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Mataranka Thermal Pools Rain falling over the "Top End" during the wet season travels through limestone beds of the Daly and Georgina Basins at 30 - 100m below the surface. Where a fault exists in the overlying clay layer, such as at Mataranka, pressure forces the water to the surface in a continual flow. The spring water rises from underground at 30.5 million litres per day, at a temperature of 34-35 degrees Celsius, and is then contained in a relaxing swimming pool surrounded by a paperbark and palm forest. The area around the pool is a natural breeding ground for the Little Red Flying Fox. The breeding season is traditionally in the wet season but often extends into the dry. During breeding season and whilst the babies are maturing Parks and Wildlife Rangers conduct afternoon guided walks. Every effort is made by the Conservation Commission to maintain an enjoyable visitor experience , and minimise adverse impacts from the flying fox, however they are a natural phenomenon that adds another dimension to the visitor experience, and which may not be seen again for some time. Access The Thermal Pool sector is located at the end of the Maranka Homestead road. The access roads may be cut for short periods during the wet season. History During World War II 1500 soldiers were stationed in and around Mataranka, some of these at Mataranka Homestead. The "Diggers" decided to enlarge the narrow channel leading from the spring to the Waterhouse River and so created the "Thermal Pool", for use by officers only. One of the diggers, Herbert Victor Smith saw the tourism potential of the Thermal Pool and was granted a sub-lease on Mataranka Homestead in 1946. The Thermal Springs pool and the surrounding Livistonia rigida palm stand was declared a Nature Reserve in 1962. It is now part of the Elsey National Park and is managed by the Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory for all to enjoy. Mataranka Thermal Pool was dedicated as a reserve in 1967 to ensure the preservation of the thermal spring and the surrounding palm forest which has survived from an earlier age. Activities
Water Analysis The Mataranka Thermal Pool is fed from a subterranean water supply which surfaces at the nearby Rainbow Springs. The Rainbow Spring is a geothermal spring, whereby the temperature of the water relates to the rock temperature at the levels of the water's origin. The water has a pH of 6.9 (very slightly acidic) and a typical chemical analysis is:
More Information Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory
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