East MacDonnell Ranges then on to the Top End! Now includes Mataranka

The package from Jurgens did not arrive Friday or Monday so we decided to pack up and move out to the East MacDonnell Ranges, Trephina Gorge. At the Beanie Festival we met a lovely girl by the name of Kate from Newcastle. Kate sung the praises of Trephina Gorge and her comments and praise was supported by the Parks and Wildlife Services we picked up and mentioned in a previous post, so off we set on the Monday for Trephina Gorge.

East MacDonnell Ranges map courtesy
Bluey.Travel.com.au

Once on the road it was not too long before we were at Emily Gap.

A truly beautiful opening in the East MacDonnell Ranges. It is a sacred women's site and has been used for centuries by aboriginal women for child birth. We were very privelleged to be able to view it.

Emily Gap is also part of the Three Caterpillars story. From a distance it is obvious what the story is about given the breaks in the ranges look very similar to 3 very large caterpillars.

The Rock art here was not a dissapointment either. However, it exhibited different rock art styles to what we have seen at previous sites. Very precious!

Then we moved on to Jessie Gap.The emu was associated with Jessie Gap and included as part of the Caterpillar.

Soon we were out at Trephina Gorge, such a beautiful drive out with only the last few kilometers being unsealed but quite smooth.

This was the beautiful sunset backdrop in Trephina Gorge.

Before dinner we walked the river bed and enjoyed the closing sunset that was beginning to set in.

Just before dinner that night we drove out to view the largest Ghost Gum in the East MacDonnell Ranges. It was truly beautiful.

This Ghost Gum has been measured at 33 metres tall and over
300 years old. It is listed on the National Register of big trees and
noted as the largest Gum Tree in the nation.

Cooking Dinner at Trephina Gorge

Next day we went back to Alice and yes the parcel had arrived. So we were on the road again heading North. Driving up the road the Australian Army was on the move and we noticed in Alice Springs there was a strong US Army Corps presence.

Australian Army Tanks on the move to Katherine
and South? They needed more escorts for road safety!

First stop was at Mataranka. We pulled into the Elsey National Park (picked out of the NT Parks and Wild Life book). Beautiful little stop over with well laid out sites and Hot Showers too! Well managed by camp hosts. After setting up camp we were off to the thermal pools. After that I tried fishing for Barra in the Roper River. No joy but very relaxing and prep for Kakadu.

Road sign to Elsey Ntional Park

See the uncrowded camp site in NT national Parks

Birdlife in Mataranka

Mataranka Thermal Pools

Trying my luck for a Barramundi in the
Roper Riverm Mataranka using a gold bomber lure!

No crocs either

Next day it was a short drive to Pine Creek, an old Gold Mining town in the NT. We found cheap but very good accommodation at Pussy Cat Flat. Pussy Cat Flat is on the Pine Creek Race Course where they have built a 9 hole golf course on the flats in the middle of the track. Quite a novel idea but great!


We had dinner at the Race Club Course Bar and it was a lovely Roast night. Dallas had roast lamb and I had roast pork. A great and cheap meal which we can highly recommend as well as the caravan park at the Pine Creek Race Course, to any travelers in the NT.

What a bargain!

Great Dinner Venue.

They even serve great Gray Nomad wine!

Late in the day a bloke pulled up in a big bus towing a horse float. The horses were so glad to be able to get out and feed quietly in the horse yards also on the flats.

Our van site at Pussy Cat Flat.

In the morning we were off to Kakadu.