Innot Hot Springs Caravan and Leisure Park

Innot Hot Springs is a rural town 153km south west of Cairns, with a population of 189 people. The town was established around three hot mineral springs in the Nettle Creek near the town. The temperature of the springs is between 74 and 85 °C (165 and 185 °F)

We stayed at the Innot Hot Springs Caravan and Leisure Park, and loved it. There are six pools of varying temperatures and guests may stay at the park, like us, or call in for the day and use the pools.

“We have six thermal pools, each offering a unique temperature experience. For those seeking tranquility, we provide adult-only pools. Our relaxing water is filtered from the natural hot spring, right next to our caravan park, ensuring an all-natural and rejuvenating soak”

What makes the water hot?

Sandy alluvial sediment and fractured rocks – of the Hodgkinson formation combine unground with large faults until it comes into close proximity to the magma chamber, some 600 meters below. Here, the water becomes heated and expands. Now under pressure the water is forced to the surface along the large fault which lies under the township. the pressurised and heated water then discharges to the point of the springs just below the hotel was 71.5°C. The flow rate was estimated at 3 litres per second.

The Pools

All six pools are open from 6am until 10pm daily. Guests are free to come and go as they like. The three outside pools are for everyone to use and three inside are adult only (in the sense of being child-free and hence more tranquil). The three inside pools are also hotter and smaller than the ones outside.

Outside Pools

The three outdoor pools are set with in a lovely garden area. Including a grassed area with tables and chairs and shady trees. Each pool is a different temperature and depth. The smaller is cosy and warm like a bath, the large one is cold, and the middle size pool is in between. All have beautiful clear water. We spent a lot of time in these pools.

Inside Pools

The three inside pools are for adults only and contained within a building with lighting, showers and toilets. These pools are smaller, and hotter – there was only one we could get into, the others were too hot. The spa option is lovely.

Night Swim

All six pools are open from 6am to 10pm each day.

Nettle Creek

Running beside the caravan park, is Nettle Creek, where the hot springs actually are. We wandered down to the creek. The springs are in the sand along the creek and the water is scalding hot in places. People had made little pools in the sand where the cold creek water and the hot spring water mixed to a warm temperature. We could see the hot water bubbling up from the sand with steam rising.

The creek itself appears to be on public land. There were several people enjoying it who had parked on the side of the road rather than staying or day-visiting at the caravan park.

Around the camp ground

With the 10pm closing time of the pools, this is an ideal place to stop overnight while on your way somewhere else. Some of the sites are drive-through, giving you more time for an evening and a morning soak!

Cheers til next time, Helen & Tim