Mataranka, Northern Territory

Mataranka Northern Territory
Population	461 (2001 census)
Postcode(s)	0852
Location	431 km (268 mi) from Darwin 114 km (71 mi) from Katherine
LGA(s)	Mataranka Community Government Council
Territory electorate(s)	Daly
Federal division(s)	Lingiari

Mataranka is a community of approximately 400, in the Top End region of Australia's Northern Territory. The town is located approximately 420 km (260 mi.) southeast of the territorial capital, Darwin, and 107 km (66 mi.) south from Katherine. At the 2001 census, Mataranka had a population of 461.

The town is located near Roper River and Mataranka Hot Springs. This area is the setting for Jeannie Gunn's autobiographical account of the year 1902, We of the Never Never. The homestead, which she shared with her husband, Aeneas Gunn, until his death, has been reconstructed near to the hot springs.

The Mataranka Station is part of the Katherine Rural College of Charles Darwin University.

World War II

The Australian Army set up No. 42 Australian Camp Hospital near Mataranka. The 10th Australian Advanced Ordnance workshops camped in buildings made from paper bark trees and serviced wrecked and damaged vehicles. An ammunition depot was also in the locality. These depots were served by railway sidings off the main line.

Attractions

The main attraction in the Mataranka region is the Elsey National Park which contains the beautiful Roper River and two great Thermal Pools: Bitter Springs and Rainbow Springs. The headwaters of the Roper River inside Elsey National Park (where crocodiles are managed) are popular for bushwalking, birdwatching, canoeing, swimming and fishing. Bitter Springs Thermal Pools is on the north east side of Mataranka township at the end of Martin Road. These pools flow at a constant 32 degrees C. and are still very much in their natural state. Swimmers can glide with the current downstream to view the beautiful riparian vegetation and birdlife along the way. With a mask and snorkel, small fish and turtles can be seen as the water is fantastically clear. Rainbow Springs or Mataranka Thermal Pools as it is also known has been accessible to the public for much longer than the other areas of Elsey National Park and hence has been enhanced over time through the installation of concrete walls, staircases, boardwalks and paved areas. Rainbow Springs is about 9 km south east of Mataranka at the end of Homestead Road. The water here flows at a constant 34 degrees C. and is also beautiful and clear, superb for swimming.

Railways

Mataranka was served by the original narrow gauge railway that closed in 1976 after cycline damage. The new standard gauge railway opened in 2000 passes about 20km to the west of the town.

External links

• [1]
• [2]
• [3]
• 360 degree photograph of Mataranka Hot Springs
• MSN Map
• Street-directory.com Map