It was meant to be a lazy Sunday again today, although our plans were thrown into chaos a little. It was envisioned that we would get up, take a quick drive into town to collect the Sunday paper and a few supplies from the supermarket for our regular Sunday morning fry up of bacon and eggs. The spanner in our plan was, that it was indeed a Sunday. How very citified of us, but of course, nothing was open from which to buy these supplies. It was thankful that the information we had picked up from the caravan park reminded us that out here in the middle of nowhere, things are just slightly different from what we are used to.

Apparently, newspapers aren’t important here, but can be purchased in town at the transaction centre, between 9:00AM and 5:00PM, on weekdays only. The supermarket is a similar proposition, although it is at least open of a Saturday morning. This of course was of no use to us at 9:00AM on a Sunday morning.

Fearing we would go hungry, we raided the pantry, coming across a dry pancake mix to which only water need be added. In no time flat, we were breakfasting on freshly cooked hotcakes and jam.

We headed out after breakfast and a quick walk around the park with the dogs, and were then ready to go see all the sights that Mataranka held in store for us. We weren’t expecting it to be a lengthy day. Considering the tourist brochure holds such fascinating suggestions as the viewing of the largest man-made termite mound in the world and the Rural Transaction Centre, which is simply a post office, internet café, video shop and  library, as well as being the local Medicare and Centrelink office, I wasn’t expecting too much on the tourism front. Especially since we had already learned that the Transaction Centre was going to be closed today anyway.

What we did stop for a look at, was the replica ‘Elsey Homestead’ which was featured in the 1981 film, ‘We Of The Never Never’. A simple timber structure, it contains a few artifacts from the film, which was based on characters from around these parts who were originally the subject of the book, ‘We Of The Never Never’.

The Movie Prop Homestead.

Only a short walk from the carpark, through the grounds of the Mataranka Homestead Caravan Park, brought us to the second thermal pool in town. We were able to compare this estate to where we have our van parked, and decided we were quite happy with our choice.

The beautiful Waterhouse River.

Selfie on the river.

These Thermal pools were a lot more relaxing for me though, as there wasn’t a strong current pushing you down stream and I was able to touch the bottom. There was no need to even whip out my ‘noodle’ to help me float here. Whilst they were meant to be ever so slightly warmer than the Bitter Springs we had swam at yesterday, they actually felt a little colder. The water was still warm though and again crystal clear. These pools aren’t in their natural state however, having been built up with stone work to form an enclosed bathing area, which quickly became rather crowded. We still enjoyed a leisurely hour or so, splashing about, before dragging ourselves away.

Mataranka Springs Thermal Pool.

Having cleaned up at the nearby change rooms, we could have then sat in the open air bar at the caravan park, to watch the movie that has made the area famous, but decided to continue on our way instead. Back in town, hardly a five minute drive away, we stopped at the Stockyard Gallery where artwork and sculptures by local artists are on display, as well as a collection of Aboriginal arts and crafts. Light lunches are also served here, although we opted just to share a serve of scones with jam and cream. They were quite nice, but the frozen mango smoothie we tried as well, tasted waterey and tasteless.

On the way back towards our caravan park, we stopped at the third van park in town. Again we were less than impressed with it, and were still glad of our choice of park. They do boast a restaurant here however, and since the scones had barely touched the sides, we went searching for something more substantial. On ordering a couple of burgers, because they had run out of their self claimed ‘famous’, wild caught Barramundi, we were told it would be a short wait. The short wait turned out to be closer to an hour, while the kitchen struggled to serve the dozen or so diners that were sitting in wait. When they finally arrived, the burgers were at least pretty good, although by this stage of the day, not much wouldn’t have been given the thumbs up.

Finally venturing back to the van, we arrived to hear Bethany yapping excitedly from within. I can only sincerely hope that she was only barking at our arrival, and hasn’t been driving the neighbours crazy all afternoon.

Stretching out to relax in the van, and ruminating that we had only had the chance to float down the thermals twice yesterday, we decided that our itinerary would allow us another day here. We always said that we wanted to be able to stay for extra time at the places we found appealing, and this is one of those hidden gems. Having not even considered staying here during our initial planning, we have found the relaxing pace, the friendly people, and the lovely park to be exactly what we were after. Not to mention, tomorrow I am now going to have to brave the rapids at Bitter Springs again. They do say that once you visit Mataranka, you’ll ‘never never’ want to leave.

Until next time, stay safe, have fun and don’t forget to write.