Maharaja Springs
Mataranka Northern Territory.
Tuesday 8th August.
We have covered a few miles the last few days so we are having a wee break at a camp site close to Mataranka. There is hot spring here and some facilities that will allow us to have a shower and wash some clothes.
The temperatures have been in the low thirties the last few days and this has made travel and camping a little more challenging. The nights are cool but by lunch time we are looking for a shady tree so we can have lunch without getting too hot. Some of the roadside picnic areas are very attractive but alot are not as well. Sadly you see lots of toilet paper in places where visitors have been caught short. Bit poor really and does not reflect well on the people who manage visitors and roadside facilities.
We are amazed how many people are moving around in caravans on the roads we have driven so far. Generally the roads are great with relatively little traffic which makes for comfortable driving. The road trains ( upto 53 meters long) are something again and best avoided when you see them coming.
Once we crossed into the Northern Territory the landscape has changed into an open dry scrub land with little in the way of people or development. Towns have been few and far between as well. We have averaged 300 kms per day passing the odd small very rural and rustic town or road house.
We have seen alot of recent fire damage from fires lit, we presume, by landowner to promote summer grass growth once the rainy season kicks in around November. Some of the road side forests look devastated by the fires but we are assured they bounce back spectacularly once the rains come. I'm not convinced of the wisdom of regular burning brings as we know nutrients are lost each time it rains not to mention the carbon going into the atmosphere which the world could well do without.
Went for a swim in a natural hot pool in the bush this morning which is pretty unusual. The temperature was 32 degrees which made it very tolerable.
Over the next few days we plan to go upto Katherine Gorge and have a wander in what the brochures tell us is a stunning scenic gem. We will have to stock up with diesel, water and groceries before we go too far in Katherine.
Our next major destination is Kakadu NP which is one of Australia's finest and a World Heritage site.
Till next time.
Rudy and Maria
Tuesday 8th August.
We have covered a few miles the last few days so we are having a wee break at a camp site close to Mataranka. There is hot spring here and some facilities that will allow us to have a shower and wash some clothes.
The temperatures have been in the low thirties the last few days and this has made travel and camping a little more challenging. The nights are cool but by lunch time we are looking for a shady tree so we can have lunch without getting too hot. Some of the roadside picnic areas are very attractive but alot are not as well. Sadly you see lots of toilet paper in places where visitors have been caught short. Bit poor really and does not reflect well on the people who manage visitors and roadside facilities.
We are amazed how many people are moving around in caravans on the roads we have driven so far. Generally the roads are great with relatively little traffic which makes for comfortable driving. The road trains ( upto 53 meters long) are something again and best avoided when you see them coming.
Once we crossed into the Northern Territory the landscape has changed into an open dry scrub land with little in the way of people or development. Towns have been few and far between as well. We have averaged 300 kms per day passing the odd small very rural and rustic town or road house.
We have seen alot of recent fire damage from fires lit, we presume, by landowner to promote summer grass growth once the rainy season kicks in around November. Some of the road side forests look devastated by the fires but we are assured they bounce back spectacularly once the rains come. I'm not convinced of the wisdom of regular burning brings as we know nutrients are lost each time it rains not to mention the carbon going into the atmosphere which the world could well do without.
Went for a swim in a natural hot pool in the bush this morning which is pretty unusual. The temperature was 32 degrees which made it very tolerable.
Over the next few days we plan to go upto Katherine Gorge and have a wander in what the brochures tell us is a stunning scenic gem. We will have to stock up with diesel, water and groceries before we go too far in Katherine.
Our next major destination is Kakadu NP which is one of Australia's finest and a World Heritage site.
Till next time.
Rudy and Maria
great 2 see your adventures guys, but need more. Post some pics too please.
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