Where can I swim at Mataranka?

Mataranka Hot Springs is one of Australia’s most gorgeous places to reinvigorate your senses. Lush Mataranka palm trees flank the turquoise thermal pool, whose waters stay at a nourishing 34°C throughout the year, making it an optimal spot for indulging in some of nature’s most nourishing offerings!

There are two places to swim at Mataranka Hot Springs: the springs themselves (obviously) and the Bitter Springs, both of which are located in the sublime Elsey National Park.

Both pools are said to have health-promoting effects, with the skin, body and mind all receiving a cleansing soak in the beautiful waters.

Mataranka and its adjacent Bitter Pools are two of the most enchanting attractions near amazing Katherine, but what are some of the other spots that make this part of the Northern Territory such a joy to visit?

Katherine

Katherine is a wonderfully charming outback town that has plenty to offer within its limits and right outside (like, you guessed it – the springs!). In town, you will find plenty of awesome experiences like the Mimi Aboriginal Art and Craft centre, where you can ethically purchase stunning Katherine-made pieces.

Katherine is also home to the Top Didj cultural experience, where local man Manuel Pamkal will teach you all about the cross hatch painting technique as well as boomerang and spear throwing!

The Nitmiluk National Park

The Nitmiluk National Park – alongside Kakadu and Litchfield – is one of the NT’s most beguiling. Why? Because there is everything here that makes NT national parks a truly unique experience to anywhere else on Earth.

With more gorgeous waterholes, towering cliff tops and dense bushland making up the rugged landscape, you can see why this is top priority for travellers venturing to Katherine.

The Gulf Region

The Gulf Region, just a short drive from Katherine (short being a few hours in NT time), has a wondrous cultural heritage that makes it an amazing place to visit.

Here, you will find incredible Indigenous art, sumptuous seafood and unforgettable natural beauty, and you’d think this alone would be worth the visit, but there’s more…

The Limmen National Park is truly astounding, with giant “lost cities” (massive sandstone spires that dot the landscape), as well the kind of mesmerising NT terrain that has put it on the world travel map in the past few years…

Cameron Ward

Managing Director at Sightseeing Tours Australia

Cameron Ward turned his travel passion into a thriving Australian tourism business. Before he co-founded his own business, Sightseeing Tours Australia, he was enjoying being a Melbourne tour guide. Even now, Cameron delights in helping visitors from all around the world get the most out of their incredible Australian trip. You’ll see Cameron leading tours or writing about his favourite Australian places where he shares his local insights.