Nestled in the Elsey National Park just a few kilometres east of town across Roper Creek, the town’s biggest draw is the Mataranka Thermal Pool and Bitter Springs.

On the short drive in, the red dust, water starved lawns and ubiquitous termite mounds gradually give way and you arrive at a true oasis, startling to me considering the contrast to the hundreds of kilometres of inhospitable land surrounding it that we’ve driven through.

While the thermal pool itself is man-made, the surrounding environment is entirely natural, with towering cabbage palms providing shade, and the nearby Roper River adding to the peaceful atmosphere. A wide flat concrete path winds a couple of hundred metres through a hybrid of gum tree laden Australian scrub and lush palm forest until you eventually arrive at the Thermal Pool.

Metal steps allow access to the water but one glance at them and I know that whilst I can probably get in easily enough, getting back out would be a problem. Accessibility for the paths, car park and surrounds A+ - access to the water, the main attraction, D-

Kathy jumps in and I content myself for an hour or so wandering around the surrounds, talking some photos and chuckling at people floating down the gentle current of the Bitter Springs on anything that floats, before heading back up the path and doing it all over again - The world’s slowest carnival ride.  The prepared, or at least those in the know, had pool noodles aiding them while several made do with improvised mini rafts of eski lids or inflated silver goon bags, some of which I reckon weren’t empty before they started.

All in all, I can recommend a visit to this beautiful place if you are passing through Mataranka for the location alone. Accessible car parking, wide flat concrete paths with plenty of seating and accessible amenities in the carpark.

My experience was diminished however by the lack of accessible entry and exit to the water for those with mobility issues. I hope this will be addressed by them in the future.