In the clear banks of the Katherine River sits the Katherine Hot Springs, just outside town. Take the raised walking path to a viewing platform where you can see where the spring starts and provides a constant 32 degree Celsius making it perfect for swimming year round.

The free Katherine Hot Springs includes facilities of a barbecue, café, parking for large vehicles, picnic area, and public toilets.

Another thermal springs spot with more chance of being quiet is 1 hours drive south to Mataranka’s Elsey National Park named Mataranka Thermal Pool. This national park is famous for the Australian novel ‘We of the Never Never’, the story of the authors experiences in 1902 where she had to change names to obscure their identities written in 1905, there is also a movie with the same name produced in 1984. While at the thermal pool surrounded by pandanus, paperbarks and palm forest make sure to make a splash and then take a walk to Bitter Springs with palms and tropical woodlands.

If you like the idea of staying a night in Mataranka, allowing you to really enjoy your time at the springs, the Mataranka Homestead close to Mataranka Thermal Pools. There are more than 160 powered sites and unlimited unpowered sites in different areas across the property, meaning those who come first get the best sites. There are toilets, showers, laundry, and rubbish bins.