Top 10 Best Natural Hot Springs in Australia
1. Mataranka Thermal Pool and Rainbow Springs
Visit the small pastoral town of Mataranka, made famous by the novel We of the Never-Never and renowned for its sandy-bottomed thermal pool.
The small town of Mataranka, south of Katherine, is renowned for its sandy-bottomed thermal pool, pastoral history and as a welcomed stop with tourers. The area was made famous by the novel We of the Never-Never – a book written about nearby Elsey Station by Jeannie Gunn.
Spend some time looking around the Mataranka township. Browse the Stockyard Gallery’s exhibit of local Aboriginal art from the Mataranka and Roper River areas. Pick up a didgeridoo, postcard, whip or spear and enjoy a homemade iced coffee and a scone in the cafe’s garden.
See the fish being fed, witness the spectacle of enormous barramundi being plucked from a billabong, and learn how the fish live, change sex and breed on the twice-daily tours at Territory Manor.
Source — Northernterritory.com
2. Dalhousie Springs
Dalhousie Springs is a group of over 60 natural artesian springs located in Witjira National Park on the western fringe of the Simpson Desert, 180 kilometres northeast of Oodnadatta in northern South Australia.
These are the largest artesian springs in Australia and are of national and international significance. Dalhousie Springs is so isolated from other bodies of permanent water that they contain many endemic animals.
The Dalhousie Springs has Aboriginal significance being part of a series of Dreamtime Stories involving 3 species of fish which only live in the Dalhousie Springs.
There are approximately 100 springs and mounds at Dalhousie, of which about 80 are active and are spread over an area of only about 70 km sq. Some springs have such large outflows that the group as a whole account for about 43% of the natural flow of water from the Great Artesian Basin.
Some of the springs have large pools at their source, others are cold seeps. Long drainage channels from the larger springs become extensive swamplands which like the spring mounds and pools, support lush vegetation.
Source — Wrightsair.com.au
3. Katherine Hot Springs
These natural thermal springs are situated on the banks on the Katherine River, within the Katherine Township. There are a number of pools commencing with the very top pool, located directly at the source of the spring.
The bubbling hot springs have an average temperature of 25-30 degrees Celsius and is open from 7 am to 7 pm, daily.
The main pool has a wheelchair access ramp, stainless steel handrails, and steps formed out of the rock.
There are large, open grass areas shaded by large trees, perfect for a picnic!
With tables, chairs, toilets and the newly installed Pop Rocket Café on-site, it’s the perfect spot to relax.
Source — Katherine.nt.gov.au
4. Innot Hot Springs
A natural mineral springs located between Ravenshoe and Mt Garnet on the Kennedy Highway. The hot springs of Nettle Creek have long been established as rejuvenating and healing and the water was even bottled and shipped to Europe a hundred years ago. Mules hauled the water over the Cardwell Range all the way to Townsville, where it was bottled at the Innot Cordial Factory.
Be warned that they were not called hot springs by accident (they are up to 75 degrees Celsius)! Sections of the creek are really hot - in fact, close to boiling point - and can seriously burn your skin. If you wish to bathe here, use the pools near the Hot Springs Village or ask advice there on where cooler water is.
Next door is the spas and pools of the Hot Springs Village. There are seven pools to enjoy the water, all at different temperatures. Innot Hot Springs Leisure and Health Park have six thermal mineral pools. There are good camping areas and a variety of accommodation. Not luxurious but reasonable.
Source — Australiaforeveryone.com.au
5. Peninsula Hot Springs
This alluring hot springs in Melbourne, Australia is situated in the middle of the beautiful Mornington Peninsula and is known for its great spa sessions.
The hot spring is located amidst the beautiful and serene habitat of South Melbourne. This one of the most talked spring water is made with the rugged caves and rock pools with pure thermal mineral waters.
Built by the brothers Charles and Richard Davidson, this hot spring is inspired by the Japanese bathing culture. The place is amidst the green land which guarantees a joyful journey from outer to the inner self. Drench your soul in these beautiful hot springs in Melbourne Australia.
Source — Traveltriangle.com
6. Artesian Bore Baths
The water found in the Bore Baths at Lightning Ridge comes from the Great Artesian Basin and is approximately two million years old! Natural pressure sends the water to the surface through an artesian bore and it maintains a temperature of between 40 to 50 degrees celsius.
The bores supplying these baths are only a few of hundreds being rehabilitated throughout the Great Artesian Basin conserving these precious natural resources for future generations.
The baths are free and open 22 hours a day and consist of 2 pools, the smaller pool is a few degrees cooler than the big pool. They are used by both locals and visitors.
This facility is really well maintained and is amazing that it is free! It can get a bit crowded but you have to expect it to be as it is very much worth a visit. Even when the temperature is 1 degree outside the water temperature remains at 42 degrees and is a stunning place to be to watch the sunrise. The water is very hot so be mindful of young children.
Source — Camp-spots.com
7. Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs
Hastings, a tiny village south of Hobart, boasts impressive dolomite caves and a smattering of thermal springs.
Water from mountains to the west soaks into the Earth, where it’s heated by hot rocks deep underground before bubbling back to the surface at Hastings.
Here, you can soak in 28°C water surrounded by lush tree ferns. Take a walk through temperate rainforest to the confluence of two creeks – one warm, one cold –and dip your hand in to feel the difference.
Source — Australiangeographic.com.au
8. Zebedee Springs
El Questro, WA
In the heart of the Kimberley’s El Questro Wilderness Park, warm water cascades through tiered pools at Zebedee Springs.
Lush Livistona and Pandanus palms brush the clear waters that gush from a fault line in sheer sandstone cliffs and may originate from as far away as New Guinea.
To reduce environmental impacts on this scenic spot, the 26°C to 34°C springs are open to the general public only from 7am to noon.
Source — Australiangeographic.com.au
9. Tjuwaliyn (Douglas) Hot Springs Park
The springs/creeks are an excellent spot to spend a really long time and get prune fingers... The hot springs feed into the Douglas River and mix with the cooler water. This means you get beautiful warm water and a sandy bottom. Truly relaxing. Where the springs enter, it is pretty hot, so you might want to try a bit further up or downstream.
The other thing that is pretty cool about this campground is the fact that they have a no-generator section. Nothing worse than camping next to someone who is sitting in their van, watching TV and running a generator.
There are also showers here, which is wonderful after spending most of a day in the springs.
Most people come here for the hot springs, and forget to have a look around the area. There is some stunning scenery and other places to visit as well as plenty of wildlife. If you have a decent 4wd and the weather is good, Butterfly Gorge is well worth a trip. It's about 20km of rough dirt away.
Source — Findacamp.com.au
10. Hepburn Bathhouse & Spa
Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa, about two hours northwest of Melbourne is another achievable day trip for Melburnians. The bathhouse, built back in 1895, is the oldest in the whole country. An array of communal indoor swimming experiences are on the menu, including pools specifically devoted to therapy and relaxation. Plus, there's a cafe that has been serving up goodies to visitors since 1908 (go for the Devonshire Tea) and a day spa. Once you've bathed, try drinking the waters: various springs are dotted around Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve.
Source — Concreteplayground.com
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