slee’ – a new iteration, which I instantly adopted as my trail name.

A takeaway container full of vegetables, with a poached egg and sourdough toast. — Takeaway for ‘Slee’.

The next time I ate in Darwin was a week later, after the hike. And I was hungry. Headed to Oyster Bar for a quick dozen, taking advantage of a Wednesday special, which knocked a few dollars off the price. (I know it must sound like I always eat oysters, but I swear they are a rare and delicious treat). They had quite a few different types of oysters on offer. Went with natural, ‘Oliver’ (drizzled in a delicious vinaigrette) and kimchi, which sounds odd but tasted most delicious. Paired with a glass of prosecco, it was a fine meal indeed. Accompanying views of Darwin’s waterfront were most lovely, too.

Dinner was at a trendy bar, serving delicious pizza – Bustard Town.

Katherine

I didn’t eat in Katherine until my last couple of days in the Territory. First up, was delicious garlicked local barramundi (fish), at Fig Tree Bistro, just outside of town. It’s actually located in the Big4 Holiday Park, which has space for caravans, and cabins. Pub grub is on offer, with a southeast Asian spin, and the restaurant space is lovely; located by the pool and strewn with brightly coloured lights.

And for brekky the next day, another dish with an Asian twist at Maiden’s Lane, located in Katherine’s industrial east – a weird theme of the trip, to eat in these parts of the towns we visited. I ordered the Laksa eggs benny, with came in bao buns, with pork and the most perfectly poached eggs. Rivalled any breakfast I’ve had in Melbourne, which is renowned for its brunch scene.

Share What's Cooking with Celine