Mataranka - Saturday 30th April to Monday 2nd May 2011.

Mataranka - the town of thermal springs.We took a look and quick dip at Mataranka Thermal Pool (Rainbow Springs) before deciding where to stay (campground or the National Park).The area around the thermal pools had been quite damaged from the recent floods so it certainly didn't look its best…but apart from being a bit crowded the thermal pool was warm and the boys enjoyed themselves (Roy and I agreed it wasn't really our cup of tea).

We decided to stay in Elsey National Park.Nice and quiet with only a handful of other campers (just the way we like it).Again, the boys were excited to have a campfire.They just love the whole process… collecting the wood…stacking it up…lighting the fire…throwing the logs on…and watching it burn.Roy spends most of his time asking the boys to move back.While I love their youthful exuberance…they also need to understand the danger of fires and hot coals etc.

The only downside was the number of mozzies.Thanks to an extra long wet season they were terrible (normally they only bother me…but here they are bothering everyone, including the locals).Today the Ranger told us they call them "black darts"…they have huge long pointy black bodies and give a nasty sharp p****

This morning we went to Bitter Springs…another thermal pool.Much more natural than Mataranka Thermal Pool and there was hardly anyone there (bonus).Roy and the boys used their snorkelling gear to explore the springs.They floated downstream and Max did really well to swim back against a strong under-current…while Roy and Archie hopped out and walked back.

Afterwards we stopped at a local campground offering free Barramundi feeding.We watched large Barramundi being hand fed and heard how these interesting fish live and breed in the Top End rivers and oceans. Max asked Roy if they were the fish Pa caught.He was very impressed to hear they were.It is a shame we won't be meeting Pa in Karumba, QLD for some barra fishing.

That night Roy and I were entertained with a little concert by the boys...it was very cute.