Bitter Springs
Bitter Springs
4.5
About
Bitter Springs is a series of naturally fed thermal pools, an ideal place to relax and unwind. Located within Elsey National Park, and only 2 kilometres from Mataranka town ship.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
481 reviews
Excellent
305
Very good
132
Average
26
Poor
17
Terrible
1
TMM818
Bunbury, Australia789 contributions
Jul 2022 • Friends
The current here is a little stronger than other springs we have visited on our trip, but you can work on the same concept, leave you belongings at the end, walk back up and float down.
Soft edges with weed and water lillies and cleverly plastic hand rails, mixed with the amazingly warm blue clear water make for another heavenly stop off.
These springs continue to amaze me.
Soft edges with weed and water lillies and cleverly plastic hand rails, mixed with the amazingly warm blue clear water make for another heavenly stop off.
These springs continue to amaze me.
Written August 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jonique Life
Australia2,225 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
This place is like heaven on earth! It is not as busy as Mataranka Hot Springs, the scenery is surreal and makes you feel so calm. The water is perfect temperature where you could stay here all day. Make sure you are sun smart as it’s pretty exposed. We loved how the current takes you down the stream and you can even bring a snorkel to explore and the best time to go is from 7 am then after 2 hours more people start coming in slowly. Bring a pool noodle and try to buy one at Kmart before you come for a visit (it’s cheaper!)
“Jonique Life”
Follow our journey around Australia on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and YouTube as we highlight wonderful experiences and magical places you can add to your ever growing bucket list.
“Jonique Life”
Follow our journey around Australia on Facebook, Instagram, Tik Tok and YouTube as we highlight wonderful experiences and magical places you can add to your ever growing bucket list.
Written August 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Liisa and Dave B
Adelaide, Australia2,449 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
What an amazing place in the Northern Territory. We spent the first part of the morning swimming at Bitter Springs which I highly recommend. It is like something you see on TV! You don’t need to travel out of Australia to enjoy something so magical and beautiful. Water is clear. There’s a nice currant which can take you downstream if you wish to float and relax. Ample parking. Not too far to walk to the springs. Toilets are near car park.
Written October 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lynda P
Darwin, Australia187 contributions
Jul 2021
We lazed around floating up floating down for about 5 hours, even found a bit of a rock ledge to just sit on. We did bring noodles and they are a must so as you can just enjoy the float. The toilets are a bit of a walk away and I did seem to be the only one making the trek several times LOL. There can be quite a crowd but because of the size and length of the springs it didn't feel overcrowded. Not as stunningly beautiful as the Mataranka thermal pools just up the road but the size is a definite winnter.
Written July 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Heather M
Pak Kret, Thailand48 contributions
Jun 2020 • Family
So much fun to float down with the current. Warm and relaxing. Keep your head down to stay out of the spider webs, but so worth it! Also, in the cooler months, recommend you walk your towels to end instead of dropping them where you get in.
Written June 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Leo H
Canberra, Australia202 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
Great place for refresh. The water is clear and warm. You can float from the upper swimming hole down stream and walk back. Take noodle if you can. Be warmed that the car park can be very full and you might need to park on the entrance road.
Written June 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Caroline
Perth, Australia619 contributions
Apr 2021 • Family
We visited Katherine and Mataranka springs first, Mataranka was lovely but packed and felt very man made so we headed to Bitter Springs and had it nearly to ourselves. Much more natural and drifting around you could marvel at the spiders creativity, dragonfly’s buzzing the water and the water Lily’s. It was just beautiful. We kept getting out, walking back and repeating it! We even stayed for a picnic lunch then hopped back in for a few more rounds until we reluctantly had to make a move.
It won’t be for everyone as a few kids were freaked out by it but our daughter could t get enough of the scenery and floating down the lazy river!
It won’t be for everyone as a few kids were freaked out by it but our daughter could t get enough of the scenery and floating down the lazy river!
Written April 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Pam F
Sydney, Australia970 contributions
Aug 2022
I'm sorry, I don't understand all these reviews. My husband and I were there 2 days ago. The ladder down to the water was slimy and once my husband was in the water he said the rocks he was standing on were slimy as well. I didn't go in. He was disappointed that water wasn't hot like expected but rather cool. 5 minutes later he was out and getting dressed. Waste of time. We've been to thermal pools around the world and this definitely was not a proper thermal pool.
Written August 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
bobjanh
Brisbane, Australia2,167 contributions
Jun 2021 • Couples
The Bitter Springs reserve incorporates a lovely little warm water waterway that, with the aid of some form of flotation device, you can happily drift along taking in the warm, crystal clear water, creekside side vegetation and myriad colourful dragonflies.
There are a couple of access sites to the waterway, an exit railing some 200m downstream and a formed walkway back to where you came from.
On weekends, school holidays and public holidays it can be extremely busy and parking will be at a premium.
Good fun.
There are a couple of access sites to the waterway, an exit railing some 200m downstream and a formed walkway back to where you came from.
On weekends, school holidays and public holidays it can be extremely busy and parking will be at a premium.
Good fun.
Written May 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
vwalmsley
Glenroy, Australia125 contributions
Aug 2022 • Friends
This is close to Mataranka pools so a must do. It is more natural than Mataranka pools. None of the camping grounds etc. drop toilets are available. You can start at the top end where there are steps and swim with the tide and get out via steps at the end where the bridge is located. This is the end of the swim. No further access. The water is clear and deep and there are occasional logs under the water which you can dump into.
Written August 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ragtimes2018
Sydney, Australia15 contributions
Hi Is there an entry fee into the thermal pool if you are staying at other accomodation in town. Thank you
Ramsaya2
Melbourne, Australia49 contributions
No entry fee regardless of where you stay.
ragtimes2018
Sydney, Australia15 contributions
Hi Is there an entry fee into the thermal pool if you are staying at other accomodation in town. thank you
Alison P
36 contributions
No entry fee you don’t even drive into the caravan park. Absolutely worth the effort take a noodle each
Dini Gouw
Darwin, Australia
Hi, me and my partner planning to drive here with city car.. is the road okay?
thank you in advance :)
EndlessTravels
Greater Melbourne, Australia35,369 contributions
Bitumen road off the Stuart Hwy. good road
dimitriletzis
Darwin River, Australia
Hi is it fine to put your head under water? If you accidentally swallow the water could it make you sick?
venusbathstravel
Ballarat, Australia99 contributions
Kids snorkel and dive underwater. Some wear only goggles. I believe there would be signs alerting the public to dangers if there was any. Embrace the place and have a great time.
Maurice D
Horley, UK10 contributions
Are these pools open all year. Hoping to visit in November.
Thank you
venusbathstravel
Ballarat, Australia99 contributions
Yes. You will love it here. Bring your hat and t-shirt for sun protection.
pbroboy
Adelaide, Australia918 contributions
Would two days be too long in Mataranka?
Anthony H
Canberra, Australia209 contributions
We just spent a week in Mataranka. We stayed at the homestead. There is not a lot to do in the town itself, but if you like to relax, people of all ages literally spend hours at a time relaxing in the thermal springs. Bitter Springs possibly is of more interest to kids as the lagoon is a bit more fun, while,the homestead pool has been likened to 'cocoon' .
Laura T
Dongara, Australia38 contributions
Please can anyone advise if the car park has enough room to drive in with our caravan ? Or is it cars only ? We intend to stop for a rest here while passing through .
Thanks ,
Laura
Chook1
Sydney, Australia288 contributions
Laura
The park place has spots for caravans and buses. No problem just follow the signs. In and out is all ok
Bitter Springs (Mataranka) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Bitter Springs
- Hotels near Bitter Springs:
- (0.26 mi) Bitter Springs Cabins and Camping
- (1.52 mi) Territory Manor Motel and Caravan Park
- (1.67 mi) Mataranka Roadhouse
- (2.31 mi) Little Roper Stock Camp
- (1.62 mi) Mataranka Hotel Motel