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| The beautiful Roper River is born just a short walk from Mataranka Cabins. While the Roper has its Wet Season source some 50 kilometres to the north, for most of the year subterranean springs pour more than 30 million litres of water into the Roper each day. These springs start around Bitter Springs and the Little Roper River links a series of fairy pools all the way to Rainbow Springs and the Thermal Pools at Mataranka Homestead. It is this fresh water that keeps the clear blue Roper running through the year. | |
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Today Bitter Springs is part of Elsey National Park, with barbecues, tables and eco-friendly toilets. A walking path winds under fan palms (Livistona rigida) and through the pristine riparian ecology of the Roper. To the right the fan palms can be seen from a fish's point of view, up through the clear waters of the Little Roper River. |
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| There is another way to experience Bitter Springs. Wade into the warm (34 degrees) waters of the Little Roper and drift with the flow downstream under palms and pandanus trees. | |
| The Aquatrail (a typical underwater view on right) drifts nearly half a kilometre down the Little Roper. The water is incredibly clear. With an underwater mask, freshwater turtles are often seen swimming along the stream. At the end of the gentle drift, a ladder lets the adventurer climb out onto the Bitter Springs walking path and return to the thermal pools or the day use centre. |  |
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Bitter Springs Thermal Pools have long been a well kept secret of Mataranka residents, but now they are open to all and are just a short walk from Mataranka Cabins and Campground!
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