Katherine, Northern Territory, Australia
Most people stop in Mataranka for a swim in the sandy bottomed thermal pools. We were no exception and we can report it is definitely worth stopping, even with the crowds.
We packed up the tent and headed straight for a morning swim. The pools at the Elsey National Park at Mataranka Homestead were pretty empty and we enjoyed floating, swimming and relaxing in this crystal clear warm water (approximately 30'C).
On the north side of town, only a couple of kilometres away from the Mataranka Homestead, you can swim at Bitter Springs. These are more natural thermal springs where you hop in at one end and float or swim downstream, and then either swim upstream, as Abigail insisted on doing, or climb out and walk back to the beginning and repeat. We would have happily spent the day here, but the pools started to fill up and it was time for lunch.
Mataranka is also well-known as the location of the famous autobiographical book and movie "We of the Never Never" written by Jeannie Gunn in 1908. This book (and movie) depicted her life at Elsey Station in 1902. Another book to read and movie to watch to build on our knowledge of Australian history.
We learnt a little more about Mataranka, Elsey Station and its history in the local museum. Then it was on the road to Katherine, which was only about 100 kilometres away.
Would you believe we ran into a couple we knew from mum's childhood at the local shopping centre upon arriving in Katherine?
Tonight, we were staying with another Warm Showers family who had travelled extensively around the world on folding bicycles with their baby.
Upon arriving we were invited to a local Midsummer Party that was being hosted by a Swedish-Australian couple. We accepted the invitation and together with our hosts and their 3 year old, we cycled the 5km to the party.
It was a wonderful evening meeting interesting people, dining on Swedish meatballs and dancing around the Maypole to Swedish songs.
2025-05-22