NOVEMBER
2019
GECKO CAR RENTALS DARWIN
THERMAL SPRINGS AND DISCOVERING HISTORY AT ELSEY NATIONAL PARK WITH GECKO CAR HIRE DARWIN
www.geckocarhiredarwin.com.au
NOVEMBER 2019
THERMAL SPRINGS AND DISCOVERING HISTORY AT ELSEY NATIONAL PARK WITH GECKO CAR HIRE DARWIN TRIP INFO 4 DAYS - 1 WEEK DARWIN TO ELSEY NATIONAL PARK TO DARWIN BEST IN DRY SEASON JUNE - SEPTEMBER
Elsey National Park via nt.gov.au
Rent a car with Gecko Car Hire Darwin and
the smaller side when compared with the
travel 120km south of Katherine along the
other parks across the Northern Territory but it
Stuart Highway and you’ll soon come across
sure won’t disappoint the traveller looking for
Elsey National Park. This national park is on
somewhere to stop and explore.
NOVEMBER 2019
Thermal Springs
We of the Never Never
If you’ve ever wanted to test the benefits of
There is a little bit of fame in the history of the
swimming in thermal springs, Elsey National
Elsey National Park. The park was named after
Park is the place to do it. The Mataranka
the cattle station that was prominent in
Thermal Pool is well known for its healing
Jeannie Gunn’s “We of the Never Never”. The
benefits where you can lay back under the
film adaptation of the book was shot nearby,
shade of the pandanus, paperbark and palm
and you can wander around the Old Elsey
forest. The pool is spring fed and sits at 34
Cemetery where graves date back to 1926. A
degrees year-round.
replica homestead is also located nearby, where you can find out more about the novel, the film
The nearby Bitter Springs is surrounded by
and the original homestead itself.
palms and tropical woodlands. Laze back in the 33-degree temperature of this thermal pool while you keep an eye out for the native wild and birdlife that are attracted to the area. Need to cool off? Stevie’s Hole, found a little further
along
the
Waterhouse
River,
isn’t
warmed by the springs and is the perfect place to cool off on a hot summer day.
Original Elsey Station Homestead, destroyed by a cyclone in 1897 and rebuilt in 1907 via South Australian History
Fishing & Boating If you’ve been bringing your boat and fishing gear
along
on
your
Northern
Territory
adventure, the Roper River is popular with those looking to explore the area and find the perfect fishing hole. You’ll find boat ramps at 4 Mile and 12 Mile where you can launch your Mataranka Thermal Pool via Plan Book Travel
boat or canoe for the day.
NOVEMBER 2019
Historic Sites
If you are travelling through the Northern Territory, make time to stop a while at Elsey
Like many places in the Top End there are
National Park. Discover the history and relax in
historical sites everywhere, both Indigenous
the thermal pools before you go on your way.
and European. Around Elsey National Park, you’ll find historical sites including the Old Sheep Dip, 12 Mile Yards and the World War II Aboriginal Army Camp walk.
Walking Trails There are a few great walking trails around Elsey National Park catering to almost everyone. The Mataranka Thermal Pool is a short walk for those who’ve just stopped in for a break, while a little further down the track is the Botanic Walk. This walk will take you along the Roper River up to 12 Mile Yards, and link in with several smaller loop walks for you to discover. The full walk to 12
Mile
Yards
is
approximately
8km.The
Mataranka Falls walk follows the Roper River and is a pleasant 4km walk through the bush. You’ll certainly hear the falls before you see them.
Roper River via ABC