For our last day in Kununurra we spent the morning preparing for the next week of travels (washing clothes, grocery shopping, packing and sorting) and getting the kids to write some letters and postcards as well as in their journals. We visited the Zebra rock gallery in the afternoon (which sells carved ornaments made from the unique stripped rock from this area) and where we could feed fish and turtles on the Ord River. We were all fascinated with the Archer fish squirting our hands with water 1-2 metres high (they shoot a mouthful of water at the food in our fingers to get it dropped into the water).
Ryans feeding catfish and turtles
The famous Kimberley Zebra stone
Day 41 (Sat 26/6) – El Questro
We left Kununurra in the morning after visiting the Saturday morning markets (packed with hundreds of other 4WD’s). Drove North to El Questro and set up camp at the station before going to the El Questro Gorge. We all did the delightful 7km walk to the gorge (and back) climbing rocks along the creek amongst palms, ferns, and orange escarpments, to get to have a swim in the secluded rock pool at the end. We drove atop the saddleback ridge to watch the sun go down over one ridge and the full moon come up on the opposite ridge! A few hours later we got more photo’s of the moon being eclipsed. El Questro was packed out that night with hundreds of campers at the outback bar listening to a country singer – great atmosphere.
The walk to El Questro gorge
Swimming part of the "walk" up El Questro gorge
In the morning we went to the Zebedee thermal springs and enjoyed relaxing in the clear, warm rockpools. From there we went to Emma Gorge for another walk. This gorge was spectacular with a huge waterhole enclosed on 3 sides by sheer orange cliffs dripping with water. We all swam in the cool water to the waterfall across the other side, but my favourite spot was perched up in the rocks on one side of the cliff where thermal water seeps through.
In the afternoon we drove to the Bungle Bungles and arrived on sunset after a very rough and long drive on the dirt road in.
Zeberdee Hot springs
Emma gorge, photo doesn't capture it
Day 43 (Mon 28/6) – Bungle BunglesAfter breaky we drove to Piccadilly Creek and did the picturesque Domes walk in the Bungles (took lots of photo’s!) and then the Cathedral Gorge walk. This was spectacular and the girls made the most of the acoustics by singing and performing in the amphitheatre!
We had a relaxing lunch back at camp then drove to the other side of the Bungles to do the Echidna Chasm. This was also spectacular and very narrow. Chris had to sit this walk out with Amy who had severe eye pain (migrane).Back at camp I cut Chris and Ryan’s hair and we all washed our hair over a bucket and got cleaned up ready to meet friends tomorrow.
On the way to the Cathederal gorge
At the Cathederal gorge, incredible and great accustics
The dome walk at the Bungle Bungles
Day 44 (Tuesday 29/6) – Bungle Bungles to Mary Pool Press here for map link
We head off early in the morning to take the slow trek out of the Bungle Bungles and then drove to Halls Creek. It was good to be in phone range again and we were able to do some computer work and end-of-financial-year book work with Hire for Baby – just in time before heading out of range again! We drove 100km down the road to set up at a free camp spot on the Mary River at a place called Mary Pool. We got there early to reserve enough space for 4 families (amongst the 80 other caravaners) because our friends the Hanna’s, Backen’s and Highett’s were coming up from Adelaide along the Tanami and meeting us there. The kids were especially excited to be seeing their friends again but had to wait till after dark before the others arrived with bad news that the Hanna’s had had an accident only 40km way – they hit a cow in the dark (cattle roam everywhere and are very hard to see on the road at night). The family was unhurt thankfully but their 4WD was a mess and we were all in shock. Was a big dampner to our excited reunion.
Mikayla feeding birds and a freindly cow walking thru the fire
Hanna's poor car, at least Leigh has a smile
Chris drove Leigh Hanna back to Halls Creek and spent the morning trying to sort out car insurance, a tow truck, and options for another car so they could continue their holiday. Meanwhile the rest of us chilled at camp while the 12 kids had an absolutely wonderful day playing together in the river bed and rockpools, fishing, feeding the local cows, looking for crocodiles, and singing and dancing for the Grey Nomads! They didn’t even stop for lunch they were having such a fun play! It was great too for Chris and I to sit and catch up with our friends (Leigh, Emma, Paul, Sue, Nick and Susan) and to hear what has been happening back in Adelaide while we have been away.
Kids playing in the rock pools, only 1 croc spotted
The camping gang back together
We were all able to move out from Mary Pool and travel to our next camp spot with the help of a few Grey Nomads. One lovely couple in a motor home were able to tow the Hanna’s camper trailer to the next town (Fitzroy Crossing), Chris took 5 kids with him, and Emma and I caught a lift with another couple in a caravan to where Leigh and the camper was. Chris set up our camper with the others at the RAAF Boab Quarry then drove back 50km to pick up Leigh, Emma and I plus their camper trailer to shuttle back to the new campspot!
The kids again had a playground of fun with rocks and bolders to climb on and a huge area for our all-in baseball games and night time game with a glow-in-the-dark frisbie.
Softball in the quarry
Someone has to do this hard work (with mums playing scrabble and kids doing journals)
Chris was up early (4:30am!) to drive Leigh to Broome (800km round trip!) to pick up a ute Chris could loan from his work. Emma and I did a jigsaw puzzle with the kids while we waited then after lunch when the guys got back with the 2 cars our family went for a drive to see the entrance of tunnel creek (where a river has worn a path through the limestone during years of wet seasons). Was another nice night under the stars chatting around the camp fire after playing a game of adults vs kids with the glowing frisbie.
Tunnel creek entrance
One of our fires, so you can also waste time staring at it.....enjoy
All 4 families packed up and left the Boab quarry after Chris gave all the kids a ride in the back of the ute. We went back into Fitzroy Crossing for a few hours to go to our first ever Rodeo. I enjoyed watching the stockmen and women round up cattle in the camp muster challenge and would have loved to stay longer but we had to leave to drive another 400km to get to Boome before dark. We set up in a lovely spot at the Cable Beach caravan park.
Kids love utes, say no more
Camp drafting at the rodeo, very exiting
As with each stop we have had in a larger town or city we spent most of the day doing jobs (washing, shopping, fixing). The kids were excited to be swimming in a pool again even though it was cloudy and windy – most unlike Broome for this time of year. I took the girls to the local market for a wander and other than that they just played all day with their friends in the caravan park. All of us (12 kids, 8 adults) went across the road to the local tavern for tea and had a fun night with the kids choosing music on the juke box.
4 mums catching up on the laundry
Broome markets
It rained all night and day here in Broome which is so un seasonal! The rain didn’t stop the kids from swimming in the pool though and it has given me a chance to pause and get a weeks worth of blog done!
Hanna's were able to hire a Troopie 4WD to continue their trip - now all the kids want the families to get a troopie to be able to carry around so many kids! Chris and I got to go out for a nice Thai dinner with some more CHC engineers.
Lots of water everywhere
Prado swimming again , at least this helps clean it !
It had rained all yesterday and all night in Broome so we had to pack up a very wet camper trailer along with wet bedding from leaks in the canvas! The Backens and Highetts headed off early to try the back road to Cape Leveque as the normal road was already closed due to the weather. We spent the morning washing and drying wet clothes, getting the bull bar on the prado tightened, and grocery shopping. By the time we were ready to leave Broome the sun had come out so we went to Cable Beach to enjoy the view and had an ice cream on the beach. Was so nice to get to see a little bit of blue sky and blue water…and the camels!
Unfortunately we couldn’t get to our next destination of Cape Leveque due to the road being closed but we still got to go up the coast a little bit to Quondong Beach to camp with the Hanna family. The kids had a fabulous time collecting Hermit crabs in the rocks at our very picturesque campsite overlooking the Indian ocean. The rain even held off for us that night!
Cable beach , and some nice warm sun after days of rain
The camels of cable beach
Mikayla and her new pet hermit crab (they raced the next day)
Take care and stay warm.
XXxxx(Schrapels)+ XXxxx(Hannas)+ XXxxxx(Highetts)+ XXxx(Backens)
Have just been catching up on your trip - I wish I was there!!! We have just come back from a week in Cairns, the weather was cloudy but 25-28 degrees every day. Now we are back to 14 degrees and have had to drag the trackies back out of the cupboard to keep warm. Your photography is superb, I love the dragonfly photo.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear that the Hannnas are ok, hope you all continue your time together safely.
Love Jo and the Schuies xxxxx
Hi Ryan, Hope you are well, your trip looks like so much fun. Happy 12th Birthday sorry its a bit late. We have been up at Silverton for over a week, it was fun. Pop got a new quad bike, they are so much fun to ride. We got a new puppy his name is ollie and hes a beaglier. One more week of school holidays then we are back to school. Wish i could be with you guys, much more fun than school. Speak with you soon. Joel
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