The Savannah Way’s newest tourist attraction, Talaroo Hot Springs, will open next Saturday 26 June, welcoming school holiday makers to a unique experience.
The Talaroo Hot Springs experience combines the culture and hospitality of Ewamian people with one of North Queensland’s most unique and globally significant geological wonders.
Talaroo is a magical landscape alive with culture, nature, history and breathtaking beauty and guests are encouraged to make the most of “Talaroo time” by connecting with Ewamian traditional owners, joining the exclusive guided tours, experiencing the healing waters of the hot springs and enjoying a walk to the Einasleigh River.
Talaroo’s outback caravan park and campground offers 16 powered and 14 unpowered sites around purpose-built amenities and camp kitchen and is set 200 metres from the beautiful Einasleigh River and a stone’s throw from the spectacular Hot Springs.
Ewamian Elder and cultural advisor for Talaroo’s tours and experiences, Jimmy “JR” Richards, is passionate about sharing Ewamian culture and knowledge with visitors and has a unique connection to his country. JR’s wealth of knowledge and deep cultural insights form the heart of the Savannah Guides training program. JR is inspiring the team of new guides to share Talaroo’s great stories with visitors.
“Every part of our country tells a piece of our story” explained JR. “From the plants we’ve used for thousands of years to the history and culture of our people and to the future we’re building right here. It’s an incredible evolving journey that mirrors the constantly changing Springs at the heart of our land.”
The dream of creating a new tourism business at Talaroo has been long held by Ewamian people.
Talaroo Station, a 31.500 hectare property on the Einasleigh River, was purchased on behalf of Ewamian people in 2012 through the National Reserve System and since that time has been managed by Ewamian Rangers as an Indigenous Protected Area and Nature Refuge. General Manager of Ewamian Aboriginal Corporation (EAC),
Sharon Prior, shared her reflections on the five year journey that has brought the widespread Ewamian community to this exciting point.
“It is truly moving to see our vision coming to life” she said. “Since the Native Title determination in 2013 we have been working towards creating tourism, economic development and employment opportunities and that plan is now reaching fruition at Talaroo. This week we actually welcomed eight Ewamian people back to country to train as tour guides and share our ancient and contemporary culture every day. That’s an achievement we’re very proud of.”
EAC General Manager Sharon Prior
Talaroo is also a great example of the Ewamian Aboriginal Corporation’s forward-looking outlook on “walking together” with stakeholders, building strong partnerships, and maintaining conservation and cultural values while developing culturally appropriate economies.
EAC Chair, Ken Georgetown, and his Board acknowledge the support of the Queensland Government’s Growing
Tourism Infrastructure Fund which was critical in bringing this project to fruition. They have also secured
additional funding from the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation’s Our Land Our Future Fund and a corporate
donation from Genex Limited.
Ken discovered in his late teens that his grandfather has been taken away from Georgetown and that inspired him to join with Elders to seek a base for all Ewamian people to get back to their homelands. “Every time I return, I see the strength and determination of our people slowly transforming Talaroo into a sustainable future that has great potential not just for Ewamian people but for a deep reconciliation between all people, culture and place.”
Talaroo’s Visitor Experiences can now be booked at http://www.talaroo.com.au
Experiences Offered
Hot Springs Discovery Tour
An exclusive tour that takes visitors to the heart of Talaroo – the ancient and breathtaking Hot Springs. Expert guides share the secrets of this unique geological wonder, Talaroo’s fascinating history and the connection Ewamian people have had with their country for thousands of years into the present day.
- Tours last 1.5 hours and include the Hot Springs boardwalk and a soak in the Springs Bathing Pool.
- Tours depart regularly throughout the day from 8am to 4pm subject to demand, and visitors can check live availability and departure times at http://www.talaroo.com.au/activities
- Hot Springs Discovery Tours cost $35 per person with child, family and senior discounts available.
Private Soaking Pools
Talaroo’s blissful Private Soaking Pools are the ultimate in outback relaxation. Immerse yourself in the geothermal waters and experience the traditional healing and tranquillity of this ancient land.
- Private Soaking Pools cost $80 for up to four people.
- Sessions last for 40 minutes for optimum health benefits.
- Bookings can be made on site or online at http://www.talaroo.com.au/activities
Yarning Circle
Join the Ewamian people around the fire pit at the free Yarning Circle each evening – a chance to learn more about Ewamian people and country and swap travellers tales around the dancing flames.
Self-guided activities
Pick up a map at reception and take a walk to the Einasleigh River. There are hundreds of wildlife species recorded at Talaroo including over 200 bird species plus wallabies, wallaroos, frogs and turtles to look out for.
Caravan park and campground
Talaroo offers powered and unpowered sites set around a clean and modern camp kitchen, new amenities block, reception, gift shop and small kiosk.
Powered sites cost $40 for 2 persons. Extra adult $15, extra child $8, family $54
Unpowered sites cost $32 for 2 persons. Extra adult $15, extra child $8, family $44
Visitors can now book a Talaroo stay and exclusive activities on the property’s new website at http://www.talaroo.com.au
For bookings and availability visit http://www.talaroo.com.au
Location
Talaroo Hot Springs is located between Mount Surprise and Georgetown 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.
Journey time from Cairns by road is 4 ½ hours and all roads are accessible to conventional vehicles, trailers and caravans. The final 10km (12 minutes) from the Gulf Development Road (Savannah Way) to Talaroo is unsealed.
