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Mataranka - Cities, Towns and Localities |
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The township of Mataranka is located on the upper reaches of the Roper River,
about 106 km south east of Katherine in the Northern Territory. Mataranka is a
popular tourist stop, part of the Explorer’s Way tourist drive, on the main
route that connects Adelaide and Darwin. With a number of attractions, the
most popular being the thermal pools, a sandy-bottomed lagoon fringed by palms,
Mataranka other claim to fame is as the ‘Capital of the Never Never’.
The area becoming famous when Mrs Aeneas Gunn wrote her book ‘We of the Never Never’
(which was originally published in 1908). The book talks about her
time as the wife of the manager of Elsey Station.
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Indeed, the history of old Elsey Station can be found in the ‘Never Never’ cemetery,
21 km south of the town, just near the site of the homestead where Mrs Aeneas Gunn
(sometimes referred to as Jeannie Gunn, although Jeannie Taylor was the name she
was born with)
experienced her ‘Never Never’ that led to her writing her book. The cemetery
marks the final resting place of many of the characters in the book. She described this area as
‘A land that bewitches her people with strange spells
and mysteries until they call sweet bitter and bitter sweet. We who have
lived in it and loved it know that our hearts can never rest away from
it’
For up-to-date info visit the tourist centre. For Mataranka accommodation
click here: |
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Book Katherine Attractions Online
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Mataranka Thermal Pool
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A dip in the crystal warm waters is a must at the Thermal Pool at Mataranka
Homestead. This sandy bottomed pool is surrounded by palms, and at a constant
34°C, the water comes from Rainbow Springs at an amazing 30.5 million litres a
day.
The area around the pool is also a natural breeding ground for the Little Red
Flying Fox. The breeding season is during the tropical summer, however the
season can extend beyond this. The chattering of the flying fox colonies along
the banks of the Roper River all add to the the tropical charm of the location.
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Bitter Springs
• Located about 2 km from Mataranka,
Bitter Springs is part of Elsey National Park. A short walk from the car park
weaves it way under fan palms and tropical woodlands that lead to the main
swimming area. You can appreciate the whole area with a short walk that takes
you around the whole pool, providing signage with information and the vegetation
of the local area. There are picnic benches, BBQs and toilet facilities. For
more information, download the
NT
Parks and Wildlife fact sheet.
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Elsey Memorial Cemetery
The history of old Elsey Station can be found in the ‘Never Never’ cemetery, 21
km south of the town. Located near the site of the homestead where Mrs Aeneas
Gunn experienced her ‘Never Never’ that led to her writing her book, the
cemetery contain the graves of a number of outback pioneers, marking the final
resting place of many of the characters from her book.
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We of The Never Never Museum
• 120 Roper Terrace, MATARANKA NT 0852 • Ph: 08 8975 4576 • Fax: 08 8975 4906 •
• Explore Mataranka’s pioneering
heritage through the outdoor displays that include the railway history, the
Overland Telegraph Line, a bush workshop, military history and regional
industrial archaeology. There is also a photo gallery chronicling Mataranka’s
involvement in World War II, early history and local identities.
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• Northern Territory Events |
Back to the Never
Never Festival
• The events are held at various locations in Mataranka.
• Held over three days in May
• Annual event with a variety of
equestrian events that include a gymkhana, polocrosse matches and a rodeo. The
rodeo is held on the Saturday afternoon and night, followed by live
entertainment. The famous Bushman's Breakfast is available for all on the Sunday
morning.
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Mataranka Bushman’s Carnival
• Usually held over the first weekend in August
• A not-for-profit organisation whose
aim is to promote the sport of rodeo, campdrafting, cutting and gymkhana in the
Roper region. Riders all compete for great prizes and the title of ‘Bushman’s
Carnival Champion Rider’. This premier event is also a fund raiser to enable the
members to carry out the aims of the organisation.
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NT
Tours •
Outback •
Eco •
Adventure •
National Tours |
Barramundi Feeding
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Territory Manor
• Stuart Hwy, MATARANKA NT
• Ph: 08 8975 4516 • Fax: 08 8975 4612 •
• Within the grounds of the Territory
Manor there is a barramundi fish feeding tour. See the fish being feed by hand
and hear how they live and breed in the Top End rivers and oceans.
Barramundi Fish Feeding Shows: 9:30 am and 1:00 pm.
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Distance to Mataranka
• Following are some approximate distances by
road to Mataranka:
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Distances given are only approximation, they should be verified with the appropriate
maps.
The
Australian Automotive Motoring Associations also offer select access to travel trip planners. |
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