The 'Never Never Land' of Mataranka was the setting of the famous Australian novel, We of the Never Never by Jeannie Gunn. Mataranka township is located 100 kilometres south of Katherine on the Stuart Highway. Jeannie Gunn 'The Little Missus' lived at nearby Elsey Station, and her affection for the area has been immortalised in her book.
Within Elsey National Park, you will find the grave of her husband and a memorial to the author at the Elsey Cemetery and Reserve. The Mataranka Homestead is a replica of the home the Gunn's lived in, as no remains of the original exist. Elsey Station is now administered by the local Aboriginal people.
The ancient dreamtime stories of the Mangarayi and Yungman tribes describe a wind sweeping in from the east that created the area. Mataranka thermal pools are a great place to unwind. The warm, crystalline waters of the natural pools have the power to soothe aches and pains after a long day on the road. The water is spring fed, bubbling up at a fairly constant temperature of 34 degrees Celsius. The surrounding paperbark and palm forest filters the sun and leaves soft, dappled light playing on the water's surface.
The area around the pools is a natural breeding ground for the little red flying fox. The breeding season is usually from November to May, but often extends into the drier months. During the breeding season, there are ranger guided talks available.
Bitter Springs, a short drive north-east of Mataranka, is a relaxing alternative to the main thermal pools. Take your goggles, because small turtles and fish can often be spotted below the surface.
Temperatures for Mataranka
Mataranka has hot summer temperatures. The summer high temperature for Mataranka is approximately 34 °c. The summer low temperature is approximately 24 °c.
Mataranka has warm winter temperatures. The winter high temperature for Mataranka is approximately 33 °c. The winter low temperature is approximately 16 °c.
MONTH
LOW °c
HIGH °c
January
24
34
February
24
34
March
24
33
April
24
32
May
22
32
June
20
30
July
19
30
August
20
31
September
23
32
October
25
33
November
25
33
December
25
34
Featured Mataranka Activities
TOUR NAME
LOCATION
RATES (AUD) from
Red Centre to the Top End Tour(EX2663) (Touring) Travel from Ayers Rock to Darwin in 11 adventure-filled days. Experience the sunset at Uluru, a walk through Walpa Gorge, climbing Kings Canyon, cruising on Katherine Gorge, saltwater crocodile spotti...
15 Day Outback Adventure Tour(EX2675) (Touring) Enjoy a real Australian Outback Adventure on this 15 day tour featuring Flinders Ranges, Coober Pedy, Kings Canyon, Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Kakadu National Park and Darwin. Highlights include: C...
Purchase this DVD that showcases this unique part of Australia. Includes footage of Kakadu, with its lush rivers, billabongs and wetlands. Yellow Waters, Twin and Jim Jim Falls. The mysterious paintings of ancient Aboriginal artists including Arnhem Land at Ubirr and Nourlangie Rock.
Visit Litchfield National Park, Katherine Gorge and the warm waters of Mataranka Thermal Pool, plus the sandstone shapes in the Lost City near Cape Crawford.
Experience Darwin, the capital of Australia's Tropical North with it's many attractions. Learn about Alice Springs, where legendary tales of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Old Telegraph Station can be heard. The MacDonnell Ranges, Standley Chasm and Glen Helen Gorge, Uluru (Ayers Rock) and the magnificent domes of Kata Tjuta ( The Olgas ) also feature.
