Mataranka to Katherine -101k.

We left Mataranka after a 7am swim in the beautiful thermal pool, only 4 others there at that time. Refreshed from the beautiful water, put on our flash shorts over our swimmers and headed out.

We decided we would have breakfast at the Territory Manor not very far out of Mataranka. It is very well know for the Barra feeding sessions, which take place every day at 9.30 and 3.30. It is a really beautiful resort, very similar to Mataranka Homestead but not as many back packers. We had a lovely breakfast and a pot of Tea (T bags, little disappointing) and headed to the billabong to watch the Barramundi being fed, bit of a non-event.

The pool setting was beautiful so were the grounds. Is very difficult to keep the grass watered from the river, as hundreds of Kangaroos come at night and eat the grass. We also saw a beautiful tree and were told it was a 'cluster fig' and when it bears fruit and the figs drop the kangaroo's love to eat them.

Left for Katherine.

Phone and Internet coverage was hopeless so for the first time we went to the Katherine Visitors Centre to enquire about local tours. We booked the Nitmiluk 4 hour canoeing trip up the Katherine River to No 1 Gorge and a 2-hour Katherine River boat trip to the second gorge. The Nitmiluk Gorge system is comprised of 13 immense gorges that stretch for kilometres. Over the millennia, the Katherine River has carved this ancient waterway into the landscape.

We then checked into the Knotts Crossing Resort set amongst hectares of stunning tropical gardens with a 2 beautiful pools and alfresco bar, restaurant, BBQs, motel rooms and cabins. We had a great cabin with a lovely outdoor setting and BBQ almost outside the front door.

We went for a walk down the main street to have a look and find somewhere to have lunch; we ended up at the Katherine RSL Club, as there was not much choice.

We had an R&R afternoon after deciding we would cook a BBQ for ourselves this evening. We were sick of eating out and were desperate for a good salad with my favourite Pakura Caramelised balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Later we went to an enormous Woolworths to do our shopping.

AA cooked the BBQ, great quality Scotch fillet; I did the spuds and great salad. What a tuck in we had along with lovely Sav Blanc.