A photo of the magical turquoise waters of the Mataranka Thermal Pools was the most liked image on Tourism NT’s Instagram channel @AusOutbackNT for 2018.
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Instagrammers around the world loved the tropical oasis so much it received over 8300 likes to take out top spot on the Top 10 most liked photos of the year.
The blissful image was captured by local Darwin photographer Mel Brautigam (@savvy_Social), and captured the Territory’s stunning natural beauty.
Minister for Tourism and Culture, Lauren Moss said the Territory’s spectacular natural beauty was like nowhere else on the planet.
“The Mataranka Thermal Pools are a classic example of some of our natural hidden gems that have to be seen to be believed,” Ms Moss said.
“The stunning turquoise colour of the Thermal Pools along with the nearby Bitter Springs and Katherine Hot Springs are a huge drawcard for tourists and Instagram lovers as revealed by Mataranka securing top spot on our most liked photos for the year.”
Mel Brautigam said she was excited to have taken the most liked Instagram photo for 2018.
“I was born in Darwin and have lived in the Territory my whole life and am still left in awe when exploring the NT,” Ms Brautigam said.
“This photo was taken after my family and I flew to Alice Springs in January to watch the BBL and WBBL and we road tripped back to Darwin. Along our travels we stayed at the Devils Marble Hotel and Territory Manor in Mataranka where we spent the day practically by ourselves swimming in the crystal clear Mataranka Thermal Springs.
“The wet season is a magical time to explore our backyard as everything is lush and green and our waterholes are fresh with not many tourists to compete with.”
It was a big year for the Mataranka region, with an image of Bitter Springs liked by more than 1 million Instagram users around the globe after it was shared on the social media giant’s official account, @instagram, in July.
Uluru again proved popular on Instagram with six of the Top 10 most liked photos on @AusOutbackNT featuring the iconic destination.
Tourism NT’s official social media accounts have a combined following of more than 758,000 and are an important tool when marketing the Territory to a global audience.
Top 10 Most Like Instagram Images on @AusOutbackNT for 2018:
Mataranka Thermal Pool by @savvy_social received 8,300+ likes
Uluru night sky by @bmillar.au received 8,300 likes
Kakadu road trip by @elisecook received 7,900 likes
Helicopter flight over Uluru by @shaun_jeffers received 7,500 likes
Uluru Field of Light by @kate_miles_ received 7,500 likes
Swimming at Maguk, Kakadu by @lisahnl received 7,200 likes
Rain waterfalls on Uluru by @chaseolearyphoto received 7,100 likes
Uluru storm by Kartikeya Sharma (via Facebook) received 7,100 likes
Helicopter flight over Kata Tjuta by @jasoncharleshill received 7,000 likes
Darwin storm by @c_a_s_s_a_n_d_r_a received 7,000 likes
READ ALSO: Safest places to swim around Katherine
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
