It was slow packing up and leaving the Roper River today. The company was good and we were having a great time, but there were other great places on the horizon. We didn’t leave the Roper River until late and were only heading to Mataranka today. A small town between Tennant Creek and Katherine, smack bang on the highway. It was surprising driving into town, it was quiet, clean and tidy, a huge contrast to the road we had just driven. Littered with broken down cars and green cans. Ben is already planning a trip back to claim some car parts... most cars are left roadside because they have a flat tyre or run out of fuel, many brand new... no-one returns for them, within 48 hours they have been stripped of parts and turned onto their roof! It makes my bloody boil.. but don’t get me started again!
Mataranka is famous for the thermal pools and we were looking forward to a relaxing swim. The crocs weren’t too friendly on the river! We stayed at Mataranka Cabins and Camping, a comfortable and dog friendly park. Just 500m away was the Bitter Springs Thermal Pools, a more natural creek with stairs built into it. You are able to drift with the current and get out at different spots, however there was still alot of water when we visited making it a little dirty. We had a quick dip and gave the drifting a miss.
Not far away is the more famous thermal pools accessed through the Homestead Caravan Park. Entry is free and it is on the edge of Elsey National Park. We enjoyed a lovely swim here but it is quite busy. They have built a beautiful pool like area, lined with pebbles and steps for easy access. The water is warm, continually flowing and extremely inviting!
The pools at Mataranka were special but the best part about Mataranka was bumping into Stuart and Ruth again. We had originally met at Ayres Rock Resort and it was great to catch up for a drink further up the road. We swapped stories over dinner and looked forward to catching up again soon! My faith in good Aussie hospitality and friendship has certainly been restored in the last few weeks.
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