Mataranka Thermal Pool

A natural thermal pool in a stand of palms and paperbarks beside the Waterhouse River, in Elsey National Park 110km southeast of Katherine. The water sits at a steady 34°C year-round, fed from underground springs that emerge through Mataranka's Tindall limestone. Cabbage palms and Livistona over the pool. Four kilometres off the Stuart Highway via Homestead Road, a five-minute walk from the carpark. Less developed and quieter than Bitter Springs further north. Open year-round.

The thermal water holds about 34°C year-round. Both freshwater and saltwater crocodiles occur in this catchment, so follow the Be Crocwise signage, swim only where it is signed as open, and check park status before you travel — pools here can close after wet-season flows.