Day 15 - Alice Springs to near Mataranka
This morning, we wanted to get away nice and early for a big day of driving to make it as close to Mataranka as we can. Today is the day of LONG long driving straights.... at one point Scotty hadn’t turned the wheel for over 33km.
We stopped at The Devil’s Marbles for lunch. So incredible. The way they have formed is amazing. More incredibly long stretches of straight roads. The sides of the road are speckled with an enormous amount of termite nests. The density of them is crazy. The swale drains on the side of the road are huge, with it being so dry I can’t comprehend this place ever being wet enough to require such huge drains.
We drove as far as we could before the sun was too low in the sky. Pulled up at a free campsite called “Gravel Pit”. It was fabulous. It was about 180km north of Tennant Creek. The kids and Scotty made a fire and we settled down for dinner, followed by roasted marshmallows.
After we got the kids into bed, Scotty and I stood out to watch the incredible full moon and stars. I managed to get some pretty awesome photographs of the Milky Way and of the moon rising over the horizon. All in all, a pretty magical night.
Day 16 - near Mataranka to Mataranka
We woke up to a magnificent sunrise this morning. We were still hooked up to the van from last night, so quick to get away. Ready for the final push to Mataranka.
Made our way into Daly Waters to visit the world famous Daly Waters Pub. Wow, it’s amazing! Not what I expected but totally awesome. And what an incredibly beautiful Boganvillia out the front. Great little place to stop for morning tea. A lot of history here.
Last little push to Mataranka. We decided to stay at the Mataranka Homestead. Lunch couldn’t have been had quicker as we were all excited to head to the hot springs for a swim. Oh....my....gosh.... what a cracking spot. Water is absolutely divine. A lot of people there when we went, but still amazing. Amazing 2 hour swim, then back to the Homestead for dinner and entertainment from an old school rock band.
Day 17 - Mataranka
Down to the Hot springs right after breakfast for a swim, perfect way to start the morning! It was the best time because not many people were there. We had most of the pool to ourselves. We stayed in the water for about 2hours again and it was so relaxing.
After lunch we went around to Bitter Springs to have a look at the hot springs there, wow gorgeous. Just as beautiful as Mataranka Hot Springs, just different. The Bitter Springs are a natural river bed and has a current that allows you to float down a small section of river. Once you get the end of your ‘float’ you walk back around and start again. We did multiple floats and it was so relaxing! It is basically untouched and still in it’s original condition. Absolutely gorgeous.
It was an early dinner so we could squeeze in one more swim before it got dark. Loved it.
We stayed up late to watch the Nathan “Whippy” Griggs Whip Cracking Show (the holder of 3 Guiness World Records). Whip Cracking show was amazing! The kids loved it.... Liam was cracking up the entire time. They all wanted whips bought for them at the end of the show haha
Day 18 - Mataranka to Katherine
What a beautiful place to wake up in. Before breakfast we walked down to the hot springs for our final family swim in Mataranka before we make our way to Katherine. The hot springs were amazing! Hardly anyone was there so it was nice and quiet. And because it was still a bit chilly from the overnight low, there was steam coming off the water and it was just magic. Absolutely breathtaking spot. I’m so glad we stopped in here.
Packed up the caravan and drove over to 4 Mile along the Roper River to have a little walk and search for crocodiles. Just beautiful.
Arrived in Katherine, we made our way to Katherine Gorge. We did the walk to the lookout. We weren’t really prepared for a walk as we were all in thongs and didn’t take our water bottles. But alas, we pushed ahead. 1.8km walk up steps and rocks in 32 degree heat with no water bottles. I was definitely feeling it when we were getting to the end. Gorge was lovely, but I suspect we were all too hot and bothered to really appreciate it.
Day 19 Katherine to near Pine Creek
Drove to Edith Falls in hopes of staying there, only to find that there are no more caravan sites at the campground. So we pulled up in the parking bay and headed to the falls for a swim. The water was FREEZING, but once you got in it was so refreshing!
After lunch we tackled the walk up to the lookout. After some initial whinging from Hamish, and then Bridget, the kids pushed through and made it to the swimming holes and they LOVED it! What a magnificent spot! It’s such a hidden gem. We didn’t have our swimmers with us this time, but the boys still had boardies on. The kids and Scotty went for a little swim and I sat on the edge with my feet in the water. The water was so refreshing. What a location! So beautiful and definitely worth the hike in. The trek was about 2.8km, rocky and steep in sections, and with the temperature being about 32 degrees it was slow going.
Because the caravan park was all booked out we drove up the road about 60km to a great little free camp. Kind of a blessing in disguise that we didn’t get into Edith Falls, because this site is incredible. Another fire tonight, the kids are loving it. Scotty, the fire master, is teaching the kids the tricks of the trade hehe.
Day 20 - near Pine Creek to Florence Falls
What a beautiful sunrise to wake up to.... I tell you what I am loving free camping. I wasn’t sure I was going to, but it is just amazing. Away from everyone, just us, quiet, remote, amazing.
Today we visited Litchfield National Park. Oh....my.....gosh..... I’m so glad we made the last minute decision to come here. So freaking gorgeous. On our way in to the campground we stopped at the Termite Nests to have a look... so cool. They are massive, think 5m plus tall!
We camped at Florence Falls Campground and it is so beautiful. After snagging one of the last caravan spots, we headed down to the waterfalls that are only a short walk away from the campsite. Down about 150 steps, but fairly easy. WOW!!!! So, so gorgeous. Beautiful double waterfall, and an incredible little waterhole underneath. The water was a little bit chilly but once you got in it was amazing, there were plenty of good size fish in the water too. After enjoying the water for about 2hrs we headed back to the caravan, Liam stepped on the tail of a little snake. OMG.... Everyone was very excited. We found out later it wasn’t a snake it was a Burton’s Snake Lizard.
Next stop Wangi Falls. So incredibly beautiful. Such an amazing spot, and the water wasn’t as cold as it was at Florence Falls. Kids found a little pool part way up the face of the waterfall, similar to a spa bath that had nice warm water in it. They loved it. We stayed so long we got to watch the sunset over the waterfalls, so magic.
Day 21 Florence Falls to Darwin
Drive to Darwin was the most traffic we have seen in a long time. There was a mass exodus of vehicles out of Darwin for the long weekend.
Headed into the CBD to pick up my new camera. I was so excited. Couldn’t wait to get it out and have a play. We then went for a walk around the Darwin Waterfront. Wow, they have done such a great job developing it.
Decided on The Oyster Bar for dinner. And omgosh the kids blew us away. They tried vinaigrette, kilpatrick oysters and Planko oysters. They loved them so much we had to order seconds for them. Absolutely beautiful setting and an incredible meal. Great night all around. So nice to not have to cook.