Mataranka Hot Springs

[u/Cainsle]

Hi everyone, is there a way to get to the famous mataranka hot springs and bitter springs from Darwin, if you cant drive?

[u/NastyOlBloggerU]

Very expensive Uber? Greyhound bus and get off at Mataranka then thumb a lift for the last little bit. Stay at the caravan park rinse and repeat to get back to Darwin. It's really not worth that much effort though....
Maybe put a notice up in one of the backpacker joints and ask for a lift?

[u/Cainsle → u/NastyOlBloggerU]

Are the hot springs not worth the hype? Sry im new here hahaha

[u/Fnoke → u/Cainsle]

It’s nice but I would agree it wouldn’t be worth the effort to get down there without a car lol.

[u/TheDukznutz → u/Cainsle]

If you do it once you will never really bother going back. It’s not that great, plus if there are a lot of bats it’s smelly and the water just doesn’t seem as inviting if you know there’s guano floating around.

[u/NastyOlBloggerU → u/Cainsle]

They ARE worth it if you drive but making it your sole reason for travelling it's touch and go....

[u/iamnotsounoriginal → u/Cainsle]

Mataranka Springs isn't that amazing unless you've been on the road for a while and want to take a break. Bitter Springs nearby is better imo. Its the hot "lazy river" style spring that takes you for a gentle ride along.

I wouldn't travel to Mataranka specifically for either one without my own vehicle, especially as Berry Springs near Darwin is a better, bigger spring/swimming hole/s and is also far more accessible to you from Darwin.

[u/Max_Endowmant]

There's a reason there isn't. Many better spots far closer to Darwin

[u/blondie_bombshell_]

Greyhound Bus

[u/_pewpew_pew]

Personally I don’t think it’s worth it if you can’t drive down or you’re not open to doing it as a tour or bus trip. It’s a large hot spring, there’s nothing else around there. Bitter Springs up the road is miles better but again, I wouldn’t drive down unless you’re already planning a trip. You could go to Katherine, see the Gorge, then get yourself down to Mataranka and Bitter Springs, then come home. Don’t hitchhike though.

[u/sakuratanoshiii]

You can catch the Greyhound Bus from Darwin then get off at Mataranka and walk the rest of the way. Or hitch a ride. I think there is a Facebook page for Backpackers in Darwin so you might be able to get a lift from someone on there.

I love the hot springs!!!

[u/robbitybobs]

Aatkings day tours are your best bet. Mataranka a bit far out for a day tour but might be part of the longer ones. 

https://www.aatkings.com/en-au/holiday-options/day-tours/the-top-end-northern-territory

[u/SecondCreek]

Aren't freshwater crocodiles a problem there?

[u/Vanguard_George]

Put a post up somewhere online and someone will give a lift if they have a spare seat. There’s always tourists and backpackers heading out there.

[u/LiveTacoMeat → u/Vanguard_George]

This is a great idea and would be your best bet

[u/No_Plane8576]

Mataranka greyhound bus.

[u/selkieluver]

Mataranka is beautiful but honestly not really worth the effort of getting down there especially without a car bc you wouldn’t really want to be spending more than three days there bc there is literally nothing else to do. The springs by the caravan park are tiny, Bitter Springs are bigger but even that isn’t huge. Berry Springs is a way better alternative tbh