Dawn at Renner Springs
From here it's just a number of mini towns that are basically fuel stops and that is about it, the first town as such is Elliott, there are three petrol stations a police station, a medical centre and school, not sure what else is about as I stopped at one of the fuel stops and that is about it, oh there were 4 fuel stops but one has obviously closed as only the ground work is still there, and the tanks too I believe by the venting pipes still there
Elliott looking South
Elliott looking North
Next significant stop was at Daly Waters where there is a Roadhouse on the highway and you actually turn off to the "town" further along. So I went into the town and sure enough it is tiny, actually it seems almost totally made up of van parks and cabins to stay in, so not sure if there is a mine or something close that get a lot of shift in and out workers that need the accommodation or if it is a real draw card for tourists, there really isn't much there. There is a WWII historical Aerodrome though so I went out and had a look at that on the way back to the highway and what do you know, it's supposed to be an active airstrip still, maybe for the RFDS perhaps. The National Trust actually own the historic Hangar that is still there and although there are a few boards with a bit of the history of the place before and during the war it really is looking very run down and neglected. People are "free camping" with the huge vans there and there is rubbish all over the place and no where to put the said rubbish for anyone helping out to clean it up. The sign says they are coming up with a conservation plan for it and they really need to do that soon. It's interesting though, was worth a visit as I was passing anyway. That National Trust membership comes in handy sometimes, well actually this one is free, but...
Daly Waters Roadhouse
Daly Waters "downtown", yep this is it
The Daly Waters Pub
The old Aerodrome at Daly Waters
Viewed from afar over some wreckage
The hangar is the National Trust owned bit
Looking across what was part of the hardstand I guess
From there is was on to Mataranka, which is where Elsey Station was according to the information board in the parking lot on one side of the main street. Elsey Station is where the book written by Jeanie Gunn, "We of the Never Never", was based. Her husband is buried in the Elsey Cemetary and there is a replica of the Elsey homestead for those that are into it. There are hot springs not far from town, Bitter Springs, which is what the name of the place was before returning to the native Australia name for the place of Mataranka. The official blurb for the place is:
" Today, Mataranka is a modern town with all the services a visitor expects. A full range of accommodation, facilities, experiences and attractions suggests a three or four day stay is needed" - Katherine Town Council website
I am not so sure three of four days is warranted, though I guess it is all about what you are into and what you like to do on your holidays. I mean I have seen grey nomads set up in rest spots in the middle of no where in the middle of the day and they aren't going anywhere, so I guess some people like to sit and stand around all day doing nothing, this is a great place for that from what I have seen.
Looking north along the highway/main street of Mataranka, there is a park across the road here (out of shot) and there are people just sitting around everywhere.
This is the pass time it seems, standing around.
Onwards there and into Katherine, which isn't as large as I thought it would be. I actually, without any research, though Katherine would be as large or bigger than Alice Springs, but I don't think it is and if it is I have missed something. It is a neat and tidy looking place and there are people going about business everywhere, though later in the day that becomes less going about business and more sitting around and watching the world. It is again a place where they seem to feel the need for high fences and tighter security, so not sure if there is a problem or not, but it all seems fine to me walking about this afternoon, met some interesting people.
Arrival
Main street (the highway) looking South
Main street (the highway) looking North
Memorial to the people of the outback (not really sure what for)
This is just a over night though as I have to head on to Darwin tomorrow. I have to some back through here and overnight again in a few days time so that I can head west and across to the Western Australian border, as the sealed road west goes from here...
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