Mataranka – 420km south of Darwin (3 nights)

This piece of paradise is located in the Elsey National Park.  It is where the Australian classic “We of the Never Never” by Jeannie Gunn was based.  The book tells the story of her life as outback station manager’s wife in the early 1900s.  It was later made into a movie in the 80s, they play the movie at noon every day at the Mataranka Homestead camping ground where we stayed so we watched it – I enjoyed it!.  There is a thermal pool feed by the Rainbow Springs where we hung out several times a day.  The water was about 30 degrees, which was slightly cooler than the air temperature!  Bitter Springs are also nearby where you drift down the crystal clear river with googles, I was lucky enough to see a turtle! The place felt really tropical with peacocks and wallabies hanging out at the camping ground and all sorts of crazy birds.  Once again we ran into familiar faces from other stops along the way and met some new ones.  It was nice to stop for a while and enjoy a reasonably fly free spot, next stop Katherine Gorge!

Mataranka Thermal Pool

Campsite at Mataranka