Mataranka 19 July 2006

Set off for Mataranka early in the morning looking forward to our first swim since leaving. Settled for a natural caravan park near the alternate spring, Bitter Springs, away from the big advertised one. Great decision! This is a naturally occurring hot spring that meanders along a lush tropical creek. We went for our first swim of the trip and we were delighted with the crystal clear water – it was magic, just like a shampoo ad! Palms over hang the creek creating dappled light and shade. The edges are laced with reeds and flat lily pads with the beautiful pink and mauve lilies decorating the swim. The water is an even 32 deg and deep enough in the middle to swim along. The creek meanders along for about 120 metres and we let the current take us down to a bridge, walked back quickly (2 mins) and did it again. Peter loved just floating down on his back. In the afternoon explored the rest of Mataranka and ended up at the other spring at the old Mataranka homestead - found it fairly crowded with lots of tourist buses etc. This was used by the troops during the war and it had suffered considerable changes from its original condition. It was very shady and we were told that it is often the home of 10s of thousands of fruit this bats, although they haven’t been here this season. Someone told us that they came to the park last year and wondered why a man was BBQ’ing whilst holding up an umbrella! The pool was limited in size and walls reinforced with rocks. Not a patch on Bitter Springs! At last the weather definitely has a summer feel – and everyone is walking around in shorts. We believe it all varies considerably according to the amount of rain each season. Think we hit paradise on its best day.