Alice to Mataranka

From Alice we headed north, driving about 4 hours of highway with a lot of other caravaners escaping the winter. We stopped for the night in a free camp called Geoffie’s Camp (a gravel pit as it is referred to on Wiki Camps, the app we use to find these places) at Barrow Creek. It was a beautiful evening, with a fire and lovely sunset.

We stayed for the morning at this campsite for Paddy to do a bit of work. He has his own consulting business, as well as an online platform for School Sport Professionals. Last year Paddy did quite a bit of work, but there is just so much to see and do and roads to travel that I think he may be having an unofficial gap year! I am happy for him whatever he does (or doesn’t do). We only get one life!

Our next stop was Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles), 95km south of Tennant Creek. Another overnighter staying right beside these amazing rock formations, which appear in the middle of nowhere. It was just beautiful watching the sunset hit the rocks. This is where Paddy’s long lense camera got a workout! I jumped up early the next morning to step outside for sunrise. It was a freezing cold morning but I braved the cold to spend time watching the sun rise up behind the rocks. A great way to start a new day.

We were off early for another big day driving north. Six hours on the Stuart Highway, with a few short stops along the way. We visited Daly Waters, an outback town populated with caravaners who come to visit the pub. The line was too long at the bar, so it was a quick visit for us. We pulled up for the night on a WW2 Airstrip (Gorrie’s Airstrip), about 50km south of Mataranka. This is a free camp that is a hidden gem. Entering the area through a closed gate, over a cattle grid, right at the hub cap nailed to a tree and on to the airstrip!!! Another fire and sunset whilst looking down the length of the old airstrip was something special and a great way to cap off a big day.

Our destination was Mataranka, the home of the thermal springs and a very popular tourist destination on anyone’s travels up north. It was very different to where we had travelled these past few months as we were now hitting the tropics. We stayed at the Mataranka Homestead Caravan Park and hit the springs even before setting up the van. We were there early to beat the crowds. These tranquil places need to be experienced regardless of how many people are there to see them. I was anxious about crocodiles but this looked more like a pool amongst the tropical palms so I jumped in. The water was so warm and clear. Incredible to think the water is coming up from the ground.

The following day we went to Bitter Springs, which was a really picturesque natural setting, with lots of palms, in the Elsey National Park. It had only just reopened after a croc sighting 3 days earlier. Knowing that, I just couldn’t get in. It looked amazing but my fear took over. I was happy with my decision, comfortably watching Paddy swim from the boardwalk! You will be happy to know he was not taken by a croc and loved every minute of it!!

We finished the day at a whip cracking show!!! It was so much fun. Nathan “Whippy” Griggs does this show from June-Sept every year at the Mataranka showgrounds and it is for all ages. We would definitely recommend if you are in Mataranka and he is there to go see it! I smiled the whole way through it. I also knew that our gorgeous friend Conor Welsford had seen Nathan when he was there and thought this show was the best!! Think my smile had a bit to do with that too!