Bitter Springs. Wonderful place. They can be over you head in places. But the way to go is to have a pool noodle and just float down the stream. There are stairs to get out at the end. Hook your thongs over the noodle, because you will need them to walk back to where you started. You can stay at the CP about 800mtrs from the Springs and drive or walk from there. CP Pet friendly. and cost was reasonable. Not resort fancy though. We had motorhomes so we drove down and left our dogs there with vents and fans etc going. Could go back and check on them after half hour or so.
CP out at the Mataranka Springs. Went to have a look though didn't stay. Looked great. Pool like area which may be more suitable for you. More of a resort style CP, Maybe someone else can tell you a bit more about it.
Mataranka Springs is standing depth easily for much of it, the pool is much more of a normal formed pool with easy steps and places you can sit, for even a non swimmer it should be easy. Bitter Springs is more natural, there is a stream running from one end to the other that you can float down with the aid of a pool noodle with steps and rails at the end to get out and then walk back to the start again, there are some branches etc along the way and the water is generally too deep to stand, it isn't difficult swimming/floating but isn't as easy as Mataranka Springs. Take a noodle though and it doesn't really require any swimming ability.
Over 320 people drowned in Australia last year. I wonder how many of them were non swimmers who were encouraged to enter water that was over their head and to rely upon a noodle and a hearty call of "she'll be right mate."?
-- Edited by DMaxer on Tuesday 18th of February 2025 03:22:58 PM
.... is a little different from can't swim. I have been to Mataranka not Bitter Springs, but I imagine the bank would be easy to reach if he has some capability of swimming. I think the descriptions give adequate information for Collo to decide.
Over 320 people drowned in Australia last year. I wonder how many of them were non swimmers who were encouraged to enter water that was over their head and to rely upon a noodle and a hearty call of "she'll be right mate."?
-- Edited by DMaxer on Tuesday 18th of February 2025 03:22:58 PM
He said poor swimmer not non swimmer, the bank is only a couple of metres away as you float down Bitter Springs, the current is a slow one taking you to a shallow area where you can stand, its not like sending somebody into the ocean where they may be taken off by a rip.
Pool noodles at Bitter Springs is the way to go. However, you could add a lifejacket if you were unsure. I was 70 when I last went and had no trouble. Its an experience. However, you can go and have a look, and decide there. and if you don't feel confident then go and have a dip at Mataranka Springs or perhaps do both its up to you. They are not far apart.
While fishing in a boat or in one of my kayaks I ALWAYS wear a life vest.
They are relatively inexpensive, and besides, I always carry a spare vehicle key in a zipped top vest pocket on a neck lanyard.
Or in the case of the new ute, a spare key to the ute canopy where the car keys are hidden.
A child drowned in a local river last week. Any natural waterway of all types are super dangerous.
Only a clear swimming pool could be considered safe. I respect the water bigtime.
Natural waters may look, calm, peaceful and pretty but can be a great threat.
A walking pace current may look tame, but there is massive pressure behind it.
I found that out when my kayak got stuck under a pier at Sussex Inlet, a meandering current becomes a wall of extreme force.
Also great fun on the water, but any precautions taken are good precautions.
Heres an idea right out of left field.
As you are not going until later in the year, why not do yourselves a favour and take some swimming lessons.
That way, not only will you enjoy your little dip, but also reduce the risk that someone elses safety is not jeopardised when they try to rescue you.
Heres an idea right out of left field. As you are not going until later in the year, why not do yourselves a favour and take some swimming lessons. That way, not only will you enjoy your little dip, but also reduce the risk that someone elses safety is not jeopardised when they try to rescue you.
I said I,m a poor swimmer....not a non swimmer. I've been snorkelling three times and survived that.
I think we will just go to Mataranka and have a look at Bitter Springs. And use a noddle.
Don't miss out on the evening entertainment at Mataranka. Nathan "Whippy" Griggs performs his whip cracking 5 nights a week. Australia's #1 and Guiness World record holder. Very entertaining free show but he passes the hat around.
The website has not been updated in a while. Check with them if his show is a decision maker. Maybe he is just in the main tourist season. Some of the comments on Wikicamps suggest the site has gone downhill a bit.
The caravan park is first in best dressed .... no bookings.
-- Edited by Are We Lost on Wednesday 19th of February 2025 08:12:59 PM
rmoor, apparently you have not been there. You would know the water is a very clear and a beautiful turquoise colour. You can see the bottom. It also is the perfect temperature. Neither too hot or too cold. There is no undertow. When they say slow they mean slow. If you have a pool noodle then you don't even have to swim. You just sit there and take in the beautiful tropical paradise as you slowly float along. Its as clear as most home swimming pools. A truly WOW experience for your travels.
You are correct, I have not been there.
One would love it though!
I was speaking more so from experiences with waterways generally.
We have drownings occur all too regularly in our region and it is well documented how dangerous rips etc are in the ocean.
A lot of the TV shows often show visitors from outside Australia getting into huge trouble on our beaches.
I respect water after a few close experiences and know when to not go into some waters.
A fast running Tumut river was my most recent cop out.
I had my kayak ready to go in on a trek downstream for a few KM but the swirling rushing waters spooked me a fair bit at my age.
Also, although one is a strong swimmer, age also makes water activities more dangerous.
Many years ago we lost 4 indigenous blokes in one night out fishing.
They capsized and local bushies tell me on a moonlit night the reflection is deceptive and they tend to swim down, not up.
So there are many hidden dangers, I respect your comments re the safety of that watercourse, but even the most innocuous can have unforeseen dangers.
Don't like to be a smart alec, but I just googled drowning at Mataranka Springs and it came up with a 23 year old male drowned there 7 Aug 2020.
Also 20th June, 2012 a 64 year old man drowned at Bitter Springs. Reports were he was inexperienced and sucked water into his lungs from a snorkel.
So accidents can happen anywhere and one wonders what the percentage is where alcohol or drugs are also involved.
As an Australian of numerous generations, we were taught how to behave around water. I have lived by the Murrumbidgee, Lachlan and Murray all my life. I know how dangerous water is.
I am surprised indigenous would be fooled like that. Must be more to the story
Bitter Springs is not responsible for the drowning of someone who cannot use a snorkel.
I wonder if the other man died at Mataranka springs when he tried to swim in one of the whirlpool holes that look quite benign and have signage everywhere warning people about the dangers saying don't swim here. Sounds like something a 23yr old might do, but I doubt it was in the general pool area.
So I say, yes foolhardy acts can result in death. But you can't blame the water. People have drowned in a bathtub of water. Do you blame the bathtub?
