Mataranka

Lots of 'little red flying foxes'

We did not sleep too good at all with the heat, insects and thundering road trains only metres away. We did break a new record however, and were driving by 8.00am. We arrived at Mataranka Homestead around 11am to the smell of bat guana. We checked in at the campground and were suprised at how very few people were around. After setting up and a quick lunch we headed down to the thermal pools. The warm thermal springs which are part of Elsey National Park are 34 degrees and set amongst a lush pocket of palms and tropical vegetation. There may be not many people around but loads of 'little red flying foxes' - we read later about 250 000 hanging out in the tree tops in huge camps. We had a lovely swim and then went for a drive into Mataranka and then went to Bitter Springs which is another thermal spring without the bats. Although we didnt bring our bathers the kids and Rick couldn't resist going in again. Caitlin and Cooper were very excited when another little girl brought a small turtle over to show them. Back at the van it was an amazing sight to see all the bats take to the skies. We were in two minds about going to Darwin or Kakadu first with the tempertures hovering around 38 degrees in Jabiru. We are so close now and it is only going to get hotter so we made the decision that tomorrow we would go to Kakadu.