Practical
Dry season: what to bring
What to wear, carry and expect at an undercover outback show in Katherine's dry season: heat, dust, seating and how long to allow.
Book the Katherine show on Viator ↗Quick answer
Wear comfortable clothes and bring water. The operator says the grandstands can get dusty, that the arena is undercover but Katherine can be quite warm, and that walking is limited. The show runs in the dry season, so expect cool nights in mid-winter and heat towards the end of the season. The arena has a roof, so rain or sun does not stop play.
What the operator advises
The operator's FAQ is plain. It recommends comfortable clothes, because the property is an operating farm and, despite efforts to clean the grandstands before every show, they can still get dusty. It adds that the show is undercover but Katherine can at times get quite warm, that visitors are in the tropics and should check the forecast, and that walking is limited. That is the core advice, and everything else on this page builds on it.
The seasons in Katherine
Wikipedia says Katherine has a dry tropical savanna climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. It says daily highs can pass 40 degrees Celsius from late September to late November, and that dry-season nights can regularly fall to about 7 degrees around June and July. Because the operator gives April or May to October for the show, you may meet either the cool end or the hot end of the dry season. Look at the forecast for your week, not the average.
Clothes
Choose light, breathable clothes you do not mind getting dusty, and closed shoes you can walk in on dirt. The operator asks for closed-in shoes for horse riding, not for the show, so shoes for the show are your choice. Add a thin layer for a winter evening or an air-conditioned car. A hat is sensible for the walk from the car park to the grandstand, even though the arena itself has a roof.
- Light, breathable clothes that can get dusty
- Comfortable shoes for dirt, not sandals
- A hat and a thin layer
Water and what to carry
The operator's responsible-tourism page says it has reusable water cups and water-bottle refill stations on site, and it encourages guests to bring their own bottles. Water is the one thing to carry. Souvenir photos are sold separately, and your phone will hold the calendar and your confirmation, so keep it charged. Food is not listed as part of the ticket, so eat before you arrive.
Seating, access and children
The operator says both arenas under the shed have elevated seating, and that there are alternative seating options for anyone who cannot use the grandstands. Accessways are wide and step-free, and the booking page lists wheelchair access, strollers and service animals. Children come with an adult. If you are bringing a child who tires in heat, choose the cooler date in the season and sit where you can leave easily, then ask the team for help.
Read next: Outback show: worth a stop?
How long to allow
The booking page says about two hours. Allow more for the drive, parking and a chat with the team afterwards, which the operator says ends the show. If you are combining the show with a gorge cruise, treat each as its own block and leave time in the shade between them. Your confirmation and the Viator calendar show the start time for your date, which is why none is printed here.
Frequently asked questions
Is the show undercover?
Yes. The booking page says the arena is undercover and runs in all weather. The operator says it sits under a large shed with elevated seating.
Will it be hot?
It can be. The operator says Katherine can at times get quite warm. Wikipedia says daily highs can pass 40 degrees from late September to late November.
Are there places to refill water?
The operator says it has water-bottle refill stations on site and encourages guests to bring their own bottles.
Sources