Health Care and Medical Jobs in Big Rivers
Home to the charming town of Katherine, Big Rivers is full of stunning natural backdrops, ancient Aboriginal culture and breathtaking cliffs and gorges
Big Rivers is home to the town of Katherine, the traditional land of the Dagoman, Jawoyn and Wardaman people and has been considered an important meeting place for Aboriginal people for thousands of years.
A haven of natural beauty, the Big Rivers region extends from the Western Australia border to the Gulf of Carpentaria and has an estimated population of over 20,000 people.
Nestled amongst some of the most amazing natural landscapes in the world, the Big River locals spend most of their time outdoors. Nature-based activities such as camping, fishing, canoeing, bush-walking and swimming are a big part of the Big Rivers lifestyle.
With a population of approximately 11,000 people, Katherine is the closest town to the government RAAF Tindal defence base. Situated on the banks of the Katherine River, it is the gateway to several tourist attractions, and services the smaller regional centres of Pine Creek, Mataranka, Borroloola, Daly River and Timber Creek.
With abundant wildlife, tall ghost gums, barbecue facilities and tourist destinations such as Nitmiluk National Park, Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park, and the Mataranka Hot Springs, the Big Rivers Region is a unique and breath-taking environment.
Located just 30 kilometres northeast of Katherine, Nitmiluk National Park is surrounded by 13 impressive natural gorges - all carved from old-worldly sandstone - that stretch as far as the eye can see.
Hire a canoe and float down the gorges to see the picturesque waterfalls, age-old Aboriginal rock art and exotic wildlife. Or indulge in an once-in-a-lifetime experience and take a scenic flight over the park.
You can even stay overnight amongst the lush bushland and awe-inspiring gorges. Opt for camping, chalets or spoil yourself in the high-end Cicada Lodge.
How to get there
You can travel to Katherine by:
Katherine is situated 320 kilometres southeast of Darwin - a comfortable three hour drive.
The Greyhound Bus services Katherine. You can find their office at the BP Travel North on Katherine Terrace.
The Ghan is Australia’s most spectacular train trip and stops for a few hours in Katherine.
The Katherine Tindal Civilian Airport is located approximately 15 km south of town, along the Stuart Highway. Flights can be booked via Airnorth.
Culture
The Big Rivers region has a population of just over 24,000, 60% of which identify as Aboriginal.
Katherine’s population grows significantly during the dry season as tourists travel from the colder parts of Australia in search of the warmth and sunshine of the Northern Territory. Katherine holds a great historical significance to its Aboriginal community as the traditional land of the Dagoman, Jawoyn and Wardaman people, it is considered an important meeting place for thousands of years.
Health
Katherine Hospital is a 40 bed non-specialist public hospital providing emergency, medical, surgical, paediatric and maternity services.
The key range of health services provided across the Katherine Hospital encompass:
- Emergency medicine services including an emergency department.
- General medicine and surgery services including an adult medical surgical ward with 1 designated rehabilitation bed and 1 palliative care bed.
- Maternal and child health services including a paediatric ward combined with a day stay unit.
- Medical day stay unit, including delivery of chemotherapy.
- Integrated community and hospital services including tele-health services.
- Clinical support services including allied health, anaesthetics, radiology, CT Scanning and sonography services, pathology, specialist services including Specialist Outreach Northern Territory (SONT) surgical and outpatient consultations, mortuary services, rehabilitation step down unit, Indigenous and Remote Eye Health Service (IRIS) eye program, and operating suite/theatres.
Katherine services the surrounding communities via specialist outreach health services, allowing health professionals to experience and make a difference in health outcomes across the region.
The Katherine Family Medical Practice and Bauhinia Health are private general practices providing health services to the local area. The Wurli-Wurlinjang Aboriginal Health Service is Katherine’s only Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service, but the Sunrise Health Service and Katherine West Health Board also service the remote areas within Big Rivers Region.
Employment opportunities
There are jobs available now in Big Rivers. The largest industry sectors for the Katherine region include mining, agriculture, defence, forestry and fisheries, construction and tourism. High employing sectors include health, education and training and administration roles.
Property in Big Rivers and Katherine
Family housing and unit accommodation are available with easy access to shopping centres, cinemas, hotels and cafes.
For information on the real estate market, check your favourite online real estate website for accommodation options.
Childcare and Education
There are 4 public primary schools located in Katherine - Katherine South Public School, Clyde Fenton School, Macfarlane Primary School and Casuarina Street School. Each of these schools also has a preschool attached.
Katherine also has 2 high schools – 1 public and 1 private. Katherine High School is the public high school, catering for years from 7 – 12. St Joseph’s Catholic College is the private school, providing education from prep to year 12.
Kintore Street Special School caters for children with additional needs from 3 to 18 years old. Katherine High School is the only public secondary and middle year’s school.
Katherine also has a distance education school, Katherine School of the Air. This school has over 250 students over an area of 800,000 kilometres catering to primary and middle year student in remote or isolated areas.
The Weather
Big Rivers has a tropical climate. Temperatures range from 25-33°C in the wet season and 20-30°C in the dry season.
Katherine’s dry season has low humidity and cool nights - some dropping as low as 10℃. This is the perfect time to get outdoors with friends and family and enjoy the pristine parks and swimming spots.
The wet season starts in October and winds up in March, increasing the humidity and keeping people indoors more. The temperature can rise as high as 40℃. But it also means refreshing monsoonal rain and storms, which breathe new life into Big River’s tropical landscape.
Testimonials
A great lifestyle goes with the Territory. Discover what the locals have to say about living in the picturesque Big Rivers
Greater career opportunity goes with the territory.
Be the first to know
We’d love to hear from you
Got questions? We’ve got answers. Get in touch with us today.