マタランカ温泉プール

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.