20 April 2024
After travelling around 1,200km in 2.5 days, we’re resting up for a bit in Mataranka. I must be getting old, as the drive really took it out of me. Perhaps it was also the chopped up roads and plenty of road trains but, yes, I think it’s mainly getting old.
We checked in to the Bitter Springs Caravan and Camping park, a really lovely spot with plenty of shade. We were hoping to take immediate advantage of the natural Bitter Springs flowing in Elsey National Park a short walk away, and purchased pool noodles to take maximum advantage. As we were walking the last bit someone walked back past us saying someone had just showed them a video of a croc in the water there that seemed to be a saltwater (aka dangerous) croc. “I’m from Katherine, and what I saw was disturbing. I won’t be swimming in there.” he said, to add a verbal exclamation mark.
So …
We turned around and headed back to the park. A local said that sometimes the person operating a concreted (i.e. no crocs possible) hot spring very close by sometimes spreads a furphy to get some business back. We weren’t going to risk it. When we went down a few hours later the gates had been closed with a big warning sign.
So …
We didn’t go swimming.
We went to see the park owner who advised National Parks were sending someone down to inspect later that day for croc activity and again that night. If all clear, it would reopen tomorrow.
Next morning, the gates were still closed. We checked with the park owner again who advised that National Parks were sending the croc expert from Darwin to have a look today. Locals say there had never been a saltwater croc confirmed in the water here, and that there are regular disagreements with National Parks and locals on findings and decisons made.
So …
We still haven’t been in. But we stand ready with our noodles when we get the all clear (mine’s the blue one).
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