Accessibility: A Gorge View Bush Retreat Commitment
Gorge View Bush Retreat wants every guest, including guests with disability or specific access needs, to be able to make an informed choice about staying with us, and to have the best possible experience once they arrive. We are an off-grid bush retreat on natural escarpment terrain near Nitmiluk National Park, and we know our environment presents real physical challenges. Rather than overstate our accessibility, this plan sets out honestly where we stand today and the concrete, measurable steps we are taking to do better — in line with the standards expected for the Brolga Awards Excellence in Accessible Tourism category and QTF Accessible Tourism accreditation.
About this plan
This plan covers physical access, communication and customer service across four recognised access needs — mobility (including wheelchairs and mobility scooters), vision, hearing, and cognitive/sensory needs — plus our general service commitments to all guests.
Owner: Gorge View Bush Retreat management. Review cycle: annually, ahead of each Brolga Awards nomination period. Next review: [insert month/year].
.Our site today
Gorge View Bush Retreat is located at 1635 Gorge Road, Katherine NT, in bush and escarpment country close to Nitmiluk National Park.
● Accommodation: 10 glamping bell tents (queen bed, outdoor seating, air conditioning), 24 safari tents (twin beds, fan and light), and 4 unpowered camping sites.
● Bathrooms: 6 showers and 6 flushing toilets, shared and located around 50m from most tents across natural ground.
● Camp kitchens: 3 on-site kitchens with gas cooktops, communal fridges and utensils.
● Other facilities: a 12m in-ground pool (unfenced!), a sunset viewing deck (400m from the campground, a 3–5 minute uphill walk), which services as a yoga deck and an event deck.
● Ground conditions: natural earth, gravel and some slopes rather than formed, level paths. Sites can be hot and exposed during the day with limited shade in places.
We do not currently have a purpose-built wheelchair-accessible tent, bathroom or formed pathway. We already offer informal 4WD transport assistance to guests with mobility issues who want to reach the sunset deck. This plan turns that good instinct into a documented, consistent standard — and extends it further.
Access by need
Mobility, wheelchairs & mobility scooters
Today: Gorge View sits on natural bush and escarpment terrain. Ground between tents, the shared bathroom block (around 50m - 100m from most tents) and the camp kitchens is unformed earth and gravel rather than a level, formed path. The sunset deck is 400m from the campground, reached by a walking track that climbs for around 5 minutes. We already offer informal 4WD transport assistance to the sunset deck for guests with mobility issues or injury — there is currently no purpose-built wheelchair-accessible tent or bathroom on site.
We are working on: We are mapping terrain and distances so guests can choose the right site with confidence, formalising and extending our 4WD assistance across the whole property, identifying tent sites closest to shared amenities, and trialling a firmer path surface on the most-used section of ground.
Vision
Today: Orientation to the site is currently given verbally by staff at check-in. There is no tactile, braille or high-contrast signage, and no audio-described version of our site information.
We are working on: We will offer a guided verbal walk-through of the site on arrival, produce a large-print and audio-friendly version of our site guide (including hazards such as steps, uneven ground and the pool edge), and keep paths to key amenities clear of trip hazards. Guide and assistance animals are always welcome.
Hearing
Today: Guest contact and camp announcements (meal times, weather or safety updates) are currently mostly verbal or phone-based.
We are working on: We will provide written safety and activity information at check-in and offer email or SMS as an alternative to verbal-only announcements, and train staff in clear, face-to-face communication.
Cognitive, sensory & neurodivergent needs
Today: Gorge View is an open bush camp with communal cooking, campfire and event areas — it can be a lively, sensory-rich environment with no designated quiet zone.
We are working on: We will share photos and a simple day-by-day plan with guests before they arrive so they know what to expect, offer flexible check-in timing, identify a quieter accommodation area away from communal noise, and train staff to support guests with sensory sensitivities or who are neurodivergent.
All guests
Today: Access-related contact currently happens informally, by phone, when guests raise it themselves.
We are working on: We actively invite every guest to tell us about their access needs before they book, we are rolling out disability-awareness training for all guest-facing staff, and we will formally collect and act on access feedback after every stay.
Customer service commitments
● Contact us before you book — call 0439 627 902 or email hello@gorgeview.com.au to talk through your access needs. We will help you choose the right site and tell you exactly what to expect, including honest distances and terrain descriptions.
● Service and assistance animals are always welcome.
● We offer 4WD transport assistance to guests with mobility needs on request.
● Our guest-facing staff are completing disability-awareness training.
● We welcome feedback at any time, and every piece of feedback is reviewed against this plan.
Feedback & consultation
We want to hear from guests with disability or access needs — about what worked, what didn't, and what would make the biggest difference. You can reach us by phone on 0439 627 902 or by email at hello@gorgeview.com.au. We aim to respond to access-related enquiries within 2 business days.
Accommodation options at Gorge View Bush Retreat, Nitmiluk Gorge, Katherine NT
Welcome to Gorge View Bush Retreat, a family owned and operated business, providing camping and glamping accommodation near Nitmiluk, Katherine Gorge in the Northern Territory.
We are proud to partner with Dalabon Aboriginal Cultural Experiences, co-owned by Manuel Pamkal, proud Dalabon man, who is the premier Aboriginal tour guide of the Northern Territory. Please check out the Dalabon webpage for information and booking!
In 2026, our accommodation options are;
Glamping canvas bell tents with portable airconditioner, (up to 4 guests per tent, you have to “add an extra” for king single beds in addition to the included Queen bed
Glamping quad tents - each glamping quad tent has a queen bed and 2 king singles, air con and fan
Eco safari tents (12volt solar power, USB charging for phones) with 2 king single beds, linen, blanket and 1 towel each.
Safari tents (240v power) 2 King Single Beds with linen, blanket, pillows and 1 towel each.
Guests are reminded our tents are tents; not a hotel room; we’re basically a “tent hotel” or a place where you are “renting a tent” ready to go with a real bed inside! In the “cold season” of May, June, July, camping can be a bit chilly. Guests are encouraged to either bring thermals to sleep in, or consider bringing a sleeping bag or extra doona to snuggle up. At Gorge View Bush Retreat, it’s “all the fun of camping, without the hassle!” - but please note the average temperature highs and lows for this part of the world.
Don’t want to cook on your stay?
No probs. Ask us to make you a pizza!
Your choices are:
Salami (caramelise onion, sauteed mushrooms, grilled red capsicum, on a tomato base with cheese)
Vegetarian (fetta, olives, grilled red capsicum, basil, balsamic glaze on a tomato base with cheese)
Chicken Tandoori (roasted chicken, grilled capsicum, cheese on a tandoori base)
Hawaiian (ham and pineapple and cheese on a tomato base)
Margherita (basil and cheese)
Pizzas are ten inch pizzas. Gluten free pizzas are 9 inch.
All pizzas are $30
Cooking facilities at Gorge View Bush Retreat
We have 3 kitchens at Gorge View Bush Retreat, equipped with gas stove top cooking, gas bbq, fridge/freezer, fry pan, wok, pot, cutlery, crockery and drinkware, as well as tea towels and dish liquid. If you are planning on cooking for yourself, no problem. Our guests are the best kind of guests who are respectful of other people, and clean up after themselves, and we welcome people to cook for themselves.
Cooking for yourself and eating on the deck…. Our sunset deck is an attraction at Gorge View Bush Retreat. For most of the week, guests come and go from the deck as they please, taking drinks and food to enjoy at the deck. (Please take your rubbish back down to the campgound to put in the bin). On some nights (usually Friday and Saturdays), we set up the deck like a little restaurant, with table cloths, fairy lights and a bar. We employ staff to provide drink and food service. When the deck is set up like a little restaurant, it’s the same as any kind of restaurant - we ask that patrons do not bring their own drinks and food.
When to visit?
Gorge View Bush Retreat is open March to October. Here are the average temperatures and rainfall:
Gorge View Bush Retreat
Sustainability Plan
2026–2028
1. Our commitment
Gorge View Bush Retreat sits on escarpment bushland close to Nitmiluk National Park and Katherine Gorge — country we're privileged to live, work and welcome guests on. We want our operations to reflect real respect for this place: minimising our environmental footprint, supporting the Traditional Owners and wider Katherine community, and being honest about the ground we still have to cover. This plan sets out what we already do, and the concrete, measurable steps we're taking to do more — in line with the standard expected for the Sustainability section of the Brolga Awards Unique Accommodation category.
2. About this plan
This plan covers five recognised pillars of sustainable and responsible tourism: Cultural, Environmental, Social/Community, Economic and Ethical.
Owner: Gorge View Bush Retreat management. Review cycle: annually, ahead of each Brolga Awards nomination period. Next review: [insert month/year].
This plan sits alongside our Accessibility Action Plan — progress on accessibility (including Quality Tourism Framework Accessible Tourism accreditation) also counts toward the Responsible Tourism & Sustainability Achievements credit in this award category.
3. Where we stand today, pillar by pillar
Environmental
Today: Our eco safari tents run on 12-volt solar power with USB charging, and the retreat operates off-grid rather than drawing from town power. Our three camp kitchens already recycle and compost, and we manage water use carefully across our shared bathroom block and kitchens. [Add detail: your water source/system — e.g. tank, bore or town supply — and any water-wise fixtures, plus your recycling/composting provider or process.]
We're working on: We are setting measurable baselines for water and waste, phasing out remaining single-use plastics, formalising our bushland and wildlife protection practices, and working toward independent Sustainable Tourism Accreditation and the Tourism Emissions Reduction Program.
Cultural
Today: We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land where we live, work and play, and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We partner with Dalabon Aboriginal Cultural Experiences, co-owned by Manuel Pamkal, a proud Dalabon man and premier Aboriginal tour guide, to bring authentic cultural experiences to our guests.
We're working on: We plan to expand this partnership into a joint guest program, and provide our own staff with cultural awareness training on Jawoyn and Dalabon culture and the significance of this country.
Social / Community
Today: We support the local Katherine community. [Add detail: name the charity, school, event or organisation you support and how — funds, in-kind support or volunteering — so this can be stated with specifics.]
We're working on: We are formalising this support into a documented, annual commitment so it can be reported and measured year to year.
Economic
Today: We prioritise buying food, beverages and supplies from Katherine-region businesses where possible, and value employing local staff. [Add detail: name key local suppliers, or an estimated % of local spend and local staff, so this can be reported with real figures.]
We're working on: We are formally documenting our local spend and local employment figures so we can set targets and track improvement year on year.
Ethical
Today: We do not yet have a formal ethical procurement policy.
We're working on: We are developing a written policy covering animal welfare and modern-slavery risk across our suppliers and tour partners.
4. Our sustainability action plan
These are the specific, measurable improvements we're making. Each one is reported against at our annual review, and forms our evidence base.
5. What guests can expect
● Our eco safari tents run on solar power, and we manage water and waste carefully across our shared facilities.
● We work with Dalabon Aboriginal Cultural Experiences to bring authentic, Traditional Owner-led experiences to our guests.
● We buy local where we can, and support our Katherine community.
● We ask every guest to help us protect the bushland around them — by not feeding wildlife and sticking to marked paths.
● We welcome feedback on our sustainability practices at any time.
6. Feedback & consultation
We want to hear from guests, community members and industry partners about how we can do better. You can reach us by phone on 0439 627 902 or by email at hello@gorgeview.com.au.
7. Monitoring & review
This plan is reviewed at least annually by Gorge View Bush Retreat management. Progress against each action is tracked, and the plan is updated to reflect what has been completed, what has changed, and what new actions are needed.