Leaving Kununurra , we head east into Northern Territory - yes we have left WA , surprising I know !!
We had a couple of nights at free camps on our way to Katherine , the roads through & around Timber Creek were a bit on the horrible side , the results of extra traffic and flooding . Getting into Katherine , we stopped near the river for some lunch , before shopping and fueling up . Instead of stopping in Katherine we headed north , stopping just near the entrance to Edith Falls for the night . We set up and drove the 19klms down to the falls to go for a cooling swim - temperatures were in the mid thirties , and the water was very refreshing .
It was so nice that we decided to stay for another 3 nights , so booked into the campground so we'd be a walk away from this little piece of paradise . The days were spent cooling down with a swim , followed by lunch , then another swim . On the morning we were due out , we packed up and parked in the carpark and went for another swim before lunch , had lunch and another swim before we left . Reluctantly we left Edith Falls and headed back toward Katherine , stopping at an old quarry for the night .
We headed to Katherins again for some food & fuel , before continuing south to Mataranka . We stopped at Territory Manor CP - they have a swimming pool - even though there is Bitter Springs just down the road . There's a common theme happening at the moment , we heat up , we cool down - the weather is certainly flexing its muscles - the heat continues in the mid thirties again this week . We did venture out occasionally , next photo shows the thermal pool at Mataranka Homestead - Elsey NP. The water comes out of the ground about 30m away from the pool . It's a really nice area with palm trees all around , walkways to take you down to the pool , formed walls and ledges to sit on in the pool . It runs at around 34 degrees , so not a refreshing dip
Bittter Springs is the one we prefer , as it's just the natural spring fed creek that flows , and you just float down with the current . The water is the same temperature as Mataranka , there are steps to enter and exit the pool and at the end of the float down . We went early one day and there were very few people there , making for a very pleasant float down the springs . It was really nice just floating along looking up at the palms towering overhead , and pandanus bordering the spring - it was also nice not to have lots of noisy people haha .
After 6 days at Mataranka , it was time to continue south ( the weather was also better for heading that way ) . We found a free camp beside on old windmill and some stockyards , and we had it to ourselves , apart from a few cattle . After setting up , having lunch and doing some reading , we heard a helicopter flying in - next minute it was landing 40m away from us . Then there were more cattle , some motorbikes and a couple of utes - they were mustering the cattle into the yards . Hmmm , I knew what that meant , cows & calves mooing and generally making noise for hours to come , probably all night as well - time to pack again and find another spot for the night .
About 50 kms down the road was another restaurant area beside an old windmill and broken bore tank , the downside , it was between the highway and the railway . There was one train that came through and gave us a good blast on the horns - fortunately it wasn't late , the highway was also quiet .
Another day , another drive down the highway . Through to Tennant Creek for some fuel and water , then on to our next nights stop . It's another gravel pit / waterhole in the wet season , but we had it to ourselves again . There was a nice tree beside us for some shade , as the temps are still in the mid thirties.
Wildflowers are starting to emerge , we see a lot of Cockroach Bush around the place , and it looks stunning when you see acres of orange/red . The colour comes from the seed pods , not flowers .
And these are the flowers - boy do they set a lot of seed pods !!
Next day we drove about 30klms to Devils Marbles , stopping for a wander around some of the marbles . As you can see , the marbles are rather large chunks of granite , some of which are splitting and all are gradually weathering away .
Back on the road again and we drive toward these flat topped hills not long before we arrive at Barrow Creek .
The Old Telegraph Station is one of only four left still standing , it has had some refurbishing though .
The walls are about 450mm thick , made of stone and cement , the floors are also stone and cement . There's a coach house and a blacksmiths shed up the back . We chatted to the ranger who was there to do a little cleaning and general repairs , he covers a huge area .
Continuing down the highway , we check a couple of rest areas out , lunch at one and a quick stop at another , and we decided to continue on to Aileron and stay at the caravan park for the night . Tomorrow we head into Alice Springs , with all the bad publicity it's had in recent times , we're a little bit concerned , but not bothered too much . We'll find out soon enough .
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