14/8/22 Mataranka

 

   Heading out of Gorrie airfield , north again , today we headed to Mataranka and decided we'd stay for 3 days at Bitter Springs Caravan Park . We arrived at 10:30 am and they let us in , so we set up and put the washing on . Lunch done , we went for a walk down to the springs for a float down the river . Frangipanni are out in flower , this one at the front of our site . 

    The walk down to the springs goes past this section of Roper Creek - how cool is that , you can camp beside this in the unpowered section .

     Palm trees & spiral pandanus grow in profusion here , giving a tropical feel .

     The springs are still as beautiful as ever , it's also Roper Creek and flowing at about 300litres per minute , and at 33 degrees - it's like getting into a warm bath .

     These next photo's are from the next morning - we went down early and there were very few people there - making it quite pleasant .

    This is the exit from the river .

     The water is crystal clear and beautiful .

    This tree in the park is out in flower , not sure what it is ?

    Next day we headed out to Mataranka NP and Roper River for a look . This section is easily accessible from a short walk - 300m - you still cant swim here due to the snapping handbags - they really are a pest .

  There are the odd wildflowers out , this being one of them .

   This is back at the caravan park , just a further 300m up the river . It shows how thick and dense the vegetation is here around the water .

    Our 3 days have been great , floating down the river each day - getting out & cooling down before getting back in and doing it all again . If you go , avoid the afternoons , this is when it's busiest and not as pleasant . Here's a map link :- https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=16DT2_04nMZWXRwIuu3g_7BmBl_PLwcY&usp=sharing