Katherine Hot Springs
Katherine Hot Springs
4.5
National Parks • Hot Springs & Geysers
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About
These natural thermal springs are located just outside of Katherine Township and comprise of a series of clear pools framed by native vegetation. These bubbly springs have a constant temperature of approximately 25 - 30 degrees Celsius.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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  • WJeremiah
    Darwin, Australia135 contributions
    Refreshing swim
    This is a gem in the ‘middle’ of Katherine. The water might not be HOT, but it’s certainly much warmer than any water you’ll find around, everyone will enjoy a swim. Access has been massively improved from a slippery dirt track to a very expensive looking path (with stairs). There is a new play ground for the kids to burn some energy and the pop-up cafe does amazing food / coffee etc. Depending how long you like to swim, you’ll only spend an hour or two here, but being so central you can come again and again. Photo is of kids going from top pool down to the main area.
    Visited July 2020
    Traveled with family
    Written July 11, 2020
  • Harry T
    Gold Coast, Australia4 contributions
    It’s worth the drive from Darwin
    Lovely restful place for both the family and for couples. It has sprinklers now that come on to scare the bats away in the evening we were told. Most likely it will get busier as the dry season continues so best to get in early. It was colder outside than in the water. We made a very worthwhile drive from Darwin to visit all the springs and falls around Katherine and Mataranka. Each unique.
    Visited May 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written May 16, 2023
  • sklh
    Sydney, Australia85 contributions
    A popular little spot
    With a series of pools joined by a steam, the crystal clear water has a current that you can float down! The top pool is the warmest, 32 degrees I believe. The zigzag steps and lack of signposts make it a little challenging for anyone with mobility or directional challenges, but rest assured, you'll find the steps and just keep wandering down. Worth the effort and enjoyable by all ages. The rat bag locals jumping off the bridge make it a little less tranquil, so advise you go before 5pm.
    Visited May 2021
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

4.5
640 reviews
Excellent
299
Very good
249
Average
69
Poor
15
Terrible
8

Gina T
Katherine, Australia248 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
We arrive at the springs a little too early in the year. The water is still a little cloudy following wet season. We were told end of May would be better, cleaner etc. However, we still enjoyed the experience and spent an afternoon in the springs. Oh and the fish get really curious.
Written April 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mutiny
Sydney, Australia2,649 contributions
Jul 2022
With teens in school, we have little choice but to travel during school holidays. Wow, does this little place get overcrowded during the holidays. The pools themselves aren't very big and it was crammed with people during the afternoon. Thus, the water was a little murky due to all the movement of people. I am not sure when there would be a quieter time, but I recommend that you try and go during the quieter times.
Written August 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JoeyandMeSydney
Darwin, Australia108 contributions
Nov 2020 • Couples
Lucky it was an overcast day, very warm but not sunny. The water was clean and not many people at the time, which was a bit surprising.
It’s free and not far from Katherine township, so why not? The walk down to the water from the car park is a bit long, but worth it. A picnic can be had there, if you like, though there are not many shady spots. The pool higher up is bigger and a little deeper, where at one end the source of the spring was visible and is flowing down to the rest of the waterway. Interestingly, this source plus other underground water sources are feeding into the Gorge 1 of Katherine Gorge, as we were told during the Katherine Gorge cruise.
(Gorge 2 is fed by rain water).
A few kids were diving feet first despite the warning signs not to. Kids!
Highly recommended, worth visiting at least once.
Written November 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stanthorpe
Stanthorpe, Australia608 contributions
Jun 2020 • Couples
This little oasis is free and sits close to the centre of Katherine. The water is aqua and warm but not hot. The ladder in is easy enough to negotiate. The top pool is not a large space and could get crowded. Find an off peak time to visit if you can but it is lovely.
Written June 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jonique Life
Australia2,521 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
This was certainly a surprise! The pools here are excellent with different sections you can go to for a swim. We went right above the stairs to the top waterhole which was our favourite section. It is a perfect water temperature when it’s a hot day and well shaded. There is heaps of caravan parking as well as toilet facilities. We sadly did find some rubbish near the area and even a broken piece of glass in the water which we removed.

“Jonique Life”
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Written August 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ashc_g
Sydney, Australia166 contributions
May 2021
Katherine Hot Springs is 5 mins from the centre of town and has quite good parking for visitors. The walk down to the springs does take a few minutes but is not too far away. The three pools are reasonably small and are all interconnected by a stream. The top pool is a little deeper, with the two lower pools better suited for less confident swimmers or younger families. We were there in the middle of a Thursday and shared the pools with other tourists and several families. The water was quite clear and warm but can be surprisingly deep in certain places - overall they are quite shallow which makes for a relaxing time. Head out here early if you prefer peace and quiet. A very nice spot to spend 2-3 hours.
Written May 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LisaD
Coppabella, Australia795 contributions
Aug 2022
Son & I stopped in quickly to have a look around lunch time. The food van & area at the top of the stairs was way to busy to bother eating at, but we had a quick look on the Saturday at the Hotsprings as we were going back the next day.
We went on to se the Mataraka Bitter & Rainbow springs as well as Thermal pool which were actually way more packed with people.

We went back to Katherine Hotsprings about 3pmish and though there was still a fair few people, many had cleared out for the day.

Stairs and ramp lead you down to the Hotsprings. Fun fact they aren't actually hot!
We even ended up with a little spa area to ourselves which was awesome.
Area was very clean and would go back many times if I lived up there.
Written August 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Liisa and Dave B
Adelaide, Australia2,490 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
We stayed overnight in Katherine on a very hot night so in the morning we decided to go to the Hot Springs for a swim. It was 32C at 9am. The walk isn’t far to the springs from the carpark. The water was absolutely beautiful and refreshing. Lots of shade from the trees. Very picturesque! I could have stayed there the whole day as it was magical. Coffee booth situated near the carpark as is restrooms.
Highly recommend this place!
Written October 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Happy_Trav_Eller
Adelaide, Australia296 contributions
May 2021
Loved this spot. Lots of little fish swimming around my feet. Can get very busy so be prepared. A strongish current too, I swam breast stroke for an hour in one of them ( not maximum effort though) and remained in the same spot ha! So nice gentle exercise. You can float down stream between the springs, it’s not a long distance and great for kids. It’s not very deep either an adult can easily stand, and kneel in places. Crocs can and do inhabit the area so dry season is the best time to visit. Just like sitting in a tepid bath. A definite on your to do list.
Written May 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Michelle M
Sydney, Australia193 contributions
Jun 2021
Plenty of parking. Short walk through playground and down stairs and along path. Easy access to springs using metal stairs and hand rails. Water warm and calm. Can swim from area to area with a small waterfall in the middle that you can also swim over and into the other side. Clear water. Plenty of seating as garden edging. Toilets near carpark. A must do.
Written June 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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