Mataranka
NT 852 • Northern Territory
About Mataranka
Mataranka is a small town in the Northern Territory's Top End, situated approximately 420 kilometres south-east of Darwin and 114 kilometres south of Katherine within the Roper Gulf Region local government area. The locality spans a vast 232 square kilometres of tropical savanna landscape and recorded a population of 384 residents in the 2021 Census. With a median income of around $32,800, the community reflects the characteristic lifestyle of remote Territory towns, where pastoral, Indigenous, and tourism activities form the economic backbone.
Mataranka is best known for the warm thermal springs of Elsey National Park — including the popular Rainbow Springs and Bitter Springs — which attract visitors from across Australia year-round. The area carries deep literary and historical significance as the setting for Jeannie Gunn's classic outback memoir *We of the Never Never*, and Mataranka Homestead remains a landmark stop for travellers on the Stuart Highway between Darwin and Alice Springs. Despite its remoteness, the town offers basic services including a pub, roadhouse, and primary school, making it a self-contained community for those drawn to the Territory's open, tropical outback.
Mataranka falls under postcode 852 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Katherine electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Bus Services
- Greyhound Australia — Darwin / Alice Springs (Stuart Highway route) ~4h to Darwin, ~18h to Alice Springs
Commute to Darwin CBD
🛣️ Katherine (114km north) is the nearest service hub for healthcare, shopping, and education
Basic town services are accessible on foot locally, but a car is essential for travel beyond the township and for most significant errands
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
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Buntine Highway