Elsey National Park

Elsey National Park

11&12 September

This campground seemed pretty hot and dry. We stayed for a day, enjoying swimming in the river where we practiced dives and back-flips off the pontoon into the mostly crocodile-free river. In the afternoon, Maggie and the kids went to the Rainbow Hot Springs near Mataranka Homestead, while I checked my emails. Maggie picked up some beer – now much more appealing than red wine. The heat takes some getting used to.

Next day we headed to Bitter Springs – the original name given to the spring before someone renamed them to Mataranka to sound more appealing. These “hot”springs had been recommended before and they did not disappoint. Fabian wished we had an underwater camera.

From Bitter Springs and Katherine

What looked like a pretty little stream winding through the pandanus was actually much wider than it looks on the surface. If you go, make sure you take a diving mask and swim along underwater keeping an eye out for the shy Victoria River Red Faced turtles. We swam for quite a while before heading off for the big smoke – Katherine.