Mataranka and Bitter Springs (22nd - 26th June)

Stayed at a free camp on the Stuart Hwy. Was fairly full by the time we arrived so we got the spot next to the WC. Luckily there were no issues and we had a good night. Luuk checked the sump to ensure we had no leaks and all was good. Pretty proud of himself I might add and a job well done.The next morning we headed off early to get to Mataranka and have a delicious swim in the thermal pools. We started at the homestead where the most famous Matarankan thermal pools were and this was great, but no where near as good as Bitter Springs, which we did the following day.

Bitter Springs was a long thermal pool in the middle of nature. Relatively undisturbed by man. We swam down the stream and attempted to swim back the same way but the current was fairly strong and this made it almost impossible with the kids. Luuk managed to do a train with the kids back from the first rest point, but i struggled with just Maddy from the end point and we were saved by a couple floating downstream. They gave Maddy a noodle and he floated back to the end point. I swam back down and then we walked back. We saw a large turtle enjoying the currents at the end and floated above him for a while just watching. Nature is so amazing!!!

We stayed at Elsey National Park which was 15.40/ night. It is charged at the original $14. and G.S.T. Ridiculous that someone didn't just round it up or down as, anyone who is travelling would know, you rarely can find an even $15.40. Luckily for us Sam, had change, from his pocket money, and after 4 days we rounded up the funds. Funnily, we bumped back into Sandra and Geoff and caught up on the previous weeks activities and Lianda and Colin who had been travelling with Paul and Donna and their two boys, whom we had met in the Flinders Ranges and Ormiston Gorge at a rangers talk, respectively. As Luuk said, travellers tend to come and go in waves so you tend to run in to the same people over and over. I would recommend a stop at Elsey National Park because it is well maintained, beautiful walks and camping areas, green grass and there weren't any mosquitos in June. It is also close to all the things to do. We attempted a day at a beach along the roper, however, still new to the idea of swimming where there are fresh water crocodiles and potentially salt water crocodiles we chickened out. There are signs saying it is a swimming area and that the area has been controlled for crocs, but you hear of salties entering occasionally and they ask you to alert them if there are any sightings. There are also salt water croc cages on the river banks in case one tries to enter, however this kept reminding me of the possibility and despite everyone telling you it's safe you also don't want to be front page after an attack.