Author Archives: Colleen

We spent the day at Litchfield Park on Wednesday, leaving around 8.00am and not getting back until 5.00pm and then the girls really didn’t want to leave the Buley Rockhole.

The Park is enclosed by a spectacular Tabletop Range, which is a wide sandstone plateau mostly surrounded by cliffs. We drove to the farthest point first which was the Cascade Falls but with a rocky watercrossing, we didn’t stay very long because we all had shoes and socks.  Our next stop was the Wangi Falls which was my favourite.  A large waterhole with two waterfalls, one large and the other smaller, the water just cascading out of the rocks, seemingly from nowhere and surrounded by lush monsoonal rainforest

The girls ventured in straight away while we set up lunch.  Then it was Em & my turn to gingerly put our toes in the cool water and take the plunge.  It was magical, once we were submerged, we could have spent the afternoon there.  Apparently during the wet season the falls thunder from the cliffs to the rock pools.

Our next stop was Florence Falls, then onto Tolmer Falls with its unusual rock formations, even a natural arch which has been formed over the years by the water seeping in through the cracks.

Buley Rock Pool was the girls favourite as they could scramble, slip and slide over the rocks and then dive or jump into the crystal cool water pools.

Our last stop was the magnetic termite mounds.

Then it was homeward bound

After 2 big days of travel, we decided on a ‘lay day’ and what better place to choose than Mataranka. Mataranka is the home of the Thermal Springs in Elsey National Park.  We pulled into Mataranka Homestead (where we had stayed 28 years ago) around 4.30 pm and as soon as we had set up camp, everyone set off for the crystal clear 34 degree warm water for a relaxing soak in the pool, which is surrounded by tall palms, just like an oasis.

We had a very leisurely start to the day and headed back to the thermal pool for another soaking.  John and I headed into town to pick a few supplies and while in town we were told about Barramundi feeding at Territory Manor, only 5 minutes out of town.  We picked up the rest of the campers and headed out, The Barramundis were very lethargic and only showed their appetite once or twice.  We were told they prefer the ‘Wet Season’ when the water is warmer and they apparently jump out of the water for the food.

Back to camp for lunch and of course back to the thermal pools. John and I went for a stroll to Stevie’s Pool which is about 1.4 ks down the Roper River from the thermal pool.  It was about 10 degrees cooler than the pool and there was a sign reading Freshwater and Salt water crocodiles so we didn’t bother taking any chances and headed back for another soak.

Sarah & Matilda even went and had another soak after dinner, in the dark!

Starlit Swim

By for now it is ‘Red Dog’ reading time,can’t miss that! XXX

We left the rain back in Adelaide.  Oops, I beg your pardon, the young couples, Em, Ro, Amey & Paul had a short shower when they were walking the base of ‘The Rock’, (the seniors were looking after the precious gems, Sarah, Matilda, Evie & Zanna, who were splishing, splashing and frolicking in the pool.)  They did say the rain was magical and turned the rock silver and black but that’s another story.  Now that we are north of the Tropic of Capricorn, we have had nothing but blue skies.  Still some very cold mornings, 2 degress in the morning at Alice Springs but last night Ro and Sarah didn’t need to wear their beanies and socks to bed and it was a warm morning of 13 degrees at Tennant Creek when we woke.  Tonight we are at Mataranka and as soon as we had made camp, everyone headed to the thermal pools for a relaxing soak before dinner and I am sitting outside in a T shirt and shorts, it is still 22 degrees, enjoying the evening.  We were visited earlier by Wallabies and their Joeys and a Peacock with his harem of females.  No bats in sight.  The sign says they don’t come untill October, so with a little luck we might not see any.  Must away, it is movie night. xxx

Saw this sign at the local IGA store at Coober Pedy and I said to Emma that seeing there had been quite a bit of road kill of cattle, sheep and some quite fresh ‘Roo’ we wouldn’t need to buy any.  We had been instructed how to cook Kangaroo at the Wadlata Outback Centre back at Port Augusta.  Emma wasn’t too keen on the stick that was used to keep the juices in where the poor Roo had been speared and we weren’t quite sure which side of the animal we had to place the tail to cook.  I told Emma we didn’t have to use a stick she had plenty of thread but she wasn’t at all taken with that idea. xxx

Kangaroo tails...?!?

Well the acres and acres of green wheat , wet soggy Adelaide Hills, have been left behind and we have at last come across red soil, little grey bush and little eucalyptus. I think Daddy called it salty, greasy bush back in 1983.  First back to the Adelaide Hills – coming down a very, very, very steep decline when Em’s voice came across the radio, “it is time to get into the right hand lane to make our right hand turn and head towards Port Augusta”. John and I already had our feet planted on the brakes as we shuddered down the hill.  More shuddering, more planting of feet, John shifted into manual gears, turned the right hand indicator and started for the right hand lane. Well I am here to tell the story so we made it.  Had a quiet night at Port Augusta and headed to Wadlata, Outback Centre after breakfast.  Spent a good couple of hours, finding out about the dreamtime moon, morning star,  the outback explorers and the Ghan Train.  Must tell you about one story of the Ghan.  Woman kept asking when would they be getting to Alice Springs.  Conductor was getting annoyed.  Asked the woman why do you want to know?  Her answer, because I am ready to deliver my baby.  His answer, why did you get on the train in that condition?  Her answer, I wasn’t in this condition when I got on the train.  Having a glorious evening, sitting in the middle of nowhere, overlooking Lake Hart watching the sun go down.  I must away as the last rays have gone down and I can’t see any more XXX

Many thanks for all the phone calls, txts, visits and emails wishing us well on our big trip.  Day 1, woke before the alarm (perhaps I hadn’t been asleep all night due to excitement and extra special messages from No 1 son at 12.25 and 5.40 am). Headed out at 6.10 am and arrived at Beaufort and enjoyed a delicious breakfast of grapefruit, weetbix & butter and coffee.  Dimboola, Border Town and anight stop at Murray Bridge, were the order of the day-a little on the cool side, including receptionist at Caravan Park.  She has been dubbed Mrs Personalty Plus.