4th Sept - Three Ways to Mataranka

Well rested its off again... but today we have some POI to check. First is Churchills Head rock formation, on an old bit of the Stuart Hwy 60km north of 3ways... so it says. At 52k over a crest there is a brown sign, too late. Can't stop, can't turn... The info says the road rejoins the current highway so we continue, and continue... about 20km further is the back of a sign at an intersection of sorts. Stop half turn and Maz gets out to cross the road and read the sign. Yep the other end of the noted Churchills Head diversion. So we are backtracking. Suffice to say we got back to the original exit (15km) without another helpful sign or anything (looking ahead and back!) indicating or resembling afore-mentironed stately head. Disappointing waste of KM, $ and time...

Undeterred, next is Newcastle Waters, old township on the current Station. It was a Bicentennial Project to restore the historic settlement. Someone ran out of money and or enthusiasm, but we did check out the Jones's Store and the Junction Hotel... and the 'famous' drover Statue; smaller but nicer than the stockman one at Longreach. As we entered the park Honey ran up barking, thought he was real.

Encouraged, we aimed for the Todd Memorial... joining point of the overland telegraph. The actual site is a mile (1.6km) west of the plaque etc, but it was near enough to not traipse through the bush.














Next a burning car... saw smoke in the distance and eventually, in a lay-bye, parking area past a bit of a bush fire adjoining a car attached to a caravan. Some help was in attendance, including a small pumper, but there was no saving the car. Kept going...


After that, the detour to Daly Waters was going to be an anti-climax. It was. We had already decided to keep going, and that was well reinforced. Ticked the box nevertheless...

So Mataranka. I want to try the thermal springs... no free parks close by and only one of the three camping/CP accepts wild pink pets. Honey needs a wash, she is taking on the colour of the Red (slightly north of) Centre. So we have found a nice bush corner - in the (relatively cheap) camping ground. Tomorrow we will take the waters...