Day 46 08052011 Mataranka – Katherine

Day 46 08052011 Mataranka – Katherine

Mother’s Day, well it almost slipped by us!! Zac and I got up early to catch our barramundi for breakfast – unfortunately we were unsuccessful so we had to settle for weetbix and it was over coffee that Pete mentioned that today was Sunday – Mother’s Day oops we had all forgotten!!  Oh well to be honest I feel loved and cherished most days so today was not going to be much different.

Pete and I did make sure though that we both called our mother’s!! It was lucky that we had mobile coverage today!!



Roper River



After breakfast though we decided that we would we walk to Mataranka Falls, the sign said it was only 4.1kms so the kids headed off happily with Callum convincing them that 4.1kms was the equivalent to a brisk stroll!! I certainly didn’t tell them that it was 4.1kms one way!! Oops. 

Mataranka Falls

But to their credit they walked well, the falls though were a big disappointment, more like one rapid!!  We are also really noticing the increase in temperature and the increase in humidity!!.  What was interesting on the walk was the obvious flood damage from the recent wet season, we also saw a salt water crocodile trap still empty on the side of the Roper River.

After the walk the kids had earned themselves a swim in one of the local thermal pools.  Today we decided to explore Bitter Springs. 



 Bitter Springs Thermal Pool -  awesome!!



This was a very natural thermal spring and when we arrived it was devoid of other swimmers.  There was though a lovely gentleman who told us about his trip – he and two friends were riding their pushbikes form Townsville QLD to Darwin NT!! Oh doesn’t that sound like fun!! We all had a great time floating in the thermal pool, soaking away some of the muscle soreness from this morning’s walk.  We also got to see a turtle and a monitor both enjoying the warm water!!  Thankfully after floating down stream with the current we got to get out at a strategically placed ladder and there was a short stroll back to our clothes. After lunch it was off to Katherine for the night.

Once we had settled into the caravan park for the night, the kids couldn’t wait to go for another swim, it has been really warm today and they enjoyed the cool water.  Pete and I watched from the sidelines!!