Mataranka

Sat 19^th July King River Bridge Camp

It was a relatively quiet day, travelling back to Katherine, restocking the fruit and veg and then driving south for approximately 50 km to a bush camp. There was a bit of dry wood around so Mick gathered it up and we had a camp fire. With a campfire you are always sure of company. When we first arrived there was a big stray dog hanging around. Somebody had obviously fed it because there was some food and water near the tank. Some of the bush camps are well set up, as was this one, with a composting toilet and a basin with a trickle of water in the cubicle, and a tank with a slow running tap outside. Initially we had our part of the camp to ourselves although there were people in other sections on either side. Later we had company and by means unknown to us, a lady arranged for an Aboriginal man to collect the dog and take it away. Other campers said that it had been dumped and at night was roaming with another dog and a dingo.

Sun 20^th – Mon 21^st  July Mataranka

Today we were thinking of Emily for her birthday. We posted a card back in Adelaide River, but there’s no likelihood of it getting there on time, if at all. We went down to Mataranka and scouted around to decide which park to stay in. We ended up at Territory Manor, which is just off the highway on the road to Bitter Springs, another thermal area ($30 per night). The park is arranged with vans backed into circular sections with ablution blocks in the centre. You end up sharing a shower and toilet with one other van. We have flowering hibiscus down the sides of our site and there are peacocks and peahens wandering around. Naturally Mick managed to attract them all to our site with bread.

Even though it was very hot we decided to go to the thermal pool for a swim. It was even better than last time we were there. It wasn’t too hot and we spent about an hour in the water. By then Mick was exhausted because the water was very deep and he sinks like a stone. He had to hang on to the ledge at the side to keep from being washed away until he managed to heave himself up on the bench around the edge. I, on the other hand, just bobbed around like a cork. We also went the next day and there were fewer people there, so we had a very relaxing time. Mick was able to nab the lower bench for himself. A lady in the pool was telling us about the “famous” bakery in Larrimar. Apparently it has won awards for the quality of its food. She and her husband had a Devonshire tea there which consisted of a cup of instant coffee with powdered milk and one scone with a little jam and cream – for $14. The woman who runs it is very curt and covers herself by not displaying any prices. Someone else had a snack there and it cost $56. They said when they walked in she snapped, “Are you going to order or what!”

 At the entrance of the carpark at the hot springs is a replica of Elsey Station Homestead that was built for the filming of “We Of The Never Never”, based on the book by Jeannie Gunn. It is authentic in every detail, even down to the hand hewn local cyprus pine.

Territory Manor has a big pond covered in pink water lilies and twice daily the barramundi are fed. This is done by a young chap who stands on an underwater walkway and holds the food just below the surface of the water. The barra are lightning fast and suck in the fish with a loud sound. There were also some bream, catfish and a turtle who took advantage of the food. The turtle was found in dire health locked in a dog kennel several years ago and is still unable to fend for itself. We also watched a huge fat duck hurtle across the water flapping its wings in a circular motion to chase other water birds off the pond. It is obviously very territorial.