Thurs, 24th March, 2022 Mataranka Homestead Resort, Mataranka, NT

Cockatoos and peacocks brought in the sunrise which was slow to appear over all the tall palms and trees about.

After breakfast we headed back to 4 Mile to try again for a Barra. We found fresh scales on the boat ramp so someone caught one - and they left their glass beer bottle behind.

Steve found another lure - a deep diver that was a bit worst for wear. We wandered downstream trying different spots. The water is really rushing here. Lots of limestone rocks about too.

Found a nice spot with rapids - good spot for a Barra we thought. Nothing and Steve ended up putting his lure in a leafy tree on the other side!

We found more rubbish along the path so we picked that up and the bottle to take back to camp. It is so sad people can’t be responsible - if you bring it in you can take it out.

We pulled in to check out the Aboriginal WW2 camp area and Steve nearly stepped in some very fresh droppings. Not sure if the cattle are supposed to be wandering around the national park.

Very interesting and great to see they wanted to protect everyone back then bringing them south out of the line of fire. I wonder how many of the people trained here went on to employment with the skills they learned after the war. A few bits and pieces and concrete slabs are all that’s left.

We followed the Riverside Walk track. Found a tree full of butterflies. A few stayed still long enough for me to get a photo.

We found a boardwalk over the wet area - doesn’t look like this has been cleared in a very long time.

Back home for a cuppa. Two guys had camped near us - they were 2 months into their Aussie Adventure and had started a You-tube video showing all the wild life etc. One of the guys had worked for 7 years in a zoo on the NSW Central Coast and is quite passionate about it. They hope to end up in Cairns. I told him about Steph’s boyfriend, Patrick and how much they like the wildlife and snakes. Their last video they just uploaded was about finding an Inland Taipan. Will have to check it out sometime.

Nice murals on the amenities block and in the bar where they have entertainment when more tourists arrive.

Walked towards the pool but turned off first to find Stevie’s hole (named after a tour operator). Meandered through the trees then up onto a road that eventually came to a nice section of the Roper River. Looks like people used to swim here but not allowed now - fishing either.

As we walked back we walked across to the river and spotted an Archer fish. They are the only ones that have been interested in our lures!

Eventually we came to the other side of the thermal pool area. We walked along to where the water flowed into the Waterhouse River. We had to walk across a fallen tree - Steve first and then with great trepidation I managed to make my way across. There is concrete slabs here probably where water pumps etc were.

We continued on and found the end of the boardwalk with info. The track is buried under all the palm frongs from the flood. We did find a big water pipe.

Back to the pool for a nice dip.

Back to the camper for a late lunch then I uploaded my blog and we relaxed for the afternoon.

I went for a wander after smoko. Beside the bar area is the original homestead (not fit for living in now) which was built by Dr Gilruth in 1916. They are keeping the grass and plants green and lush with plenty of water from the river. Obviously because Dr Gilruth wasn’t a respected man they have focused mainly on the Gunn’s to promote the area which is confusing as the Mataranka Homestead is actually Dr Gilruth’s but because they have the replica of the Gunn’s homestead here you think this is where they lived.

I walked across the visitor parking area to the replica homestead of the Gunn’s home on Elsey Station which is south of here. This was made when they produced a movie based on Mrs Gunn’s book, We of the Never Never. Sadly the sign needs updating. We had passed the cemetery sign so we will have to go back and check it out. Will have to pick up a copy of the book too. They normally show the movie over lunch in the tourist season - it is 2 and half hours long!

Lots of information inside.

This couple certainly saw the potential in this place and we are very grateful as it is a lovely oasis.

Nearby is the replica of Mrs Gunn’s cook, Cheon’s kitchen.

Had our drinks then wandered down for another dip in the thermal pool. Chatted with some other people. Steve the barman was there and we said we were going to go to 4 Mile to fish and he suggested we try 11 Mile.

Rang Erica to see how is - her doctor said she had a blood infection which caused her all the discomfort recently. Hopefully that is the end of it and she can carry on.

6pm headed up to 11 Mile. We had to keep and eye on this jumpy poddy calf with its Mum as we passed a wet area where there were a few cattle. This will explain the road of poop we have to dodge as we drive along. Yesterday we just saw the bull rubbing himself on the tree.

We had missed this spot yesterday - they call it Mulurark. You walk down the track over the sand and limestone rocks then there is another layer of a different rock and down to the sand and tree line by the water. There is a big rock bar where two chaps were casting their lures from. It is very pretty.

A White-bellied Sea-eagle flew over and I managed to get a photo.

I tried from the bank and then Steve wandered a bit further along where another chap was fishing. They said they had a couple of touches in the rapids but no hook ups. Unfortunately no joy for us other than the lovely view.

7pm we headed back to camp. In the headlights Steve spotted a small freshwater crocodile walking across the road where the water was still going over it after the recent rain. I took a photo through the windscreen but the flash went off so I didn’t think I got him. I got out to take a photo but he was too quick to get into the deeper pool on the side. He was only one foot long but I was on the look out for ‘Mum’! He is hard to see in the photo but his eyes stand out.

Steve took the life jacket to the bar and said to Steve that he gave us a bum steer (as a joke) as other people were at 11 Mile. He apologised as he said he did as two lots had just caught a couple of barra in the Waterhouse River where the croc cage is while we were gone. Just our luck!!

I had put dinner in the Ecopot at lunch time so we had our late dinner then played some Skipbo.