Mataranka Thermal Pools

The main pool is reached by a 500-metre loop walk from the car park, an easy path suitable for prams and wheelchairs, with stairs and handrails leading into the water. The vivid blue-green water is warm year-round, making it a pleasure to swim in even on cooler mornings. A second thermal pool, Rainbow Springs, lies a short distance away within the same park and is equally clear and inviting.

Elsey National Park holds deep cultural significance for the Mangarrayi people, the traditional custodians of this country. The area was also made famous beyond the Territory by Jeannie Gunn's 1908 novel We of the Never-Never, based on her experiences at the nearby Elsey Station. A replica of the historic homestead stands just outside the park boundary and is worth a brief visit for historical context.

Entry to the thermal pools is free and no permit is required. The pools are open throughout the year, though the surrounding park may experience flooding during the wet season. Camping is available nearby at Elsey National Park campgrounds for those wishing to linger. The pools are well-signposted from the Stuart Highway at Mataranka township.