Mataranka: Thermal Waters, Trails and Regional History

Mataranka combines places in the township with nature experiences in nearby Elsey National Park. At Bitter Springs and Mataranka Thermal Pool, the thermal water stays around 34°C all year round. There is also a museum with regional history exhibitions, an art gallery and a memorial. If you’re looking for holiday accommodation in Mataranka, you can base your decision on whether thermal waters, walks or local culture will be the focus of your stay.

Thermal Waters and Trails in Elsey National Park

Bitter Springs is one of two natural thermal pools in Elsey National Park, and swimming is its main attraction. The water at Mataranka Thermal Pool is also crystal clear and very warm all year round, with swimming at its heart. Check the current park status before setting out.

For a short stroll, try the Bitter Springs Walk: the loop is 500 metres long, the stated walking time is 20 minutes, and the difficulty is Grade 1 – easy. The Botanic Walk is longer at 1.5 kilometres and 45 minutes; it is also rated easy, with a difficulty grade of 2. This lets you compare two circuits in the park by distance and walking time. The distance details for the Botanic Walk may change.

Other walks have their own highlights. The Riverside Walk leads to river access and picnic spots. The Korowan (Mataranka Falls) Walk follows the Roper River and leads to tufa dams that form gentle rapids. The WWII Aboriginal Army Camp Walk focuses on an aspect of the region’s history during the Second World War. Details of the Riverside Walk may change seasonally; conditions on the Korowan Walk can vary.

Museum, Art and History in Town

The Never Never Museum offers self-guided tours about the history of the Mataranka region. Exhibits include historical artefacts and interpretive displays about local Aboriginal and European history, as well as the North Australian Railway, the Overland Telegraph and the Second World War. The museum is open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 4 pm during the dry season from May to September, and from 10 am to 2 pm during the wet season from October to April. You can collect the keys for a self-guided visit from the Rural Transaction Centre during business hours. Check opening hours and key collection arrangements in advance if your day’s plans depend on them.

There are other ways to connect with the region’s history and culture in town. The Mataranka War Memorial is at the southern end of Stan Martin Park. The Stockyard Gallery displays local Aboriginal art from the Mataranka and Roper River areas; the exhibition offering may change. By comparison, the WWII Aboriginal Army Camp Walk in nearby Elsey National Park continues the region’s wartime story outdoors: it explores an aspect of the region’s history during the Second World War.

Getting There and Finding Accommodation

The drive from Katherine to Mataranka takes about an hour on an all-weather road. Elsey National Park is near Mataranka and 120 kilometres south of Katherine. Looking for holiday accommodation in Mataranka may suit you if you’d like to include the township and the park’s offerings in your plans. You can also choose shorter and longer circuits for each day based on their stated walking times.

Discover more destinations: Kakadu, Darwin, Alice Springs, Petermann, Mt Zeil, Jabiru, Nhulunbuy, Point Stuart.

See the main travel overview: Northern Territory.