Elsey National Park, National park in Northern Territory, Australia.
Elsey National Park spans roughly 139 square kilometers east of Mataranka, blending thermal springs with diverse woodland environments. Multiple walking trails, natural swimming pools, and waterfalls are distributed throughout the reserve.
The park takes its name from Elsey Station, the cattle property surrounding Mataranka where Jeannie Gunn lived and wrote "We of the Never-Never" about the years from 1902. The protected area was later gazetted and now covers 138 square kilometres along the Roper River. Its thermal pools and Bitter Springs, reached from the Stuart Highway turnoff at Mataranka, are fed by water rising from the underlying limestone.
The park's name comes from Elsey Station, the cattle property surrounding Mataranka where Jeannie Gunn wrote "We of the Never-Never" about her life there from 1902. The Mangarrayi and Yangman peoples hold native title over parts of the park, and walking trails lead to historical sites within it.
Access is from the Stuart Highway: the turn-off in Mataranka leads to Bitter Springs, and the Homestead Road, 1.5 km further south, reaches the main section of the park. May to September is the best visiting time. Saltwater crocodiles must be watched for outside the dry season, and freshwater crocodiles are a hazard in some places, so heed warning signs. Canoeing and fishing are possible along long stretches of the Roper River, and weather, especially in the wet season, can limit access to parts of the park.
Thermal springs in the area support a large colony of little red fruit bats that roost in bamboo during daylight hours. These bats often go unnoticed by swimmers who are focused on the water.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 93,433 contributors worldwide.