Mataranka Homestead — Hotel in Mataranka

Cabins need to be condemned, manager doesn’t care and the owners don’t spend any money on this place!

I booked a cabin with plenty of notice for my family (2adults and 2 kids). When we arrived to our cabin (number 14) we were engulfed with the previous occupants cigarette smell (empty smoke packet still on the ground near the steps). My husband went to reception and asked for an air freshener to spray as the cleaner didn’t think to do this. There was a caravan parked in the space where our car was supposed to park as people can park their vans anywhere. I had to sleep on the top bunk as there was no safety rail to stop a child from falling off. I went to tuck my daughter in with the folded sheet that was left on the bottom bunk and it had someone else’s fresh blood on it. No mattress protectors, the pillows were stained (see photo) as there were no pillow protectors and i don’t even want to think how long it’s been since the bedspread had been washed (and that was the only cover supplied for the main bed to keep you warm). The light fitting down the bunk end didn’t even have a light globe!!! In the morning i went to fill up the kettle and it had gunk in it like it’s never been cleaned (see photo). I had to rewash the mugs that were supplied as they were obviously only rinsed with water and i could smell the coffee in them from the previous guests. Feeling so annoyed i struggled to sleep. I went to reception with the kettle and blood sheet. The manager was called so i could tell them about my experience (i was clearly upset and had very little sleep). I showed the kettle, sheet and questioned why our cabin had no kitchen facilities (not even a microwave). He just stood there-no apology, no offer of a refund and did not even bother to come over to the cabin after -i never heard or seen him again. The dirty sink in the bathroom was so small it was barely big enough to wash your hands and the cupboard was old (see photo). The exhaust fan was dirty (see photo), dirty shower curtain/floor (see photo), cobwebs and one of the taps was coming out from the wall (see photo). There was no camp kitchen so we were advised the only sink we could wash any dishes in was the laundry sink over near the dirty outdated amenities which had no plug and was yuck (see photo). The fridge seal in our cabin had mould on it (see photo) and the freezer looks like it’s never been defrosted (see photo). The ceiling fan was filthy (see photo), the lock on the main door was broken (see photo). I got an electric frypan out our car to cook with, i sat it on the wobbly small table out the front of our cabin and plugged it into the power point that was on the outside of our cabin and the power point didn’t even work!!!! We then decided to eat at their bistro. My daughter ordered the chicken schnitzel with gravy, it was $25.50 and was a processed patty from a pack you would buy from Coles. My husbands glass smelt so he asked for a straw and they don’t even have straws. The owners are clearly making a fortune but are obviously too tight to spend any money on the park. It’s outdated, dirty, unsafe-uneven footpaths (see photo), no lighting, toilet seats laying on the ground, lock’s don’t work on some of the toilets in the amenities (see photo). It’s honestly a dump! The most disappointing part was the manager-i told him i would be writing a review and he didn’t care. He needs to be sacked. The funny part is there was no Wifi so i was unable to even write the review while there. Reading other reviews, the owners clearly do nothing about all the complaints and the manager is clearly a twit with no initiative. I feel ripped off and should have been given a refund!!!! Do not stay here or...

I have been coming to Mataranka Homestead for 40 years. Sometimes, for a break; and at other times, just overnight, when passing through. Originally "the homestead" was the centre of Mataranka Cattle Station. The area was a major military base during WW2. The Homestead connects to the Stuart Highway by a well-maintained 6km bitumen road, however the road is subject to flooding during the Wet Season preventing access. The turn-off to the Homestead is 2km south of Mataranka township (general store, pub, fuel, Police, Clinic), which is 103km south of the much larger town of Katherine. The principal attraction is the thermal spring, a short walk from the Homestead's Bar. The spring is within a National Park - the smallest in the N.T. All day, all year, the spring produces 5 million litres of water each day, at 33 Celsius. The water has a slight sulphur smell, and blue coloration. Below the spring itself, a pool area has been developed - about 30 metres long, 7m at its widest, and 2m deep. The pool is still surrounded by natural vegetation, and is one of the most beautiful places in N.T. The water from the spring becomes the Roper River. There are several walking trails. Birdlife and other fauna and flora abound. The Homestead is not a 5-star resort - it is relaxed and best suited to those who seek a quiet time - whether overnight; for a few days, or for weeks. The Homestead has a bar, including a dining area. This is roofed, but not air-conditioned. The menu is basic, but prices are reasonable. B, L, & Dinner are available. There is a shop and tourist information centre adjacent to the bar . There are motel-style rooms - very basic, but clean and adequate, a little cramped, with a small refrig. These are close to the Bar. The layout is poorly designed, and only half of the rooms have adjacent parking - not convenient. There are ten "cabins" further away, near the airstrip. These are my preferred option: comfortably accommodate 5 or 6, big refrig, kitchen, table & chairs, air-con, outdoor sitting area - great for a family. Parking is immediately adjacent. Motel rooms and cabins can be booked out at popular times, so it is wise to book ahead. Then there are options for caravans, and campers - powered, or unpowered. Tariffs are reasonable. Highly...

There was a mix up at check in with giving us the wrong cabin which was not self contained and disgusting. They rectified this error and the new cabin was self contained but still disgusting. The cabin was not clean, cobwebs everywhere, the dining chairs were stained all sorts of colours, the shower base looked as if had never been cleaned and the curtain was crusty. The blinds were all broken and did not work, the fire extinguisher was last tested in 2021 and the smoke alarm appeared not to be working. The toilet would not flush properly and the shower pressure was a joke, I turned the hot tap fully on and got a dribble. The bed was hard and you could feel every spring. The sheets were the only clean thing in the room. When we went to use the fridge it had mould inside and in every cupboard was so dirty we were afraid to use them. The ceiling was peeling and the benches permanently stained. I have travelled all over Australia and this would have to be the worst accommodation we have ever encountered. We had booked for 2 nights, we reluctantly stayed only for one leaving the next morning $130 poorer for the experience. I strongly advise not staying here. It doesn’t even warrant one star in my opinion. We also looked at the replica homestead tourist attraction within the resort grounds. This is also an absolute disgrace to the park owners and town as it has been left in a delapidated and run down state. There is no signage to lead you to its location and the sign board at the site has faded to nothing. The house itself has now become dangerous with loose floorboards and nails protruding up every where. The house features on the NT tourism website and we were left deeply saddened to how it has been...