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Total relaxation in the savannah’s hot springs
ABOVE: The Talaroo spring is fed by water seeping from kilometres underground, heated by hot granite
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oaking in a swimming pool is always a relaxing experience – but even more relaxing is when that water is heated by hot granite kilometres below the Earth’s surface, and the pool is nestled in the Gulf Savannah. Talaroo Hot Springs is one of North Queensland’s most unique and globally significant geological wonders. F our and half hours from Cairns by road, the
Talaroo is among a handful of geothermal systems on the planet where life in extreme environments can be studied and as such is a very special place of global significance. Talaroo is one of only two mound springs in Australia and the only one not fed by the Great Artesian Basin but from water seeping from kilometres underground heated by hot granite rocks.
No visit to Talaroo is complete without a relaxing dip in the purpose-built geothermal soaking pool or one of the private soaking pools springs are in the heart of Queensland’s untouched Gulf Savannah and are an unmissable part of the Savannah Way – one of Australia’s great road trips linking Cairns to Broome via an epic 3700km journey. Surface water temperature in the pools reaches up to 68 degrees Celsius and yet there are unique and incredible aquatic ecosystems thriving there. 76 SPLASH! October/November 2021
Families enjoying the purpose-built pool