Bitter Springs - Katherine - Pine Creek

From Roper Bar the road steadily improved, although much of the time there was just a single lane of bitumen which requires drivers to slow down and drive with one wheel on the gravel whenever there's an oncoming vehicle. 
Around lunchtime we arrived at Mataranka and headed straight for Bitter Springs in Elsey National Park for a swim in the beautiful thermal spring. It was most relaxing to float downstream while looking up at tropical palms and pandanas trees.
At this time of year there is a lot of burning off - we saw some of this work taking place as we headed towards Katherine.
About an hour further along the highway we arrived in the busy hub of Katherine,  refuelled,  found a motel, restocked supplies, did washing, went for a short walk, and then treated ourselves to a meal at the "Katherine Club".
By now we were on the Stuart Highway, the main artery linking Darwin, Central Australia and Adelaide. However, although the road was smoother, there was also a lot more traffic.
We diverted briefly to Pine Creek for a break, and drove up a short windy road to look at the former Cosmo Howley gold mine. The main pit is now a lake, but some old shafts and diggings can be seen at the lookout. Gold was first discovered here during the building of the Overland Telegraph Line in the 1870s.
Peter decided to have a closer look at one of the rocks lying around.
In the main part of town several historic buildings are still standing,  including the 1889 railway station, now a railway museum. 
While in Pine Creek we heard the news that Darwin was going into lockdown. We decided to continue on to Kakadu as planned, and see how the situation plays out.

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