Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ground is dusty but has a few shady areas and decent amenities. The fan-cooled hostel
rooms are very basic (linen provided). The air-con motel rooms (also rudimentary) have
fridge, TV and bathroom, while the cabins have a kitchenette and sleep up to six people.
Book ahead.
Mataranka Cabins
CABINS $$$
( 08-8975 4838;
www.matarankacabins.com.au
; 4705 Martin Rd, Bitter Springs; unpowered/
powered sites $25/30, cabins $120; )
On the banks of the Little Roper River, only a
few hundred metres from Bitter Springs thermal pool, this quiet bush setting has some
amazing termite mounds adorning the front paddock. The TV-equipped, open-plan cab-
ins have linen, bathrooms and kitchens, and two can accommodate up to five folks.
Territory Manor
Motel & Caravan Park
CAMPGROUND, MOTEL $$$
( 08-8975 4516;
www.matarankamotel.com
;
Martin Rd; unpowered/powered sites $26/30, s/d
$100/115; )
Mataranka's best caravan park with grassy, shaded sites and attract-
ive rammed-earth motel units. Pet barramundi are hand fed in spectacular fashion twice a
day. Their cousins are served up in the licensed bistro (mains $20 to $35) along with
steaks, salad etc.
Stockyard Gallery
CAFE $
(
www.stockyardgallery.com.au
;
Stuart Hwy; snacks $5-10; breakfast & lunch daily May-Oct, lunch
only Nov-Apr)
This casual cafe is a little gem. There's a delicious range of homemade
snacks (focaccia, sandwiches, cakes, muffins) plus fresh espresso coffee and divine
mango smoothies. The art gallery here sells Aboriginal art, books and souvenirs.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Barkly Tableland & Gulf Country
East of the Stuart Hwy lies some of the Territory's most remote cattle country, but parts
are accessible by sealed road and the rivers and inshore waters of the Gulf coast are re-
garded as some of the best fishing locales in the country.
Roper Highway
Not far south of Mataranka on the Stuart Hwy, the mostly sealed single-lane Roper Hwy
strikes 175km eastwards to Roper Bar, crossing the paperbark- and pandanus-lined Rop-
