Mataranka

Mataranka we have been told is a must see. So off we went to see.

Have to say we were disappointed – there is a metal walkway and the pool which is crystal clear. Through all the palms at the side of the path and around the pool is a disgrace looks like a cyclone has been through there and never cleaned up. Was not a nice walk to the thermal pool.

 Have to say for a place that wants one to spend their money in the shops and tavern we were not impressed.

This is a replica of the original homestead

 In town the Giant man made Termite Mound is definitely a tourist attraction. 

While here Graham got a section on the [Porta Shed] trailer which had cracked welded up.

King Rest Area was the choice for the night, we are really impressed with the rest area in Northern Territory. All have toilet`s, tables and seats, water tanks. Some even have dump points. Ok so they are next to the road but travelers have been considered in the layout of them and most are also level so no problems with having to use the chocks to level the van. 

We spent a quiet night then onto Katherine.

Memorials and Larrimah

The countryside is changing all the time and we are surprised by that – sort of expected it to be same, same as we traveled-but it is not.

Checked the Charles Todd Memorial  

Even by today`s standards, the Overland Telegraph Line was a massive project but it was built in less than two years. Nearly 36,000 poles had to be fitted with insulators and lighting rods and erected in the bush. Some poles cut from local timber; other poles were made of iron and imported from England.

The project was planned in the finest detail by Sir Charles Todd, Superintendent of Posts and Telegraphs for South Australia. Todd personally supervised the completion of the line and then rode with a small party 2500 kilometres from Frews Ponds to Adelaide to inspect the work.

A shocking result…

The final join in the Overland Telegraph was made just 1.6 kilometres west of the marker by engineer Robert Patterson on22 August 1872. He wrote this account in his dairy.

“Half the party seized hold of me and the wire, and the other half of the other end, and stretched with all might and main to bring the two ends together. All our force could not do this. I then attached some binding wire to one end. The moment I brought it to the other end the current passed through my body from all the batteries on the line. I had to yell and let go. Next time I proceeded more cautiously, and used my handkerchief to seize the wire. In about 5 minutes I had the join made complete, and Adelaide was in communication with Port Darwin. It would have been with England had not the [overseas] cable broken down.”

Also Alexander Forrest Memorial which is just a momument.

Stopped off at Larrimah to check out the Giant Stubbie and Pink Panther. There is a small museum there which is packed full of information and photos from WWII staging camp and hospital which was here during WWII.

 Warloch Rest Area we decided to spend two nights here. After everyone left the next morning we commandeered the shelter and put up Shade cloth to help keep us cool during the day. 

Even with the trucks and other traffic going past it is quiet peaceful watching and listening to the birds with one who`s call sounds like a cat`s meow really cute. According to our bird book they are the Grey-Crowned Babbler, there is also a Great Bower Bird.

Longreach Waterhole

Definitely worth the 11ks of dirt road, dust and sand to get here.

We parked right at the waters edge it is very easy to sit and watch the bird life feeding and flying by. Lots of Kites (birds) soaring over the water looking for food (fish) to snap up.

Tim put a crab net in and caught 1 little fish about 4 inches long he was quick to put it back. But his catch on a line was a little better.

 Rough road

 Another small fish

 Fresh water snail

 Fresh water crab

 Fishing and relaxing

A relaxing glass of wine.

A beautiful spot, lots of water and bird life even some Pelicans.

A very popular spot for travelers to stop for a few days and recoup.

It is deep enough for boats as there is a water ski boat with people skiing

I have caught up on the washing, though something has now gone wrong with the generator, just won`t work so looks like a new one of them coming up as well as getting the fridge fixed in Darwin.

We are already booked in at The Tumbling Waters caravan park in Darwin so have to be there by the 4^th May