Mataranka, Northern Territory

Mataranka
Northern Territory
Mataranka
Coordinates 14°56′0″S 133°07′0″E / 14.93333°S 133.11667°E / -14.93333; 133.11667Coordinates: 14°56′0″S 133°07′0″E / 14.93333°S 133.11667°E / -14.93333; 133.11667
Population 244 (2011 census)
Postcode(s) 0852
Location
LGA(s) Roper Gulf Region
Territory electorate(s) Daly
Federal Division(s) Lingiari

Mataranka is a community of about 400, in the Top End region of Australia's Northern Territory. The town is located about 420 km (260 mi.) southeast of the territorial capital, Darwin, and 107 km (66 mi.) south of Katherine. At the 2011 census, Mataranka had a population of 244.[1]

The town is located near Roper River and Mataranka Hot Springs. This area is the setting for Jeannie Gunn's autobiographical account of the year 1902, We of the Never Never. The homestead, which she shared with her husband, Aeneas Gunn, until his death, has been reconstructed near to the hot springs.

The Mataranka Station is part of the Katherine Rural College of Charles Darwin University.

World War II

The Australian Army set up No. 42 Australian Camp Hospital near Mataranka. The 10th Australian Advanced Ordnance workshops camped in buildings made from paper bark trees and serviced wrecked and damaged vehicles. An ammunition depot was also in the locality. These depots were served by railway sidings off the main line.

Railways

Mataranka was served by the original narrow gauge railway that closed in 1976 after cyclone damage. The new standard gauge railway opened in 2003. It passes about 20 km. to the west of the town.

References

  1. ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics (31 October 2012). "2011 Community Profiles: Mataranka (L) (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2011 Census of Population and Housing. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
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