Mataranka

Home of the Never Never. Mataranka is located in the Never Never Ward and is 108 kilometres south of Katherine on the Stuart Highway. 

 

Quick snapshot

Population

384 people reside in Mataranka and the median age of is 46 years old (Census 2021)

Languages

Majority of the people of Mataranka speak Kriol and English

Contact

Mataranka Council Office: 36 Roper Terrace, Mataranka NT 0852

Phone: (08) 8977 2300

Mataranka is a small town rich in history with a museum, historic cemetery and surrounded by National Parks & Australian wildlife with many walking trails just beckoning to be explored. Renowned for its sandy bottomed thermal springs, with warm crystal blue waters and surrounded by palms, creating a tropical paradise for locals and travellers to enjoy. A true outback experience not to be missed.

Bitter Springs Mataranka
Floating at Bitter Springs. Image: Tourism NT/Backyard Bandits

Services

This information is sourced from the Northern Territory Government and is available on BushTel

Service TypeAvailableDetails
Regular Transport ServiceYes 

Katherine Coaches

(08) 8971 0774

Greyhound Bus Australia

1300 473 946

FuelYes Opal and Diesel available
Commercial AccommodationYes 

Bitter Springs Cabins and Camping 

(08) 8975 4838

Mataranka Homestead 

(08) 8975 4544

Mataranka Roadhouse 

(08) 8975 4571

Territory Manor Motel & Caravan Park

(08) 8975 4516

Community StoreYes Multiple roadhouses are located in Mataranka as well as a small supermarket 
AirstripYes  
Health CentreYes 

Primary Health Care delivered by Sunrise Health Services 

(08) 8975 4547

AlcoholYes Alcohol restrictions in effect
Police StationYes 

Mataranka Police Station

(08) 8975 4511

SchoolYes 

Mataranka School

(08) 8975 4543

Council Service Delivery CentreYes  Council Office located at 36 Roper Terrace, Mataranka NT 0852
Mobile Phone, Internet & RadioYes There is currently one public telephone in Mataranka and also Telstra 4G telephone and internet coverage. Radio coverage is also available
Post OfficeYes Post Office located at Council Service Delivery Centre
Early Childcare CentreYes  
Aged Care CentreYes Council operates an Aged Care Centre at 36 Roper Terrace, Mataranka

Access

By road, the trip to Mataranka takes approximately one (1) hour from Katherine on an all-weather road. The double lane Stuart Highway is sealed entirely. Mataranka may also be accessed by chartered light aircraft.

History

Immerse yourself in the rich history of the Mataranka region during a self-guided tour of the Never Never Museum. Featuring a range of historic artefacts and interpretative displays, the museum brings to life local Aboriginal and European history and highlights significant developments in the town’s history including the North Australian Railway, the Overland Telegraph and World War II. 

The Never Never Museum is located behind the Roper Gulf Regional Council office in the main street of Mataranka at 36 Roper Terrace, Mataranka NT 0852. The museum is open for self-guided tours from 9.00am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday. Keys can be collected from the Rural Transaction Centre during business hours.

Never Never Museum
The Never Never Museum, Mataranka NT

Local Authority

An integral part of the community consultation process in Mataranka occurs through Mataranka Local Authority Meetings. The Local Authority is made up of the Elected Member/s who sit on Council for the Never Never Ward and are nominated representatives from the community. All stakeholders in Mataranka are invited to attend the Local Authority Meetings. The resolutions made at these meetings form the basis of all planning made by Roper Gulf Regional Council.

To attend a Mataranka Local Authority Meeting, click here

To view our Local Authority Meeting dates, agendas and minutes, click here