Day 304 – Mataranka Thermal Pools

• Daly Waters – Mataranka
• 169kms
• 32°c

A fairly quiet start to the morning, with the usual campsite pack up. Whilst the boys topped up our fuel, Rach and I took the kiddos over to the old post office/ jailhouse in search of a Bower Bird Nest. Unfortunately there were none to be seen however the old jailhouse was interesting. The roadside today had many termite mounds dressed in costume, we saw Santa, a pirate and many regular citizens to go with yesterdays Elton John!

On our way north we passed through Larimah which just happened to be home to The Pink Panther Pub and The Big Stubby so of course we had to pull in for a look! The pub left a bit to be desired but the free zoo out the back was great. Sure it was tired and run down but it was more of a sanctuary for injured animals like the lovely little roo we got to pat. The Big Stubby was well, just that; a big Darwin Stubby!

As we continued on we found our destination in Mataranka and first on the agenda was to empty the loos, the boys most favourite job!

Once camp was sorted we set off for the Mataranka Thermal Pools down the road a bit, what an amazing spot. The water temperature was about 32°c and was just beautiful, the water was clear and we had a great time floating on our backs looking up at the bluest sky framed by palm trees, I’m sure we were all thinking the same thing: It doesn’t get much better than this!

As we made our way back to the cars we passed through the other van park we weren’t staying in and decided we’d made the right campsite decision as this one had a bar, live band, pool tables etc! and that wouldn’t have been any fun – from here on in we will take all recommendations from fellow travelers as just that! The good thing about our caravan park was that it was in walking distance to the Bitter Springs, so we drove there and made the short walk to the springs entrance. Again we had been advised this was a must, hire a noodle and float down the springs on the natural current! Wow we thought this isn’t to be missed, it was cooler than the thermal pool but still warm, I wasn’t prepared for the floaty bits in the water, the algae bobbing against the sides, but nothing prepared me for the spiderwebs and their many inhabitants that criss crossed the springs all the way down the floating track and only about 30cms above your head.

Well Oscar wasn’t having a bar of it as the others floated ahead of him and I, unfortunately the older gentleman spouting of comments like “ooh it’s just above your head, that spider could leapt down on you at any moment”! really didn’t help to calm and already freaked Occy. So he and I made our way back to the steps and waited for the others, on their return Rach offered to stay with Occy so I could enjoy the floating down the bitter springs experience. Well I think I would’ve been just as happy if not happier staying with Oscar, as those horrible spiders were all the way down and they seem to grow in size as did the weedy reeds that latched on as they floated past – ergh! Needless to say I was happy when we reached the end as I spent most of it clinging on to Steves foot so he could pull me faster under the spiders! I don’t feel the need to repeat that experience ever again, although the others found it quite enjoyable.

Mataranka Cabins & Caravan Park, $49 power, water, amenities