Northern Territory For Everyone: Mataranka

Mataranka

A small township and a large resort near the Stuart Highway. The town is near the site of Elsey Station, the subject of Jeannie Gunn's enormously popular autobiographical novel We of the Never-Never.

Location: 1059 km north of Alice Springs; 423 km south of Darwin; 107 km south of Katherine.

Points of Interest

\Mataranka Homestead Tourist Resort has cleverly exploited the lack of historical remnants by purchasing and rebuilding the replica of Elsey Homestead which was used in the 1982 film, We of the Never-Never. The whole notion of the 'never-never' was that it was somewhere which was impossibly distant. The most extreme area of the outback. A term which was synonymous with hardship and loneliness. The image of the 'never-never' is that evoked by Henry Lawson in his poem 'The Never-Never Country'.

Mataranka Thermal Springs

Mataranka Thermal Springs (10 km east) at Mataranka Homestead has lush palms, crystal clean warm waters and a beautiful swimming pool that has been an icon for visitors for many years. A constant 34°C, it flows from Rainbow Springs at an amazing 30.5 million liters each day. Birdwatching is popular in the area, with the rare Red Goshawk, Hooded Parrot and Northern Rosellas found in the area.

Bitter Springs Thermal Pool

The tropical spring-fed and mineral-rich Bitter Springs Thermal Pool is only 2km from Mataranka. A short walk from the car park amongst palm sand tropical woodlands will lead you to the main swimming area. Informative signage explains about its formation and the vegetation of the local area. Toilet facilities, picnic benches and barbecues are available.

Barramundi feeding

The free Barramundi feeding at the Territory Manor (9.30am & 1pm) is a must see – you won’t believe fish can be caught with your bare hands! Guides explain how these interesting fish live and breed in our Top End rivers and oceans.

As they lack genuine historical remains, the Mataranka Homestead Tourist Resort has purchased and rebuilt the replica of Elsey Homestead which was used in the 1982 film "We of the Never-Never"). Associated with the Gunns are the grave of Aeneas James Gunn and the memorial to Jeannie Gunn and the Never Never Museum.

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Roper River is one of the world’s truly great rivers. The headwaters at Mataranka have crystal clear springs flowing into it all year and are the starting point for a 250km journey east to the sea. The river travels through the largest stand of Livistonia Rigida palms in the walk and its beautiful emerald green waters are home to the famous Barramundi. The river flows through Elsey National Park – here you can hire a canoe, launch your own boat, catch Barramundi or just enjoy a swim. There are some great bushwalks in the National Park – to the Mataranka Falls and Tufa Dam, a 1.5km botanical walk along the John Hauser Drive, take a picnic basket and enjoy the solitude of Stevie’s Hole, just a short walk from the Mataranka Homestead.

Mataranka is the traditional country of the Mangaraya and Yangman Aboriginal people. Some of their artwork can be seen in the Stockyard Gallery in the township.

Origin of name

Mataranka is a name of Maori origin and was applied by Dr. J A Gilruth about 1914-15 when establishing an Experimental Sheep Farm in the Thermal Springs area. When the railway line was extended to the present Town area in 1928, the town of Mataranka was officially gazetted on 24th May 1928.