How to get to Mataranka Thermal Pools in Elsey National Park from Darwin

How to get to Mataranka Thermal Pools in Elsey National Park Australia Darwin to Alice Springs Australia - About Katherine Gorge and Katherine Gorge cruises in Northern Territory Australia.

Mataranka Thermal Springs

Mataranka Thermal Pool
The Mataranka Pool is fed by spring water from the Daly and Georgina basins at a volume of 30.5 million litres per day. It is surrounded by a palm forest and maintains a constant temperature of 34 degrees, making it an ideal place to relax, swim or camp overnight.

Mataranka Thermal Pool
The Mataranka Thermal pool is the biggest draw card to the region. Nestled amongst tall shady Mataranka Palms (Livistonia) the thermal pools pump out a tremendous amount of warm water which has soothed many a traveller over the years. Only a stones throw from the Roper River, the turquoise waters of the main pool add to the atmosphere of the springs.

Mataranka Cabins or Campground
http://www.matarankacabins.com.au/
Phone on 08 89754838 Email: enquiries@matarankacabins.com.au
Fax: 08 8975 4814.
Our reception is open from 8.00am to 7.00pm (CST) everyday

The layout of our caravan park is very informal, you can choose your own spot. Stay hitched up to your caravan if you want. Campfires are allowed in the riverside unpowered campground and pets are welcome. Sorry, no generators please! The Little Roper River borders our park so our guests can camp right on its banks and enjoy the natural bush setting. The Caravan Park has powered sites with bore water on tap, toilets, showers, camp kitchen and a laundry. There is plenty of space so you wont be crammed in like sardines! Wallabies are abundant and barramundi and other fish are caught in the river. The rare Red Goshawk nests in this area and birdwatchers are regular guests in the campgrounds and cabins. The Bitter Springs Thermal Pools are a 500 metre walk or short drive from Mataranka Cabins and Camping.

Botanic Walk
In Elsey National Park there are many great walking trails . By far the easier ones are around the Mataranka Thermal Pool (for those short on time), and the other one is the Botanic Walk a few kilometers away along the Roper River. A great walking trail with informative displays and a few seats & a table along the way. All very shady for those worried about the temperature. At the turn around point is the Roper River (in picture), from here you can walk along the Roper River to 12 Mile Yards (maybe 8 km further) The road & the track run along the river with several other points of interest & entry/exit points at smaller loop walks. So it is very easy to be dropped off and walk for the day/morning back to camp and only be less 1 km from the main road. A great little swimming spot for kids is at the 4 mile hole, where an offshoot of the main river sweeps around creating a shady alleyway, that is segmented and shallow. For the adventurous, get dropped off at the Botanic walk and walk the 3.5 km to the 4 mile hole and meet with others there (boat ramp). You get to see different parts of the Waterhouse & Roper river.

Mataranka Falls
A pleasant 4 km walk along the Roper River and through the bush from 12 Mile Hole (campgrounds). The tranquility of the river turns to the roar of the water pouring over the tufa dams (they act like your own spa pool). The falls have changed dramatically over the years with much of the established foliage ripped from the falls during the wet season & more pandanus taking hold.

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Bitter Springs at Mataranka
Bitter Springs Mataranka Northern Territory. When travelling through Mataranka and you are looking for a nice relaxing place to have a dip and actually stretch out and do some laps, try Bitter Springs Thermal pool instead of the well frequented Mataranka Thermal pools.

The springs here actually branch off into a stream which you can follow down 100 metres to a bridge & ladder to climb out of then go for a walk around the springs. Consistently deeper than the Mataranka thermal pools, Bitter Springs wasn't suited for very young children (under 8's). But much quieter.

Take a floaty with you to paddle down to the 2 exit points along the stream.

Bitter Springs is part of Elsey National Park and is Mataranka's newest thermal pool. It has a day use area with barbecues, tables and eco-friendly toilets. A walking path loops around the area, winding under fan palms (Livistona rigida), past the swimming pools and through the pristine riparian ecology of the Roper River. To the right the fan palms can be seen from a fish's point of view, up through the clear waters of Bitter Springs Thermal Pools. If you are not the adventurous type then there is stairway entrance to the main pool where you can just loll about soaking up the effects of the luxuriant 32 degrees Celsius spring water. There is another way to experience Bitter Springs. Wade into the warm waters of the Spring and drift with the flow down along the stream that connects the two swimming areas and on to the exit ladder at the pedestrian bridge on the walkway that circles the Spring area.

This Aquatrail (a typical underwater view on right) drifts a couple of hundred metres down through the Springs. The water is incredibly clear, with an underwater mask, freshwater turtles are often seen swimming amongst the reed beds. At the end of the gentle drift, a ladder lets the adventurer climb out onto the Bitter Springs walking path and return to the main pool for another go round. Swimming back up against the current is not recommended.

NT Govt. site: http://www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au/

Elsey National Park

Elsey National Park, eight kilometers from Mataranka, is another of the region’s natural attractions. The massive Roper River slices through this 140 square-kilometre expanse, flowing through large waterholes then tumbling over rocks and tufa dams. Canoeing and fishing are popular activities and swimming is great at Bitter Springs and the Thermal Pool. Scenic riverside walking tracks to Mataranka Falls are a great way to explore the Park overland.

The Rainbow Springs and Thermal Pool sector of the Park are a major attraction for visitors. The spring water rising from underground at 30.5 million litres per day and at a temperature of 34 Degrees Celsius is then contained in a relaxing swimming pool surrounded by a palm forest.

How to get there
The Park has three access points. To access the main Thermal Pool (Mataranka Hot Springs), take the Homestead Road turnoff (1.5km south of Mataranka on the Stuart Highway) and follow it for around 7km. To access the facilities along John Hauser Drive, turn off the Homestead Road around 4km from the Highway. The Bitter Springs access is via a sealed road leading directly from the Mataranka township.

Fact sheet: Elsey National Park
NT Govt. site: http://www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au/

Visitor Facilities
Picnic areas complete with tables, wood barbecues and toilet facilities are provided at Bitter Springs, 12 Mile Yards, Mulurark and 4 Mile.

There are also camping areas provided.

What to see and do in Elsey National Park
The Rainbow Springs and Thermal Pool sector of the Park are a major attraction for visitors. The spring water rising from underground at 30.5 million litres per day and at a temperature of 34 degrees celcius is then contained in a relaxing swimming pool surrounded by a palm forest.

Swimming in Elsey National Park
The springs in the Park provide excellent swimming. Facilities are provided at Bitter Springs and the Thermal Pool. Swimming is also possible in some parts of the Roper River. Swim only where recommended and observe warning signs.

Walking Tracks in Elsey National Park
A 1.5km Botanical Walk is located along John Hauser Drive access road. There is also a 4km walk to Mataranka Falls that starts at the 12 Mile Yards. Various day use areas are connected by short riverside walks. A short loop walk is also available at Bitter Springs.

Please Remember - Elsey National Park
• Avoid using soaps and detergent in or near the waterways.
• Camp only in designated areas, and collect firewood before arriving at your campsite.
• Generators are not permitted in this park (Elsey National Park).
• Observe all fishing regulations.
• Pets are not permitted in this Park.
• Nets, traps and firearms are not permitted

Elsey Falls at Mataranka

Elsey Falls at Mataranka

Mataranka in Northern Territory is only 101 klm south of Katherine. A great place to see some free Barramundi feeding, where the fish are pulled from the water with bare hands. Have a relaxing swim in the many thermal pools and crystal clear streams. Walk along the many shady walking trails amongst the massive palm trees. We have stayed here several times so far during 2003 - 2009 as we poke around in different parts of the region. Next time we will be off to the 12 mile yards to camp and walk along the Roper River to Mataranka falls, after walking and enjoying the 1 hour "Botanic Walk" .

Folks often ask me how long does it take to get to Alice Springs from Darwin so if driving allow 3 days and see here for our itinerary.

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Mataranka

The small township of Mataranka sits on the upper reaches of the Roper River, an hour’s drive south-east of Katherine. Say 101klm south on the Stuart Highway. This tropical wayside stop is on the Explorer’s Way tourism drive, the main artery that connects Adelaide and Darwin, and is renowned for its thermal pool – a sandy-bottomed lagoon fringed by palm forest and a rejuvenating swimming spot for weary travellers up and down ‘the track’. Although the township itself is small, with a population of about 250, it services outlying cattle stations and Aboriginal communities so is well equipped with facilities for travellers.

Parks & Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory
Mataranka Office Head Office
32 Giles St KATHERINE NT 0851
Ph: +61 (0) 8 8975 4560
Fax: +61 (0) 8 8975 4696
NT Govt. site: http://www.parksandwildlife.nt.gov.au/

There’s a good range of camping grounds, accommodation and a supermarket.

The area was made famous by Jeannie Gunn’s 1908 novel 'We of the Never Never' – a book she wrote about nearby Elsey Station that is now part of Australian folklore. The Elsey Cemetery, 21 kilometers south of the township, marks the final resting place of many of the book’s characters. Attractions around town include the Stockyard Gallery that exhibits local Aboriginal art, barramundi hand-feeding tours and the Never Never Museum that displays the local Aboriginal history. Elsey National Park, eight kilometers from Mataranka, is another of the region’s natural attractions.

The massive Roper River slices through this 140 square-kilometre expanse, flowing through large waterholes then tumbling over rocks and tufa dams. Canoeing and fishing are popular activities and swimming is great at Bitter Springs and the Thermal Pool. Scenic riverside walking tracks to Mataranka Falls are a great way to explore the Park overland.

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