From Mataranka Thermal Pool, Butterfly Falls, and Lorella Springs Wilderness Park to Hell’s Gate Roadhouse and Copperfield Gorge – Five Swimming Holes in Australia’s Top End. Driving Australia’s Savannah…
From Mataranka Thermal Pool, Butterfly Falls, and Lorella Springs Wilderness Park to Hell’s Gate Roadhouse and Copperfield Gorge – Five Swimming Holes in Australia’s Top End.
Driving Australia’s Savannah Way is one of those epic outback adventures that stays with you long after the dust settles. Stretching over 3,700 kilometres from Broome in Western Australia to Cairns in Queensland, the route winds through monsoon rainforest, open savannah, and some of the most remote parts of northern Australia.
I travelled this legendary route with APT (Australian Pacific Touring) on their 12-Day Savannah Explorer 4WD Tour, journeying from Darwin to Cairns (a reverse trip from Cairns to Darwin is also available). With APT’s expert guides leading the way, the experience offered the right balance of comfort and adventure – from rugged landscapes to natural hot springs and hidden gorges.
But there’s one question that comes up time and again when exploring Australia’s Top End: Can you swim here?
In crocodile country, finding a safe swimming spot is like striking gold. While the region is famous for its wild waterways and thermal springs, you can never assume they’re crocodile-free. During my journey along the Savannah Way, I discovered several places where you can usually swim safely – though, as always, you must check with locals before diving in.
Here are five refreshing (usually) crocodile-free swimming holes along the Savannah Way – from the Northern Territory’s tropical springs to Queensland’s rocky gorges.
Important Safety Note
Before you dip a toe in any northern Australian waterway, remember: no swimming spot is ever guaranteed to be 100% crocodile-free. Conditions can change overnight, especially after heavy rains, when crocodiles might move into new areas.
Always take these precautions before swimming:
- Ask locals or park rangers about current conditions – they know best.
- Look for warning signs and never ignore them.
- Avoid swimming at dawn or dusk, when crocodiles are most active.
- Never swim alone.
Respecting these simple safety rules ensures your outback adventure remains safe and memorable.
The Swimming Holes Along the Savannah Way
From thermal pools shaded by palm trees to deep outback gorges carved by time, these five swimming spots were highlights of my trip. They were ideal for soothing sore muscles or cooling off after long, dusty drives. I swam in all of them.
Mataranka Thermal Pool (Elsey National Park, Northern Territory)
[642 Homestead Road, Mataranka, NT 0852]
Mataranka Thermal Pool is a series of geothermal hot springs surrounded by paperbark trees and nestled in a lush palm forest within Elsey National Park. The pool has a sandy bottom, and its crystal-clear water stays a warm 34°C year-round. It felt like swimming in an open-air spa!
Swimming in the Mataranka Thermal Pool is like soaking in a hot bath!
The pool is an easy 500-metre return walk from the car park along a paved path. There are stairs with handrails leading into the pool.
Mataranka Thermal Pool is free to visit, and you don’t need a permit for the national park.
The area was made famous by the novel We of the Never Never, an Australian classic by Jeannie Gunn (writing under the name of her husband, Aeneas Gunn), which tells of her life on Elsey Station around 1902.
The Katherine Visitor Information Centre says Mataranka Thermal Pool is one of the few easily accessible spots in the region where you can swim without the threat of saltwater crocodiles. However, while generally considered safe for swimming, it’s best to check with park rangers first, as conditions can change.
Butterfly Falls (Limmen National Park, Northern Territory)
[via Nathan River Road, Limmen, NT 0852]
The drive to the remote Butterfly Falls passes through open savannah and along red dirt tracks. However, upon arrival, you find a serene oasis in an otherwise rugged landscape.
Escaping the heat in the clear pool surrounded by red cliffs at Butterfly Falls.
The waterfall cascades in the wet season and trickles in the dry into a beautiful, naturally formed waterhole surrounded by lush vegetation and red sandstone cliffs. It’s a magical spot to cool off.
Butterfly Falls is named for the thousands of Common Crow butterflies that fill the area in the dry season.
Common Crow butterflies cling to the cool of the cliff face at Butterfly Falls.
Butterfly Falls is the only crocodile-safe swimming spot in Limmen National Park. However, even here, always check with rangers to confirm it’s safe to swim, especially after heavy rain.
Limmen National Park requires visitors to have a Northern Territory Parks Pass, available online.
Lorella Springs Wilderness Park – Thermal Springs and Rosie Creek
[via Borroloola, NT 0854]
Few places capture the essence of outback adventure quite like Lorella Springs Wilderness Park. This one-million-acre outback cattle station, a wilderness of untamed beauty, offers visitors the chance to explore and unwind in a landscape of escarpments, billabongs, and hidden springs.
The thermal spring near the homestead, called “Magical Spring”, is one of Lorella’s top attractions. It features warm, clear, flowing water in a rock pool shaded by palm trees, creating an atmosphere of total relaxation.
A guest at Lorella Springs relaxes in the thermal pool near the homestead.
For something a bit more adventurous, head out to Stock Camp Swimming Hole on Rosie Creek, one of Lorella Springs Wilderness Park’s most peaceful and scenic waterholes – an outback oasis deep within the park. Our APT guides referred to this swimming hole as the Stock Yards. The creek has a shallow, sandy bottom with tall paperbarks and pandanus palms lining its banks. The water was clear and refreshing.
Despite there being 18 of us swimming and picnicking on Rosie Creek, it was quiet and peaceful, like my own private sanctuary. It felt utterly remote!
Stock Camp Swimming Hole on Rosie Creek is one of the most beautiful places to swim along the Savannah Way.
Lorella’s staff are always aware of crocodile movements and will advise you on safe swimming spots – essential in this remote part of the Gulf region.
Please note: Since 2023, Lorella Springs Wilderness Park has been closed to self-drive independent visitors due to Northern Territory bureaucracy and ‘red tape’. The park is now accessible only to visitors on pre-booked, organised outback tour groups.
Hell’s Gate Roadhouse (Cliffdale Station, Queensland)
[Westmoreland Road, QLD, on the Savannah Way]
Crossing into Queensland, about 50 kilometres from the Northern Territory border along a remote stretch of the Savannah Way, Hell’s Gate feels like the edge of the world, with its vast, open landscape and endless sky.
About 200 metres from the accommodation block, you’ll find a sandy-bottom swimming hole surrounded by the red dirt and eucalyptus trees typical of outback Australia – a refreshing spot to cool off.
Who wouldn’t be tempted to take a dip in this picturesque swimming hole at Hell’s Gate Roadhouse?
Given how remote Hell’s Gate Roadhouse is, always check with the roadhouse staff before swimming. They’ll know whether it’s safe, as crocodiles can occasionally move through nearby creeks after rain.
Copperfield Gorge (Einasleigh, Queensland)
[Gregory Development Road, Einasleigh, QLD 4871]
Further east in Queensland’s Gulf Country, the landscape changes again, and Copperfield Gorge stands out as one of the region’s most striking natural formations, with its deep chasms, rockpools, peaceful beaches, and narrow channels.
Swim with the locals at the stunning Copperfield Gorge.
Located just a short walk from the old copper mining town of Einasleigh on the Savannah Way alternate route, the gorge has been carved over time by the Copperfield River, creating sheer basalt walls that drop into a sandy riverbed and exposing ancient lava flow layers. It’s a stunning spot to walk along its walls, take a swim, and capture photos of the contrasting colours.
In truth, Copperfield Gorge isn’t ‘crocodile-free’, as locals say there are freshwater crocodiles in the gorge, but they will leave you alone if you do the same. Still, I feel it’s my duty to warn you that you swim at your own risk.
A note on freshwater crocodiles:
Freshwater crocodiles (Johnston River Freshwater Crocodiles) are less aggressive and dangerous than saltwater crocodiles (Estuarine Crocodiles). They are generally shy and will flee from people but will defend themselves if provoked – if they feel cornered, are startled, or are defending a nest. While bites typically cause injuries like puncture wounds and lacerations, there are no known fatalities from freshwater crocodile attacks in Australia.
How to avoid an attack from a freshwater crocodile:
- Do not disturb or try to catch a freshwater crocodile.
- Keep at least ten metres away from them, even if they seem to be sleeping.
- Never feed wild crocodiles or leave food scraps near water sources, as this can encourage them to associate humans with food.
- Keep pets on a lead and away from the water’s edge.
- Be especially cautious at night, dusk, and dawn. Crocodiles are more likely to be hunting during these times and are harder to spot.
Practical Information – Planning Your Savannah Way Adventure
The Savannah Way spans a vast distance, connecting tropical rainforests, cattle stations, national parks, and small outback towns. To get the most out of your trip, plan carefully, especially when heading into remote areas.
Best time to go:
Travel the Savannah Way during the dry season (April to October) when you will experience cooler weather and easier access to remote areas.
Avoid the wet season (November to March), as sections of the Savannah Way can be affected by heavy rain, causing flooding, impassable river crossings, and bringing crocodiles into new waterways.
Road and travel tips:
- Some stretches of the Savannah Way are unsealed and better suited to a 4WD vehicle.
- Carry plenty of water, fuel, and food as services are far apart.
- Stay in national park campgrounds, roadhouses, or remote stations for an authentic outback experience.
- Check road conditions regularly through local councils or traveller information centres.
Crocodile Safety Summary
- Always check with locals or rangers before swimming.
- Obey any warning signs.
- Avoid swimming at night, dawn, or dusk.
- Stay out if you’re unsure – the outback is beautiful, but it demands respect.
If you’re tracing my route, these five swimming holes form a memorable line across the top of Australia – from Mataranka in the Northern Territory to Einasleigh in Queensland.
Exploring the Savannah Way is an adventure in every sense – wide horizons, rugged country, and those rare, magical moments when a cool, clear swimming hole appears in the middle of the outback. From the tropical warmth of Mataranka Thermal Pool and the tranquillity of Butterfly Falls to the remote serenity of Lorella Springs, the rugged beauty of Hell’s Gate, and the striking landscape of Copperfield Gorge, each stop offers a unique way to experience the heart of northern Australia.
While these swimming holes are usually considered crocodile-free, conditions can change at any time. Always speak with locals, rangers, or tour guides before entering the water to ensure conditions are safe on the day you visit.
Whether you’re travelling independently or on a 4WD tour like APT’s Savannah Explorer, these refreshing pools, creeks, and gorges show that the outback isn’t just red dirt and wide-open spaces – it’s full of surprising, unforgettable places to swim, unwind, and connect with the landscape.
If you’re planning your own Savannah Way trip, be sure to include these swimming holes. They’re some of the region’s true highlights.
Disclaimer: This post contains no affiliate links. All views and opinions are my own and non-sponsored. All photos are my own and remain the copyright of Joanna Rath/Just Me Travel.
© Just Me Travel 2018-2025.
If you could travel to one of the swimming holes in this post right now, which one would it be?
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Author’s Note: Please check the latest travel restrictions before planning any trip and follow government advice.
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