Locations: Broome, Barn Hill, Eighty Mile Beach WA
Regions: Kimberley WA
Dates: Wednesday 21 August – Saturday 24 August 2024
Temperatures: 18 – 37 hot and sunny
Starting kilometer’s: 6096
We leave Broome around 10am with the destination of Barn Hill Beach Side Station stay 149 kilometre’s away so not a long drive today.
The landscape is arid and dry, flat and there are not a lot changes along the way. It’s also very hot today.
ROEBUCK
Barn Hill Station is a 10km drive off the Great Northern Highway along a red gravel road with four gates. At every gate we find vehicles behind our vehicle so naturally I wait to let them through. They all say thanks but not one offers to wait to shut the gate, despite my limping. Nothing surprises me these days.
The station is set along a clifftop, has a cafe where you can order the days meal, buy coffee and pastries and fresh baked bread. There are amenity blocks, huts to camp in and you can walk or drive down onto the beach.
After set down we head down to the beach for a slow walk.
BARN HILL BEACHSIDE STATION STAY
The beach is lovely and currently at low tide with an amazing 7 metre tide change (probably due to the full moon this week) so goes out a long way revealing all sorts of beautiful rock and sand sculptures along the coast line.
BARN HILL LOW TIDE
On our return to camp we seek and find Tony and Amanda’s van; friends made in Manning Gorge. We stop by to say hello and chat a while before heading back to our van.
Thursday 22 August 2024
Temperature: 21 – 28, warm and sunny
The next day Rob takes an early run on Barn Hill Beach and I rest my foot – too much walking yesterday. Later we wander over to the cafe to get a loaf of their whole grain high top bread to go with our snags in bread for tea tonight.
At the top of the cliffs we find some pink mulla mulla wildflowers.
PINK MULLA MULLA WILDFLOWERS
Later Rob returns to the beach for a high tide picture and then sunset.
BARN HILL HIGH TIDEBARN HILL SUNSET
Friday 23 August 2024
Temperature: 21 – 28 sunny
We have a longer drive today, 256 kilometre’s trekking down the coast line to Eighty Mile Beach.
The landscape remains desert dry, arid and flat for most of the drive with floodplains and an escarpment glimpsed in the distance.
We stop at the aptly named Sandfire roadhouse to refuel. It’s busy with a queue for fuel that takes 30 minutes!
SANDFIRE ROADHOUSE QUEUE
Again we turn right off the highway towards Eighty Mile Beach Caravan Park and head down another red gravel road for 9 kilometre’s to the park. No gates today thankfully.
The park is spacious and our site is on grass and shady which is a welcome change to the red dirt and sand sites of late.
After set down we take a walk to the beach. There’s no swimming due to crocodiles and stingers and as if that isn’t enough all the fisho’s are catching sharks!
The beach is a stunner though with attractive aqua water and a lovely breeze. It can be driven on though so even more caution required…
EIGHTY MILE LEFTEGHTY MILE RIGHTEIGHTY MILE OUT FRONT
The walk to the beach, then along and back again is enough for my ankle , it’s also very hot the past few days so we retreat into the shade for the remainder of the afternoon.
We head back to the beach for sunset and it’s a beauty over the water. The tide has gone so far out, about a kilometre at least we thought and amazingly I seem to catch a stairway to the sun photo over the flats!
Saturday 24 August 2024
Temperature: 18 – 34, hot & sunny
Today is even hotter so I catch up on some washing and making bread. My loafs aren’t optimal at present as I’m using lower protein flour, a different wholemeal to feed, it’s consistently warmer and I’m baking in the van oven so I’m trying a levain, made from my starter Millie then fed, bloomed and used in the dough but that’s not really working either. My loafs have a good crumb but there is no real rise which is frustrating.
In the cool of the late afternoon I see a pheasant walking across the top of the hedge next to the van and some White breasted Woodswallows I think, high in the treetops. If I’m correct they are related to the Artamidae family of Butcher birds, Currawongs and Magpies here in Australia.
WHITE BREASTED WOODSWALLOW
Tomorrow we are off again leaving the Kimberley for the Pilbara as we head towards Port Hedland and Karratha.
Locations: Derby, Fitzroy River, Nillibubbica, Broome
Regions: Kimberley WA
Dates: Wednesday 14 August – Tuesday 21 August 2024
Temperatures: 13 – 33 degrees
Wednesday 14 August, 2024
Starting Kilometre’s: 5535
Temperature: 13 – 33 degrees, sunny.
We left Derby around 10am for just a short drive today, 116 kilometres to Nillibubbica Rest Area via the Great Northern Highway which crosses the Fitzroy River
FITZROY RIVER
According to WikiCamps there are some Crocodile sighting areas along the way so we stop at each one hoping for a sighting. Signs of recent and major roadworks in the area will have impacted the local population though and we only see flood plains and the Minnie River apart from the partial remains of a dead crocodile.
MINNIE RIVER
We camp at Nillibucca Freecamp in shade and relax for the afternoon, me with my foot alternating up or on ice.
Thursday 15 August 2024
Temperature: 15 – 32 degrees, sunny.
Another 107 kilometre’s to Broome and we arrive late morning, chase down some groceries then check in and set up. Broome Caravan Park is large with a big oasis pool complete with lap lanes and lots of shady recliners to relax in. We spend the afternoon cooling off in the pool, my foot loving the cold water. Later in the afternoon we visit the Town Beach Markets where we grab dinner of Chicken Satay and Green Curry.
Broome has strong historical ties to Asia due to strong migration from the 1880 to the 1960’s from countries like Japan due to the pearling and associated industries.
As we head back to the car I spy a small Sea Eagle eating his catch atop a light post.
Broome has an outdoor Cinema called Sun City Cinema in the “Chinatown” district of Broome so we head there to take in the new Alien sequel, just starting today. The cinema is the real deal with hessian seating and not much changed in over 40 years I’m later told. It is a real treat with a bar and choc tops to boot!
Also as we watch the movie and to top it off, planes are flying in very low overhead on their runway approach! The first one gave me a good scare!
Friday 16 August 2024
Temperature: 16 – 32 sunny
This morning I make some sourdough discard muffins and do some washing before heading into town. I’ve been trying to rest my foot but I’m determined to visit the famous Paspaley and other Broome shops in the lookout for a South Sea Pearl. Rob takes a walk out to the town jetty then picks me up. The pearl’s are so beautiful but so very expensive! Maybe I’ll do better at the weekend markets with the 2nd or 3rd grade pearls.
MUFFINSCHINATOWN
Saturday 17 August 2024
Temperature: 17 – 33, morning fog then sunny.
Quite a strange start to the day with morning fog that didn’t clear until 8:30am. The day warms and feels humid, summer like?
A restful day with another cooling swim before we head to Cable Beach in the afternoon for a look and to plan a picnic for Sunday with some friends we are catching up with.
CABLE BEACH
Sunday 18 August 2024
Temperature: 16 – 33 sunny
We pick up friends Rudite and Ian who are from Morgan, SA whom I’ve known for years from visiting my sister there. We have arranged to take them to the weekend markets and visit Roebuck bay lookout afterwards. No luck in my pearl hunt but Rudite and I buy hats and Rudite finds a lovely necklace as a souvenir of the visit.
COURTHOUSE MARKETSROEBUCK BAY LOOKOUT
The day is heating up so next we head to MATSO’s Brewery, the oldest in Broome to cool off where the others get paddles to taste. I’m the designated driver so I have my usual version of a lemon lime and bitters which is fruit only, no syrup, bitters and soda water. Healthy and refreshing.
RUDITE AT MATSO’sKEG SINK!MATSO’S BREWERY HISTORY
It’s been a busy morning so we all head back for Siesta’s in the heat of the afternoon then gather again for a picnic at Cable Beach in the late afternoon.
The hot and humid day cools off to a breezy afternoon and there are loads of people about for the sunset. We see a camel train coming in off the beach before we leave. A lovely day.
PICNIC AT CABLE BEACH
Monday 19 August 2024
Temperature: 16 – 33, hot & sunny
A relaxing morning and we are catching up with some new friends today, in fact are meeting for the first time! Friends of friends who are traveling & living in their van like us, we have both landed in Broome at the same time so we have organised to meet for lunch at Spinifex Brewery.
We meet Leanne and Cheryl at 1pm and it’s truly like meeting old friends. We find common ground very quickly and chat our way through lunch and the afternoon sharing life and travel stories. What a lovely pair.
We see the camel trains walking past as they head to cable beach too.
NEW FRIENDS!
CAMEL TRAIN
A really lovely day!
Tuesday 20 August 2024
Temperature: 18 – 32 hot, sunny
Our last day in Broome today so we have a few jobs to do. I’ve found a bookmaker in town who will hopefully fix my hiking boots but no, he tells me they are disintegrating and beyond repair so in the bin they go. Oh well, they’ve been great boots with 8 years of service so I can’t complain. Next is BCF in search of tap fittings then we drive out to Kimberley port as they have a Natural Arch then to Gantheaume Bay to see how far out the dinosaur prints are and to check the tide which is currently high.
KIMBERLEY PORTNATURAL ARCHMINYIRR PARK
In the afternoon we pick up Ian and Rudite as we plan to go see the dinosaur footprints, then the Town Markets to see the Stairway to the Moon and dinner afterwards.
We head to Gantheaume Bay as the tide is now right but looking at the map the dinosaur prints are too far around the point, over too many rocks to make an easy walk so we head back to Minyirr bay at the Port as I’ve found some there too.
DINOSAUR FOOTPRINTS
Next it’s back into town to the Markets and the Staircase to the Moon. The Stairway to the Moon is a phenomenon that occurs at Full Moons for 2-3 days between March and October when the tide is fully out and the reflection carries across the tidal flat creating a stairway of reflection to the moon.
Rudite’s and I visit the markets while Rob parks the car then meets Ian at a nearby bar to wait for sundown.
I finally find a pearl that’s within the budget I set and Rudite finds a lovely one also, so we are both happy shoppers.
As the sunsets and moonrise approaches the four of us find a position to watch from amid the thousands (no I’m not joking) of people here.
MY SOUTH SEA PEARLHERE IT COMES!
I’ve studied hard to try and get the best pictures I can on the iPhone and take lots of snaps with reduced exposure, night mode, flash off etc.
It is an amazing thing to see for real so if you visit Broome I recommend planning for it.
Next up is dinner at Divers Tavern which has been recommended. It’s busy today after the Ladies Cup and the Stairway event so there are people everywhere.
We’ve had an amazing time in Broome, despite my foot injury. It’s been lovely catching up with friends old and new and the relaxation has been good too.
I hope this finds everyone well. Stay safe and be kind.
Dates: Saturday 10 August – Tuesday 13 August 2024
Temperatures: 14 – 34, sunny & hot.
Derby
Saturday 10 August 2024
Temperature: 18 – 34
Hot over night and I’ve used up the last of the ice in my foot. I’m awake at dawn and Rob not long after. Today will be a slow day for me but I’m hoping we can make the famous Derby Mud Crab races this afternoon.
Rob attends to washing and a few groceries while I keep my foot elevated and watch the black cockatoos eating seeds in a nearby tree. Their raucous but gentle cries to each other sounds like they are chatting about the taste of the seeds.
Rob returns from the washing line about 200m away and shows me a picture of two Frogmouths asleep in a nearby tree. I’m determined to get there soon to see for myself but I’m still adapting to the crutches.
FROGMOUTHS
The mud crab races, held at the Mary Island Fishing Club start at 3pm. We are a bit late due to my slowness and unfortunately all the crabs are taken. We don’t mind and find chairs to watch the heats. There are 10 races, 2 semi’s and a grand final. The host Darren does a spectacular job and is hilariously funny. Punters who were lucky to buy a crab had to name the crab and give their names and where they were from. Darren introduces each crab and the “trainers” and where they are from and asks why they named the crab as they did. You would be surprised how many people named their crabs after their dogs! Darren then calls the race and along with his helpers nudges the crabs to get racing! It’s a lot of good fun.
MUD CRAB RACES, MARY ISLANDS FISHING CLUB
RACE 1
We are able to buy drinks and dinner tickets for $20. Dinner is a bbq burger, sausage, salad and a taste of mud crab!
All losers go in for a warm bath!
SUNSET – MARY ISLANDS FISHING CLUB
Rob and I had a great time. We enjoyed the jolly fun of the races, caught up with a few fellow traveler’s we met along the Gibb and dinner was good too. I gave Rob my muddy as he had done extra work all day looking after me.
Sunday 11 August 2024
Temperature: 15 – 33, hot
Another morning of resting and icing my ankle, which is starting to colour up today and quite swollen.
We plan two small outings today, both to the same place at different times to see the low and hide tides, as the tide goes out a long way.
I tried to catch the same image in three locations from the jetty to show how much the tide changes things.
LOW TIDEHIGH TIDE
At low tide we saw a lot of these odd looking fish. Maybe a type of mullet?
We also took in the sculptures around Derby after seeing the low tide and waited for the sunset after the high tide.
DERBY SCULPTER’SDERBY SUNSET
Monday 12 August, 2024
Temperature: 16 – 33, hot & sunny.
Today is our overnight trip to Horizontal falls, something both Rob and I have been very much looking forward to ever since Rob booked it 9 months ago!
We are being picked up at 12:45 so I take an early walk down to the Frogmouths without the crutches as I don’t want to take them. I figure it’ll be easier to manage all the steps on and off planes and boats without them if I can manage it. It goes slowly but I think I’ll be ok.
We are flying in a seaplane which is exciting and a first for both of us. The flight out is directly North to Talbot Bay and the return journey tomorrow flies North West over the archipelago before turning South West back to Derby.
Turns out to be a long walk out to the plane. Oh well!
We are lucky to be travelling with new friends Tony & Amanda, whom me we met at Manning Gorge – they have a Traxx Series 3.0 and an Isuzu tow vehicle same colour as ours and another group of four, two couples we met at Ellenbrae, from Alice Springs.
The landing is smooth and the water is the most gorgeous aqua blue and the surrounding environment beautifully pristine.
We are quickly disembarked, drop our overnight bags, geared up with life vest and then straight onto a jet boat. In all this I leave the bag with my camera behind so these next shots are Rob’s and the tour guides!
HORIZONTAL FALLS
The jet boat ride is exhilarating with lots of fast turns and figure eights on both sides so that we can see every angle of the coastline leading up to the Horizontal Falls.
Created by the huge tidal movements in the area moving through the gaps in the McLarty Range, which has two ridges running parallel and approximately 300 metres apart.
The first and most seaward gap is about 20 metres wide and the second gap is about 7.5 metres wide.
Our tour guide Jack does a really good job of explaining the age and geological features of the area and promotes a healthy respect for the cultural significance of these lands for our indigenous people.
After passing in front of the first gap several times we eventually motor through which is exhilarating and then circle back and pass through again and again. The tidal fall at present is only about 1 metre but can be significantly higher we are told.
We then cross the water to view the second gap which is much narrower and are told that for cultural reasons we won’t pass through or proceed further. Instead we hover close to the gap and do figure 8’s in front of the much smaller gap.
This area is a true wonder of nature to behold and according to Jack our guide, described as the “8th wonder of the world by Sir David Attenborough. I mt’s so beautiful I totally agree.
We head back through the falls again and back out into Talbot Bay where the pontoon is moored and then further on and past then turn left up Cyclone Creek. The geological features of the ranges on either side are amazing, they are so old!
I’m sure these photos won’t do it justice but they are amazing to see!
The whole area is pristine and very beautiful. I swear I can feel the weight of time passed here and I feel very grateful to be visiting this spectacularly special place.
As the sun begins its trek towards the horizon we head back to the pontoon.
Next up we have swimming with sharks! Rob’s keen of course!
Just kidding, he actually swims next to them with a barrier. I’m surprised at how graceful and beautiful they are and I’m totally mesmerized, my fear forgotten. We have several smaller dusky sharks, one beaten up grey nurse, affectionately known as “agro” and a big lemon shark visiting.
DUSKIESROB SWIMMING WITH SHARKS!AGROLEMON SHARK
One little dusky has learnt a party trick to get attention for the barra that Jack is throwing to the sharks. He swims on his back!
Sunset is a beauty and we enjoy pre dinner snacks and a drink. Dinner is freshly wild caught barramundi pan seared with some lovely salads and grilled potatoes, followed by an apple crumble.
SUNSET TALBOT BAY
Dinner is all but over by 7:30pm and the staff say goodnight. We linger over coffee and tea chatting to our dinner companions Tony and Amanda and another couple Natalie and Ray from Victoria. My foot is up with an ice pack kindly provided by staff which is sweet relief and it’s lovely to relax before we head to our cabin around 9pm.
Tuesday 13 August 2024
Temperature: 16 – 32 hot & sunny.
It’s an early start with breakfast at 6am and our overnight bag packed ready to leave. I’ve been awake since before 5am so I’m ready by 5:45am so take some early photos of the coming sunrise from the pontoon deck.
BARRA SHACK, OUR ACCOMMODATION
After a cooked and continental breakfast we are back on the boat for another trip to the falls to see the reverse tide.
Talbot bay is like glass and the sun hitting the ranges seems to make them glow. It’s cool and apart from the boat very quiet as we motor to the falls.
OUTGOING TIDE HORIZONTAL FALLS
Someone asks if you can swim through the falls. Our guide Jack answers with a story of Pearl Fisherman who were curious about this so threw a 44 gallon drum in. It disappeared and didn’t come up. The next day they found drum, flattened like a coke can. He further explained that the tides wash through all the way to the bottom of the gaps and that there are rocks at the bottom. I can see the whirlpools created so I’m thinking the answer is a firm no!
I managed to get a video snippet that shows the tidal pace on the corner. About 25km/hr! Fascinating!
We spend about half an hour slowly touring through the first fall and viewing the second before returning to the pontoon. Within minutes we see several seaplanes heading in with new guests and soon it’s time for us to leave.
PONTOON
SEAPLANE ARRIVING
From the air you can clearly see the two ridge lines of the McLarty Range that have created the phenomenon of the Horizontal Falls.
As we fly back we pass over the Archipelago which seems endless from the air, we pass the Graveyard, an area where many pearl divers have lost their lives before turning South West towards Cone and Cascade Bays. We then fly over a Barramundi Farm.
ARCHIPELAGO BARRAMUNDI FARM
We arrive back in Derby in seemingly no time. My foot is painful today after all the steps, stairs and ramps so when we get back to the van I rest up for a while.
We finish our last day in Derby with a roadtrip out to Birdwood Station to stock up on meat. Funnily enough the lady who serves us was at the hospital same day as me with a sprained ankle also so we chat.
On the way back to town we stop at the Boab Prison tree.
BOAB PRISON TREE
Wow! Derby has been amazing. So much more here than we expected!
Locations: Manning Girge, Galway Horge, Imintji, Bell Gorge, Derby
Region: Kimberley WA
Dates: Wednesday 7 August – Friday 9 August 2024.
Temperatures 17 – 34 degrees Wunamiin Miliwundi Ranges (prev King Leopold Ranges)
Total trip kilometres: 5058
Wednesday 7 August 2024
Manning Gorge to Imintji 80km’s
We had a very nice evening yesterday chatting with Greg and Tracey from Bundaberg area whom we met on the Gorge trail yesterday. We sharing stories, wine and two very nice cheese platters. A lovely evening with lovely people.
This morning we are moving onto our next camp at Imintji Community Camp where we will stay for two nights and visit Bell Gorge tomorrow.
On the way to Imintji Community Camp and just at the start of the Phillips Ranges is Galvans Gorge. We stop for a walk and a swim.
The track in is about 1km, mostly sand with a few rocks.
The Gorge when we arrive is beautiful and shady. A cool oasis on this hot day.
We both head in for a dip and visit the waterfall on the other side before I swim back and take some photos.
I see three white cockatoo’s head to the top of the fall. It’s very likely there’s a pool up there and it is obviously a favourite spot for them to drink and bathe and stepping back I see a beautiful boab tree right at the very top of the Gorge.
It is such a an awesomely lovely place, cool, peaceful and serene.
I’m reluctant to leave.
But continue on we do. Back to the car and off we head, up and then over the Phillip Ranges now heading South West and towards the Wunaamin Miliwundi Ranges.
As we drive, we see hills starting to appear at our sides and ranges in the distance and we have bitumen for about 20km’s, a nice change from the gravel.
Before long we see Bell Gorge camp, then Imintji Community Store and then the campground. We check in at the store and on the way to the camp see a Brahman on the side of the road and then two more big beautiful Brahman bulls sauntering down the road.
OUR CAMP
We make camp with a big golden escarpment as our backdrop and later as the sun sets I take a few snaps of the dusky, dusty wilderness.
MOON & EVENING STARIMINTJI COMMUNITY CAMP
Thursday 8 August 2024
Temperature: 19 – 34
Today we are hiking Bells Gorge which is about 45km’s from here.
We planned to set off nice and early and spend most of the hot part of the day there 9am – 3pm but were delayed by a couple seeking help around 7:30am. They had a problem with their van and needed to contact the manufacturer so we turned the Starlink on and then waited until they got a message through and then a reply back with a short term solution to keep them going so we set off about 9:00am and arrived at the Gorge around 10:00am
As we get ready to leave the car the sole of my left boot peels off so I swap to my Merry People boots.
It’s a short fairly easy walk to the Gorge with sand and then a rocky creek bed and two creek crossings.
The walk is pleasant but rocky. We make it to the gorge in about 20mins.
BELL GORGE TRACK
The second part of the track around to the falls (in red on the map) is a level 5 walk so I opt to stay at the top and take pictures of Rob swimming below, up to the falls.
The Gorge is quite long and there are already a lot of people here including an APT Kimberley tour group, swimming as I take pictures of Rob setting off for his walk.
BOOTS OFF
I walk up the Gorge beside the falls and take pictures of Rob as he comes down on the other side and has his swim. The water looks deep and I can see rocks below the surface. These places are absolutely amazing.
ROB UNDER THE FALLS
The falls are so awesome and the sound is refreshing and clear in this oasis setting.
BELL GORGE VIDEO
I take a picture of the Gorge in both directions before hopping in for a swim in one of the top pools.
The picture above shows a fellow with a white cap and black trunks on. As I was getting in to swim he eases himself over the top ledge of the falls and sits in crevasse with the water flowing around him. The rocks here all have either black or green algae on them which makes them very slippery. My nerves ratchet up as I think of how the day could be ruined for everyone present if he slipped and fell. The foolishness of people in these places never ceases to amaze me. I see the tour guide shaking his head and people in his group start to call him back, saying he’s making them anxious so it’s not only me that feels this way.
I swim up to the edge of the falls, stand about two metre’s back on a sandy patch and wave at Rob and he takes a picture of me at the top of the falls. I’m in the pink shirt!
We enjoy a great day at Bell Gorge, swimming, lounging in the rocks and chatting to people from all over the country, some international people too. We explore the rocks and spend ages watching a Mertens Monitor alternately sunning himself on the rocks and then diving into the water for a dip and repeating this over and over again. It’s beautiful with pale yellow spots on its dark brown skin.
MERTENS MONITORIN FOR A DIP
We enjoy snacks; some muesli bars I made yesterday and apples, while enjoying the cool shade from the rocks, Rob even dozing for a bit. A really lovely day… until we head back at about 2:30pm.
We walk back to the car park and visit the toilets and as I exit and head down the steps I badly roll my right ankle on an exposed rock underneath the last step. Oh no!
The pain is really bad and I can barely stand. Thankfully Rob heard my yelp and he’s there to steady me.
The pain is so bad I’m fearful I’ve done something bad, it’s all around my ankle and it can’t bear my weight.
Rob moves the car closer and with his help and my walking poles I make it to the car. The 7km drive back to Bell Gorge campground is rough and I’m in agony so when we arrive Rob rearranges the gear in the back seat and moves me there so my right foot is elevated. Then it’s another 45 odd km of rough road back to Imintji community and Rob stops at the store to get ice and then back to camp and before long my foot is in a bucket of ice water… I won’t tell you about getting the boot off!
SPRAINED OR BROKEN?
After that it’s a compression bandage, elevation and more ice. Known as the R.I.C.E first aid technique.
We have to change our plans now so decide to skip Winjana Gorge and the Tunnel Creek hike and head straight to Derby tomorrow. I’m sad about this as I know Rob was really looking forward to the walk – it involves a swim in a cave across 25metre’s with your gear in a dry bag and you need headlamps. So we will reschedule this if we can. It’s about 120km’s from the turn off to Winjana to Derby on the Gibb-Derby road. There also our trip to horizontal falls next week to consider but I don’t want to get ahead of myself.
Friday 9 August 2024
Temperature: 18 – 34 degrees
Imintji to Derby 193km’s.
Total trip kilometres: 5220
We awake at dawn and Rob makes coffee. Thankfully after a night of elevation and an ice bag rotating around my ankle, it doesn’t look too bad, swollen but not grotesquely so and the pain is reasonable so I’m hopeful it’s just a bad sprain. Still not weight bearing but I can put it down on the ground this morning.
My lack of mobility means Rob has to do all the jobs which we normally share.
What a trooper he is. Setting the van to travel inside and out including all the extra jobs inside to accommodate the rough road and helping me too. He’s always my hero but especially today. I’m so thankful we share our life together. Thank you handsome.
We set off around 9am and after about 30km we move into another range with steep hills either side. There’s a lookout with spectacular views which we pause to enjoy.
The road is rough and the next section of road is very uncomfortable for me with my leg elevated across the back seat. I do my best to distract myself with the scenery and trying to take pictures but it feels like it’s going to be a long day.
We pass into Hart Mountain range and the rocks show basalt and we start to see trees “scribbly pine” I think. They are small oddly twisted shaped trees.
MT HARTWUNAAMIN MILIWUNDI RANGESWUNAAMIN MILIWUNDI RANGESQUEEN VICTORIA HEAD
We pass Queen Victoria Head, which oddly does look like her profile, particularly from afar and then over the Lennard River and around the bend is the Winjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek turnoff and this marks the end of the gravel! Thank goodness.
LENNARD RIVER BRIDGE
Rob pulls off and reinflated all the tyres and we continue on to Derby arriving about 1pm.
We visit the emergency department which is quiet and I’m seen shortly after by a young doctor who examines my foot and thinks it’s just sprained but wants to x-ray to be sure. The x-ray confirms his diagnosis and I’m much relieved. A sprain is manageable enough living in the van and with crutches in hand we continue on.
Stay safe, be kind to one another and love to all.
We have already travelled well over the estimated 4300 kilometres for this section of our travels but I didn’t include side trips. I think in Katherine alone we did about 400 extra kilometres so you can see how the numbers quickly grow. Sometimes we even travel further just to fuel up. From El Questro to Derby we have 635km of the Gibb River; at least half of that gravel and the toughest part.
We leave El Questro just before 8:30am crossing the Pentecost creek at the gate.
Once back on the highway we turn left on the Gibb River road with the stunning Cockburn range now on our right.
The range will stay in sight until at least Home Valley station I reckon.
17km on we cross the Pentecost River.
LEFTRIGHT
Within 1 kilometre of the gravel road starting on the other side of the Pentecost River our aerial snapped! First casualty!
Update: The Pentecost River crossing video won’t load so I have removed it.
Home Valley Station Visit
The road is rough with corrugations and rocks and the vibrations are bone jarring at times. It’s hard to maintain any speed either – I’m talking 50-60km’s at most but even that’s difficult due to the rocks and constant floodways. You need a bit of speed on corrugated road as going slower just makes the vibrations worse.
We see the sign for Home Valley and decide to call in. It’s 4km in off the road but it’s good to stop and take a break, especially on a hard stretch.
Home Valley is charming.
HOME VALLEY STATION
As we drive out of Home Valley we see the most amazing view of the Cockburn Ranges. Wow!
COCKBURN RANGES
No long after this we see a lookout and the views of the ranges are equally stunning.
COCKBURN RANGES
Continuing on we pass two cars, the first with a puncture and then not long after coming the other way, another car with a puncture. We then pass another vehicle and the owner is trying to fix a running board that’s come loose… then we find ourselves behind a slow truck with a slew of traffic coming the other way.
TRAFFIC!
We slow to let the truck get further ahead but it makes the vibrations way worse and it’s going very slow so we eventually have to pass him which is bit scary with all the dust.
The next stretch has some bitumen with some steep up and then down, then up again. Then a creek and then we pass another car that has done a wheel, maybe the axle!
Another river crossing, this one is the Durack River. This is very very rough going!
DURACK RIVER
Just after the Durack River; which in of itself was very rough to cross, the road turn brutal, with endless corrugated gravel and large rocks everywhere, this continues the rest of the 18-20km to Ellenbrae.
Along the way we see a car coming towards us, almost sideways but he recovers, thankfully!
List of injury’s
– Broken Antennae
– Korean BBQ Sauce all through fridge
– Milk bottle sprung a hole, milk everywhere
– Shelf on bench and fixed to the wall in bathroom – all the products jumped out.
– Bathroom door off it’s runners again
– Container of Farfale pasta spilt all through cupboard.
-Bottle of ginger ale sprung a hole and all over the floor.
We consider ourselves lucky though as we saw two punctures, a broken running board and a broken axle along the way.
The sign to Ellenbrae is welcome. The camp is a bit dusty but there is a nice waterhole, complete with Freshies, but that’s ok. Rob swims, I wade. There’s also toilets and showers.
We chat to other travellers. It’s a relief to be here.
ELLENBRAE STATION STAY
After our shower and a chat with Hazel, Rob’s mum, Rob watches the Lions game while I make dinner – BBQ Steak with Potato and a Lentil Salad before we have an early night.
Monday 5 August 2024
Temperature: 16 – 33, bit overcast, sunny, hot
Ellenbrae to Manning Gorge 160km’s
Total trip kilometres: 5060
Sunrise
ELLENBRAE STATION
We are up early most days, today no exception. Rob makes coffee then gets stuck into finishing the repair on the ensuite door. I make breakfast, egg on sourdough toast today and start preparing for travel today. We are off to Manning Gorge and hopefully the road will get better soon.
We say goodbye to Ellenbrae about 9:00am and shortly pass over Dawn Creek.
BYE BYE ELLENBRAEDAWN CREEK
For the first hour and about 40km of driving the road remains rough like yesterday and the landscape continues to be low grassland bush.
Then we pass two young men juggling!
Weird as it sound’s, their car had overheated and they were passing the time juggling.
JUGGLERS!
For the next hour the road gets steadily better as we had heard about and hoped! We cross Ross Creek and before long come to the Kalumburu Road junction.
ROSS CREEK
At the junction we stop for a toilet break and another Traxx van comes in. We have seen this van twice this morning. A chat starts and before long other travellers join in. The conversation jumps from this road to that, this stop to that and so on. one couple are heading up the Kalumbura Road to the Gibb River camp so Rob decides we should head up there too, it’s only 3km’s…
We head up and the Gibb River looks very inviting, but it’s busy.
GIBB RIVER
We turn right off the road, hoping for a turn around but the track gets sandy and before you know it, we are bogged!
Had to happen sometime!
Rob put the Wee Beastie in low range and we got our trax out but we ended up deeper. Cal from Chinchilla and his wife Glenis who are camped nearby take pity on us and were very helpful and tow us out in no time. A big thank you and appreciation of the kindness of strangers.
Meanwhile I have spotted an Azure Kingfisher.
AZURE KINGFISHERAZURE KINGFISHER
We head off again on the last leg to Manning Gorge. The road is wide and really good and the Savannah grassland continues with some signs of either fire management or fire.
We cross a couple more water ways that look like great spots to camp.
Then we see an escarpment on our left and we know we can’t be far.
We pull in at the roadhouse, register then continue on another 7km to the camp ground. When we drive in we see our van but bigger with its own wee beastie so it’s a jinx! A chat with owners Tim and Amanda follows and we organise for a photo before together before we leave.
MANNING GORGETRAXX JINX!
After setting down we walk down to the creek for a dip. It’s beautiful with a sandy bottom and has to be swim across tomorrow with our gear in a drum at the start and finish of the gorge walk.
On the way back we see some cute finches, I have the dirtiest feet and we have a big boab right behind us.!
Tuesday 6 August 2024
Temperature: 16 – 34
Manning Gorge Walk
So we set off just after 7:30 for this hike as it gets so hot in the middle of day and the UV is extreme too. We still get a hint of winter though as the heat falls out of the day around 5pm and the nights are lovely and cool.
As I mentioned the hike starts with a swim across the creek with your boots and gear in a drum. I didn’t get pictures as we started as we were offered to share a drum with two others and I didn’t want to hold them up to much.
The hike is 5.4km return, grade 4 with an elevation of 100m. The track is rocky and there are white dots and arrows to follow.
We see a few little lizards like this guy but otherwise no creatures. After getting the Azure Kingfisher yesterday my next creature of interest is the Frilled Neck Lizard.
The track meander from rock hopping to trail and back again and the last section of the walk is a gorge, down then up and then a big rocky bit of down into Manning Gorge. The first pool is gorgeous but the falls are still around the corner and down two steep rock ledge sections.
ROCK LEDGEWE CLIMBED THIS BIT!
It was worth the rock scramble. The Gorge and Falls are very pretty. There are quite a few people here, one APT tour group and some families too. The kids are jumping from the rock ledge surrounding the falls.
Rob’s in for a dip, then a walk around the falls while I take photo’s, then we swap and I swim before we enjoy a swim together.
ROB UNDER THE FALLS
The water is lovely, cool but not cold.
LOVELY SPOT TO RELAXROB ON THE ROCKS!MY DIP
We reluctantly head back around 11:00am after a couple of hours enjoying the Gorge, enjoying the views of the escarpment on the way back and our swim back across Manning Creek after a hot walk.
LAST LOOKESCARPMENT CROSSING THE MANNING CREEK
Tomorrow we head for Imintji campground and from there Bell Gorge.
After checking every bolt and screw and taping cupboards and fridge in preparation for the gravel road to El Questro and one final chat with Kay and Cliff a lovely couple from Cowra whom we met at Mataranka and then again at Kununurra, we set off.
We follow the same road to Wyndham and 55km’s along we turn left towards Mt Barnett and onto the Gibb River Road. We stop and take the obligatory pics and we’re off again. Emma Gorge is our first stop today for a hike and a swim, a further 26 km’s.
GIBB RIVER RDROAD AHEADFLOODWAYDURACK RANGESDURACK RANGES
We cross lots of floodways and have escarpments either side. We then come to the first wet crossing at King River!
Emma Gorge
Emma Gorge is beautiful and the drive in is not too bad. We check in at reception to obtain our park pass as it’s part of El Questro and then head out to the Gorge. It’s a 3.2km return hike, moderate level 4 with some rock scrambles.
ROCK SCRAMBLE!
Despite the benevolent name I didn’t enjoy the hike. It was a rock scramble most of the way which is not my favourite thing.
I didn’t take poles and got about 9/10’s of the way before I gave up. It got the better of me!
Maybe I am a bit tired after the last few busy days but I decided the best thing for me was to sit in a shady spot by a burbling pool and enjoy the space rather than pushing any further.
MY REFLECTION POOLEMMA GORGE WALLS
It’s hard to write this as I don’t give up easily but these days I’m better at listening to my gut which is why I chose to stop. I encouraged Rob to continue on and he did and had a lovely swim. These are his pictures of Emma Gorge.
EMMA GORGE
I still had to trek all the way out again and thankful did so with no harm. While I was sitting I saw three people fall, a teenager and two women. In my opinion it should not be listed as a moderate hike and I said so on All Trails!
We continue on to El Questro. We turn off the bitumen for our first section of gravel road this section of the trip and stop to let the tyres down.
We have 16km’s of gravel and it’s not too bad! Two wet crossing too.
We arrive and check in. We are here for three nights and will have to move sites after the first night. It’s a big space and I was hoping this would be sorted from when we booked but oh well! The first nights site is not great, sloping both ways but our neighbours are a nice couple. We make camp, then go for a walk and find happy hour at the Swing Bar!
THINGS TO DOSWING BAR
Friday 2 August 2024
Temperatures: 16 – 33
We both opt for a slow day today. So after a sleep in, a nice breakfast we move the van. A much nicer spot, flat with more room. After resetting we spend the morning going for a walk and then I catchup the blog and Rob does some forward planning, we have lunch, a nap, and then we have another walks around the park, shower, then head to happy hour and an early dinner at the Steakhouse. a lovely relaxing day
Saturday 3 August 2024
Temperature: 16 – 34 degrees
Zebedee Springs
Today we are up early, about 5:30am and are out before 7:00am.
Off to Zebedee springs for a dip. Zebedee is about half way back down the track to the Highway and is a short hike, 600m return from the Carpark. Grade 2
It’s a beautiful spring, tropical, warm and the water is clear. There are palm trees in the water and rocks and after about 20mins we discover leeches. A lady we are chatting to nearby suddenly grabs her foot and pulls off a small leach about 3cm.
She is horrified and leaves.
I’m not as phased and remain in the spring as while longer and thankfully neither Rob nor I have the pleasure of meeting any leeches!
One the way back to El Questro I take a video of the Pentecost’s River crossing! Hope it loads for you.
After yesterday’s experience at Emma Gorge, I’m reluctant to challenge Amalia Gorge, a grade 5 walk so Rob goes alone and I stay behind and do some cooking. I bake a loaf of bread and some raspberry friands and start a lentil salad for dinner.
Amalia Gorge
Rob enjoys his hike to Amalia Gorge, 3.5km, moderate, grade 5 walk which includes two pools, lots of rock scrambling and includes a chain rock climb! He finds a fellow traveler to take some pictures of his swim.
Location: Kununurra, Mitchell Falls , Wyndham, Lake Argyll, The Bungle Bungles
Region: Kimberley NT
Dates: 29 July – 31 August 2024
Temperatures: 16 – 34
Monday 29 July 2024
After such a hectic day yesterday with our Whistle stop tour of Wyndham, Monday starts a wee bit slower. Rob starts working on the van step which has sheared off, so he’s off to the hardware for brackets and bolts to try and repair while I catch up on some blog posts. It’s lovely and warm and there is a breeze from Lake Kununurra and with a cup of tea in hand what more could you ask for.
WORKINGWRITING
In the afternoon we go and visit Hoocheys so that Rob can do a rum tasting. It’s the oldest “legal” distillery in WA. He deserves a fun afternoon after all his hard work on the step this morning, which is now back in working order. What a handy man he is.
After I drive us back from the distillery, we take a nice relaxing walk around the park, visiting the avery to see the Gouldian Finches: such colourful little birds, and the parks Boab tree before heading to the waterfront. We finish the day with a relaxing meal and some TV
GOULDIAN FINCHBOABLAKE KUNUNURRA
Tuesday 30 July 2024
Mitchell Falls Coastal Adventure
Temperatures: 18 – 32
We spend the morning with me cleaning the inside of the van and washing and Rob checking every screw in the van in preparation for The Gibb, before we get ready for the first of our Tours.
We are picked up and driven to the airport at 11:15am and after being weighed and checked in our pilot James collects us and takes us to the plane. There is just us two and a third, a lady named Cathy from NZ and we are flying in a four seat Cessna 210N.
OUR FLIGHT PATHCESNA 210 NREADY TO GO
The route takes us across Kununurra and its farmlands then straight across country to Ngamoowalem Conservation park towards Durack and then Drysdale River National Park.
KUNUNURRA FARMLANDORD RIVERDRYSDALE NATIONAL PARK
We see the road to Kalamburu off The Gibb River road and some local seasonal fire management before we arrive at Mitchell falls which we circle in a figure 8 several times before landing on nearby Mitchell plateau. The falls are a sight to behold.
KALUMBURU ROADFIRE MGTMITCHELL FALLS AND PLATEAU
Apparently you can swim in the upper pool of the falls but not the bottom due to salties.
We have a 30 minute break while the pilot refuels and some light refreshments; mango cake and juice while we wait. Cathy our NZ guest has been air sick all the way out unfortunately so she’s not feeling great.
We take off again on the next leg, up and around the Kimberley coastline. The scenery is amazing and this is the absolute best way to see the vast area of the Kimberley.
We pass over the Lawley River National Park and see all the creeks shooting off. It reminds me of a brain!
LAWLEY RIVER NATIONAL PARK
Next we fly over North Kimberley Marine Park and along the coast and to the mouth of the Drysdale River.
KIMBERLY MARINE PARK
As we start to turn South East towards Kununurra we pass over King George Falls, not really flowing at this time of year but still spectacular with the River leading up into the gorge to the falls! So beautiful and there is a yacht parked just under the falls. Wow!
KING GEORGE FALLS
Next we fly along the coastline towards Berkeley River lodge, the most Northern remote resort, across an area known as Oombulgurri. The pilot says we may see sharks, rays, turtles or crocs and he is flying low but I can’t pick anything out. The coastline is stunning however and I take way too many pictures.
BERKELEY LODGE
From here we fly across Lacrosse Island and then into the Cambridge Gulf passing over Adolphus Island and Wyndham before heading back to Kununurra.
CAMBRIDGE GULF AND ORD RIVER
We swoop back into Kununurra crossing the Ord one more time. Poor Cathy has unfortunately been sick the whole way so I quickly exchange details with her so I can send her some of my photos.
Rob and I had a wonderful time. A little bumpy over the thermals at times but wow her what a thrilling afternoon.
Wednesday 31 July 2024
Bungle Bungle Tour
Big day today. We are out for day being collected at 8:15 for our flight South over lake Argyle and to the Bungle Bungles where we will hop on a bus tour for the day including a hike into the Bungles!
We are in a bigger plane; a Cessna Caravan this time, with 13 guests in total and our pilot is Dan. Rob and I get the bench seat right at the back so have lots of leg room.
Our flight path today takes the opposite of yesterday and we soon fly over Kimberleyland Caravan park where we are staying; see if you can find the wee beastie in the photo, before following the Ord or Lake Kununurra as it’s known at this stage because it is dammed at both ends and holds a continuous level of water; to one centimeter. We then cross over farmland, including of all things Cotton!
Kununurra means black soil by the way. And there is so much water out here it’s mind boggling.
We are in a bigger plane and we soon jump over a range and see the amazing Lake Argyle stretching before us. 67km long one way and 10km across the other, it holds 18 times the water of Sydney Harbour, around 10,763 gigalitres and due to this is classified as an inland sea with the same maritime regulations!
CROCODILE ISLAND – CAN YOU SEE IT?LAKE ARGYLE
We soon cross over the amazing wave like formations of the Osborne Ranges. An absolute marvel and I see a circular area at the end and I wonder if maybe they are due to a long ago meteor hitting the earth?
OSBORNE RANGES
Our pilot informs us that we have cross into Purnululu National Park (pronounced Burnululu)and that the Bungle Bungles are just ahead and soon enough there they are. A breathtaking sight in their unusualness.
BUNGLE BUNGLES
Interestingly they were only discovered in 1982 by two film makers making a documentary about outback WA. They heard word of some unusual rocks to be seen so hired chopper pilots to take them there. These formations are unusual as they are sandstone underneath and the crusted striating colours come from rust and Cyanobacteria which creates the green in the wet and black in the dry. The crust is very thin and takes years to develop so they are quite delicate and they are white underneath.
In the late 80’s the Bungle Bungles along with Shark Bay in WA were listed under UNESCO. Interesting that the Bungle Bungles and the Stromatolites found in Shark Bay are both formed from Cyanobacteria.
After circling around the Bungle Bungles for a bit we land, then having morning tea; butter cakes, tea and coffee, before jumping on our bus. Our tour guides Mardi and Nigel will look after us today.
The bus ride is about 25 minutes and we stop for photo opportunities a couple of time before arriving at The Domes where we will do a walk to Cathedral Gorge.
MARDI EXPLAINING OUR WALK
We set off, stopping periodically as Mardi talks about the landscape.
THIN CRUSTSANDSTONE UNDERNEATH PICKANINNY GORGECREEK BEDPICKANINNY HOLESGORGE OTHER DIRECTION
As we walk I smell a burnt caramel smell and soon after Mardi mentions it and explains it’s the sticky sap from the spinifex grass growing everywhere. The sap has medicinal properties and can be used to close wounds and provides antibacterial properties that promote healing.
As we head into Cathedral Gorge, Mardi pulls us off onto a ledge and in a hushed voice quietly tells us this is a place of initiation and then points up and we see some rock art.
PLACE OF INITIATIONWOOMERASCATHEDRAL GORGE
It about 10degrees cooler in the cathedral and you can see why it’s so named with the cavernous ceiling arching above. The pool is sacred and must not be stepped in or drank from according to cultural lore from the Djaru and Gija tribes that use these lands.
Rob and I walk around the pool to the rocks at the back for our lunch break.
It’s very peaceful and a good place for quiet reflection as we enjoy our meal.
LUNCH
After lunch we make our way out of the cool of the cathedral and back into the Gorge, heading back the way we came. On the bus we head back to Bellburn airstrip to drop four people off for helicopter flights before we make our way to Savannah lodge for afternoon tea of fruit and cake.
Once back at Bellburn we’re herded back onto the plane and are soon in the air. Our return flight takes us over the Northern part of the Bungles and Pickaninny Gorge. A grade 6 multi day hike.
We then fly over the Osborne ranges again and then the now defunct Argyle Diamond mine.
As we head into Kununurra the pilot swoops around to land over the Ord River and I take the photo below and then as I look down I swear I see a big crocodile in the water!!!
All in all it’s been a fascinating few days and a privilege to see so much of this unique part of the world.
A big thank you to my darling Rob whose idea it was that we take these tours.
Tomorrow we leave Kununurra and head to Mt Barnett via the Gibb River Road. our off road adventure begins.
Katherine to Saddle Rest Stop 339 km’s (100 East of Kununurra).
Total Trip kilometre’s: 4144
Temp 19 – 31 overcast, some showers
We set off about 9am with a longish day driving. Not far out of Katherine on the Victoria Highway west we pass several convoys of army vehicles.
The landscape is dry with sparse trees and termite mounds. I look up and see a Bustard right on the side of the road, on the left! Darn missed getting a picture. He was a big one too. Not long after on the other side of the road I see two more. Missed again!
As we approach Judbarra NP it starts to drizzle and we see puddles in the roadside. The air becomes sweetly scented by the native grassland, trees and a hint of ozone. Escarpments rise majestically as we come into Victoria River and the views are breathtaking beautiful. The teasing rain bringing the outback colours of ochre, russet, yellow and green to life and we start to see lots of Boab trees
We cross the Victoria River Bridge and stop at the Roadhouse to admire the ranges around us.
We continue on as we have for another 100kms or so to our camp for the night, Saddle Rest stop
We stop again just past Victoria River as the landscape is one escarpment after another and the views are non stop. The dry land has returned to grassland with many trees small and tall and some of the Boab trees are double, some triple with the girth of a small silo and the Victoria River is beside us on the right.
The rest stop when we arrive is nearly full but we fortunately find a spot and our backdrop is yet another towering escarpment.
SADDLE REST STOP
Rob gets out the Starlink to watch the Lions v Gold Coast in the second Q Clash for the season and I bake a loaf of bread and some sourdough crackers while we watch the game. A win for the Lions 🦁 yay! Eighth in a row I think?
Dinner is a pasta and salad as I use up the last of our fresh vegetables before the border crossing tomorrow.
Sunday 28 July 2024
Saddle to Kununurra 110 km’s
Total trip km’s: 4154
Temperature: 16 – 28
A hot night, eventually cooling with a breeze around 4:30am and we wake up to a cool drizzle gray morning. Not what I expected for up here.
We have a leisurely start with coffee, bacon and eggs before doing a final check on all things fruit and vegetables and I find a packet of slightly dried “fresh” basil hiding in the fridge. Darn I could have used that last night in the pasta sauce! Oh well.
We set off and the escarpment we were parked under continues for some way and morning showers again bring all the colours to life.
We cross into WA and the border quarantine check is quick and easy.
The only thing I didn’t think about was some frozen Thyme in the freezer which is a no no due to the woody stem. The officer appreciates my efforts though so no fine thankfully and then she offers us an extra 1.5hours today due to the time change!
Our first views on Kununurra are a Croc Wise sign and then a wetland as we come into town
We are staying in Kununurra for four nights as Rob has organise two tours, one to Mitchell Falls and a second to the Bungle Bungles. We check in, then do groceries and return and set up the van and as it’s still not quite midday decide to drive to Wyndham, another 200km’s there and back for the afternoon.
Wyndham is a port town in the gulf and the juncture of five rivers and we are told well worth a visit.
Molly Springs
22km from Kununurra towards Wyndham and down a rough 3km track is a lovely spot to swim with a little waterfall. Rob swims then gets out to take photos and moments after I get out of the water a fellow in the water start screaming “snake in the water”! Rob manages to get a photo when it clears the water at the tree just behind me in the third photo below and it looks like a brown!
Oh the fun of the outback!
MOLLY SPRINGS
We continue on and our next stop is The Grotto, a waterhole surrounded by 80m vertical cliffs. It has 140 stone and concrete steps you can take down to view it and of course we do. Imagining all the while what it would look like with waterfalls around all sides during the wet.
The Grotto
THE GROTTO
Back in the car, Rob and I both find an odd similarity in the landscape with Scotland! The road undulates through soaring hills that are sparse and dry, similar to some of the valleys we passed through in Scotland on the West 500 in 2019. The difference is the lack of wet green that you see in Scotland but it’s still eerily familar?
Maggie’s Valley
Approaching Wyndham we come around a bend and into a stunning Valley known as Maggie’s Valley. I can see why she loved it here so much.
The Big Croc
We arrive Wyndham and find the big croc! What a beauty!
The Big Boab
This tree is over 2000 years old!
Wyndham Port
Our next stop is Wyndham Port. Gazetted in 1886 the port serviced the cattle industry and gold prospectors and at one point was home to the biggest abattoir in the Southern Hemisphere at the time.
Five Rivers Lookout
Our next and last stop on our whistle stop tour of Wyndham today is the Five Rivers Lookout and a must see if you visit the area. The lookout is high with nearly 360 degree views of the surrounding area and it’s stunning with views over the Ord, Durack, Forrest, King and Pentecost Rivers.
FIVE RIVERS LOOKOUT
A great place for sunset but very overcast today.
Wow we have had a busy weekend and we are both delighted by what we’ve seen so far of the Kimberley and we are both looking forward to our tours this week very much.
We hope you all had a good weekend too. Stay safe and take care of each other.
Physio my way 
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