After short walks (Greg enjoyed some more Campdraft) and breakfast, we hit the road at 8:30 am. Our intended first stop was the dump point, however, there were four other vans in front of us, so we decided to keep going and dump when we got to Pine Creek.
Next stop was Katherine for a grocery resupply. We pulled up in the RV park right next to the shopping complex. Within minutes so did every other caravan/motorhome/boat thingy, the place was full. We'd say that Katherine has done very well this dry season. They hadn't allowed much room for each vehicle and had our neighbours on the left not departed before us, we're not sure we would have been able to get out. As it was, our neighbour had to push our mirror in and then only missed us with his rear bumper by centimetres. Last time we were in Katherine was early Jan 98, just before the great flood on Australia Day, when the Katherine River peaked at 20m+ which flooded the Woolworths we shopped at today. There were crocodiles swimming up the main street then but no sign of them today.
After shopping, we bought some mornos eats at the bakery and brewed up in the van. It wasn't long before we were on the road again heading for Pine Creek. First stop was at the dunny dump. That task complete, we went to book at the Lazy Lizard CP and Tavern, only to be told there were only "short caravan spaces left". After we roughly measured ours, we made our way to the second park in town, had a quick drive-by and thought. "Nah". Consulted Wikicamps and found the Pussycat Flats Racecourse and Campgrounds, which, funnily enough, Wendy had originally picked to stay at, but totally forgot!! Anyway, we arrived and the caretaker came out to greet us and direct us to a site. Told us to pay at the bar when it opened in the afternoon. We so enjoy supporting these little gems, plenty of room, nice green grass and great facilities.
Set up our home, had lunch, let the sun cool down at degree or two (literally) then went out on the bikes to explore Pine Creek. This area has been a centre for boom and bust in mining since the late 1800s. We noticed a couple of compounds with different "Resources" names on them so mining must still be surviving. We didn't take any money, so couldn't get into the museum, ($2) but we will go back tomorrw. We did the Miners Park and Railway Precinct. The Miners Park display had more scrap metal than Sims Metal Pty Ltd! We also took a ride up to the so called Mine lookout; - there was a view of a very blue lake, presumably a now flooded open cut mine from days gone by.
Back to the van to prepare dinner and pay for our two nights here. There are hardly any lights here and it is quiet, apart from the gentle hum of the aircons in the vans on either side of us. There are at least 30 vans here tonight, so the little place will survive.
Mataranka Campdraft event - early morning
Waiting for their turn
One of the entrances to the Manor Van Park
A nice looking tree at our van park at Mataranka
A fancy sign holder-uperer
Us at Pussycat Flats Racecourse and Campground
next to a monster motorhome
Stamp battery for a gold mine
Station Master's House 1889
Twin cylinder steam engine and winding gear
A lot of scrap metal
Headframe
Boab trees, planted in 1914, have not had much water, although there were a few fruit visible
Pine Creek Railway Museum; Wendy talking to the caretaker
Very nice ceramic tiles showing the history of the place
A waterhole at Pine Creek
View from the lookout
A nice-looking tree
Black Cockies, there are hundreds of them
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