Day 26 – Tuesday 12 July 2016 – Daly Waters - Mataranka

It was an early start to the day to make sure we were ready to go and not holding anyone up to get out behind us.  As it turned out we need not have been quite so early, but still it was good to get on the road as our next stop – Mataranka – we have been consistently told fills up very early. 

About ¼ of the way to Mataranka a 4wd passed us at high speed and up the road a bit swerved over to the wrong side of the road.  I could see a dark patch approaching but it was difficult to tell if it was something on the road or one of the many shadows from the trees.  To be safe I also moved across to find that it was a huge piece of truck tyre right in the middle of the lane.  We decided to pull over and move it as there were many vans to follow and it was very dangerous.  As Shane was retrieving all the pieces about 5 vans passed by. 

The road for this leg was probably the worst we’ve come across so far – very bumpy, quite windy (that’s whine–d not wind-y), although in fairness it’s probably still a quite acceptable piece of road.  But this leg was also probably the most traffic we have had, both ways, for the entire trip.  Things did quieten down into the trip, but early on it was car after van after truck all the way.  And of course the ant hills continued as did the decorating.  They even look larger here and one particularly fetching decorated one even had a corset on!

To add to the trip of excess, far more cattle in the paddocks at roadside but the water they had to drink was pretty muddy and ordinary and they just sort of stood around.  We had a bit of a joke about their conversation for the day.  “What are you doing today”?  “I’m just standing here”.  “What did you do yesterday”?  “Stood over there”.    Poor buggers – what a boring life...... well yes - I meant the cows!!!

One “ewwww” moment for the day was a large snake on the road – this one however had lost an argument with a vehicle earlier in the day and was now on the roadkill menu.  The bigger “ewwww” moment was….. well wait, let’s get to that bit later.

We arrived at Mataranka Homestead just before 11.00am and spotted Kerrie & John’s van.  It’s a “park wherever you like” camp – and the campers do.  What seemed fairly orderly as we arrived became only part of a myriad of angles of campers as the day went on.  Given these places are so popular I can never seem to get my head around the lack of any sort of organised parking.  We were set up in no time and sat down for some lunch before wandering off to investigate the grounds.

OK so now – the biggest “ewwww” moment for the day was wandering down to the fishing spot designated on the camp map just below our campsite to find a crocodile trap baited with two small very dead wallabies, a bit less than half way between the camp and the fishing spot.  Although we stopped at the fishing spot to take photos, you couldn’t help but be wary of any movement between the trees especially given the “NO SWIMMING” signs.

The thermal pools are really amazing and while everyone was very encouraging for us to have a swim, it was pretty crowded and lots of kids so neither of us were really keen.

Video of the Thermal Pools

By the time the sun was going down the camp was pretty much full.  Everything from vans and RV’s to swags.  Just before we headed out for dinner a guy rode up on a pushbike loaded with bags asking if there were any powered sites.  We weren’t sure what he might have been plugging in other than a phone charger and didn’t see him again. 

We had a lovely meal at the outdoor restaurant with Kerrie & John but the humidity certainly ramped up here and there during the evening.  I might as well have ordered a hot curry as I ended up feeling as though I had.  The steaks were great and a steak knife might have made the going even better.  The entertainment wasn’t quite as entertaining as that at Daly Waters, but still not bad and the outdoor area was quite festive and every table occupied.  We headed back to the van a little after 8.30pm. 

The night was still beautiful and warm and so we sat outside with the dogs, had a glass of wine and chatted to our van neighbours as they walked to and fro.  A few stopped to pat the dogs which of course they lapped up.  One particular couple made a big fuss of them, stopping to chat and pat.  It was really lovely sitting listening to the music in the background, and the crickets from the bush.  

A young couple & child with torches were looking through the bush at the edge of the park and remarked they had seen Cane Toads.  Big brave me wandered over, torch in hand, to take a look after they had gone.  Everything was quiet but then suddenly something rustled in the dead leaves & branches and I was out of there.  In fairness this was the entrance to where we had seen the croc trap about 30 metres down the track so you’ll forgive me for not waiting around to see whatever was there!  Just before we headed inside the van, the couple who had spent quite a bit of time with the dogs walked back to their van and the man tipped an invisible hat to them saying “Night Dogs” to which Shane responded “Night Humans”.  All four of us had a laugh at that one.

A few spots of rain fell, so we decided to wind up the awning and take everything inside.  Overnight we had showers of rain but it was still hot enough to run the air conditioning all night.