Planning our proposed trip around oz and one of the stops would be Mataranka thermal springs sounds like a wonderful spot
Have seen a few pics of the place and would love to hear from fellow nomads who have stayed here ... we were planning to leave this year in may but due to unforeseen circumstances will now be going may 2017 oh well these things happen and I guess gives us more time to research our trip .
up to Darwin .. jabiru ........ then not sure if we will go back to tenant creek up to cairns or on to the west coast and Broome . as we don't have a 4wd sticking to the major highways .
Dhutime said
04:55 PM Mar 25, 2016
Mataranka great spot you can camp at the park and walk to the thermal springs beautiful place .. All the other places are worth visiting . May is a good time in WA Kakadu is great as is Lichfield and the surrounds of Darwin. Enjoy the planning its half the fun.
Dhutime
goldenyears said
05:11 PM Mar 25, 2016
Thanks for the info ... and its good that springs in walking distance from the park .. yes cant wait for the trip .. especially as its our first big trip up to Darwin etc .
msg said
07:36 PM Mar 25, 2016
There is also Bitter Springs just up the road. There is a CP that is very reasonable, and is only 800mtrs to springs. I liked Bitter Springs it is a more natural setting. Make sure you have a noodle.
GarrynLyn said
11:07 PM Mar 25, 2016
We got a good deal for Mataranka Homestead (south of town) for a week, but preferred to go swimming at Bitter Springs, turn off to the right just north of town. Wherever you stay, you will enjoy it. There's a nice museum at the Post Office. $3 entry I think, but very interesting.
Meredith said
11:33 PM Mar 25, 2016
We prefer swimming at Bitter Springs than at the hot springs at the Homestead though both are worth trying. Bitter Springs is more natural and tends to be less crowded, take a noodle and float down the springs to the end where there is a ladder to get out, walk back along a path to the entry and start again. You should also take a bit of time to explore Elsey National park.
Fringe Dweller said
12:33 PM Mar 26, 2016
Having worked several years as a Road-Train Driver in th Territory.
I Have Allways left the Top-end by mid Sept as a tourist , 4B4 or not.
My boss would not send me past Elliot in th wet.
For those who don't know th Territory too well , you only have . Wet & dry. North of
Katherine is - the Top-end. From memory Mataranka is 115 to 120 sth of Katherine.
goldenyears said
01:45 PM Mar 26, 2016
Thanks meredith sounds great
-- Edited by goldenyears on Saturday 26th of March 2016 01:49:29 PM
goldenyears said
01:48 PM Mar 26, 2016
Garynlyn thanks for the info seems most prefer bitter springs getting itchy feet already and after a long drive something like this would be great and will checkout that museum .
Izabarack said
02:14 PM Mar 26, 2016
msg wrote:
Make sure you have a noodle.
and thongs.
Iza
goldenyears said
02:17 PM Mar 26, 2016
Have to confess didn't know what a noodle was lol but wasn't going to admit it lol ..
Have a better idea now ... have the thongs will get sorted with a noodle
Thanks
goldenyears said
02:19 PM Mar 26, 2016
This nomad site is the best ........ being a novice been so much help on so many things thanks to all .
Dunmowin said
08:04 PM Mar 26, 2016
Izabarack wrote:
msg wrote:
Make sure you have a noodle.
and thongs.
Iza
for the walk back to start again!
Izabarack said
07:31 AM Mar 27, 2016
goldenyears wrote:
........ will get sorted with a noodle
A complete kit for Bitter Springs will include a pair of swimmer's goggles. Lots of cute turtles in the water for your entertainment.
When you get the noodle, make sure your thongs fit.
Iza
mickle said
06:55 PM Mar 28, 2016
Not stop at Elliot ??
Hylda&Jon said
08:40 PM Mar 28, 2016
Bitter Springs is pure bliss. Bring a mask & snorkle if you can and get a foam noodle from the caravan park, which is in walking distance, and just relax and float with the current down the couple of hundred yards of stream with your face under the beautiful warm water and marvel at the amazing valleys with shimmering reeds and other plants and the tiny turtles and monitor lizards and other wildlife you will see. When you get to the bridge at the end just stroll back along the lovely path and do it all again but maybe this time enjoy the passing palms above the water. My wife and I must have done it at least 20 times in the 3 days we were there.
Also a bit North of Katherine make sure you stay a couple of days at Edith Falls, possibly our favorite swimming hole I have been to. There is a good spot to camp there, even with a little shop.
Cheers.
msg said
09:54 PM Mar 28, 2016
I heard Edith Falls is great. But, NP so no dogs allowed.
goldenyears said
07:26 AM Mar 29, 2016
Thanks hylda and john for the info wow sure does sound great and I will certainly get a noodle ...
Planning our proposed trip around oz and one of the stops would be Mataranka thermal springs sounds like a wonderful spot
Have seen a few pics of the place and would love to hear from fellow nomads who have stayed here ... we were planning to leave this year in may but due to unforeseen circumstances will now be going may 2017 oh well these things happen and I guess gives us more time to research our trip .
up to Darwin .. jabiru ........ then not sure if we will go back to tenant creek up to cairns or on to the west coast and Broome . as we don't have a 4wd sticking to the major highways .
Dhutime
Thanks for the info ... and its good that springs in walking distance from the park .. yes cant wait for the trip .. especially as its our first big trip up to Darwin etc .
We got a good deal for Mataranka Homestead (south of town) for a week, but preferred to go swimming at Bitter Springs, turn off to the right just north of town. Wherever you stay, you will enjoy it. There's a nice museum at the Post Office. $3 entry I think, but very interesting.
Having worked several years as a Road-Train Driver in th Territory.
I Have Allways left the Top-end by mid Sept as a tourist , 4B4 or not.
My boss would not send me past Elliot in th wet.
For those who don't know th Territory too well , you only have . Wet & dry. North of
Katherine is - the Top-end. From memory Mataranka is 115 to 120 sth of Katherine.
Thanks meredith sounds great
-- Edited by goldenyears on Saturday 26th of March 2016 01:49:29 PM
Garynlyn thanks for the info seems most prefer bitter springs getting itchy feet already and after a long drive something like this would be great and will checkout that museum .
and thongs.
Iza
Have to confess didn't know what a noodle was lol but wasn't going to admit it lol ..
Have a better idea now ... have the thongs will get sorted with a noodle
Thanks
for the walk back to start again!
A complete kit for Bitter Springs will include a pair of swimmer's goggles. Lots of cute turtles in the water for your entertainment.
When you get the noodle, make sure your thongs fit.
Iza
Bitter Springs is pure bliss. Bring a mask & snorkle if you can and get a foam noodle from the caravan park, which is in walking distance, and just relax and float with the current down the couple of hundred yards of stream with your face under the beautiful warm water and marvel at the amazing valleys with shimmering reeds and other plants and the tiny turtles and monitor lizards and other wildlife you will see. When you get to the bridge at the end just stroll back along the lovely path and do it all again but maybe this time enjoy the passing palms above the water. My wife and I must have done it at least 20 times in the 3 days we were there.
Also a bit North of Katherine make sure you stay a couple of days at Edith Falls, possibly our favorite swimming hole I have been to. There is a good spot to camp there, even with a little shop.
Cheers.
Thanks hylda and john for the info wow sure does sound great and I will certainly get a noodle ...
Must find out about edith falls also