Day 52 (Wednesday 7/7) North of Broome then starting the Gibb River Road Map link press here
We spent a beautiful morning at Quondong Beach enjoying the bay, climbing rocks, racing Hermit crabs, and Chris and Leigh even tried fishing off the rocks. We drove through a lot of mud and puddles to get back to the highway and onto Derby where we visited the old Boab prison tree and then got a few more supplies before beginning our journey on the Gibb River Rd. Stayed the night at the Birdwood Downs station.
Wild vine flowers on the beach
The winning racing crab "Goliath"
Having some fun in the mud, boys will be boys
Day 53 (Thursday 8/7/10) More closed roads! Map link press hereIt was a rush to pack up the campers in the morning as it was beginning to rain again. We were heading to Windjana Gorge further along the Gibb River Road only to discover that the road there was closed as too were most of the roads to gorges along the way. This was a big disappointment. We had to drive on further to the only camp spot open at Manning Gorge. Fortunately along the way we stopped at Galvans Gorge for a lovely swim which cheered everyone up. We set up camp at Manning late in the afternoon and shared a magnificent dinner cooked on the camp fire.
Gibb River Road, Napier ranges
Galvans Gorge for a swim with the Hannas
After a cooked breakfast we set off to walk to the gorge. At the beginning of the walk we had to wade and swim across a river with our belongings floating in foam boxes. This was so much fun! Then after a 1 hour walk we were rewarded by the sight of the spectacular Manning Gorge with orange cliffs, clear green water, and lots of high cliff ledges to jump off of into the rockpool below. We all had such a fun and relaxing day there before walking back to camp. The best part of the hot walk back was knowing that we could have another swim to get back across the river! Everyone slept well that night.
Manning Creek crossing
Ryan jumping off the cliffs at Manning Gorge
Manning Gorge (view from top of falls)
Day 55 (Saturday 10/7) Heading North Press for map linkWe said goodbye to the Hanna family in the morning who were journeying towards Darwin to return the hire car there. We packed up leisurely (only left the Mt Barnett roadhouse at lunchtime) and decided to trek the rough road up to Mitchell Falls. We found the road not as bad as the stories we had heard (had stretches of smoother gravel between the corrugated sections!) so after visiting the Drysdale station we drove up to the King Edward River camp ground. We set up at a beautiful spot alongside the river and had a relaxing night.
Photo doesn't really capture the size of the corrogations
Water lilly
Sunrise at our camp site King Edward river
Day 56 (Sunday 11/7) Mitchell Falls Press for map linkAfter being woken at 5:45am by another inconsiderate camper with a noisy generator we set off early for the 2 hour drive to the Mitchell Falls. The 1 hour walk to the plateau was lovely, especially seeing the other little waterfalls along the way. The 4 main falls were spectacular and I was pleased to get some great photo’s. We all had so much fun swimming in the little waterfall at the top which had a whirlpool effect of washing us around in a semi circle. Chris organised a treat for the girls and I with a helicopter ride over Mitchell falls and back to the car park, which was awesome to view the falls from the air with the doors open. Chris and Ryan kindly forfeited the 6 minute flight and joined us back at the car after their 1 hour walk in the heat. We had a relaxing evening back at camp around the camp fire under another clear star spangled sky.
Mitchell Falls
Mitchell Falls swimming whirl pool, as good as a water slide
Ready for the chopper ride back
Day 57 (Monday 12/7) Bells Gorge Press for map linkWe were thrilled to hear from the Backens and Highetts on the satellite phone that morning that they would be at Bells Gorge tonight. We had been trying to leave messages since we parted in Broome but being in such remote places where mobile phones don’t work we had not been able to contact each other. So we hot footed it back down the Mitchell Plateau Road and Gibb River Road and made it to their campsite at Silent Grove by 2pm! Even had enough time to walk to Bells Gorge to join the Backen and Highett families for a swim. The kids had a fabulous time together jumping off of more cliff edges into the clear water. It was such a nice afternoon and evening catching up with friends again.
Kids jumping into Bells Gorge
Top of Bells gorge
Day 58 (Tuesday 13/7) Back to Manning Gorge Press for map linkThe others were leaving Silent Grove that morning to go to Manning Gorge so we decided to travel with them just to have one more day together. Boy, we were getting to know the road well with our zig zags! Everyone had a fabulous time doing the swim across the river then the walk and fun at the gorge. The kids again spent the whole time jumping off the cliff ledges into the water (from 5 to 10 metre drops) and swimming and rock climbing together. We had a lovely night chatting around the camp fire.
The super heros
One last photo (Schrapels, Backens, Highetts)
Day 59 (Wednesday 14/7) Tunnel Creek Press for map linkWe said goodbye to our Adelaide friends then drove back along the Gibb River road towards Derby. The Windjana Gorge road had only just been opened so we drove to the campsite and set up our camper. By the time we enjoyed a relaxing lunch the graders finished fixing the road onto Tunnel creek (after the rains from over a week ago) so we finally were able to complete our desire to get to walk into Tunnel creek. Mikayla was quite worried about wading through the underground creek in the dark (helped only by torch light) because of the fresh water crocodiles but we made it out to the other side without seeing any. The river was gorgeous at the other end of the tunnel so we relaxed there for awhile before journeying back into the dark tunnel. It was quite a unique experience. Sunset on the rocks of Windjana Gorge was a specky sight back at camp, then after tea it was heads down again for journal writing (kids) and blog updating!
Tunnel Creek , amazing and lots of fun
Funny cow eating the road block, apparently they love eating plastic ?
Miky at another beautiful camp site, Windjana gorge
Day 60 (15/7) Back to Derby Press for map linkWe enjoyed walking into Windjana Gorge and seeing some of the local fresh water crocodiles before driving back along the Gibb River Road to Derby. Here we will restock and finally update this blog so you can see what we have been up to for well over a week! Hope you enjoy the added photo’s to go with the previous text update.
Lots of crocs and close up, lucky they are freshies
Mikayla being very brave (or silly ?)
Next it is up to Cape Leveque area now that the rain has stopped and the roads are open, so we will be out of range again for a few days. We will keep you posted as soon as we can.
Love from the Schrapels
XXxxx
Hi my name is Ben Murphy and I am the Travel Editor for 4WD Action Magazine. We are currently looking for freelance contributers to supply content for our magazine as well as other titles including Camper Trailer Touring and Overlander Magazine. After reading your blog and viewing the great photography I would like to invite you to submit an article to the magazine. If published we will pay $700 per article and if you are planning any future travel we may be interested in more submissions. If you are interested please email me at bmurphy@expresspublications.com.au to discuss the matter further.
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