Northern Territory

With everyone tensing up about the latest COVID outbreak in WA and NT we decided to jump the border before it closed. Our first night was spent at a free camp called horse creek. It’s situated on the Victoria river. It has a boat ramp and a small camping area with all the basics, silence and virus free. Not bad for our first night in the NT! The following day we drove through Timber Creek, towards another free camp just outside of Katherine. We didn’t really have much of a plan so that afternoon we spent looking at the Hema map and decided on where to go. We made an early start the next day and headed towards Mataranka. The scenery on the way was a lot of like the Kimberley sun in the west. However they dress up there ant hills here in all sorts of clothing and hats. Definitely made the drive amusing for us all. Is that a bloke in hi vis on the side of the road… yeah nah it’s just another dressed up termite mound, wave anyway 👋

We arrived at Mataranka homestead, north and south of Darwin was in lockdown, so if you’re in the middle you might as well stay and enjoy. So we did along with everyone else, it was busy, real busy. But we were safe and surrounded by people on holidays so the vibe was positive. Mataranka is known as the land of the Never Never, the Elsey homestead which was built for the movie we of the never never is at the property. It has all the old furniture from the set still there.

The camp ground is located right at the springs, it’s large and spacious with plenty of shade. Not so good for the solar panels! We absolutely loved this place it was a mix of Aussie outback with tropical palms and flowers everywhere. It has a bar and beer garden with a live band every night followed by the worlds number 1 whip cracker Nathan Griggs. You have to go and check him out he’s a fantastic entertainer and man can he crack that whip! It was definitely a highlight of our stay.

The thermal springs were so lovely and warm. It was such an oasis walking through the large palm trees that take to you this beautiful large natural spring. We did plenty of lazing about in the warm water it was definitely the perfect temp!

Bitter springs is just down the road which is another natural hot spring. This place is special is it’s own way, you get in the water at the top of the spring then let the current take you all the way down to the end of the pool it takes about 10 minutes to float down to the very end. Make sure you bring some pool noodles for this! It’s so relaxing. We did it a few times until Lyndon said he was hungry. We went into town to try the famous Mataranka pie (well Lyndon did ) apparently it’s not as good or big as it previously was but still really large! We really enjoyed Mataranka definitely put this place on your list!