The recent downpours and strong winds have left the popular swimming spot unsafe to swim. 

And the natural debris strewn around the pool and the picnic area make for a big clean up job for rangers. 

Senior park ranger, Dani Kellett from the Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture said the opening date is unclear, but hopes are set on early next week.

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“The Mataranka Thermal Pool is currently closed for swimming after recent heavy rainfall in and around the catchment area,” ranger Kellett said. 

“Flooding and flood debris are a common occurrence during the wet season.

“The Thermal Pool will be re-opened to swimming when the flood water recedes at least 30cm below the weir and water is clear in the main pool.

“Rangers will perform a land based crocodile survey of the pool and surrounding area. Once surveys have been completed with no crocodiles detected, cleaning of the area will commence and rangers will clear debris from the pool and picnic area.

“Once completed the area will be re-opened to the public.”

The hot spring at Mataranka is one of the only popular swimming spots that regularly stays open during the Top End wet season – only closing for brief periods before being deemed safe to swim again. 

Currently, Bitter Springs, the Southern Rockhole, and Edith Falls are still open. 

But if the wet season picks up, they are likely to be closed until rangers deem them safe to swim again, usually around the start of the dry season. 

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