Day 29, Sat, 7 Aug to Mataranka

Check out Days 28 & today as both posted today.

As I said yesterday I was on a mission to get to Mataranka today. The morning started cool, around 10C but progressively built to a warm 35C during the day.

The road was ahead and I simply got stuck in – well not really as I really enjoyed today. I initially thought that the Stuart Hwy would be a drag – something I remember from all those years ago when I had 4 kids on board – maybe that was it, the inevitable “when are we going to get there” question.

Anyway it was no time and I was in Elliot (almost half way) for fuel and morning tea. I really enjoyed the ride, the scenery, the sound of the bike, the smells from the road and everything about the day. The scenery changed often from straight road, to curves, small climbs and more straight road. The GPS says I generally have been descending but you would never have guessed it.

Elliot is basically an aboriginal community with some infrastructure but it is well past its best times. I headed on and next stop was Daly Waters.

Well this is a hive of activity with every tourist on the Stuart Hwy stopping by to take in the character of the place. I had a cold drink in the beer garden, chatted with a couple of locals (well overseas backpackers working there). These workers are everywhere, our tourist locations would not function without the many overseas backpackers working in all of these out of the way places.

After Daly Waters it was a quick run into Mataranka Thermal Pools where I am now based for a couple of nights. I setup camp and then went for a 2 hour plunge in the thermal pool – oh I hope you are jealous because it was fantastic.

I showered and then walked up to the bar where I caught the Aus v NZ Rugby and who should walk in but my fall crash bang mate, John. He had been here and is heading out for Darwin tomorrow. I’ll let you know what the pool is like again tomorrow also just to make sure you get the message – until then stay safe & well, and extremely jealous.