Curiosity got the better of us as we headed out of Wyndham, we wanted to go check out a prison boab tree. Well this little tourist attraction lead us on an interesting path to reach the Gibb River Road. Karunjie road - what an adventure! We didn't know what was ahead, the lady on the hotline of the major sign said "yeah road is open, friends did it a few weeks ago and they said it was all good". Ha! One persons interpretation of the condition of a dirt road is totally different to the next person you speak too. This little adventurous road took us around the base of the Cockburn Ranges. Spectacular sight as you bump along the track that takes you through the El Questro Station. A road that we learnt is for the pastoralists and fair dinky di outdoor adventurers or tourists that are on an expensive day tour put on by the station.
(Trip around Karunjie road looking out at the Cockburn ranges)
El Questro Station
Zeebedee Springs - the name says it all. With a name like Zeebedee it was sure to be a cool place to visit. Thermal springs flowing down through the native palm trees and rocks. Great bath to start the day.
Emma Gorge, a little treasure located at the end of the track at the Emma Gorge Resort. We figured it must be alright when we were walking up to it when 2 guys came sprinting past us with bare feet. The track was dirt with sharp rocks sticking out everywhere. You could feel some of the sharp rocks in proper shoes let alone bare feet at pace. Turns out the lads had grown up in the area, with it being their backyard they do it all the time. Climbing up over the last mound of rocks we were greeted by an enchanting watering hole. Soaking up the ambience of the place we stayed for a good hour before retiring to the bar for a well earned beverage.
Home Valley Station
Just what we were looking for, a place to call 'home' for 2 nights. Not over crowded, an awesome bar in an open shed and an inviting pool in the 40c heat. It just so happened to be the station where I snagged my first barra on my 1st fishing experience. The barra just happened to be approx 1.2 metres according to our fisherman guide Tom. If you haven't heard the story already we decided to fill in 4 hours with a spot of fishing down on the muddy banks of the banks of the Pentecost River. Amazing afternoon cause I snagged a barra. The station had a more friendly feel about it then El Questro and a far better outlook onto the Cockburn Ranges and the Pentecost river.
El Questro Station was lovely but for us it was too commercialised it was missing its rustic outback appeal. Home Valley Station on the other hand had it all just right.
Further down the Gibb River Road
Due to bush fires in the area a lot of the places we were planning to visit were closed. This turned the Gibb River road stint of the trip from 9 days down to 4. Once we left Home Valley we set off again for what turned out to be one of our longer days of travelling. Thankfully we fuelled up on the famous scones at Ellenbrae Station that took us all the way to Windjana Gorge. The colour of the rock at Windjana Gorge was fantastic. Black mostly with orange sprinkled throughout. Not rock you see just anywhere. Another feature of this part of the world was Tunnel Creek. Was a little disappointed that there were no guided tours still running. According to 'Ranger Stacey' the guide stopped them only in the last we cause it was too hot. Man if I am out there then it can't be too bad. Never fear, Damian knows a lot of stuff, he tells me "Morton & Nigel" taught him all he knows so we did our own tour of the tunnel. It was neat inside, didn't go through to the bat infested area, didn't fancy going near them.
Overall the Gibb was fun but unfortunately for us over too soon due to fires but fortunately this meant we picked up a few extras days to spend elsewhere.
No comments:
Post a Comment