153 - Mataranka

The entry way to the hot springs at Mataranka Homestead 

We readied our selves for anther 200 kms run from Daly Waters to Mataranka. Ho, he, ho, hum here we go again. Also at this stage the bride was suffering from a chest infection, barking like a drovers dog, and feeling quite unwell. The heat and the dust was starting to take its toll.

We were not to sure where we were going to stay here. I saw a travel video from Caravan and Motorhome, and they advised the Mataranka Homestead was a nice place to stay, and close to the hot springs. So being a couple of terribly un adventurous soles we are, we decided this would be the go. There was another park in town called The Manor, more on that later.

So we arrived in Mataranka and followed the signs to Mataranka Homestead. Mmmmmmmmmmmm! On arrival, the reception, bar and entertainment areas was quite inviting. "One or two nights," I said to the bride...."lets do two." was the answer amid coughs and choking from the bride...poor ditums.

So we drove to our site and what did we encounter.....red dust. Red dust everywhere and not a blade of grass to be seen. Bugger!!!!!!!!! The bride definitely needs more red dust likes she needs a hole in the head.

As we were walking around we again ran into the crew that we had dinner with a Daly Waters. They said the Manor was a much better park. Bugger again!!!!!!!!! However the negative of the Manor was the "Bitter Springs" another hot pool area was miles away and no where near as nice as the Homestead pools. Okay you win a few and loose a few.

The walkway to the pools

Initially when walking down the path way it all looks a little untidy with palm frons down every where. Looks like a cyclone has been through. However reading the signs this is a natural occurrence because of the bats that frequent the area. So many of them hang from a branch, they (branches) just breaks off through the sheer weight of these little blighters.

Now we have heard all the stories of the smell of the bats, however that wasn't evident during our stay. We were a little early in the season to see these critters, and apart from that, the rangers have installed these huge sprinklers that stand about 15 metres in the air. These get turned on quite regularly to deter the bats from hanging around (pardon the pun)

The Hot Springs

Watch out for the crocs

Nice, clear, warm

Our camp spot at Mataranka

Just a pose from "mya" just outside the tavern.

One of the locals hoping in to say g'day

Now there is a fair bit of history about the Mataranka Homestead. There is a replica homestead on the grounds of the original homestead. For the life of me I cannot remember what I read, as I have "KRAFT" disease........(Kant Remember A F.....................k'n Thing) however I will show some fotties of the history of Mataranka below. But I do remember however, they made the movie "We of the Never Never" here.

The replica of the original Mataranka Homestead

A bit of history...hope you can read it?

And more history

And a little more to finish off

On the second day I went for a drive up to Mataranka proper to have a look at the Manor CP, yep the nicer park alright, however a little close to the town, and long way away from "Bitter Springs" What we have been taught by most is to stay as far away as possible from towns due to the locals, if you know what I mean.

At this stage we are not quite used to the NT grog laws. So one has to wait till 2pm to get 'takeaways'  and in the process one has to get security checked, to make sure you are not on the bad buggers lists. Plus can't get any 4 litre casks of wine, only two litre and absolutely no TAWNY PORT. Geeeeeeeeeezus no port....we would kill for a glass of port. Pity that a small majority, stuff it totally for the majority.

I also went for a walk when back at the Homestead and headed to Mick's Hole. It is about a 2.5 kms round trip. Now Micks Hole is another swimming spot, but once I got there it was a little to croc friendly for me. Would have been great for a "skinny dip" but all the warning signs were enough for me, so I took a couple of pikkies and quickly retreated to the safety of the RetroLiner.

Mick's Hole. Very croc friendly I am sure you will agree.

We were glad to move on from Mataranka and if it wasn't for the pools, there is nothing else to see. In my opinion we were there 1 day and 23 hours to long. 

Also I am getting very low on my medication for my "Jelly Belly" and the bride is going down hill very quickly with the infection..........so a doctor is on the agenda for our next stop Katherine.

Next stop Katherine.....stay tooooooooned