Headed out to Elsey National Park to check out the Roper River and camping areas for a stay on the way home after we've been to Darwin. We were pleasantly surprised with hot water for showers and toilet facilities and only $6.50 per person per day. Robert's keen to do a walk to Mataranka Falls from here and I couldn't manage it with dodgy knee. I had a few twinges today and I think getting in and out of van isn't helping it.
Mataranka Homestead has thermal springs that are more accessible with steps into the spring (although I didn't see them until I'd hurt both knees). Very nice in the spring at 32 degrees. Sprats swim by in schools and the water is crystal clear - sparkling!
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| enjoying the thermal springs at Mataranka Homestead |
On the way into the springs, there was a very tame marsupial (maybe a wallaby, euro, kangaroo). Of course, Robert did his usual animal approach with "Skippy-like" noises. The animal did seem to like the head scratching and the ear tickling but definitely did not appreciate the back scratching and let Robert know in no uncertain terms by making a guttural growl.
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| lazy marsupial |
Evidence of the flood damage could be seen with the flattened palms and muddy debris littering the palm forest floor. There is a mesh path that makes access very easy. Fruit bats enjoy this area and there is a path that has a canopy so that people can walk under the trees without having to wear a souvenir from a bat.
Rainbow Springs is just beautiful with its colour and ever-moving waters. No swimming allowed here.
Back at the caravan park, the peacocks and peahens made their afternoon visit for some bread. They just forage all day.
Shortly before dusk, they emitted their unusual sounds and flew up to roost in a large tree. Campers below were a bit concerned but I guess the peacocks and peahens were here first.
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| A bit hard to see but there are about 5 or 6 peacock/peahens in this tree. |
Hey Shaz (& Bob!). You have certainally packed a lot into the first eight days, I've just caught up on all the action. I have to say that Mataranka looks and sounds amazing, it is certainally seems like a great place to set up camp for a few days. Reading through day-by-day and as the temperature is warming up is making me jealous, but the weather in Adelaide has been okay (since that radical/stormy patch at the beginning of last week). If you're onto the e-books already does that mean you got the paperback knocked off already? Good effort! I can't wait until holidays, there's a few that have been sitting on the shelf waiting to be read...a few lots of marking to to before then though! Pleased to hear that you have been catching up with a few different people on your travels and that Bob has been making friends with the local fauna. You're on the money with a pride of peacocks, they can also be called an ostentation.
ReplyDeleteKeep travelling well, looking forward to the next update. Look after that knee!
Sean