Marking the beginning of the remote expanses of the Northern Territory Outback, Mataranka is a small and colourful town servicing the region's cattle stations and the steady flow of traffic travelling the Stuart Highway. In We of the Never Never country 430 kilometres south Darwin, the area's other claim to fame is the Mataranka Thermal Pool, found in the Elsey National Park just south of town. Very popular after a hot day on the road, the crystal clear pool surrounded by a secluded pocket of rainforest is a great spot for winding down. The park also incorporates the beautiful Roper and Waterhouse River catchments which create a sensational setting for a number of other activities including canoeing, bush walking, fishing and camping at Clearwater Canoe Camp. Further camping facilities are available in the lush tree lined grounds at the adjacent Mataranka Homestead Tourist Resort. The resort also offers motel and hostel styles of accommodation as well as featuring the Museum of the Never Never, housed in a replica of the original Elsey Station Homestead.

In open tropical woodlands 75 kilometres south of Mataranka, Larrimah is a former railway town good for a stopover. The town consists of three main establishments which provide a good variety of accommodation and services, and the nearby ghost town of Birdum is fun to explore.

Directly west from Larrimah, Timber Creek is the only settlement on the Victoria Highway between the road's beginnings at Katherine (see Top End) and Kununurra in Western Australia, making it an obvious and popular resting point. It's quiet location on the Victoria River lends to some excellent tropical fishing and daily river cruises guarantee sightings of crocodiles and turtles. South of town, the infrequently visited Gregory National Park features the spectacular and untamed wilderness of the Victoria River, and offers good camping, fishing and bushwalking. Highlights are the amazing boab trees and the massive Limestone Gorge which changes colour at the rise and set of the sun.

Tucked quietly off the Stuart Highway 93 kilometres south of Larrimah, the township of Daly Waters is steeped in aviation history. Once Australia's first international airfield (Qantas used to refuel here!), the town now centres around it's bougainvillea draped hotel. One of the oldest and best Outback pubs in the Territory, Daly Waters Pub overflows with beer and atmosphere, and looks even better after a few hours drive on The Track.

Branching out from Daly Waters, the single-lane Carpentaria Highway heads east 383 kilometres to the small town of Borroloola. At the apex of the McArthur River delta and close to the remote and unspoilt waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria, the "Barra Capital of the Gulf" is an anglers paradise, attracting fishermen chasing big barramundi and the ultimate outback fishing adventure. In town, the areas colourful history is on display at the Old Police Station, the Territory's oldest surviving law enforcement outpost.

For superb value-for-money scenic flights to the Bungle Bungles, Gregory National Park, the beautiful Victoria River region and many others great areas surrounding Timber Creek, check out Northern Air Charter web site.