Bitter Springs Mataranka, Northern Territory, Australia
By CHEDENT on 14-Jan-08. Waypoint GC18KR8

TFTC

Tftf

Found it with brezelitos after a nice swim here.Beautiful spot.TFTC

Quick find on a beautiful spot. We had to watch out because of some muggles..Found it with DieSchmidtis!TFTC!

TFTC. yes took a little time but nice spot! No Pencil and the bag is torn. Cheers.

Lovely! TFTC!

A quick find whilst enjoying a beautiful area swimming. A favourite point from me. TFTC

This is a favourite spot of mine, how relaxing floating down the springs. TFTC

Searched a while and talked to unsuspecting muggles, then hubby had a second look and found it. TFTC

Took a while to find this cache. I thought I looked everywhere but I had not looked up there. Muggles galore.Freddo and e.gregory1 were heading up the middle of Australia following Stuart's well trodden route. We were travelling in air conditoned comfort and style. No stale food. No camels to carry water. We were leaving the cold winte for the northern season.Today was the day to find this cache. Today is the twentieth and sixth day of Julius Caesar's Month in the wonderful year of twenty twenty four. We found your cache container and added some inky stuff to the paper sheet or note pad you have supplied for a log book or scroll. The cache container and log book or scroll were in good condition. It was a cool cloudy and raining. No wind today.With the log signed and the cache replaced it was time to leave. Onwards to the next cache. Woot, that is not to far.I will apologize right now, because everything from here on is here solely for the purpose of padding the word count and winning that one hundred word diamond badge again. Somebody moved the goal posts. So many caches to find. So many caches to log. We find them, sign them and replace them.This particular geocache was found using one of the following GPS enabled devices, Garmin GPSr, Montana 680t, Oregon 650 or Dakota 20 and an Apple iPhone 11 using the marvelous Cachly app. Waypoints and paperless geocaching were downloaded via GSAK 9. Log prepared, checked and submitted using GSAK publish logs macro.Warning, this hobby can be addictive. It can lead to exercise, meeting new people and finding interesting places you might not have known existed otherwise. Beware: you may have fun. Apologies for the generic part of the cache log. We do apologise for the generic logs. Thanks to all the cache owner for placing this cache here for our enjoyment.Thanks for the cache. Merci la cache. Danke fr den Cache. Gracias por el cach. Bedankt voor de cache. Kiitos ktkst. Terima kasih untuk cache. Hvala cache. Nga mihi mo te keteroki. Dankie vir die kas. Ksznm a rejtst. Vdaka za cache. Dzieki za cache. Takk for at cache. Obrigado por isso cache. Dky za ke. Aciu u ta talpykla. Paldies par o cache. Aith selle eest cache. Tack fr att Cache. Tak for denne Cache. nbellek iin tesekkrler. Ksznjk, hogy a cache. Graas para o cache. Dankon pro la kasmemorone. Dank fr de csch. Eskerrik asko cache horrengatik. Na gode da wannan cache. Zikomo chifukwa cha cache.I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Blockheads Unite in 2025.

What a stunning spot! No pen, but a quick successful find

Day late with the log. Tftc

Quick find with Deefa71. Greetings from Perth. Tftc

Couldn't see it for looking

Wow what a great cache CHEDENT, and such fun to find. Buddy the geodog wasn't able to help us with this one because of NPWS rules and regulations. We spent three days here and floated down the stream each day, quite invigorating. Found on June 25, 2024. # 9436

Ocw the Bebes as we stay a few days in Mataranka. Went for a dip today and collected this on our way out. Tftc

OCW PelDroedGwin What a fabulous location ! After splashing around and taking photographs we had a look for the cache.Timed it well in, between muggles, to get CIH. Tftc

After a search got there

Found this hidden gem nestled among the beauty of nature. The crystal-clear warm waters and serene atmosphere make it a true oasis. Spent some time relaxing and enjoying the surroundings before stumbling upon this cache. The simplicity of the container, containing only a log sheet and pencil, adds to the charm of the experience. Grateful for the opportunity to discover this often overlooked treasure and capture some magnificent photos along the way. Signed and left the cache as a token of appreciation for this breathtaking spot. Happy caching!

We came in the wetseason and it was very mouldy but still amazing and beautiful.The Doolan, adventures of BOB

Nice one

Very busy spot even at the end of the day but was mostly cleared out by 6pm so had a second look after our float downstream. TFTC

Was camped up the road for a few nights and tried a few times to get this one but the muggles were everywhere.
Came for a walk in the dark and had the place to myself.
Quick find and sign then for the walk back.

TFTC CHEDENT
Find 7502 logged from cgeo:

Beautiful spot. .. loved floating down the spring. Quick find at gz as there were no muggles hanging around this area. Tftc

Well my whirl wind tour of 5 states in 3 weeks has started and after reaching the SA border and now the NT border it was time to locate a few caches here or there as I won’t be doing that much caching on this trip as I’m with muggle friends.
We have finally reached a spot where we are staying for 2 nights and now to visit a great place that I have stopped in at before.
We donned the bathers and off we went for a swim.
The water looked so inviting on this hot day but I had to wait out some floaters and then was able to locate this one.
Now time for that swim.
A great spot for a small swim or just a float around with a noodle between the stairs.


Thanks CHENDT TFTC.

Found on 24/7/23

On our travels we stopped at bitter spring for a couple of nights and took advantage of an early morning dip, with very few muggles around we had a chance to find this cache sign the log and pop it back into is spot, thanks for placing it.

Darwin to Adelaide Road Trip
Day Four: Mataranka to Threeways
Weather: perfect.

First find of the day, and the penny has just dropped as to why a number of the tourists at the hotel in Darwin had pool noodles in their luggage. This one took a while to find as I had to keep pausing as muggles either walked by or floated by.

Only half the cache is present, so I have replaced it with a mint tin, and new log along with the old one. This spot is too nice to be without a cache!

Now on to the Earthcache.

Thanks for the hide CHEDENT.

It’s officially a mega - GCA1DNA “The Great Leap Forward”
Adelaide, South Australia. February 29, 2024
We would love to have your company.

Muggles are an issue in this area but managed after a wait, to take the find.

Return visit
Left a star to shine
Tftc

.

Tftc Nice spot for a quick find with the lads.

We were lucky enough to have this place to ourselves at 7am. Found cache after quick search. TFTC.

Travelling with richlink on a trip to Darwin from Perth along the west coast and returning to Perth through the centre to SA and the Nullarbor. Great location for a cache, thanks CHEDENT.

Travelling with iluvtrekking up the WA coast to NT and now down through the Centre. After spending a few days in Katherine, today we headed to Mataranka for an overnight stay. After setting up our caravan, we headed to Bitter Springs to grab this hide and gather info for the EC. Thanks CHEDENT

We had to time our search just right as you can guess this was a busy place today, as it turns out if we had come a few days later the only things we would have to look for is crocodiles.

This trip was sort of in place of a trip to a Mega that got canceled due to accommodation problems, I was quite happy when Goose said do you fancy to caching break in the Northern Territory as this would be the last State or Territory for me in Australia.

Our plan was to fly into Darwin on the Friday night have a couple days in the area then start heading South stopping overnight whenever we needed to, our next goal was the drive to the geographic centre of Australia at Lambert Centre and then head back to Alice to fly home ten days later.

We both had a great trip finding some important old caches, large ones and the odd clever one too, we found Ammo Cans all over the place which was nice as i think we have found most of the ones at home in Tassie.

Thanks for the cache.

Found on 04/07/2023 at 11:34:00 thanks to CHEDENT for placing this cache for me to find.

The best caches I have found so far are:-

Sentimental [Moorgreen P3:1, Penny Pincher](http://coord.info/GC32Z5B) By [Sven&Cup](http://www.geocaching.com/profile/?A=6596795)
Traditional [Hanging Around in Toorak](http://coord.info/GC62KAP) By [bobthebuilder_123](http://www.geocaching.com/profile/?A=586681)
Multi [Gawler Fort Knox](https://coord.info/GC5T0W1) By [**JEM**](http://www.geocaching.com/profile/?A=11449141)
Unknown [Men In Black Holes](http://coord.info/GC1DVB0) By [SG-3](http://www.geocaching.com/profile/?A=918045)
Letterbox [Rolf's Letterbox](http://coord.info/GC5NCYM) By [membsec](http://www.geocaching.com/profile/?A=5318842)
Earthcache [Totem Pole](https://coord.info/GC862H8) By [The Hancock Clan](http://www.geocaching.com/profile/?A=263428)

Visit the [Geocaching Tasmania Facebook group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/318455407771/)

We had to deal with muggles for a bit as the place was very busy. As we watched the swimmers and read the signs I happened to glance in the right direction and spitted it. I quietly told SST and as soon as the coast was clear he grabbed it. It was logged quickly and replaced with no fuss.
Only a few day after our visit a croc was sighted nearby and Bitter Springs was closed.
Thanks CHEDENT

Our Northern Territory journey began in Darwin around 3am after a very delayed flight. We drove as far north as Fresh Water Camp (northeast of Darwin), followed by a loop to Liberated Cox (out to the west) and Litchfield National Park returning to Darwin. We then headed south with overnight stops at Katherine, Daly Waters and Devils Marbles before reaching our southernmost accommodation at Erldunda. From here we did a day trip to Lamberts Gravitational Centre on onward past Finke. Our last couple of days were in Alice Springs with a side trip via Hermannsburg and Glen Helen, all up covering just under 3800km. My thanks to all the COs with hides throughout the territory for helping make our trip so enjoyable.

Found on our roadtrip from Darwin to Alice Springs. Absolutely stunning place. Quick find and sign here. Tftc!

Spotted from the right angle after a look around GZ between Muggles. A busy spot for a cache today thanks to school holidays, but all good. TNLN-TFTC!

SP(UK)

Was here early 10 am day trip from Katherine. Decided to swim here - great before the crowd arrived - much warmer than the Katherine springs. We took a coffee break in town. We went it to the Mataranka homestead and springs there for a while. 50-60 people in the soup was a bit crowded - so we came back here as more people can spread out. At the end of the day - we spied this cache after reading the logs. Yes - it has to be up for the wet season. - after a few false looks the find was found. Half a container but decent dry log - thanks to a fellow geocacher
May have been spied by a swimmer but they probably thought I was a bit weird checking the area. Thanks CHEDENT for the cache in a beaut rather than a bitter location.

Had to wait a bit lots of people here had pen or pencil

Almost at our Destination at Darwin heading up from Melbourne to get away from this crappy cold, Finally after getting past Tennant creek the temperatures started to rise up and become more of my style!. Had a quick dip in the Mataranka Spring, until another local told us that Bitter springs was the "Better Springs" to go and visit, The water doesn't look as inviting at Bitter Springs as the moss and growth is scattered along the banks, But there is more room and the current is good fun to float along with, Just be careful of the few submerged logs you will likely smack your legs on!

Once finished had a look around to find the cache, In witch was finally found. Log signed and returned back to its original hiding location.

Last time I was was 14 years ago, and I had a DNF at the cache at this spot. Yesterday I'd thought this time was going to be the same result after my first look around. I messaged the CO begging for help, and found it easily this morning. Only a plastic bag contains the log book, nothing magnetic about it.

TFTC and the hint!

Yew!!! What a great spot for a find!!

We stayed in the park next door and have ducked in here for 2 swims. What a beautiful spot!
On our way out this morning we managed to find the log while we had the place to ourselves.

Last night work colleagues suggested Bitter Springs was the better option.

It looks like I'm not the only one drawn to look low by the gps arrow.

Thanks for the cache CHEDENT.

Today we came to check out bitter springs and have a swim. What an awesome spot even though it was quite busy, floating down stream it didn't seem busy.
TFTC

Lovely walk between the palms.
Searched down low for far too long, found in the end.
TFTC

TFTC

Found this morning during a short walk around Bitter Springs. Thanks for hiding this cache and as always TFTC, MumDad2000

Found it! Needs some maintenance, not much of a container left. TFTC!

Beautiful springs

Wow, at first this place wasn’t even on the agenda and true to the listing I’m glad we stopped and got taken down stream TFTH

Beautiful place. Log all dry and safe! TfTC

Find number 10924 at 8:45:24 am on Friday the 19 August 2022
Staying a couple of days in Mataranka and checking out the two hot springs and well as other things. We think Bitter is better
I ducked out early this morning to pickup two high muggle area caches but there were still muggles everywhere but I checked my sack of geocacher tricks to help me out.
Water water everywhere and not a log to see, then I spotted it The swimmers right in front of me were so busy relaxing they made me yaaaaaaawn!
**Thanks for placing this cache CHEDENT**

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We’re all going to Whittlesea to participate in Victoria’s next Mega!
*Are you coming to join in the fun?*
[**The Whittlesea Event 2022**](https://coord.info/GC8EW40)
*19th & 20th November 2022 - GC8EW40 - Whittlesea- Victoria*

The water here looks crystal clear and very aqua. What an amazing spot. We are going to head out on some walks at the Mataranka Springs and then come back for a swim here.
We signed the log and will continue the walk around the loop here at Bitter Springs.
Thanks CHEDENT
Domsky

While at the springs, came past to collect this cache as well. Such a beautiful place.

On a trip around Australia with the family, out finding some caches this morning asking this beautiful track. Quick find here, tftc!

An 11,000km 2 month trip up north were it is a lot warmer than here, Mrs Boomajarril and I packed up the caravan, the geo-dogs, and left this 9°C weather behind for somewhere a lot warmer than here. Found with Team Betsy at 6:45am before a warm dip in the hot springs. Hopefully it stays above high tide mark.

Such a lovely float in the wonderful springs, made all the better for this cache.

A perfect place to stay. Been floating for a while and relaxing
Tftc

We could see it quickly enough but had to wait for muggles to leave. It needs a new container. Thanks for the cache!

TFTC, no pencil in the container. Beautiful spot and magical swim.

Found after a beautiful relaxing swim and float. Just magnificent! TFTC

TFTC - found with rainygirl74

Found with Dozenmater,,TFTC

Catching up on some late logs, now that I have time, while travelling.

We are on the road travelling up through central Australian and down the coast of WA. I hope to grab a few caches along the way.

Grabbed this, on the way for a lovely warm swim. It was an easy enough find, with only a few muggles to avoid. It was a lovely place to spend time floating with the water so crystal clear.

Thanks CHEDENT for highlighting this lovely area maintaining the hide for us to find.

With Capricorn Dancer TFTC

What a beautiful spot! I looked in the obvious spot but it wasn't there! So looked in the next most obvious and there it was! TFTC!

TFTC

No pencil

Found it.

Still here. Beautiful spot for a float downstream. Hope it’s above the high tide level. TFTH TFTC

We’ll about high tide!!

Found in a quiet patch between patrons. Lovely spot. Thanks to the previous finder with new log and bag. Cache high and dry in the obvious spot away from the wet season. Thanks.

Springs not inviting today, replaced log container needs replacing. On our 2nd tour of WA now slowly heading north on our way home to Cairns. Did your Bitter Springs today. 23 March 2022 9:16 am Tyfc CHEDENT total caches now 4466 .

After a great trip around half the country, up the west coast to Darwin via Kunnunura, Katherine, a amazing two weeks in Darwin, out to Jabiru and Litchfield. Down the middle to Alice Springs then on to Millicent for the Geoventure2020 (in 2021).
We then hit the road to cross the WA border before it closed due to a few cases in SA.
Now we are home with a few of the major repairs finished, it is nice to have an opportunity to catch up on logging some finds that need more information as part of the logging requirements.
A huge thank you to all the COs along our travels.
TFTC

Previously logged under team account BoogieRogue. Re-logging with my individual account. #Find#: 3850#

Found on: 15 October 2021 08:29

Distance from GZ: 10m

Buddies: none

Muggles: none

Weather: sunny

Cache condition: good



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Found it after a bit of searching around. Great location for the cache. The plastic bag is slowly disintegrating though and will need replacing soon.

**TFTC for the Micro Traditional Cache CHEDENT TNLNSL**

Discover my trackables: 654EMY, GSVG86, TAKM0W, GM5KY0

#Find#: 3850#
Found on: 15 October 2021 08:29
Distance from GZ: 10m
Buddies: none
Muggles: none
Weather: sunny
Cache condition: good

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Found it after a bit of searching around. Great location for the cache. The plastic bag is slowly disintegrating though and will need replacing soon.
**TFTC for the Micro Traditional Cache CHEDENT TNLNSL**
Discover my trackables: 654EMY, GSVG86, TAKM0W, GM5KY0

What a fantastic time we are having in the NT. TFTC CHEDENT

Didn't have long to look at husband has us on a very tight schedule... and gps kept circling us around today...

Beautiful location, lovely spot in the early morning. Squeezed in our note next to 2017, so logbook needs replacing. TFTC.

Thank goodness! After two DNFs in Mataranka I thought I had lost my mojo. Thankfully this was a nice easy find. TFTC!

Went for a drive down to Mataranka to check out the Hot springs, got a few smileys as well. TFTC

After almost 9 weeks on the road, it was time to head back home to Adelaide.

On this trip I have safely travelled through four states/territories and somehow managed to avoid the everchanging and unpredictable Covid hotspots, lockdowns, quarantine and other restrictions.

I started from Adelaide at the beginning of July and travelled on my own for 3 1/2 weeks through outback NSW into Queensland and up the coast to Cairns where I met up with FeatherWaite and another friend from Hobart. For the next 3 weeks we travelled up the tip of Cape York and Thursday Island and back to Cairns, then headed our separate ways. I then travelled west across the bottom of the Gulf to Roper Bar and Mataranka with a few side trips, and am now about to head south again.

I have visited some some fantastic places, particularly in the national parks and other remote natural areas, and I’ve seen a range of wildlife. I’ve also managed to find quite a few caches along the way!

A swim at Bitter Springs was very pleasant.

Thanks CHEDENT for the cache.

Great to be able to find this geocache.
Finally a chance to catch up with putting a smiley here, not often do I get a chance on the computer
TFTC

Ok

LOVED IT

Very cool spot in an amazing location. Good spot

Easy hard 2 get at in day time with others eyes nice view over the water good swiminning good hide thx

Great location. Thanks for placing

After reading previous logs I had a pretty good idea where to look. The only problem was the crowds of people. I managed to find a small window of opportunity, grabbed the cache, signed the log and replaced it without anyone noticing. Good spot forr a swim and a cache.

Hi and dry…..

Tftc found with Crack n Lee Lee, 2As & PeteBev. Lovely place to visit & take a swim

Found with 2beez and crack n lee lee

Tftc found with 2beez and 2as & crack n Lee lee

Staying here for a few nights with 2beez, 2As and Petebev. Have really enjoyed this area.
Thanks

Searched obvious spot and walked away with smiley
Tftc

Love this place. Second time we have been here. Got the cache this time. Too many muggles last time. Best to go early morning, find the cache and go for a lovely swim. TFTC.

Turning a frown into a smiley only took 5 years to get back here. Thanks for the cache.