Mataranka and beyond, NT

It was a lovely cool night that we even had to snuggle under the doona!

We had our morning coffee set off to Bitter Springs arriving just before 8 am and with no one else was there! Bitter Springs is one of two natural thermal pools in Elsey National Park and is set among tall palms and tropical woodlands. Spring water rises from underground at a rate of 30.5million litres per day. Swimming in the crystal clear natural thermal pools is the main attraction and the water is very warm all year round.

The picturesque path is accessible from the carpark to the swimming hole and there are stairs with handrails leading into the water. You can also opt to float down the river with an exit there. Mark enjoyed his swim here. It was so peaceful. 

We stopped in Mataranka… dumping and refuelling… cheapest we will get for a while.

At the carpark of the Mataranka hot springs was the Elsey Homestead replica that was especially constructed for the 1980s film We of the Never Never, based on the novel of the same name written by local Jeannie Gunn.

From here it was a short stroll through the caravan park and the forest to the lovely man made pools. 

There were several step entrances into the water and lots of space to just sit and enjoy the warm waters and the lovely surroundings. Even though there were a few more people here, it had a calm atmosphere. 

Then it was time to hit the road… back on the Stuart Highway for a bit before turning off onto Roper Highway a section of The Savannah Way. Technically we have travelled a few parts of this 3700 kilometre route which links the historic pearling town of Broome in Western Australia’s Kimberley with Cairns in Tropical North Queensland. Even though there road is classified as a highway most of it has only a single bitumen lane.

but it was faster than a dirt track which started just after the Roper Valley East rest area. Luckily it’s not very busy and we were able to drive on average 65km per hour. 

We arrived at Tomato Island (Munbililla camp) located in the Limmen National Park, around 1pm. It’s set in the banks of the Roper River and most people who come here go fishing. The area got its name because in the past, people who camped here during the winter would grow tomatoes! We pay $30 on line for our site for the night but that includes shower, toilets, bore water, dump point and heaps of bins! (And of course a boat ramp). We settle in and go for a stroll. Apparently there’s a 4m croc that likes to sun himself on the banks of the river, but we didn’t see him. There is also an Anzac memorial and a bit if history information on a board.

Mark puts some bolts in the side locker due to it splitting

255km today