Hello again from the happy travellers! We've been a week away from politics, footy, news .....and haven't missed it a bit - only missed contact with family and friends.
It's been a wonderful experience travelling long this iconic road and we are very glad we've done it. We would actually love to be turning around and going back along the Gibb to see the bits we missed! The Kimberley's are a beautiful part of Australia with fantastic scenery and we've loved every bit. We've seen so many gorgeous gorges we've almost become blasé about them. We've been fortunate that the recent rains meant we saw waterfalls and rivers running and the country looking so lush and green. The road was surprisingly very good in places but fairly rough in others. Some spots were a bit sticky like this bit going out of Manning Gorge campground!
First stop was Windjana Gorge where we set up in a pretty spot with a magnificent mountainous backdrop. The gorge is home to 120 fresh water crocs and it was fascinating watching them sunning on the banks or just lazing in the water - (or lazing on a log like this chappie!) We felt quite envious as they had the best spot - and we weren't going swimming with them!!
Tunnel Creek was interesting as you walk 750metres through this amazing tunnel - as we had to walk through water, and his water shoes are sitting at home, Darryl borrowed Sam Brays idea: - very effective but not very fashionable. Duck tape is pretty versatile stuff!
Bell Gorge has a beautiful tiered waterfall and we had a rather strenuous climb to reach it but it was well worth the effort.
We have however experienced some strange visitors around our camps - from a small Python which scared the wits out of Tops, to renegade bulls, to this beautiful praying mantis. He was huge and had red under his wings and looked quite dragon like.
Manning Gorge presented another beautiful waterfall, accessed by a 2.5km little track across the river in a little boat and pulley system, through long grass and up and over rocks - we felt like mountain goats!
Crossing the Manning River.
To add to the trek, we were caught up in a thunderstorm so must have looked funny walking in our bathers in the rain! We had a quick dip then marched back the 2.5km to camp to find it quite damp! We actually had to wait a while the next morning for the track to dry out a bit before we could leave. We were hoping we weren't going to be stranded for 5 days like lots of campers were when the Manning River rose to 2 metres! Some silly people still tried to get across, the result being a couple of write offs!
We deviated off the Gibb River road up the Kalumburu road to Drysdale Station. This is the road to the Mitchell Falls and plateau but we've heard consistent reports of the road being terrible so we sadly gave that a miss. At Drysdale we were camped by the river where we could wallow in the shallow waters and watch the prolific bird life -(all kinds of finches except the elusive Gouldian one!)
The lovely sandy bottomed Drysdale River. We could easily walk across.
Our last stop along the river was at Ellenbrae. We are in a lovely bush campsite with a swimming hole not far away and we have unique amenities including this bush bath!!
Along the road we met up with Shane and Tristy from Ocean Grove who also own a camper like Dennis and Tops. We shared several evenings with them and enjoyed their company. Then this morning we stopped to chat to a Queensland couple in a van like ours. There aren't many Lifestyle vans around.
From here we are heading to the Bungle Bungles which will be another adventure. We look forward to catching up on family news - hope your birthday was great Dusty, have a great time in Noosa Tim and Ell and happy packing for your Bali trip Josh and Jess.
Till next time love from us four xxxxxx.
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