Mataranka, Banka Banka Station & Devils Marbles (18th - 21st June)

Arrived at Mataranka and stayed at the camp site in Elsey National Park. First thing to do was check out Bitter Springs. This was an incredible spring located just outside of Mataranka. The temperature was above 30 degrees and the water was crystal clear.

Gus, Will, Ronan, Stella & Georgie sitting on a tree...

We then went for a fish at "4 Mile" near our camp site.

Will in his brand new fishing shirt... if you can't fish you might as well look like a fisherman!

State of Origin was played and we were able to watch the game at the Mataranka Homestead... NSW 6 QLD 4.

Next day we were on the road again, however stopped in at Mataranka Springs before we left. Similar to Berry Springs in Darwin, these were used by the officers in WWII.

Called in at "The Big Stubby" and zoo at Larrimah.

 We then had a Barra Burger at the "Daly Waters Pub". This is famous for the bras, hats, and memorabilia which hang all around the pub.

Lining up for a drink in Daly Waters pub

Will wanted to know what everybody was looking at

Stopped in at Banka Banka Station for the night, caught another sunset and spent some time around the communal bon fire. Ths is a working cattle station on approx 1,500 square kilometres. We had a great night and were able to fill the water tank with some water from the natural spring.

Sunset at Banka Banka Station

Banka Banka's pet poddy called "Betty"

On the way to Devil's Marbles we passed through some other sites...

• The Pebbles (a group of rocks where TO's used to dream)
• Three Ways
• Tennant Creek

We got a great spot at Devil's Marbles and spent the afternoon walking amongst these strange looking rocks. We also caught another sunset (or as the kid's call it, an "ABS" - another bloody sunset).

That's us behind the blue sedan

      

Time for a clean!

We left for Alice Springs on 21st, however not before having a look through Wycliffe Well, the UFO capital of Australia.

We also passed through the Tropic of Capricorn again, and called into Ti-Tree, Australia's most central pub!