The township of Mataranka sits on the upper reaches of the Roper River and about an hour’s drive south east of Katherine in the NT. It’s a small town that services outlying cattle stations and Aboriginal Communities and many travellers. Its biggest attraction Mataranka Thermal Pools and Bitter Springs are both located within the Elsey National Park close to town. Mataranka has been one of those places that we have heard about and put on our bucket list.
We stayed a few nights at Bitter Springs Cabin and Caravan Park which is the closest park to the beautiful Bitter Springs. When we arrived we were impressed with the general appearance of the park and the very formal line of the termite mounds. Quite impressive. We booked into a powered and water site and as we booked for three nights we received a 10% discount which made it $31 per night. At the reception office area you can also buy some of the basics such as frozen bread and ice creams and frozen mango in tubs.
The walk to the springs is just so relaxing through the natural groves of cabbage palms and when you see the water of the springs it is incredible. I don’t think either of us have ever seen such crystal clear water. You can enjoy the easy walk along the short loop around the springs which is very much worth it. Then it’s time to enjoy and just lay back in the beautiful spring-fed thermal pool amid palms and the tropical woodlands. Just be prepared to share the designated swimming area with quite a few others as it is very popular.
We loved our stay at the Bitter Springs Caravan Park. This is another park where you can go and choose your own site. We decided we would like a bit of grass and found our site was very large and loved it.
There are two amenity blocks which are quite rustic and unisex. One building houses ensuite type amenities while the other building has separate toilets plus additional ensuite type amenities.
Besides that the park has:
• Camp Kitchen
• Laundries
• Telstra 4G
• Swimming noodles are available for hire from reception
• No Dump Point
• No TV reception (unless you have your own satelite dish)
It’s also Pet Friendly.
The park is situated beside a very discreet billabong of the Roper River and it’s a place where everyone tries to catch a Barramundi. We are still waiting to see someone come back with a fish, although we have been told some legal size fish have been weighted in during the week we were there.
Within the park and a little closer to the billabong are the unpowered sites set amongst the beautiful palm and paperbark trees and they are great size sites with their own fire pits. The staff here are extremely helpful and friendly and the park has a wonderful atmosphere and we loved our stay here.
From our base we drove to Mataranka Thermal pools the next day. It’s situated at the Mataranka Homestead and just within the boundaries of the Elsey National Park. Did you know this area was made famous in the novel ‘We of the Never Never’ written by Jeannie Gunn in 1950? At Mataranka Homestead you will find a replica of Jeannie Gunn’s original home.
The path to the thermal pool is through another beautiful palm forest. The temperature of the pool is said to constantly bubble at around 34c. This of course is another place which is quite busy with other travellers but still relaxing and the water is so clear.
Another tick off the bucket list.
Well that’s enough for now.
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Happy Aussie Caravanning Lifestyle
Dixie and Graeme