Top Springs

Top Springs is a tiny, off-the-beaten-path roadhouse settlement in the Northern Territory's Red Centre, offering a genuine outback experience. With its red dirt, vast skies, and a sense of isolation, it's a place where you can soak up the raw beauty of the Australian interior and meet characters who call this remote stretch home.

Highlights & What to See

• Daly Waters Pub – A legendary outback pub with a quirky interior plastered with memorabilia, cold beer, and live music. It's a must-stop for travellers on the Stuart Highway.
• Mataranka Hot Springs – Soak in the crystal-clear, 34°C thermal pools surrounded by palm trees. The nearby Bitter Springs offers a similar experience with a more natural setting.
• Elsey National Park – Explore the park's lush waterholes, walking trails, and the historic Elsey Homestead, which inspired the novel 'We of the Never Never'.
• Nitmiluk National Park (Katherine Gorge) – A spectacular series of sandstone gorges carved by the Katherine River. Take a cruise, canoe, or hike to appreciate its scale and Aboriginal rock art.
• Leliyn (Edith Falls) – A stunning waterfall and swimming hole in Nitmiluk National Park, perfect for a refreshing dip after a short walk.

Suggested Time to Spend

Top Springs itself is a quick stop – an hour to stretch legs and grab a meal. However, to fully enjoy the surrounding attractions, allocate 2–3 days. Spend a day at Mataranka and Elsey National Park, then another day exploring Nitmiluk National Park. This allows a relaxed pace, with time for bushwalks and swimming.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Katherine – The main service town of the region, with supplies, accommodation, and the Katherine Outback Experience show.
• Daly Waters – Famous for its pub and as a historic aviation refuelling stop.
• Larrimah – A quirky outback town with the Pink Panther-themed pub and the 'Larrimah Hotel' – worth a photo stop.
• Dunmarra – Another roadhouse stop with a road train museum and a giant 'Road Train' sculpture.
• Mataranka – The town adjacent to the hot springs, with a heritage walk and the Mataranka Homestead.

Please check official sources for current details.