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Access driving via the sealed Stuart Highway south from Darwin or
north from Alice Springs. |
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| Mataranka Bitter Springs |
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Bitter Springs at Mataranka Bitter Springs Mataranka NT When travelling through Mataranka and you are looking for a nice relaxing place to have a dip and actually stretch out and do some laps, try Bitter Springs Thermal pool instead of the well frequented Mataranka Thermal pools. The springs here actually branch off into a stream which you can follow down 100 metres to a bridge & ladder to climb out of then go for a walk around the springs. Consistently deeper than the Mataranka thermal pools, Bitter Springs wasn't suited for very young children (under 8's). But much quieter. Take a floaty with you to paddle down to the 2 exit points along
the stream. Bitter Springs is part of Elsey National Park and is Mataranka's newest thermal pool. It has a day use area with barbecues, tables and eco-friendly toilets. A walking path loops around the area, winding under fan palms (Livistona rigida), past the swimming pools and through the pristine riparian ecology of the Roper River. To the right the fan palms can be seen from a fish's point of view, up through the clear waters of Bitter Springs Thermal Pools. If you are not the adventurous type then there is stairway entrance to the main pool where you can just loll about soaking up the effects of the luxuriant 32 degrees Celsius spring water. There is another way to experience Bitter Springs. Wade into the warm waters of the Spring and drift with the flow down along the stream that connects the two swimming areas and on to the exit ladder at the pedestrian bridge on the walkway that circles the Spring area. This Aquatrail (a typical underwater view on right) drifts a couple of hundred metres down through the Springs. The water is incredibly clear, with an underwater mask, freshwater turtles are often seen swimming amongst the reed beds. At the end of the gentle drift, a ladder lets the adventurer climb out onto the Bitter Springs walking path and return to the main pool for another go round. Swimming back up against the current is not recommended. Suggest looking at this site: http://www.ourterritory.com/katherine_region/mataranka.htm |
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Before any walk ask at Botanic Walk Mataranka Falls |
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Thinking of a family self drive hire vacation then
if travellin the NT Mataranka Thermal Springs is a must to visit
- then search here for a one way rental
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Darwin to Alice Springs on the Stuart Highway travel information for self drive visitors guide. 1500 klm a jouney to remember and you have never really known Australian until you visit both Uluru (Ayers Rock), Katherine Gorge (Nitmiluk) and Kakadu.
- Travel from Darwin to Litchfield National Park back track to the Arnhem Highway onto Jabiru and then down the Kakadu Highway onto Pine Creek then Katherine and straight through another approximate 1200klm to Alice Springs stopping at Katherine and Katherine Gorge, Tennant Creek, Devils Marbles and the many road houses, wayside inns, hotels and fuel stops along the way and really enjoy true outback hospitality and the flavour of our territory. Option 2 do the reverse from Alice Springs to Darwin and which is better the choice is yours.
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• Tropical Darwin capital cityOnce a sleepy outback town now a small city now a thriving industrial and tourism hub. Darwin city sits on a peninsula, next the outer city of Palmerston 30klm away and outer Darwin small farm lots of 5 acres to 320 acres agricultural lands.
Darwin Australia -
• Kakadu National ParkVisit Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia. 2 different access sealed highways into Kakadu it's a desintaion for tourists on vacation seeking a 5 day experience. Visit pristine waters, wildlife cruises and ancient Aboriginal rock art.
Kakadu National Park -
• Litchfield National ParkVisit Litchfield National Park, Northern Territory, Australia. Visit nearby Litchfield National Park and see stunning waterfalls and amazing termite mounds – and swim safely in crystal-clear swimming holes such as Buley Rock Holes and Lower Cascades.
Litchfield National Park
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Katherine Gorge NitmilukVisit Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park,Northern Territory, Australia. The most comfortable months to visit the Park are from May to September. The wet season causes flooding of the Katherine River and restrictions on some of the activities available.
Katherine Gorge -
Katherine south of DarwinVisit Katherine in Northern Territory, Australia! With a population of over 9,804 people Katherine is a modern thriving regional center and excellent town to setup your camp at with it's caravan parks in the town and at Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park.
Katherine -
Mataranka Thermal SpringsVisit Mataranka township and just off Stuart Highway in Elsey National Park.the famous Mataranka Thermal Springs is fed by spring water from the Daly and Georgina basins ata volume of 30.5 million litres per day. Surrounded by a palm forest 34C degrees.
Mataranka Thermal Springs
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The Devils MarblesKarlu Karlu known Devils Marbles. The Karlu Karlu Conservation Reserve, stretches 1,802 hectares and is home to a wide variety of desert flora and fauna, including goannas and finches. Located just approximately 100 kilometers south of Tennant Creek.
Devils Marbles -
Town of Alice SpringsAlice Springs known just as Alice has both western and Aboriginal influences. The town's central Todd Mall has numerous Aboriginal art galleries. Alice Springs desert lifestyle has several unique events such as the Camel Cup and Henley-on-Todd Regatta.
Alice Springs -
Uluru Kata Tjuta ParkUluru wasn't always known as Uluru actually it was named Ayers Rock and the same for Kata Tjuta was The Olgas. Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park though around 6 hours comfortable 2wd drive from Alice Springs is 452km away southwest of the town.
Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park