Why do travelers head north to take a dip in the “healing” waters of this brilliant blue natural thermal pool in the middle of a palm grove?
- Travelers flock to the thermal pools of Mataranka, NT
- The pools are naturally 34 degrees.
- It has vibrant blue waters and is rumored to have healing abilities.
Travelers flock north to visit a vibrant blue “healing” thermal pool in the middle of a tropical jungle.
The Mataranka Thermal Pools are one of two hot springs in the Northern Territory’s Elsey National Park, the other being the famous Bitter Springs.
Located near the small town of Mataranka, an hour south of Katherine, the series of stunning pools are surrounded by a lush green forest and have naturally warm 34-degree water.
The fresh spring water pools can be found at the end of a 500 meter walking path that winds through bushland under tall palm trees.
Mataranka has become a poplar spot for adventurers as locals issued a plea for more visitors after tourism declined during the Covid-19 pandemic.
A stunning naturally heated thermal pool with strikingly blue waters attracts travelers from all over the country.
Mataranka Thermal Spring is one of two thermal pools in the stunning Northern Territory in Elsey National Park
Located near the small town of Mataranka, about an hour south of Katherine, the series of impressive pools is surrounded by a lush green forest.
In 2021, when the coronavirus situation in Australia was improving, locals were pushing for Mataranka to be revived.
There were almost 220,000 visitors to Elsey National Park, which includes the Mataranka Thermal Pool, in 2019.
The number of tourists took a hit in 2020, thanks to border closures introduced to stop the spread of Covid.
Now that Australians are free to move around the country, many have rediscovered the natural wonder of the Northern Territory.
Filling naturally with water from the nearby Daly and Georgina Basins, the thermal pools make the perfect Instagrammable backdrop thanks to their crystal clear turquoise waters shaded by tropical palm trees.
Mataranka has become a very popular spot for adventurers as locals issued a plea for more visitors after tourism declined during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The thermal pools are the perfect Instagrammable backdrop thanks to their crystal clear turquoise waters shaded by tropical palm trees.
The Mataranka Springs are famous for their healing abilities with legend saying that soaking in the incredibly blue waters can help ease aches and pains.
The refreshing sand-bottomed swimming hole of Mataranka Thermal Pool is the perfect reward for visitors after the 20-minute walk that begins near the center of town.
There are three main access points to Elsey National Park and visitors to Mataranka Pools can take the Homestead Road turnoff and follow it for about 7km to the short easy walking trailhead.
There are steel stairs and concrete edging around the perimeter that make it easy for water to get in and out.
The pool can get crowded on weekends, especially in the high season between May and October, but they are big enough for everyone to have their own space.
The Mataranka Springs are renowned for their healing abilities and legend has it that soaking in the incredibly blue waters can help ease aches and pains.
Some lucky visitors may spy the local red flying foxes that inhabit the park, while freshwater turtles can often be seen bathing in the pools.
