Mataranka
Town
Population 249
Visitors are lured to Mataranka for its thermal springs and its sense of literary history. Jeannie Gunn, author of We of the Never Never, lived at nearby Elsey Station in the early 20th century. The town has adopted the term 'Never Never', using it to name a museum and a festival.
Visitor Information
Roper Gulf Shire, Stuart Hwy; (08) 8975 4576
Nearby national parks
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Elsey National Park
Elsey National Park is a gem. It sparkles with flowing creeks, small gushing waterfalls, welcoming thermal springs and limestone dams, and is...more -
Nitmiluk National Park
In Nitmiluk National Park, the powerful Katherine River, rising in Arnhem Land, has cut through the ancient sandstone to create a series of...more -
Gregory National Park
Gregory National Park lies in the transitional zone between the tropical and semiarid regions of the Northern Territory, and encompasses a...more
Nearby towns
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Katherine
Katherine, on the south side of the Katherine River, has always been a busy and important area for local Aboriginal groups, who used the...more -
Daly Waters
The nearby springs, from which this tiny settlement takes its name, were named after the governor of South Australia by John McDouall...more -
Pine Creek
The town was named Pine Creek by Overland Telegraph workers because of the prolific pine trees growing along the banks of the tiny creek...more
In Town
Stockyard Gallery: showcases local NT artists' work and a range of territory books, leather whips, didgeridoos and souvenirs; the cafe provides light home made snacks; Stuart Hwy; (08) 8975 4530. Territory Manor: restaurant and accommodation with daily feeding of barramundi at 9.30am and 1pm (open to the public); Stuart Hwy; (08) 8975 4510. The Never Never Museum: outdoor displays of pioneer life, railway and military history and the Overland Telegraph; open Mon–Fri; next to the Roper Gulf Shire Offices, Stuart Hwy; (08) 8975 4576. Giant termite mound: sculpture with recorded information; Stuart Hwy.
Nearby
Elsey National Park The park encircles the Roper River, with rainforest, paperbark woodlands, and tufa limestone formations at Mataranka Falls. The Roper River offers excellent canoeing (hire available) and barramundi fishing. There are scenic walking tracks through pockets of rainforest with wildlife observation points and camping areas. The walk from Twelve Mile Yards leads to the small but beautiful Mataranka Falls.
Elsey Cemetery: graves of outback pioneers immortalised by Jeannie Gunn, who lived on Elsey Station from 1902 to 1903; 20 km SE. We of the Never Never: a cairn marks the site of the original homestead near the cemetery; 20 km SE. Bitter Springs Set amongst palms and tropical woodlands in the Elsey National Park, these spring-fed thermal pools are an ideal place to relax and unwind; 2 km E. Mataranka Homestead Tourist Park Enjoy a swim in the beautiful Rainbow Springs Thermal Pool surrounded by palm trees. The 1982 movie "We of the Never Never" was filmed here, and the replica of the original homestead is still part of the attractions; (08) 8975 4544; 7 km S.
Cafes & restaurants around town
Mataranka Homestead Tourist Resort
Situated 7 kilometres off the Stuart Highway, the bistro-style restaurant here is adjacent to a Territory icon, Mataranka thermal springs. Those who rise early will see wallabies and peacocks ambling past the restaurant,... Find out moreOff the Stuart Highway, in the middle of town, the menu is both à la carte and buffet. The locally caught barramundi is very popular, as are the steaks and kangaroo medallions. The dining area overlooks a... Find out more
Campsites around town
Jalmurark Campground 17 km
Enjoy great facilities here, including solar hot-water showers, in a peaceful environment (no generators). You’ll need to bring your own firewood. Turn off Homestead Rd to the right after 4 km, onto John Hauser Dr,... Find out moreManyallaluk Camping Ground 76 km
About an hour and a half’s drive south-east of Katherine, with access marked 52 km east of Katherine off the Stuart Hwy, this campsite on Aboriginal land is probably best suited to those who want an Aboriginal... Find out moreEighth Gorge (bush camping) 90 km
A popular campsite among overnight canoeists, this site is 16 km east of the visitor centre via Eighth Gorge Walk. It has no toilets.... Find out moreDunlop Swamp (bush camping) 91 km
With no toilets and drinking water only available some of the year, this is a site for the experienced. It’s 9 km along the Smitt Rocks Walk.... Find out moreSmitt Rocks 92 km
Suitable for canoeists or hikers, this site is 11 km east of the visitor centre, and accessible by the Katherine River or the Smith Rocks Walk. There are toilets and drinking water.... Find out moreNitmiluk Gorge Caravan and Camping Ground 96 km
Centrally positioned near the ranger station, walking tracks, canoe hire and the cruise boat, this privately run campsite has pretty much everything you need, including a pool, and is the main campsite in the park.... Find out moreAll Seasons Resort Katherine 97 km
This resort on the Stuart Hwy at Katherine is a great base to springboard into Nitmiluk National Park. Its small camping area has powered and unpowered sites and there is a swimming pool. No fires are allowed.... Find out moreShady Lane Tourist Park 99 km
This quiet spot just out of Katherine has great facilities. Take a short stroll to the river and do some fishing, or lounge in the pool. To get here, head out of Katherine towards Katherine Gorge for 6 km along Giles St,... Find out moreKnotts Crossing Resort Caravan Park 100 km
A 5-time winner of the Northern Territory Brolga Award for tourism, this resort has a range of accommodation options, including powered and unpowered sites, and sites with ensuites. Set by the river at the corner of... Find out moreBiddlecombe Cascades 101 km
The seasonal cascades tumble 11 km along the Jatbula Trail from the visitor centre.... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
This popular park is situated alongside the Mataranka Thermal Pool. Many people come here to swim in the hot, crystal-clear springs. There are good amenities, a licensed bistro and a well-stocked shop.... Find out more
Shady Lane Tourist Park 99 km
This park is in a quite rural setting 6 km from Katherine. It has large shade trees and very good amenities. There is plenty of space for larger rigs. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out moreBIG4 Katherine Low Level Caravan Park 100 km
This is a quality park with nice shade trees. It has good facilities including a relaxed bistro under a spreading banyan tree. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out moreKnotts Crossing Resort Caravan Park 100 km
Take the road leading to the gorge to discover this very tidy, good quality park set in tropical surrounds. It has a range of accommodation and good facilities, including a fully licensed restaurant. All the caravan... Find out moreEdith Falls Camp Ground 125 km
This is a good camping area within Nitmiluk National Park. It is reached along a 19-km sealed road; turn off the Stuart Highway 42 km north-west of Katherine. The base of the falls is a short walk from the camping... Find out moreDaly Waters Historic Pub 151 km
This is an enormously popular stop where the adjoining historic pub provides its famous beef and barra barbecue every night between April and September. The caravan park is little more than a grassy paddock and the... Find out moreDunmarra Wayside Inn Caravan Park 198 km
Part of a roadhouse complex, this park is fine for an overnight stop. The roadhouse has a good restaurant and a licensed bar.... Find out moreVictoria River Roadhouse Caravan Park 222 km
Victoria River Crossing is a key landmark on the Victoria Highway and this park is part of the roadhouse and accommodation complex on the banks of the Victoria River. It has shady sites, basic amenities and is ideal for... Find out moreGagudju Lodge Cooinda Caravan Park 231 km
Located close to the famous Yellow Water billabong, this park is just off the Kakadu Highway, 54 km south of Jabiru. It is a great choice, especially if you are planning a cruise on Yellow Water, as the cruise bus... Find out moreHotels, motels & B&Bs around town
Territory Manor Motel & Caravan Park
Set back from the Stuart Highway, Territory Manor is surrounded by lush, tropical gardens with wide lawns and a large swimming pool. It’s an excellent base to explore the Never Never region. There is a good... Find out moreEco-friendly places to stay around town
Kakadu Culture Camp 231 km
This Aboriginal-owned-and-operated camp in the heart of Kakadu is 100 per cent solarpowered, including the bore pump. It has solar hot water and 40 solar panels providing electricity. From May to November you can stay in... Find out moreRest areas around town
Mataranka Park Area 1 km
Middle of town Large area adjacent highway in the middle of town. Limited shade. GPS: S14 55.504 E133 04.142... Find out more12 Mile Yards Camp Area 17 km
T/O 70 km N of Larrimah (R) or 6 km S of Mataranka (L) Large campground located 16 kilometres east of the highway on the banks of the Roper River in a pleasant bush setting in Elsey National Park. Good facilities and... Find out moreWarloch Rest Area 35 km
40 km N of Larrimah (R) or 36 km S of Mataranka (L) Large area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S15 14.159 E133 06.880 ... Find out moreKing River Rest Area 56 km
57 km N of Mataranka (R) or 49 km S of Katherine (L) Large area adjacent to the highway. Good shade. GPS: S14 38.628 E132 37.923 ... Find out moreKatherine Park Area 100 km
South side of town Large parking area behind the information centre. Limited shade. GPS: S14 27.993 E132 15.988 ... Find out moreKing West Rest Area 109 km
31 km SW of Katherine (R) or 163 km NE of Victoria River (L) Small area just off the highway behind a few trees. Limited shade. GPS: S14 40.679 E132 05.196... Find out moreLimestone Creek Rest Area 124 km
57 km SW of Katherine (R) or 137 km NE of Victoria River (L) Large area just off the highway around a few trees. Limited shade. GPS: S14 49.762 E131 55.035... Find out moreEdith Falls Camp Area 126 km
T/O 42 km N of Katherine (R) or 48 km S of Pine Creek (L) Small shady campground located 19 kilometres east of the highway on the edge of a large waterhole fringed by monsoon forest in Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge)... Find out moreWhat's on around town
Back to the Never Never Festival: celebration of the out back including a cattle muster; May.
Art show: May.
Rodeo: Aug.
