31st August, 2014

Today we went for a drive to a beach called Coconut Well. There are a heap of jagged rocks on the beach at low tide which create rock pools and at one stage have had loads of oysters on them. The colour of the water contrasting against the red rock and white sand was pretty special. We collected a bag of sea shells and Trent found a bit of washed up fishing gear.

On the way back to Broome we went to 'The Mango Place' where they use the Mangos grown at their farm to produce a variety of Mango infused goodies. We tasted their four varieties of Port and lots of different jams and chutneys, had a Chicken and Mango Pizza for lunch and ended up purchasing some Wattleseed Port. While we were their we were entertained by a frilled neck lizard and pied butcher birds.

Back to camp after lunch for a swim in the pool and a bit of shopping as we prepare to head up to Cape Leveque in the morning. Not sure what sort of reception we will get up at Middle Lagoon so I don't know when the next update will be. 

We have decided to stay up this way a bit longer and use all our spare days before heading back to the unpredictable weather down south. The stairway to the moon is on the 10th of September up in Broome so we probably won't be leaving until the 11th before heading across to the Bungle Bungles and then scooting home via Wolfe Creek Crater and the Tanami.

30th August, 2014

Today we decided we had better go and have a swim at Cable Beach, so in the morning we walked over the road and had a swim in the delightfully clean, turquoise coloured waters. The water temp is currently 23 degrees and the sand is so pure and white.

We returned to camp for lunch and then went and tried our luck fishing from the rocks at Gantheaume Point. All we got was snagged on the submerged rocks that have fallen from the cliffs.

When we had had enoug of losing tackle we headed around to Matso's Brewery. I sampled some Pale Ale and Clare had an Apple Cider infused with Lime. The children had a serve of Ice Cream each at $12 a pop for 3 piddly scoops. 

Then at sunset we drive down onto Cable Beach and backed the Prado up to the water and watched the sun sink into the Indian Ocean. It was magical.

29th August, 2014

Broome is proving to be a bit of a lazy location for us. This morning we headed into town and had a look around the shops, did some grocery shopping and got a couple of Poppers from the Tackle shop to use at the jetty. Back to camp for lunch and then off to the jetty to try our luck. We had none but here is Alyssa giving one of the poppers a go.

Then back to camp for a bit of a swim in the pool and dinner.

28th August, 2014

Today we packed up at Derby and drove the 200 odd k's (on bitumen) to Broome. Once there we went to the visitor centre and then washed the camper trailer and the car at the car wash before checking in at the van park. Then we just relaxed until 4 or so and walked down to the beach, where we stayed until the sun set. Here are a couple of pictures of the changing face of the sunset.

27th August, 2014

This morning started with a walk to the Derby Jetty to see it at low tide. We walked for the van park and covered 7 kilometres for the return journey. Here is a shot of the jetty at low tide. The tides are up to 12 metres here so the difference is quite noticeable.

After lunch we headed out to check out a few sites in and around town. We stopped off at the Old Derby Gaol and read about how the prisoners were held here for up to 6 months at a time. The gaol was basically a tin roof and bars, fully open to the elements with one toilet in the corner. The prisoners (mostly aboriginals) were chained together by neck and wrist chains and then chained to the ground until they awaited a trial, whether as a suspect or witness or just for the hell of it. I now how hot the car and camper get out here in the sun, so I can only imagine what those metal chains would have done to their skin in the full sun.

From there we headed out to the Pioneer Cemetery and visited the grave of William Richardson who was the police Constable shot dead by Jandamarra, the Aboriginal Freedom Fighter. 

The Boab Prison Tree was our next stop. This is a 1000 odd year old tree where the Aboriginals were chained around and held until they were transported into Derby. 

Near the tree is Myalls Bore which is a cattle drinking trough capable of feeding 500 cattle at a time back in the day. It is now filled by a windmill.

Frosty's Pool is really close to both of these Historical Markers, which is a pool built during the 2nd World War and use by the troops and officers to keep cool in the tropical heat.

Trent and I then went fishing for Jewfish at the pier, no luck. 

We then picked up the girls and went back to the pier for the sunset before heading back to camp for a Roast Chicken and Vegies in the Weber, luxury.

26th August, 2014

So today marks one month to go on our holiday, how can we possibly go back to work?

We left Windjana Gorge and hit the road, heading towards Derby. To our surprise the road back out to The Gibb had been graded and was in great nick. Before long we had to stop and air up the tyres as we hit the first decent patch of bitumen that we had seen for 3 weeks. 

After a few hours on the road we arrived at Derby and checked in at the Kimberley Land Caravan Park. We were allocated a shady site against the back fence on a nice patch of grass but we really had to squeeze on to it and the Prado is parked with the drivers door against the tent part of the camper trailer. I had to get out Clare's door the first time we parked it. We did some shopping in town and had a bit of a pig out on Lamingtons, Chips, Vegies and Fruit now that we are back in a town. Nothing else of note to report today sorry and no photos to upload.

25th August, 2014

This morning we had bacon and eggs for breakfast before heading off at 9:00 am to complete the Windjana Gorge walk. It is usually a 7 kilometre return walk but has been cut down to a 5 kilometre walk to assist  the Rangers with their weed eradication program. 

The walk starts off when you walk through a narrow opening in the gorge which brings you out to a permanent freshwater pool of water which is teaming with Freshwater Crocodiles.  Trent counted about 31 crocs in this first pool and 49 crocs for the entire walk. He wasn't allowed to count any he saw on the return leg, so that he didn't double up. 

The gorge/cliff faces are an old Devonian Reef and the majority of it is coloured a deep grey and dotted with orange sandstone specs/slabs. As you continue on through the gorge it widens and the freshwater pools shrink in size while the sand beaches get bigger. After a while you leave the beach and head up into rainforest which runs along the edge of one of the cliff faces. We had to stop walking when we got to a sign telling us to turn around because of the weed program.

The walk did take quite a while to complete and it seemed a lot longer than the 2.5 kilometre one way trip under the hot morning skies.

Back to camp for lunch and to watch the sun set on the reef from our camping spot.

Off to Derby tomorrow which will bring to an end our trip along 'The Gibb.'

After a quick stop over on Derby we will continue on to Broome and then Cape Leveque before heading along the Great Northern Highway to Fitzroy Crossing, from there on to the Bungle Bungles, Wolf Creek and home via the Tanami Track. We still have another 4 and a half weeks to go but it only seems like days.

24th August, 2014

Well a bit of excitement in the camp site last night. Old mate next door to us in his caravan had had a skin full and was playing his music outside the van and cranking it up every now and then. A fella comes down, quite politely, at 8:00 pm and says "Mate you wouldn't have any headphones you could listen to your music on would you?"

Instantly, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, I bet your a Victorian, Get back to your campsite before I blow your BEEPING head off and the tirade continued. Then he asks me (I was sitting around the campfire with Alyssa) if it was too loud. I told him it was a little loud but I didn't want to stop him from listening to his music. He muttered something about being deaf before wandering over to some other neighbours and telling them his sob story. Later just before we went to bed his missus comes back and goes A over T on the ground, obviously smashed as well.

Anyway this morning we packed up and headed off to Windjana Gorge. The drive was very nice, 'The Gibb' is actually a pleasure to drive on, it's the side tracks that can be a badly corrugated. 

The camp ground here is very picturesque with the King Leopold Ranges in the background. After lunch we drove down to Tunnel Creek and did the walk through the tunnel. On the way we stopped at the Lillimoola Ruins, which were initially a Homestead while the white settlers tried to establish pastoral land before it became a police out station. It was made famous when the Aboriginal Freedom Fighter (depending which side of the fence we sit on) Jandamarra shot a Policeman there named Bill Richardson in order to free some of the aboriginals that he had in fact assisted Richardson in tracking down and capturing.

Walkway to the entrance of the cave.

It was a great walk through shallow pools of water, over rocks and exploring the caves within the tunnel. We saw Freshwater Crocs, Ghost Bats and then as we were coming out Alyssa and I nearly stepped right onto a massive Olive Python. Well in true form I didn't see it and Alyssa went skittling backwards and fell A over T on some of the rocks. No injuries just a little bit of pain she tells me, we will see how she pulls up in the morning. 

Not many pics sorry it was too dark in the cave and I didn't want to drop my phone in the water so this one is from the GoPro.

23rd August, 2014

Up bright and early this morning and then Clare, Trent and I went for another walk along Annie's Creek. It was a quicker walk this morning so we didn't see as many birds. Whilst packing up Clare went to get some water from the tap and was surprised to find another Whip Snake waiting down there.

After we had packed up we hit the road just after 9:30. Our first stop was Imintji Roadhouse for a restock of some necessary items and a bit of lunch. I had a lovely scallop pie and while it wasn't as good as the one I had at the Richmond Bakery in Tasmania last year, it was still good. Clare and kids had some pastries as well and before long we were back on the road headed for Silent Grove. 

When we got there we set up camp, enjoyed a snack and a drink and then headed down to Bell Gorge. We walked into the gorge and down to the falls but were dismayed to find other people actually in a water hole that we wanted to swim in. We are so used to having these water holes to ourselves that it was a change to find other people there, hell there was even a tour bus down there. 

The walk in was quite easy, a bit of a scramble down some small rocks, then flat ground along a creek before we had to cross the creek, climb and then scramble down some rocks to reach the bottom pool, all in just over 20 minutes.

We did still manage to enjoy a swim in the beautiful gorge and below the falls before heading back to camp for dinner.

22nd August, 2014

This morning we had breakfast and then headed out to Dimond Gorge where we had hired canoes for the day to explore the gorge. 

We were on the water by 0900 hrs and were immediately rewarded with a basking freshwater crocodile. As we approached it it slid off its rock, gave a growl and entered the water. Pretty quickly we spotted a goanna sunning itself on a rock, it wasn't so easily scared. 

The first half of the canoe ride was downstream and downwind so we basically floated along enjoying the views. The gorge was spectacular with its orange sandstone rock enveloping us on the water. After an hour and a half we got to the end of the river or as far as we could go anyway. The river stops at a big slag heap of volcanic rock so we had a snack and then paddled back upstream for a swim in the Fitzroy River. We did see a couple more freshwater crocs and another lizard before we got out of the canoes.

On the way back to camp we stopped off at Cadjaput Hole and were entertained by the Rainbow Bee Eaters grabbing insects off the water while we enjoyed another swim.

There aren't many photos of today's adventures as I wanted to keep the iPhone in the waterproof bag you will just have to believe us when we tell you it was remarkable to have this massive gorge all to ourselves for 3.5 hours.

We have thoroughly enjoyed our 3 nights at Mornington Wilderness Park where they are doing great things to manage the land and try to regenerate and protect the wildlife. 

21st August, 2014

Today we got up,nice and early and did a walk along Annie's Creek, which is the creek that borders the campground here at Mornington, we were looking for the Gouldian Finch. It managed to avoid us but we did see Crimson Finchs, Painted Finchs, Masked Finchs and Double Barred Finchs amongst other birds. 

After an early lunch we headed out to Bluebush Pool which is a natural pool on the Fitzroy River. After speaking to a few other travellers we knew where to look for a rope swing and soon found it. We all had a go of the swing and the water was beautiful and warm.

From there we headed off to Sir John Gorge which is a sandstone gorge bordering the Fitzroy River. The views were spectacular and we took heaps of photos and went for a swim in the river.

When we got back to the office we had a drink and a cheese platter before returning to camp for dinner.

20th August, 2014

After a restless night listening to a group of yobbos play their music till midnight we awoke and packed up the camper trailer after a bacon and egg breakfast. 

We drove to Galvans Gorge and did the 1 kilometre walk into the gorge from the car park. The walk in was very easy starting on a flat gravel track and ending up skipping over a few rocks. There was another couple of families at the gorge when we arrived, one of which was leaving. We disrobed and quickly entered the cold water and swum over to the waterfall. You could sit under the waterfall and it felt like being in a shower. 

When we got out Clare started moaning about a sore ankle and was almost in tears saying she couldn't walk out. I was trying to assist her, when it came good and just in time. SNAKE!

Alyssa and Clare ran again, not learning their lesson from earlier in the trip, it was a yellow/green coloured small snake probably a tree snake or something. Amazing how good Clare's foot was then.

Anyway back into the car and we headed off towards Mornington Wilderness Sanctuary. The road into the sanctuary was a very picturesque drive looking at the range we were driving into. It was in very good nick for the first 40 or so kilometres and the other 40 or so was a little bit rough, with some rocky sections.

We set up camp and did some washing while looking at the different sorts of birds buzzing around Annie's Creek. We spotted a Mistletoe Bird amongst others, a pesky dingoe and a whip snake which was very close to our campsite.

This evening we have been down to the office/bar area for a glass of red and to watch a slide show on the work the AWC are doing up here, it was very interesting.

19th August, 2014

Bit of a sleep in this morning, we didn't rise until 0700 hrs. After a bit of breakfast we set off to Manning Gorge. The walk started with the boat crossing of the river from the campsite and then we walked up a hill over sandstone onto a bit of a plateau before dipping up and down some more sandstone and in a little under 40 minutes we arrived at the gorge. 

It is a beautiful gorge with cliffs of sandstone on each side. There isn't as much water flowing over the falls as is portrayed in most of the photos we see but it was truly spectacular. The water was crystal clear and you could swim out and stand up behind the waterfalls. We trekked up over the falls to the top pool and had a look. There seemed to be a lot more bird life up there which probably coincides with the lack of people that make the trip up there. We were able to jump off the edge of the cliffs close to the falls into the deep pools. We spent a couple of hours there swimming before making the trek back for lunch. 

After lunch we relaxed around  the campsite before heading back to the river for a swim in the afternoon. Trent and I found a piece of retouched rock art on the bank opposite the camping area.

18th August, 2014

This morning we packed up and left Miners Pool headed for Mt Barnett and Manning Gorge. I don't know if I am getting used to the corrugations but they didn't seem as bad on the way out, mind you I employed the drive over them not through them technique today, maybe my confidence is growing. 

We arrived at Mt Barnett Station and were really happy to find fresh produce for sale as we had ran out in the last few days after stocking up at Kununurra some 14 days ago. The produce and groceries weren't cheap but it allowed us to replenish some things we had ran out of. We were also able to refill our fresh water tanks at the station. The camping wasn't cheap either come to think of it at $20 per adult per night for the first night and $12.50 per night per adult for consecutive nights. For that you get solar showers and flushing dunnies.

After we had set up camp, had lunch and hung out some washing which had been agitating in a bucket wheile we travelled today we headed down to the river for a swim. It is a beautiful spot with lovely paperbark trees shading the banks, a sand and rock base and lovely clear water. There is a boat on a pulley to transport you across the river so you can walk to the falls. Trent and the other kids had a ball going back and forth, transporting weary walkers back to camp. 

There was a fresh water crocodile sunning itself on a rock about 50 metres from where we were swimming, he didn't seem to mind us until some bloke decided to swim over to him. He entered the water and left the area.

The croc is on top of the rock in the dead centre of the photo (not the rock closest to the bank, the one behind it)

While we were there some local ladies from the Aboriginal Township came down with a small esky and asked Alyssa (who was laying down reading a book) if she would like to return some turtles to the water. Alyssa obliged and got to pick up a small Long Necked Turtle and return it to the water. 

17th August, 2014

This morning started nice and early with some routine checks on the car and camper. The battery clamp on the car had come loose so that had to be tightened and I gave the roof rack bolts a bit of a twist as well. I also aired the tyres up a little bit back to the 24(R) 22(F) 20(T) combination for the Kalumburu Road.

While I was packing up the tent I got chatting to a fella named Ian from the Snowy Mountains. Turns out he is in the Fire Brigade out that way. We said see you later and a few minutes later he came back with a hand made toasting wire for us. He had found the wire in the Flinders Ranges at the Casenoux Tree which is near the entrance to Wilpena Pound and the Bunyeroo Valley and hand crafted this thing, it is quite a piece of work. Thanks Ian.

With the tent packed up and the trailer cover on I started trying to zip it up and shite the bloody thing was fouling. Couldn't get it started, then it would get a metre or so and foul again. I got out the scrubbing brush and some water, still no good, so in the end I had to pinch up the back end of the zipper with the pliers to get it going. It's quite tight but has done the job for the day, it really needs a pressure wash and some silicone.

We then made the drive back to Drysdale Station and threw 94 litres in at $2.45 (23L/100K). I gave  the zip a wash with the hose at the station trying to get some pressure in by inserting my finger into the end of the hose. I will see how it goes in the morning. 

Camp has been established at Miners Pool again, in the same spot as on the way up. I am relaxing after bacon and eggs for lunch, Trent and Clare are off fishing an Alyssa is doing some homework. No photos of today's action sorry.

16th August, 2014

So this morning we packed up and left Mitchell Falls, we had had a great couple of nights up here and in doing so marked another one off the bucket list.

The first 40 k back to King Edward River was pretty slow going again, maybe ten minutes or so quicker than the way up but then we hit the graded road and wasn't it bliss. We cruised for the second half of the trip and arrived back at King Edward River one hour quicker than on the way up.

We set up in the same spot and relaxed for the afternoon before heading off to the Wandjina Art Site which is just near the never crossing. There was a couple of great panels of Wandjina Art just near the entry, some hand stencils, echidnas and other art at the site. The panels of the Wandjinas were the highlight for me.

Another swim just before dinner to wash all of the dust off and then we watched the sunset on the river again while talking to a couple from the ACT. The reflections on the water and the colours in the paperbark trees made for great viewing. 

The zip on the kitchen side entry door to the tent has started playing up tonight, I think it is just so full of dust and dirt, luckily we have another door to use.

15th August, 2014

Today was the big day, one of the main things that I had really hoped to see and do on this trip. We got up early and went and booked our helicopter ride back from the falls. We chose to walk in to Mitchell Falls and then get the chopper back. Not cheap at $130 per head for 6 minutes but we were hoping it would add to the experience, after all how often were we going to be up here. More good news as we signed up, I have lost 5 kilograms since we left.

We started the walk at about 8:30 and stopped along the way to look at some more Aboringial Bradshaw Art along Mertens Creek.

Then we came to Big Mertens Falls or Merten Gorge as it is know known, where we stopped to take a look at the giant drop to the bottom pool, it was a really spectacularly deep gorge at 80 metres or so.

Then we continued on and very quickly came to a large lagoon covered in water lilies where we saw a water monitor sunning itself on a rock.

We continued on and after a short distance arrived at the top of Mitchell Falls. A short walk around to the left and then across the river had us at the heli pad. From there we walked to the first of the lookouts we could find, where we took photographs of Mitchell's Falls. 

We found other lookouts which take in the gorge that follows and took more photos before returning to the river for a swim.

After our swim we made our way up to the heli pad for our flight back to the campsite. 

The falls were truly spectacular and everything I hoped they would be. They were just as you see in all the brochures, give or take some water flowing over the top and the gorge that flows on from there was just as spectacular.

The helicopter ride back was awesome and gave a great perspective of where we are in this great country of ours, you could actually see the ocean out to the North. We were undecided on whether to do the chopper ride given the price but are really glad we did it, it just adds to the whole experience. 

TRENT

Today I went on a HELICOPTER I was sitting up the front and could see all the switches it was so epic. We saw Mitchell Falls, Big Merten Falls, Little Merten Falls and the Mitchell Plateau.

ALYSSA

Today I woke up to Trent's loud voice "DADDY ARE WE GOING ON A HELICOPTER!?" Dad said "Yes," but of course I didn't see any need to get out of bed right away. Because I'd be woken up when it was time to get ready. I then fell back into a peaceful sleep. 

Soon enough I had to get up though, I stumbled out of bed and eventually we walked down to the helicopter booking office and booked a flight for 1:00. 

Once we started the walk we realised that we would have about 2 1/2 hours at Mitchell Falls. I thought that we'd have taken a bit longer to get there but we got there around 10:30 and went to take pictures (which took about 1 1/2 hours) and then swam for 1/2 an hour. We saw a water monitor sitting on a rock and there were lots of small fish eating the algae that grew all over the rocks. 

Then we got ready to ride back to camp in the helicopter. In the air the view was amazing, I took lots of pictures and when the six minutes were up we said thank you to the pilot and left. I'd explain the view to you guys but I'm sure Dads put lots of photo up so you can see for yourselves. 

Until next time, that's all folks x 

14th August, 2014

This morning we awoke to the sound of hundreds of Cockies flying along the river, I didn't see them at 5:15 but there must have been hundreds, the noise was piercing. We packed up and then I had some issues with the grease gun, trying to grease some nipples on the trailers suspension. All sorted and on the road, a few k up the road we came across yesterday's grader and heard him on the air saying that he has 7 days up here on the Mitchell Falls Road, hopefully it's better on the way back.

The road up to the falls was for the majority, just a severely corrugated dirt road, not a lot of 4wd about it at all. There were some rocks sticking out of the surface and shaley sections as well as a few steep creek exits but nothing over the top. We took our time, aired down to somewhere between 18-22 on the rear and 16-20 on the front, depending on which gauge I read and cruised up the road. It took 3 hours to complete the 76 k including a firewood stop.

We then set up camp had some lunch and headed off to Little Merten Falls for a swim/bath. It was great to have it all to ourselves (again) , must be the late times we do the walks. 

I got bitten by a nasty wasp and we saw a water monitor and some sort of wallaby on the walk. There is a heap of Aboriginal Rock Art up behind and to the left of the falls if you are in the water looking at it. You can just imagine them up here, keeping warm and dry and drawing pictures.

Tonight sitting around the campfire there were numerous animals foraging on the ground under the star lit night, numbats and spotted quoll, we think.