Stop #18 - Mt Isa to Mataranka

Disappointed at not being able to visit Lawn Hill and Adel's Grove, we head south to Mt Isa looking to repair the car's suspension and a taste of civilisation.

We are met with spectacular views of sheer rock formations, as we drive into the town of Mt Isa, arriving on the Saturday afternoon.  We were in desperate need of a grocery shop, however we thought we would wait until Sunday to do our shopping.  Much to our dismay, most of the shops in Mt Isa are shut on a Sunday, the place resembling a ghost town, complete the with the spinifex, and dust blowing down the streets of the town.

We spend the Sunday visiting the Information Centre, and the Riversleigh Fossil Centre, as these were pretty much the only things open on the day.  

We did manage to find a small IGA, and stopped off at Maccas for a sneaky apple pie, much to Jackie's disapproval.

With most things closed on the Sunday, we're not able to find out whether we can get the car suspension fixed, so we hang around until Monday, after which we find they do not have the spare parts.  We'll have to wait until we get to Darwin to get them fixed.

Before departing Mt Isa, we visit the water park, which was situated out in front of the operating mine that dominates the backdrop to the whole town.  It was deserted, and we had the place mostly to ourselves.

Mt Isa is clearly a place that is built upon the mining industry, with the population solely based around this industry.  The main operating mine/distribution centre forms the backdrop to the town, like a proud painting sitting above the mantle piece of one's home.  The houses are mostly single storey fibro, windswept, devoid of grass and mostly  covered by the red dust that is prevalent in this area.

Leaving Mt Isa, we push hard west to the Three Ways and 47klms north on the Stuart Highway, making our way up to Darwin.  We free camp overnight, before driving for most of the day to Mataranka.  On our way north, we stop off at the infamous Daly Waters pub, it was not busy when we were there, but one can imagine the place would be pumping most nights, jammed with mostly backpackers and travellers.

We stay at the National Park at Mataranka, just outside the Homestead to the hot springs.  On our way to our campsite, we see lots of what I thought was horse manure, but turned out to be donkey manure.  As we find over the next few nights, the national park has a healthy population of donkeys, that frustratingly continually eeyored loudly throughout the night.

We meet the caretakers of the national park, who diligently collect camping fees from campers as they set up their sites.  I speak to the man about fishing and he provides me with intel on a spot he fishes regularly and has had success with in the past.

I try fishing the place during a couple of mornings, without any success.  Walking in pitch dark through a national park to a fishing spot that potentially has saltwater crocodiles was pretty unnerving, with each sound in the darkness causing me to jump and pause, hoping the culprit was not of the dangerous kind.

The result of my adventures were a few lost lures, and one stinky catfish caught on a lure.  The place looked fishy enough, however with the little rain they have experienced out this way, the river was overrun with weed, making fishing this place very difficult.

Whilst staying at Mataranka, we visit Bitter Springs, the Mataranka Hot Springs and see some Barramundi feeding.  The kids were not fans of Bitter Springs, with the place smelling from the gases released from the springs and natural weed and foliage adding to the rawness of the experience.

The hot springs at Mataranka were more popular with the kids, the manicured baths and cleaner waters more to their liking.  Grace does some artwork with the weed growing on the side of the springs, and we spend most of the afternoon at the springs, escaping the heat of the day.

The first game of the State of Origin was on during our stay at Mataranka, and although we managed to escape over the QLD border in time, the majority of the patrons at the homestead were Maroons supporters.  And when the Maroons triumphed at the final whistle, 95% of the crowd cheered in delight, further demoralising a downtrodden Blues supporter.  Damn those Queenslanders.

After spending 3 nights at Mataranka, we decide to alter our route and head to Litchfield National Park, as reports from other travellers tell us that the main attractions in Kakadu were closed due to the heavy rain received in the past weeks.  We'd head to Litchfield, then Darwin, hoping that these places would open by the time we head back south to Katherine.