The Manifold's All Aussie Outback Adventure: Barkley Homestead to Katherine

I forgot to mention that when we arrived at Barkely Homestead and were unpacking, I turned around and saw a female that I said to Lucie that I was sure that I knew. As it turned out it was a past girl boarder from Scots PGC - Fenella Neilsen who had finished in 2005. Amazing that in the middle of nowhere that we would run into her. To top that, 5 mins later a lady called Julie that Lucie had gone through her acupuncture course with, rolled in with her family! A very small world!

An early start from Barkley Homestead at 6.30am after a good nights sleep saw on the road before sunrise. It was a great time of day to be on the road as all the caravans had not got going. It never eases to amaze me the size of some of the caravans that are been towed by normal cars as it would not take much for these cars to be pushed around should the caravan get a sway up. On the other hand, some of the set ups are unbelievable with satellite dishes, microwaves and everything that opens and shuts! I am sure some of these so called caravans would cost well in excess of $250k. I will try to get some pictures to share with you all. The grey nomad brigade is well and truly out I force yet they are all very friendly and want to know about the journey we are doing.

Anyway back to our trip! Our early start enabled us to make good time and we arrived at Bitter Springs at about 2pm. Bitter Springs is about 7kms on from Mataranka. We set up camp and headed down to the thermal springs which were located 200m away. These springs were amazing and remain at a constant 32'c. Absolutely superb as you entered the springs and then floated down stream about 200m and then could get out and walk 100m only to do it all again! The girls were in their element and loved every minute of their time in the water. So much so that the next morning we got up at 6.30 to go down to the springs without every man and his dog! The girls saw turtles in the exceptionally clear water and were sad to leave this great spot.

A detailed description for you MJK!

When we packed up we went back to the Mataranka Homestead and hot springs to have a look at them. We definitely had the pick of the spots and if you ever get up to this part of the world, I would encourage you to stay at Bitter Springs over Mataranka any day. Far more natural and less crowded.

Katherine was just a short trip up the road (1 hour) and we stayed at Shady Lane caravan park. A great spot and only 26 km from the Gorge. Today we spent the morning on a boat trip up the first 3 Gorges. It was a beautiful morning and I have to say that I was not missing Travel Day at school. The whole area has been developed so much since I was last here some 20 years ago, yet the sandstone cliffs were spectacular and we all enjoyed a swim before lunch at the top of the 1st Gorge. The highlight for the girls was seeing fresh water crocodiles and also one salt water crocodile just before we finished the four hour tour. Below are just a few of the pictures that were taken today and hopefully give those who have not been to the Gorge some idea of how superb this area is.

1st Gorge