Sun 28/08/14 Staying at the Mataranka Homestead Campgrounds. Several peacocks/hens strutting about the place. Found ourselves a nice shady site and is only 100mt walk to Rainbow Thermal Springs. Kids couldn't wait to take a dip, so after a speedy setup, we were soaking in the warm, thermal pools. The water stays at a constant 34oC all year round and an amazing 30.5 million litres pass through the springs EVERY DAY! It is crystal clear and LBA (the only ones wearing goggles) found the underwater view of 'headless' grey nomads straddling pool noddles hilarious. Sandstone steps with underwater seating around the edges for your soaking convenience make the experience all the more relaxing. Cheeky wallabies forage right at the pools edge and eye everyone off. Dragged kids out of the waters for a yummy dinner of lamb shanks a-la-caravan, then spent the evening chatting with neighbours, Ray & Sue, from Ocean Grove, Vic. Kids spotted a wild pig which prompted Ray & Sue to get out their spotlight and take us all on a night walk to the river pontoon - spotted a couple of freshies, short neck turtles and fish; Sue preparedly had biscuits for LBA to feed the turtles. Then we followed the loop track home and found cane toads galore hopping everywhere - yuk! Lovely, balmy , starry night.

Mon 25/08/14 Checked out the township today. Mataranka is known as the heart of the Never Never and a lot of its P.R. is based around the book - turned telemovie "We of the Never Never", by Jeannie Gunn, which is based on her real life experience living in the region. There are statues of the main characters in the main street and the replica homestead built for the movie is based out at our campground, thus the name. Visited the museum, which is located in a shipping container, but is very well presented with an outside display as well. Had soda waters at the Mataranka Pub and found a look-a-like 'Freida from ABBA' serving behind the bar in her brown velour dress and calf high boots - same style, same hair, same face - bizarre likeness! Drove to Bitter Springs where we met Ray & Sue who kindly leant us their pool noodles so we could float the downstream thermal spring ... now referred to as the triple S - Slime Springs Safari - these springs are left in their natural state ie no clean sandstone edges, no seating, underwater hazards / logs etc and loads of slime along the banks ... different and adventurous. Back to the van in time for kids to watch the peacocks fly up into the trees to roost for the night and then do a spot of gecko hunting before we headed to the al fresco bistro for dinner and live music by Gary Booth. Great day!