Day 28/29 - Bitter Springs/Mataranka Hot Springs

 Day 28 - Tuesday - 16/6/2026

Today we left Daly Waters and drove to Bitter Springs. Now we are out of the desert and in tropical areas it is a lot more humid and hot. At Bitter Springs we walked to the hot springs. Even though it was in the shade of the sensational huge paper bark tree forest that made no difference to the warm hot spring's temperature. At the springs we floated down the river on pool noodles util we weren't allowed to swim any further so then we walked back up the stream and hopped back in. 


Swimming at Bitter Springs


We also luckily spotted two turtles and two Azure Kingfishers.

Azure Kingfisher

Day 29 - Wednesday - 17/6/2026

This morning we drove to Elsey National Park and had a look at the Roper River. Then we drove to Mataranka Hot Springs where we swam around in the warm water (34 degrees) playing games and splashing each other. 

Swimming at Mataranka


This time the hot spring was more like a pool than a river, but it also felt a little bit deeper, and it smelt nowhere near as bad. There were also a bunch of small wild pigs wandering around. Unlike Bitter Springs Mataranka was secluded in a beautiful palm tree forest.

Comments

  1. AnonymousJune 17, 2026 at 10:49 PM

    I am pleased your having such a great time.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJune 18, 2026 at 4:42 AM

    The Kingfisher is beautiful. We’re the springs really hot or just warm. I really enjoy reading your posts Danny😊 Love Aunty Kath

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DanielJune 20, 2026 at 3:28 PM

      The springs were warm but not too hot.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousJune 19, 2026 at 10:52 PM

    Did you have to keep an eye on grandpa so he didn’t get out of his depth? Kevin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DanielJune 20, 2026 at 3:30 PM

      Usually, he's pretty good but sometimes we have to watch him.

      Delete

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