20th July Mataranka

 Kms today 0           Kms to date 6257

For once we got up really early to walk to Mataranka Falls On the Roper River in the National Park.  It was a delightfully cool morning and we walked along the bank of the Roper River through many different landscapes.

It was the best time of day to enjoy the river

We walked about 4kms until we got to the falls, which were only a metre or so over limestone bank, but impressive never the less.

Mataranka Falls

 

There were some huge Paperbark trees at The falls that felt like they could envelope you.

We went back to the motel for breakfast and then set out to see the Bitter Springs hot pool nearby.

 

Bitter Springs Hot Pool

Finally we visited the Elsey Cemetery near to the original location of the Elsey Station. Aeneus Gunn moved there in 1902 with his new wife Jeannie.  He died of Malarial Fever the next year and she went on to write a book of her experiences, We of the Never Never, which became a best seller and was made into a film in 1982.  The homestead used in the movie was back at Mataranka.  There was a daily screening at Mataranka and we watched it after lunch.

 

Entrance to Elsey Cemetery

 

Aeneus Gunn's grave

That was a big day and we ate dinner and even the whip cracker couldn't keep us from sleep.