Day 43: Batchelor to Mataranka

We made the trek to slightly cooler temperatures today. We were successful in getting away early, making our departure at 7.50am. The drive took about 4 hours, with Brandon and I suffering with the sun bearing through our side of the car for the whole trip down.

We arrived at the caravan park by 12pm, set up and ate lunch before watching the barramundi being fed in the parks lagoon. Brandon and Micaela put their hands up to have a turn at feeding the barramundi, Ethan just enjoyed watching.

The barramundi feeding only took about 15 minutes, so as soon as it was finished we hired some noodles from reception and ventured onto Bitter Springs.

Bitter Springs is one of the thermal pools in Mataranka and is located in the Elsey National Park. Our new friends Pete and Kate, stayed here on their way up to the top end so they gave us the tip to hire the noodles. We're really appreciative they did as the spring has a bit of a strong current but having the noodle made it fun.

Darren, Micaela and Ethan opted to swim against the current back up stream, where as Brandon and I chose to get out and walk the 150m back. We beat the others back by a mile, thanks to a kind man who walked past and offered to carry Brandon over the rocky path.

Brandon has by far made the most friends on this trip, most of them over 55. He sits there and happily chats to anyone that takes notice of him. I don't think I have to worry about his social skills!

Swimming today was the reverse experience to swimming in the top end. Up north the water is cold but you warm up as soon as you get out of the water, where as today the water was bath warm but you froze as soon as you left it. The temperature was a lovely 26degrees, but felt icy cold after getting out of the thermal pool.

Due to this the kids did not want to get out so we had to resort to good old bribery to entice them. An ice-cream was the bait. I think they would have stayed in the water until the sun went down otherwise.

The caravan park we are staying at is suitable for the night. Our amenities block is so close to the van it could be an ensuite site, it is also the size of an ensuite, but we have to share it with other people.

Tomorrow we are travelling to Tennant Creek which is a good 500km away. I'm expecting it to be a long day, with Brandon and I in the sun for most of it again.