Elsey National Park

Introducing Elsey National Park

The 138-sq-km Elsey National Park surrounds the Mataranka Homestead and takes in the Little Roper River and a long stretch of the Roper River, with monsoon forests along its banks. On the eastern edge of the park are colourful tufa limestone formations, which form the Mataranka Falls. The Roper River section of the park is reached along the 20km stretch of John Hauser Dr, which turns off Homestead Rd, while the Bitter Springs section is along Martins Rd. The area is the site of some Dreaming trails of the Yangman and Mangarayi peoples. Mataranka Station was selected as an experimental sheep station in 1912. The sheep did not prosper and were removed in 1919, but cattle did better and some of the yards are still standing at 12 Mile Yards.

Mataranka’s famous crystal-clear thermal pool is about 10km east of town. The turn-off to the hot springs is 1.5km south of Mataranka, and then it’s 8km along the bitumen Homestead Rd. The warm, mineral-rich waters flow from Rainbow Spring into a landscaped pool surrounded by rainforest palms. Don’t expect the secluded tranquility of other hot springs in the Top End; the pool is reached via a short boardwalk from the touristy Mataranka Homestead Resort and can get pretty crowded. There’s no need to worry about the freshness of the water, however, as it comes out of the ground at more than 16,000L per minute at a temperature of 34°C.

About 200m away (follow the boardwalk) is the Waterhouse River, where you can walk along the banks, or rent canoes for $10 an hour. Stevie’s Hole, a natural swimming hole in the cooler Waterhouse River, about 1.5km from the homestead, is rarely crowded.

Outside the homestead entrance is a replica of the Elsey Station Homestead, which was made for the filming of We of the Never Never (shown daily at noon in the main homestead), and now houses historical displays.

John Hauser Drive is a sealed road branching off Homestead Rd and leads to a camping area at 12 Mile Yards. A few kilometres along, the Botanic Walk (1.5km, one hour, easy) passes through dense vegetation bordering a creek and has interpretative signs explaining the Aboriginal uses of various species. Korowan Walk (4.1km one way, two hours, easy) follows the scenic Roper River downstream from Mulurark, through 12 Mile Yards (1km) to a set of small cascades and Mataranka Falls. There are some tranquil and safe swimming spots along the Roper River at 4 Mile, Mulurark and 12 Mile Yards. Freshwater crocs inhabit the river but it is safe to swim above the falls. Fishing is also permitted here.

Last updated: Apr 21, 2010