Aerial view of visitors relaxing at the Mataranka Thermal Pool

Mataranka

Map showing the Darwin and Surrounds region in the NTAliceSpringsDarwinKatherineUluruKingsCanyon

Visitate la località rurale di Mataranka, famosa per le sue piscine termali. Questo luogo fece anche da sfondo al romanzo australiano “We of the Never Never”.

La piccola località di Mataranka, famosa per le sue piscine termali, rivela anche interessanti risvolti storici, infatti fece da sfondo al romanzo australiano “We of the Never Never” di Jeannie Gunn, ambientato nella Elsey Station.

Da vedere

Fate due passi a Mataranka e date un’occhiata alla Stockyard Gallery, che ospita bei pezzi d’arte aborigena realizzati degli abitanti della zona di Roper River e curiosi souvenir (molto belli i didgeridoo).

Al Territory Manor imparerete tutto sui pesci barramundi, sulle loro abitudini, sul loro mutamento di sesso e quant’altro.

La storia

Date un’occhiata al museo locale, chiamato Never Never, per saperne di più sulle popolazioni aborigene locali dei Mangarayi e degli Yangman. Troverete anche reperti risalenti al periodo della costruzione della ferrovia e della linea telegrafica.

Alla Elsey Homestead, perfettamente restaurata, capirete quanto difficile fu la vita dei pionieri e dei coloni che si stabilirono in questo luogo isolato nel 19° secolo. La casa colonica fu ristrutturata nel 1980 per fare da ambientazione al film tratto dal romanzo “We of the Never Never”.

Larrimah, località a sud di Mataranka, fu un avamposto militare durante la Seconda Guerra Mondiale; questo luogo servì da centro operativo e di servizi per l’aeroporto di Gorrie Airfield nel 1940. Interessante qui il Military Transport Museum.

Cose da fare e da vedere a Mataranka

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  • FAQs

    Can Mataranka be done as a day trip?

    A day trip to Mataranka from Katherine is definitely possible. The crystal clear thermal waters of Bitter Springs and Mataranka Thermal Pools are known to soothe the soul, so it's worth setting off early to maximise your time in the region.

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    Do I need any passes or permits to visit Mataranka?

    Mataranka and Bitter Springs are free to enter and do not require any permits.

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    How do I get around Mataranka?

    Mataranka township itself is small, but if you want to see the surrounding attractions, a car will make the trip to the water more comfortable. If you're walking from the township, Bitter Springs is 30 minutes (2.9 kilometres) away and the Mataranka Thermal Pool is around two hours' (9 kilometres) walk.

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    How do I get to Mataranka?

    Mataranka and Bitter Springs in Elsey National Park are just over an hour's drive southeast of Katherine. An easy way to get there is to drive, although there are tours that set off from Darwin. If you're in the adventurous spirit, the Explorers Way self-driving route will take you all the way from Adelaide in South Australia to Darwin, via Mataranka. You can drive the route in a regular car, but give yourself around a fortnight if you truly want to enjoy the experience.

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    How far is Mataranka from Katherine?

    Mataranka is 108km from Katherine, or just over an hour by car.

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    What are the major attractions at Mataranka?

    The major drawcards here are of course the natural springs and baths. Bitter Springs and the Mataranka Thermal Pools are both worth a visit, so make sure you leave time for each of them. The region also boasts plenty of WWII history, and some amazing camping and fishing spots.

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    What should I bring with me to Mataranka?

    Bring swimwear, a towel, underwater camera (if you have one), goggles, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, a water bottle, and you're set.

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    When is the best time to visit Mataranka?

    If you want warm, dry days and cool nights, your best bet is to explore Mataranka from May to October. This is the most popular time to visit, however the pools are open for swimming year round.

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    Where should I go next from Mataranka?

    From Mataranka, the closest must-see location is Nitmiluk National Park and Nitmiluk Gorge. There's plenty to see, so give yourself a couple of days staying in the nearby town of Katherine.