On to the Gibb - Windjana Gorge - Mount Hart Station Saturday 23 June

Had an early start (for us) and were soon at the junction of the Gibb Road. Turned east. The road was in remarkably good condition. Must have been recently graded. Our first point of interest was Queen Victoria’s Head – a rock that looks like the Queen. We then left the flat country and started to climb the King Leopold Ranges. Stopped at Inglis Gap for a photo shoot, then turned to go to Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge. Found a camping sight but bit disappointing as access to the river is limited by the undergrowth and access to the gorges is via a very rocky road. We decided to treat ourselves and went to the Lodge for dinner. It was very nice. They served hot entrees first and then sat down to roast chicken and vegetables followed by desert. It was served with wine.

This is an ideal place to do a star trail but my effort last night was not a success.

Rainbow Bee Eater

Jan - Windjana Gorge

Windjana Gorge

Windjana Gorge Friday 22 June

Made an executive decision to stay another day here. The gorge is quite beautiful with lots of fresh water crocodiles lying on the banks. This gorge was formed 350 million years ago and was part of the Devonian Reef. Today they are part of the Napier Range – a chain of limestone ranges that rise above the Fitzroy River. The cliffs are almost black.

The gorge itself is 3.5km long and was carved through the Napier Range by floodwaters of the Lennard River. We did a short walk into the gorge in the afternoon yesterday so today Allan, Jo and I went in the morning. Jo turned back so Allan and I decided to keep going to the end of the gorge walk. Found a number of my favourite Rainbow Bee Eaters on the way so managed to get some nice pictures of them.

As we had only intended to do the walk we did yesterday, we did not take a water bottle. Bad move!!! By the time we got back, we were both exhausted and in need of water to rehydrate. Slept for a couple of hours in the arvo to recover. Lots of campers in the park.

Windjana Gorge

 This is a freshwater croc!!! Pretty big, Huh?

Fitzroy Crossing – Windjana Gorge Thursday June 21

Fitzroy Crossing – Windjana Gorge Thursday June 21

Our plan for the day was to drive to Tunnel Creek, stop for a look and then drive on to Windjana Gorge. When we got to the dirt road, we had to cross a fairly deep creek that was full of water. Shortly after, Jo said, “Can you hear a bell ringing?” I couldn’t so we went on a bit further. Then Jo noticed that the Prodigy (brakes to the van) were on when they should not have been. Stopped. Out to look and smell! Brake drums on the van were pretty hot so we decided to sit and let them cool. Once they were cool se set off again. Another creek crossing and the brakes were on again. We were very proud of ourselves as we began problem solving. Pulled out the connection and water poured out of it so we dried it out, reconnected and waited for the brakes to cool again then set off very slowly.  Guess What? Another creek crossing and the same thing. Meanwhile, Allan and Pat were at Tunnel Creek waiting for us. A car came along so we flagged it down and asked the to let Pat and Allan know that we were coming. We think the problem was that when Jo connected the brakes, she did not push it far enough in and once it got wet it re-acted.

Pat and Allan were relieved when we arrived. I didn’t even ask to stop to take photos even though there were some great shots of the Boab Trees against the Devonian Reef.

Decided not to go through Tunnel Creek and drove on to Windjana Gorge and have a great camp site. Hot showers and flushing toilets. 

Windjana Gorge

Allan Jo Pat Windjana Gorge