NT Life Annual 2019
A WARM WELCOME We welcome you to the Northern Territory, a destination like no other. Iconic, vibrant and beautiful, an experience to remember awaits you. There is so much to see, do and experience during your stay here. Discover the rich history of Aboriginal culture and tradition that is more than 50,000 years old. Take in the sensory delights of Darwin city – a melting pot of flavours and colours. Venture away from the cities and explore ancient and exotic landscapes in remote escapes. The Northern Territory is Australia’s real outback and home to the natural wonders of UNESCO World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park in the north, and Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the Red Centre. The spectacular flora and fauna varies dramatically between the deserts of Central Australia and the tropics of the Top End; it is a photographer’s dream and an adventurer’s playground. The NT is filled with fascinating characters, awe-inspiring landscapes and singular experiences. You have arrived. There is much to explore but first relax and unwind; you are now on Territory time. locally owned and operated EST 2009 NT Life is published by Darwin Life Pty Ltd. All material within the publication remains the property of the publisher unless permission is otherwise sought in writing. Those who make advertising placement and or supply editorial content to NT Life undertake to ensure all material does not infringe copyright, trademark, defamation, libel, slander or title. The above-mentioned patrons agree to indemnify the publisher against any investigations, claims or judgements. The views expressed in NT Life are those of the contributors, and are not necessarily shared by the publication. Darwin Life Pty Ltd copyright 2019. For advertising and editorial enquiries, contact: Leasel Southwick, Publisher/Director leasel@darwinlifemag.com | www.darwinlifemag.com
A WARM WELCOME
We welcome you to the Northern Territory, a destination like no other. Iconic, vibrant and beautiful, an experience to remember awaits you.
There is so much to see, do and experience during your stay here. Discover the rich history of Aboriginal culture and tradition that is more than 50,000 years old. Take in the sensory delights of Darwin city – a melting pot of flavours and colours. Venture away from the cities and explore ancient and exotic landscapes in remote escapes.
The Northern Territory is Australia’s real outback and home to the natural wonders of UNESCO World Heritage listed Kakadu National Park in the north, and Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the Red Centre. The spectacular flora and fauna varies dramatically between the deserts of Central Australia and the tropics of the Top End; it is a photographer’s dream and an adventurer’s playground.
The NT is filled with fascinating characters, awe-inspiring landscapes and singular experiences. You have arrived. There is much to explore but first relax and unwind; you are now on Territory time.
locally owned and operated
EST 2009
NT Life is published by Darwin Life Pty Ltd. All material within the publication remains the property of the publisher unless permission is otherwise sought in writing. Those who make advertising placement and or supply editorial content to NT Life undertake to ensure all material does not infringe copyright, trademark, defamation, libel, slander or title. The above-mentioned patrons agree to indemnify the publisher against any investigations, claims or judgements. The views expressed in NT Life are those of the contributors, and are not necessarily shared by the publication. Darwin Life Pty Ltd copyright 2019.
For advertising and editorial enquiries, contact: Leasel Southwick, Publisher/Director leasel@darwinlifemag.com | www.darwinlifemag.com
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Jodi Bilske Photographics<br />
www.jodibilske.com<br />
Mataranka is a small pastoral<br />
town in the top end region<br />
of Australia’s Northern<br />
Territory. Mataranka<br />
is famous for its sand<br />
bottomed warm springs<br />
with lush palms, crystal<br />
clear warm waters and is the<br />
location of the Australian<br />
classic novel We of the<br />
Never-Never.<br />
Mataranka is located on the Stuart Highway 1080 km<br />
North of Alice Springs, about 420 km southeast of the<br />
territorial capital, Darwin, and 107 km south-east of<br />
Katherine. In the language of the local Yangman, the<br />
word “Mataranka” means “home of the snake”.<br />
Mataranka is a place where you can swim in hot<br />
springs all the year round; these springs are around<br />
30°C and pump out 30.5 megalitres of water each day.<br />
This area used to be the home of Jeanie Gunn; who<br />
wrote the famous book about Elsey Stations titled “We<br />
of the Never Never’ which is now a part of Australia’s<br />
folklore. It is believed that once you visit Mataranka<br />
you’ll Never Never leave!<br />
Today, Mataranka is now a modern community of<br />
400 people and since it is one of the famous tourist<br />
spots it provides all the services a visitor expects. You<br />
can have the facilities like accommodation, , Inns,<br />
resorts, cafes, restaurants, and general stores.<br />
THINGS TO DO & SEE<br />
• The Stock Yard Gallery: The Stockyard Gallery - a<br />
cafe and gallery in the small town of Mataranka,<br />
beautifully showcases the local art and artifacts,<br />
paintings, sculptures, and Aboriginal artifacts<br />
as well as books about the Northern Territory.<br />
Another attraction in the Yard gallery is the fourmeter<br />
statue of the postman Henry Peckham, who<br />
is one of the characters from the book, ”We of the<br />
Never Never”.<br />
• Mataranka War Memorial: The memorial consisting<br />
of a granite boulder set on a square plinth is a<br />
heritage location in Mataranka, which was made<br />
in the memory of fallen and returned servicemen<br />
and women of Mataranka within the roper river<br />
district who were involved in some past Australia’s<br />
conflicts<br />
• Barra Feeding: Come and join the “Feed the Barra<br />
Show” in Mataranka to experience one of Australia’s<br />
best fish species, the Barramundi being Hand fed.<br />
• Tindall Limestone and the Hot Springs.<br />
• Bitter Springs<br />
• Rainbow Spring: Enjoy a swim in the beautiful<br />
Rainbow Springs Thermal Pool.<br />
• Elsey National Park and Bitter Springs<br />
• Botanical Walk and Aboriginal Army Cam<br />
• Elsey Cemetery and National Reserve<br />
• Mataranka Homestead Tourist Resort<br />
• Rainbow Spring and Thermal Pool<br />
Louise Denton PHOTOGRAPHY<br />
National Park<br />
Driving an hour-and-a-half from<br />
Darwin displays countless of diverse<br />
environments that showcase its rugged<br />
sandstone cliffs, breath-taking streams<br />
and monsoon rainforest, magnetic<br />
termite hills, waterfalls and notable ruins.<br />
The 1,500 square-kilometre park is mostly<br />
vital to the Koongurrukin, Marranuggu<br />
and Aboriginal community. The Finniss<br />
exploration was the first ever connection<br />
of Europe to the area and the park that<br />
was named after the prestige Frederick<br />
Henry Litchfield, a member of the<br />
expedition.<br />
To have the best appreciation of it’s true<br />
full beauty, its best to stay for at least<br />
two days to plunge into its crystalclear<br />
swimming holes and pleasant<br />
bushwalking to relax you. Don’t worry<br />
about the refreshments, they are readily<br />
available in the park at Wangi Falls while<br />
you can choose your accommodation<br />
depending on your feels.