This turns out to be another large van park about 80 km north of 3 Ways – junction of the Stuart Highway (north/south) and the Barkly Highway (east/west). We got Mobi into the pub van park without any problems – very spacious drive through sites. We selected our site and after much deep thinking we realised that if we went out and came in the other way around, we could turn into a vacant site and then reverse into ours with a little wriggle. We had to be back on the pub by 6 for when they call out the orders. There was a young fellow on after them but, while a very good singer guitarist, he sang his own compositions and that got the crowd moving. The Threeways Roadhouse and Tourist Park is situated on the corner of Barkly & Stuart Highways and is a convenient stop for travellers heading North, South or East. It is from the south east so should be helping us on our way, but we have an occasional unexpected lurch. This must be pre-ordered. A couple fo pages describe the road train that took the cattle to the markets. Tennant Creek really didn’t have a good atmosphere. But we do see quite a stark rock outcrop standing up proudly close to the road – the shape of Mount Connor, the mountain that many people driving to Uluru ofter think is Uluru when they first see it. Took off at 7.00am and making good speed when Del noticed the tube in his front tyre beginning to balloon out near the valve. We got fuel at $1.649/L. Fran’s Devonshire Teahouse is an amazing place, and the woman in question is an interesting lady. We got to Camooweal at 9.40 and stopped for coffee/tea at a rest areas. Not that that bothers us real men. All main services are available in Mataranka - fuel, mechanical workshop, supermarket, general store, hotel and accommodation. A à la carte breakfast is available daily at the accommodation. Barkly Homestead is a remote roadhouse situated on the Barkly Highway, halfway between Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory and Camooweal in Queensland. But there are no drive-through sites. Another straight and long drive to Mataranka where the hot springs in a tropical shaded area are just great. Get driving directions We lived here for 2.5 months earlier this year so we know all the best local tips on what to see/do and where to stay! We got to Mataranka at around 10.30, and headed straight for the Park. Some pictures attached. Mataranka to Roper Bar road is on Mangarayi, Ngalakan & Alawa Country. Chatted to a few other Travellers as you do and got some good advice on where to stay in the days ahead. I bought a salad from the roadhouse and had a tin of salmon with it so feel like I’ve had quite a healthy dinner. This tropical wayside stop is on the Explorer’s Way tourism drive, the main artery that connects Adelaide and Darwin, and is renowned for its thermal pool – a sandy-bottomed lagoon fringed by palm forest and a rejuvenating swimming spot for weary travellers up and down ‘the track’. Things to Do in Mataranka, Australia: See Tripadvisor's 1,683 traveler reviews and photos of Mataranka tourist attractions. After hitting a calf 32ks north slowly drove there. We stopped at Elliot but found it quite awful. Then about 80km up the road we saw 2 vans in front of us turn off to the left – we had arrived at Banka Banka. There was a sign warning people about freshwater crocodiles so I was a tad hesitant as there was no one else around. Three Ways Roadhouse to Banka Banka Station - 77kms A great sleep in spite of a yappy dog outside somewhere near our room. Initially we drive through lovely hills, similar to those we saw on the Cloncurry side of Mount Isa. 12 reviews. The room we booked into was clean and beds great, nothing was any trouble even offered to take us to Tennent Creek if needed as the car was towed there. The statistics in the photo are quite mind boggling. They are right – the winds are very cross and do drag poor old Mobi around the bitumen. Three Ways should be getting better with age for these reasons, unfortunatly after 21yrs living in the Top End of the NT, Three Ways is going backwards. We had been planning to stay the next night at Tenant Creek but he talked us out of that. Good luck to him. On the way we stopped off at the Daly Waters Pub, one of the oldest pubs in the NT and they say the first international airport! We have a range of accomodations available to suit any person on any budget. There was a young fellow on after them but, while a very good singer guitarist, he sang his own compositions and that got the crowd moving. We selected our site and after much deep thinking we realised that if we went out and came in the other way around, we could turn into a vacant site and then reverse into ours with a little wriggle. A couple fo pages describe the road train that took the cattle to the markets. We were sorely tempted but is 100km south of Tenant Creek. Can not praise the three ways roadhouse enough. What a dirty room. Kerry was driving – is it fate that she does all the overtaking? We decided to have 1 50:50 (at $36) to share and got an extra salad. Got that on video. Delicious. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in March. At about 20k out there is a sign for a historical WWII memorial. The funny things you see as you drive along can certainly bring a smile … especially on some of those long, long stretches of road. We rocked up back to the bar with 10 minutes to spare and got drinks (they have small bottles of bubbly thank heavens). At about 20k out there is a sign for a historical WWII memorial. We put on a Richard Fiedler interview and some music to pass the time. Chatted to a few other Travellers as you do and got some good advice on where to stay in the days ahead. Got to Mataranka Roadhouse and it was pretty basic and my little cabin was sooo tiny but at least had aircon, fan and microwave. Arrived mid-afternoon at Three Ways Roadhouse, imaginatively named as it’s on the crossroads of three main roads, the Stuart Highway North to Katherine, South to Alice Springs and the Barkly Highway to all things west over the tablelands. … There was a platform and two steps down into the water, which was very clear and looked beautiful, but I have to say I went in very gingerly. A land line was built across the continent to join an undersea cable to Java. Luckily there was plenty of room in front to get the rig in a straight line, and we only needed a slight turn to get Mobi around a tree. We put on a Richard Fiedler interview and some music to pass the time. In 1972 Shell developed the present site and today the Roadhouse is a family run business with an emphasis on friendly service. Three Ways is a roadhouse located at the junction of the Stuart and Barkly Highways, 25 kilometres north of Tennant Creek. Three ways to Mataranka. Way back in the 1860s there was a grand plan to connect Australia to the rest of the world via the telegraph network. Three Ways is a roadhouse located at the junction of the Stuart and Barkly Highways, 25 kilometres north of Tennant Creek. “Get yourselves to Banka Banka”, he says. Day 0 – travel to Barkly Homestead. We also had to decide if we wanted to have the famous barra and steak meal that evening. But we did not do that. Although it’s interesting country we drive through – hills, valleys and bluffs – it is a boring drive. Nowhere to park with a van, it comprises of only 2 service stations and the  one we choose had very rude staff. Mataranka Homestead. There are a couple of folders at the mud brick house setting out the history. Guest rooms in the motel are equipped with a flat-screen TV. Got that on video as well – click here. We settled for a Devonshire tea for Kerry and I think Fran choose a corned beef roll for me – “a beautiful roll straight out of the oven”. Your email address will not be published. They’re a bit akin to little elves dotted here and there and look quite comical. They offered us motel style room $125. Mataranka to Katherine – Wednesday 3 August 2011 Another easy day today with only 120km, we were very slow and we were on the road by 10am, arriving in Katherine by 12:30. Glad to get out of there. We got to Barkly Homestead at about 1:00.  it is just a big van park on the side of the Highway behind a Roadhouse. Camooweal is not a great town – only there to provide the Roadhouses. The fascinating ABC report can be read. Simple as that. Mataranka Roadhouse & Cabins: Poor quality Roadhouse - See 30 traveler reviews, 49 candid photos, and great deals for Mataranka Roadhouse & Cabins at Tripadvisor. We will take this up in a couple of days when we go to Lorella Springs. “Get yourselves to Banka Banka”, he says. He also talked about the devils marbles – such a great place, great van park and pub, even with an international chef. We had dinner then sat around chatting for a few hours. The woman (Lou) was brought up in Avalon so we had that neighbourly connection. Near Mataranka a lot of trees have been burnt and the walk to the pool was amongst beautiful trees that had suffered a lot of fire damage. This a great place to take a break and unwind during a long journey, all while enjoying warm Northern Territory hospitality. Since raining heavily we decided to get a room. We helped ourselves to the salads and hoed in. Got away at 7.15, which is early for us and most Travellers. 8 reviews. But the landscape changes – the hills and bluffs disappeared and the country flattens out. So we decide to pass on this one this time around. She came and sat down for a chat. We got to Mataranka at around 10.30, and headed straight for the Park. Its a much bigger town than we expected, but there are lots of bars on on the building windows. 214 reviews. Sights & Landmarks 4. it was a pretty straightforward trip, along a bumpy Stuart Highway through stunned woodland. We saw more cyclists – this time 4 of them no less, heading north. Best people and great food. Yes, the driving distance between Mount Isa to Three Ways Roadhouse is 637 km. Loving your writing. For nomads in Australia, regardless of hair colour. It takes approximately 5h 54m to drive from Mount Isa to Three Ways Roadhouse. Very good musicians – Lou on the acoustic guitar and Phil on mandolin and banjo. But nothing too serious. He also talked about the devils marbles – such a great place, great van park and pub, even with an international chef. I want to try the thermal springs... no free parks close by and only one of the three camping/CP accepts wild pink pets. A local point of interest is the Flynn Memorial. So we did. Then our names were called. As we left Camooweal we saw a warning sign – no fuel for 261kms (which must be Barkly Homestead). Banka Banka had a really good atmosphere to it… Lots of people doing the same as we are doing. We left Daly Waters at 8, knowing that we would be a tad early at Mataranka – but we were ready. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. Got that on. Explore ninoximages' photos on Flickr. There are a couple of folders at the mud brick house setting out the history. • Three Ways -fuel stop on the Stuart Highway ... • Aileron Roadhouse PMB 175 via Alice Springs NT 0872 (135km north of Alice ... Visit Mataranka township and just off Stuart Highway in Elsey National Park.the famous Mataranka Thermal Springs is fed by spring water from the Daly and Georgina basins ata volume of 30.5 million litres per day. We pulled up behind the queue and I went to check in. Driving through Larrimah – the place with the Pink Panther Hotel – we were seduced by the large signs offering home made scones with jam and cream. Mataranka . The Tenant Creek station was was one of 11 repeater stations between Darwin and Port Augusta. “Banka what?” we ask. Very old donga style which definitely needed makeover. Registration involved meeting a women at the gate to the home, signing in on the book and handing over $10 pp per night. At Mararanka Roadhouse each room is fitted with air conditioning and a private bathroom. Got that on video as well –. This turns out to be a very large free camp with a dozen or so vans and campers snuggled in there. It is the first and only stop for travellers crossing the border into the Territory, providing welcome relief from an overall journey of … Mataranka Roadhouse is rated "Good" by our guests. Sights & Landmarks 5. Approaching the town of Elliott we see 2 cyclists being buffeted by the wind. But there are no drive-through sites. Located conveniently near the BP Mataranka Roadhouse, which is open 6.45am to 8pm, offers breakfast, lunch and dinner at reasonable prices with baked goods everyday with more variety on Mondays, Wednesdays, Friday, Saturday & Sunday. This turns out to be a very large free camp with a dozen or so vans and campers snuggled in there. We were told to follow the other vans around and park on the next site. It has been beset by deep resentments for many years, where residents living hundreds of metres apart completely ignore each other. But we really enjoyed the history of the place. Floor and walls covered in dirt and cobwebs on door frames and yep no toilet paper in any cubicle. There are a few vans pulled up so we reckon it can’t be all bad. zachary46426 . Nowhere to park with a van, it comprises of only 2 service stations and the. We went back to Tenant Creek to check fuel there and have a look around. Private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. What a surprise. People seemed friendly enough but wow, I couldn’t imagine living in a place like that. You choose your petrol, fill up your tank and then go over to the pub and tell them what petrol you put in and how much it came to. !. Some people find strange ways to enjoy themselves. Then another van overtook us – the cheek! There were lots of signs showing what food was available. Lovely evening. It is the first and only stop for travellers crossing the border into the Territory, providing welcome relief from an overall journey of over 460km between towns. A fascinating place. 3. It’s a good site with lots of grass so we don’t bother with the groundsheet. Mataranka Roadhouse: Increase the footprint of the bakery area including an air-conditioned dining area $145,349.82; Point Stuart Wilderness Lodge NT: New children’s playground and jumping pillow $53,498.00; Roper Bar Store: Build six new motel rooms with ensuites and new camp kitchen, install 10 solar power sites $117,133.27 Threeways Roadhouse & Tourist Park is a family run business with an emphasis on friendly service. 17. But the ground was like concrete making it futile to try to drive in a peg, so we used anything heavy to hold it down in the wind. We decided to stay at three ways as was driving to Julia Creek next day. Yes Please! We stopped at Elliot but found it quite awful. Nature & Parks 6. An … There's a restaurant. We opted to stay at the Bitter Springs caravan park and immediately set off on the 500m walk to the Springs with noodles and goggles in hand.… They are right – the winds are very cross and do drag poor old Mobi around the bitumen. We had studied this in our planning and thought what on earth would we find on this 1,300km journey towing the van, and with few obvious places of interest. About 5 km from Camooweal we crossed into NT but we were going too fast for a photo. Later we found out that Larrimah is not the peaceful village it looks. Around she went with a long straight section ahead. They are apparently spectacular, but I was keen to get to Mataranka as soon as I could. Setting up was easy, as at Barkly Homestead, we just raised the front of Mobi off the hitch – no lurching this time – then up higher to get the van level back to front. So hot and so isolated (for some people). They had a great rapport with the crowd – a very funny lady. ... Three Ways is a roadhouse located at the junction of the Stuart and Barkly Highways, 25 kilometers north of Tennant Creek. My devonshire tea arrived – instant coffee, 1 large fruit scone, a slice of caramel mud cake, a slice of choc mud cake and a small lamington. So we have found a nice bush corner - in the (relatively cheap) camping ground. Tennant Creek was my home for 18 months from 1969 – 1970. Go to the Comments below or join us on Pinterest, Instagram or YouTube. Banka Banka was also a delightful surprise. The room we booked into was clean and beds great, nothing was any trouble even offered to take us to Tennent Creek if needed as the car was towed there. Any questions or comments? This a great place to take a break and unwind during a long journey, all while enjoying warm Northern Territory hospitality. Not a good feel about the place at all. This we did without any problems. It’s full of others people’s stuff – their business cards, money notes, hats, t-shirts, and god knows what else. Although it’s interesting country we drive through – hills, valleys and bluffs – it is a boring drive. I keep trying to imagine the middle of Australia under the sea during the Cretaceous period (144 to 65 million years ago), with its prehistoric marine life (more on this later). I had a seriously good lamb wrap and Kerry chips. I lived and worked at Nobles Nob mine about 20 kms from the town. See 1 Experience. Some people find strange ways to enjoy themselves. The Barkly Homestead is a remote roadhouse situated on the Barkly Highway, half- way between Tennant creek in the Northern Territory and Camooweal in Queensland. We chatted to the fellow next to us in the morning. We are quickly checked in and told to grab any site that we liked. So we went to the Puma as the alternative – looked old, with nobody there. Three Ways is a roadhouse located at the junction of the Stuart and Barkly Highways, 25 kilometers north of Tennant Creek. Soon after we came up to a slow road train (Kerry driving) and as soon as we hit a long straight section – which we did a lot – the driver indicated for us to overtake. A fair bit of dirt and only a smattering of grass, so we got the groundsheet out. She has been cooking since dawn, she tells us and rattles off a list of home made foods. Her smart reply was “Can’t you read the sign”. Way back in the 1860s there was a grand plan to connect Australia to the rest of the world via the telegraph network. Got that on video. ninoximages has uploaded 391 photos to Flickr. Obviously just an overnight stop for 99%  We had a wander around – the original homestead has equipment and signs giving the history of the place, there were a couple of camels and a family of donkeys in a yard and out the back of the homestead there are long stools and some logs around an enormous fire pit. We were there about lunchtime so went over to inspect the famous pub and see what they had to offer. He was the Doctor to the men working on the Overland Telegraph Line in 1871. Mount Isa to Mataranka – what a great trip. She has been cooking since dawn, she tells us and rattles off a list of home made foods. Distance in Australia and especially in the outback seems to be measured quite differently due to the wide open spaces – and yes,Tennant Creek to Alice would certainly be a weekend jaunt! If we had gone back into town we could have got the key to look through the main buildings. It’s a large site with lots of grass. At Mararanka Roadhouse each room is fitted with air conditioning and a private bathroom. It was probably the most refreshing 30 second swim that I’ve ever had! The township of Mataranka is three kilometres from Bitter Springs Cabins & Camping. Northern Territory (Australia) Distance Chart (Distance Table): For your quick reference, below is a Distance Chart or Distance Table of distances between some of the major cities in Northern Territory (Australia). Elsey Cemetery National Reserve. Honey needs a wash, she is taking on the colour of the Red (slightly north of) Centre. The cabins also have parking nearby and a Laundromat with washer and dryer facilities available. The staff were so help full. A very interesting place. Dr Renner’s diary records a large gathering of birds and while investigating he discovered the Mud Springs. This turns out to be another large van park about 80 km north of 3 Ways – junction of the Stuart Highway (north/south) and the Barkly Highway (east/west). Visit our blog to view our complete travel diary. There are 3 ways to get from Mataranka to Leanyer by bus, car or plane. But it is a staging post only, it will be empty by 10am tomorrow. Tv … Only 100km South down the Stuart Highway from Katherine is another well known spot – Mataranka thermal pools and Bitter Springs, both situated in the Elsey National Park. Just outside Mataranka the landscape was filled with rocks and large boulders. But we put the ground sheet down anyway. Mataranka to Three Ways was a long drive through very isolated country and not much traffic. The place had some interesting decorations –  A big gazebo and various umbrellas to give some shade, with teddy bears sitting around tables for instance. I was quite bemused by the spelling on the food signs – Struddel and various options for blueberry / blueberrie. Then we came to an area with a warning sign for crosswinds. Can not praise the three ways roadhouse enough. The coffee machine had a sign saying out of order and Des made the mistake of asking her if they had any coffee. But we found so many wonderful places and people, and had an absolutely hoot at Daly Waters. Just south of the 3 Ways is the Overland Telegraph Station. We went to top up the fuel even though we still had 3/4 of a tank – we. They were very good and had some good jokes too. But we did not do that. Then, a solo cyclist on the way south. The staff at the station had to be jacks of all trades. Mataranka The small township of Mataranka sits on the upper reaches of the Roper River, an hour’s drive south-east of Katherine. The complex comprises the homestead, the actual station, a food storage building, and of all things a butchers shop. I had been looking at some hot chips, but she lost my business right then. But this proved more than a telegraph station – in such a remote area, back in the day, it became a haven for many travellers, a post office and a rations depot for Aboriginal people. About 5 km from Camooweal we crossed into NT but we were going too fast for a photo. Camooweal is not a great town – only there to provide the Roadhouses. Its a pity we let our tanks run down a bit as someone told us that the water was very artesian so not to fill the caravan with it. But the ground was like concrete making it futile to try to drive in a peg, so we used anything heavy to hold it down in the wind. At 3 Ways we go north for 500m to the Roadhouse to check the fuel price – $1.78 ouch! Tennant Creek really didn’t have a good atmosphere. Three Ways is a strategic stop for Top enders travelling up and down the Stuart Hwy, and also a main stop for truckes doing the long haul runs north and south. Roper Bar to Borroloola is on Mara & Binbinga Country. As we ploughed westwards, the land seems to get even flatter until it was just thigh-high grasses to all horizons, with an occasional small tree. Nightly entertainment in the peak seasons makes the Mataranka Homestead a "MUST DO" … The only down side of the Park is that there is no dump point so I have to take the cassette out, put it in a plastic bag, drive the 5km to town and find the Point. Required fields are marked *, Theme by The WP Club. After the others had got their vans in Kerry lined up the site. Another vanner came out to help. We chatted to the fellow next to us in the morning. Gavin Pocock is racing the Mataranka Roadhouse car in the Commodore Cup this weekend. Cycled past hectares of termite cities and many totally dry creeks. Then we were at the turn off to Daly Water pub, which is a few kms off the Highway. Mataranka Roadhouse is situated on the Stuart Highway and is the first Roadhouse in Mataranka when travelling from Katherine and has recently opened a bakery, baking goods 7 days per week. One of the things Mataranka is famous for is its mineral springs, so I decided to drive to Bitter Springs for a swim. Our location is second to none in this area with all of our facilities and the thermal pools all within a few minutes walk. We were there about lunchtime so went over to inspect the famous pub and see what they had to offer. To see photos on this post click here To see video on this post click here, Visit our blog to view our complete travel diary >. Driving through Larrimah – the place with the Pink Panther Hotel – we were seduced by the large signs offering home made scones with jam and cream. So Mataranka. Mount Isa > Barkly Homestead Roadhouse (399km) > Banka Banka (261) > Daly Waters (305) > Mataranka (167) ~ Total of 1,132kms. We’ll even let you know about secret offers and sales when you sign up to our emails. We got Mobi into the pub van park without any problems – very spacious drive through sites. We were told to follow the other vans around and park on the next site. So we went back to the alternative where fuel was $1.699 and there was no waiting. Featuring a restaurant, Mataranka Roadhouse is located in Mataranka. It is from the south east so should be helping us on our way, but we have an occasional unexpected lurch. https://www.thegutzygranny.com.au/2019/11/21/darwin-mataranka-three-ways It can be all barra, all steak or 50:50. There are a few vans pulled up so we reckon it can’t be all bad. Then, a solo cyclist on the way south. It's a small town steeped in the history of the Northern Territory, resting quietly alongside the Stuart Highway with a population of around 250 people. The complex comprises the homestead, the actual station, a food storage building, and of all things a butchers shop. We settled for a Devonshire tea for Kerry and I think Fran choose a corned beef roll for me – “a beautiful roll straight out of the oven”. The Barkly Homestead is a remote roadhouse situated on the Barkly Highway, half- way between Tennant creek in the Northern Territory and Camooweal in Queensland.