Tuesday 14^th July

On the road again – 480kms today took us about 7½ but we stopped into a very old historical town called Daly Waters for lunch. It is a township with a population that has never reached three figures. It hosts the first international airport in Australia and was the rear guard base during the bombing of Darwin in WW2.

Daly Waters is a town cocooned in a time capsule, where the clock turns slowly every day creating a peaceful atmosphere for all to enjoy.

It is now infamous for it’s unusual pub that has memorabilia everywhere and Australia’s first Thong Tree. We stayed for a very nice lunch and to soak up the atmosphere. 

Part of the Thong Tree behind us

Hope you can read the reasoning behind the inception of the Thong Tree 

Relaxing soaking up the sunshine and finally heat.

The pub has stuff everywhere but they have categorised it so all hats are together, then shirts and so on.

The original post office not in working condition but the petrol station still works just see the bar staff for help.

Stayed at Mataranka at the Territory Manor Caravan Park nice park considering it is really dusty up here.

Some of the locals came to say hi when we arrived at the caravan park

Wednesday 15^th July

First sleep in today, no rushing. Meandered over to watch the Barramundi feeding, which is at the Caravan Park, but they didn’t surface – too early in the morning for them they were also taking it easy today. 

The billabong at the camp site where they feed the Baras

Got the van out and drove down to Bitter Springs. 

Beautiful clear water and about 30 degrees.

Mataranka is known for it’s thermal springs. So we did like all the other tourists and donned our swimmers and floated down the springs.

Just put this pic in to show you how good we are at manoeuvring the van around now. There was a car parked on the left of the pic and we had inches to work with and the area had cars and caravans everywhere. Pretty good job I say. 

 It was a little eerie and Mez even commented this is like swimming in croc country and of course I replied don’t be crazy. Little did we know around the other side of the spring in the billabong was a croc happily relaxing in the shallows of the waters edge.

The croc just next to the springs in the billabong but we didn't have to worry as it was thought to be a fresh water variety they don't bite that much but I'm not going to put the theory to the test.

Beautiful billabongs shame about the creatures that inhabit them

 Right next door to the thermal springs was the homestead of  Jeannie Gunn who wrote We of the Never Never.

Jeannie Gunn's homestead

Had a good day driving around checking out the town. Back to the camp site for dinner at the camp’s restaurant as they were holding an auction and all funds went to the local community’s Just for Kids Foundation. Wanted to buy a few things but bit hard to get them home like a ride on lawn mower for only $200 a real bargain.

Off to Katherine tomorrow.

Thursday 16^th July

Short trip up the road to Katherine only 106kms. Parked in town and sort some info from the very informative Tourist Info place. Picked up a few supplies and had a quick look at the town for half an hour. Seems to be a tidy town with the most shops of any place since Wagga Wagga. Stayed today at the cleanest and tidiest caravan park we have seen and probably wont see one like this again. The only draw back are the trees everywhere and the heaps of birds pooping on you. We were sitting out enjoying the sunshine in shorts and t-shirts when you had to be very wary of what was above you. Oh no the things you have to put up with!!!!!!

I got bombed on a number of times so I gave up and did the next best thing?

Very colourful natives

View looking straight up over our spot in the caravan park.

Lazy day not much doing but catching up.

Friday 17^th July

We have been very lucky again to be in a town when there is a major event on. Well today we are off to the Katherine Show. We had to get up and move to another camp site further out of town as the one from last night was booked out as it was right next to the showground but not to worry we will probably cab it in this arvo.

Better go and get organised for this arvo will keep you posted.