Day 16/17. 20th/21st May 2024. Banka Banka and Mataranka. De ja vu II.

Entering the Northern Territory and going to a couple of places we fondly remember from trip 1 was exciting. However, sometimes, there is cause for letting by-gones be by-gones. Banka Banka station is just a bit up from Tennant Creek and was a place we visited twice last time. It is a very remote campground but just off the main Stuart Highway. We had memories of beautiful tasting spring water, a nightly campfire with damper, a bar to help fuel the ever ongoing conversation of, “Where you been?”, “Where you goin’?” “Where you from?”. It also didn’t have any internet access. None, zero, zilch.

The other big change since then is the proliferation of the monster caravan. Three bedroom houses with toilets, showers, washing machines, driers, 50” televisions, star link and air conditioning.

This visit, Banka Banka had wifi access. While the fire was lit and the bar was open, some of the campers ventured forward for a while and then dissipated into their comfy caravan wombs. Sounding like a luddite, and even though I used it extensively to catch up on the blogging, I am not sure adding wifi helped the Banka Banka experience.

Another five and a half hours north is Mataranka, which we remember as another great stop last time. It has close proximity to Bitter Springs, a warm natural spring that you can float down on your noodle. The caravan park restaurant also had the best Barramundi Linda had ever had, live music and nice cold beer. The springs matched expectations and we made use of it in the afternoon almost as soon as we arrived, and were almost first there the next morning at 7:00am for a final float before leaving. However, the caravan park restaurant had slid a few notches and the best barramundi that Linda has ever had remains as a memory as it was not even on the menu now.

With the park slowly falling into disrepair and a sleepless night due to very noisy trouble in a nearby camp – it seems that sometime memories are better kept at that, and trying to chase down the same good old time you have had before may not be the best idea.

Facilities: Banka Banka was always famous for it’s hot water, and it continues to deliver on that promise, with fresh spring water to shower in. The barracks style bathroom with narrow cubicles, nowhere to sit and shower curtains that make you need to wash while you are showering. Still trying to consider if frogs in the toilet bowl add or detract from the score – but we were told to always flush before starting your business due to possible snakes. 4/10

Mataranka took the shower curtain mould from Banka Banka and upped the ante, as well as adding dusty floors that turned to mud. This getting clean business is getting harder as we go along and I am now nostalgic for the good old days of the 9/10 ensuite from day 1. 3/10.