Day trip into Broome

No sleep ins here I'm afraid just the usual ritual of suns up and so we should be as canvas doesn't save you from the suns warming glare for long.

Corinna made a coffee and I was up shortly after as the kettle boiled .

Brekky of spaghetti on toast went down a treat .

We gathered our washing to take into town and also a empty water jerry to refill.

It took us a little over 30 minutes to arrive into Broome where first stop was Cable Beach which was pretty busy for a early Tuesday morning but it was high tide .

The beach patrol was setup with its safety flags and beach shop with its seats umbrellas and boards was doing a good trade it seems as there was nearly 50 or so shade umbrellas setup.

We just took a few pics and watched as wee had stuff to do for now.

We then took off for Gaunthaume point past the racecourse and explored the amazing rock formations amidst a turbulent high tide making water pools on the higher rocks .

We only managed to find the recreated dinosaur footprints here as it was in the low tide area or so we were told .

Back in town we did our shopping and grabbed a snorkel set for Ej and Shahla a boogie board to use later .

While here we also got the kids some much needed clothes and underwear .

We drove up the road to another plaza to get some groceries to tide us through another week and to fill the cruiser up with diesel at the bargain price ( compared to recent prices) of $1.64.9 cpl .

All this done we spent the afternoon on cable beach but being low tide we walked a fair way out but had a good afternoon in the waves ,Shahla and dash using her body board .

It was around 5 we filled a water jerry and headed back to camp .

We had curried snags on rice then some milk rice for dessert before we all called it a night as we were a fair bit tired from swimming .

James Price Point

It's hard not to love waking up to red ochre cliffs from just outside our camper window knowing the sun is only minutes from peering over the tops of them and beginning our day yet again on our marvellous western shores .

The sun played an important part of our lives here , obviously offering warmth and light but also to recharge our batteries now powering the two arb units one acting as a freezer as it looked like the cheap ebay solar regulator was not charging the batteries as it had been doing fine for months but no even worse possibly back feeding and draining at just over 1 amp which is significant in itself.

The fridge had been relocated to the camper in a shady location handy to the kitchen and was performing well to the end of today although the to deep cycle batteries had copped nearly 35 % more than their usual use with the extra fridge and now a few toys added as well , it looked like a good test and things being equal should continue indefinitely as long as we played it smart with adding water to the fridges and freezer as used not as 6 litres per hit ( after all beer should be drank cold hey !)

Morning cuppa's in the still brisk light of day were as tranquil as it be with three children around.

We made the most of the mornings cool tidings with homework all round with Shahla breezing through hers with great endeavour and Ej eventually caving in with formulas and soon had finished a good section , dash however dragged the chain as usual and was distracted at every comment by all if us but eventually did his set work.

The hard yards over for all ( yes it's a burden we hate most days!) we sun screened up for a swim down on the beach shortly after high tide .

We took the cruiser to a place just in view of camp and in the nice white sand amidst the rocky shores here and we spied several turtle tracks near the point and made a mental note to check them out tonight on high tide .

After a half hour of walking and swimming we were turned off but a few jelly fish around with warmer water approaching stinger season we played it safe and waded the edges to cool off and me getting my belly a little sunburnt after taking my shirt off , doh!

Then a quick drive around the lower beach area and discovered a full turtle shell close to camp which had been cooked up and no doubt eaten but the locals recently as it's inside shell still contained the skeletal bones.

A few ninja turtle like poses from dash and then we explored  the other bay nearby looking rugged but beautiful nonetheless .

After a quick dash up the track for phone signal which never came , we went back to camp and were reading all round except for Shahla and dash who played in the damp sand with trucks .

We watched the magnificence of the sunset by seaside yet again before tea and a fairly early night for all of us partly owing to the early sunsets .

 

Imintji to Windjana Gorge NP

While we awoke early there wasn't a big rush to head off as the community store opened at 8 am as we awoke a cyclist backpacker was just packing his tent and was on his merry way down the Gibb .

Not long later we crossed the creek and fueled up and grabbed some early morning ice creams.

We stopped at the town dump to empty the last few days rubbish out of the camper and we took off for the King Leopold range with a few nice pics along the way then a misleading drive to the Leopold gorge 8 Kms in and proceeded to walk in when a sign said it was only to the lookout above the gorge not the water below so we said bugger that it was too hot not to swim .

Back out onto the gibb it was past kookaburra rock then the valley and queen Victorias plump head rock then a left turn after the dry expansive river bed onto Windjana gorge campground twenty something Kms later where we paid the exorborent entry fees and camping fees before setting up in a well shaded area hiding from afternoon and morning sun .

A quick shift around of the fridge and freezer due to a loose wiring of a charge lead on the dc- dc charger and setting up the solar panel we set off for Tunnel creek cave for lunch and to explore .

Only three other people were in the car park here , we had yet another episode with Ej and some lunch of yummy salad wraps and we torched up and donned boots ready for the walk .

The entrance was a bit of a rocky clambour and then a splash down , we were in the cave system following the creek .a stroll along the rocky shores in the huge tunnel and then we had to go into the creek where it was up to shahla's belly and I spied some orange eyes on the shoreline and hesitated before conforming yes it was a crocodile in the almost black water ahead .

Luckily they were all freshies here but we were too see all 5 of them before we had merged out the other side .

Along the way we also spied many large cherubin , archer fish and bream some attracted to our bright lights others darting for cover .

The largest freshie was hanging around a small limestone waterfall halfway before the roof cave in area , Corinna was being very brave , as she wasn't the biggest fan of caves or any type of crocodile and the other kids were taking it all in their stride making it a proud family afternoon despite one sons earlier outburst .

I think the previous highlight of W.A ( Lake Argyle ) had now been superseded by this natural wonder and it was free from Mother Nature but wasn't easily accessed by the multitudes .

We stopped shortly after the caved in roof section where a colony of bats had taken up residency in the ceiling of the cave  by the thousands .

Seemed like a good spot for a pic as light was better for the Nikon Dslr so I paced forwards and turned to face the family and just as I snapped a few images a bar shit fair and square down corinna's top making a stinky black mess which was making her gag and us laugh hysterically ( nice sympathetic family that we were , lol , not !) , Corinna mentioned it actually smelt sweet at first( fermented fruit I imagine !) before she wiped it away in the creek water .

We walked through two more substantial patches of cold creek water and a few more freshies before reaching the end of the cave with some stalactites visible with the naked eye above us .

Back out the warmth was onto us immediately so after a quick drink and snack we ventured back the way we had come but enjoying it even more this time around .

We passed so e other travellers along the way back though the cave who didn't know about the crocs and were a little wary after this , oops !

Wet boots off at the car and another cold drink we headed back to camp for a walk along the almost dry Windjana gorge riverbed where between 70 - 100 freshies convinced us it wasn't worth a splash in the murky waters to cool down so a walk along the gorge before sunset it was waiting for bats to be feasted upon by the large number of crocs around but no luck there either .

Interesting rock formations abounded here which made for some excellent low light photos .

Sunset pics weren't real good here but that was ok .

Back at the campgound Ej made tuna patties as a sign of repentance of his earlier actions and fresh salad complimented the dish as did our tasty soy bean mayonnaise we so dearly loved .

Most of us relaxed with a book by head lamp then a nice shower in the fairly good facilities considering.

A cooler breeze had arrived and signalled a good nights sleep , wow I'm loving the Kimberly .

Russ creek to saddler springs ( Imintji )

The night was cooler than I thought it would be but crazy had warned this to be the case around Mt Elisabeth station , nevertheless it was welcome as was the shade we had chosen to camp in for a cooler packup.

We made our way back onto the gibb only a hundred metres down the track and within minutes I had pulled up after coming up the gibb range  as the passenger rear qtr window was popped out on a weird angle , hmmm more corrugations damage lol, plastic covers off I discovered the push clip had gone missing in action and no nut I had would fit it so I taped it up and made a makeshift clip which held fine .

A short time later we passed the Kalumbaru turnoff and a gazetted campsite with toilets there as well but owing to the lateness off the dry season and not carrying extra fuel to lighten the trailer and car weight I decided not to do this track at this time but definitely another time when there was more greener pastures around .

Then shortly after we crossed the mostly dry Gibb river for the first time and then over the Hann river which had us talking about our time in Cape York last June / July , a great time was had there !.

The Mt Elizabeth station turnoff came up on our right and the long start of the Munja track which was on my personal bucket list but after yarns with a few that had done it recently I thought the fee asked a little too pricey and saved the fuel anyway but again one day I would be back to make the corrugated journey to Walcott inlet and hopefully some big barra.

Isn't that what happens when you travel to do something , once you get there you just want to do something more especially when someone camped nearby tells you about this so called exclusive place or a photo that beckons you to check it out in reality .

We then took the turnoff to Barnett river gorge and bumped our way into the campgound and springs below but was a little dismayed at a donga being placed at the campground complete with bunks air con and power coupling for a small generator to power the shack , signs had been moved and I thought it odd and maybe that someone had tried to claim this spot as their own , anyway a drive down to the creek and back a snack all round with a cool drink and we continued on but all agreed it was a nice little location that would be great with more than the current spring fed trickle .

Next was Mt Barnett roadhouse and a short refreshment stoping ask about medical advice for dash which went unheaded  and a phone call we decided against fuel as it was 15 cents cheaper at the next community and I hoped the money would be put to a more beneficial cause .

The day was getting on so we stopped for lunch at Galvan gorge and helped out some travellers from Karratha who needed some battery terminals to fix their new battery they got down the road at " over the top tyre and mechanical " or "ol mate "as he was referred to , lol.

This worked out well as we got some Panadol for dashmans earache which had subsided but was still present as we had used nearly all of our neurogenic , Panadol and ear drops .

Off on the gorge walk we went spotting a multitude off birdlife which we ticked off then arrived at the waterfall and billabong but decided against a swim as we were unsure of croc activity here , pity because it looked pretty good to me and swing ropes had me half convinced it was safe till I remembered a few spots in Kakadu similar .

We drove past Adcock gorge owing to the afternoon sun and the longer walk in .

An hour or so later we arrive at Saddler creek springs next to Imintji and decided the water and ropes were to good to pass up here so we camped the night and swam for hours before dark and enjoyed another red Kimberly sunset and a hearty meal by head lamp light .

Lake Argyle W.A

Well another day down well spent , really just chilling talking swimming ( but of course !) and a run into the local hospital as dashmans possible ear infection had become more painful and ultimately all of us due to his constant whining so we shot of into town on this public holiday around lunchtime after a lazy  morning around the camp and swimming in the infinity pool .

The Homestead while I thought  a little pricey for the less than helpful lady on the counter was great to see and learn from from pictures and Storyboards around.

Then a look at Dead Horse Springs with a nice full pool of water attracting varied birdlife and a rather large wallaroo nearby.

Then down to the another spillway ( of which apparently there was 5 here on the lake !) and watch the beautiful coloured water stream it's way back down into the Ord river .

From here we made the decision to take dash to the ER as that was all that was open and with the Gibbb and some more isolation coming up we best get on top off it .

We had no dramas getting seen to in record time but was soon booted out after two nurses were needed stat ( apparent medical term , lol).

Rather blasé Locum confirmed swimmers ear and gave the appropriate drops as it was fairly common here and the chemist want open till Tommorow and no paperwork filled in here which we surmised was typical owing to a family member often dealing with this particular hospitals lack of paperwork .

Groceries were topped up and grog brought which was an eye opener as it was a first in W.A for take away as it was a slab or 3 bottles of wine or I bottle of spirits , quite obviously not anegh for a 3-4 week stint along the gibb before derby .

This was the main reason for staying the extra night here at Lake Argyle , so that we can get groceries fuel and alcohol for the next few weeks as fuel was exxy along gibb rd and take away forbidden ..

Already some homesteads had closed for the season , this being a good and bad for us as some private resorts still had gorges open but at own risk and free the same for a few campsites .

Our neighbour here got us keen on some off track places along the Gibbb and this was now our plan for this part of the trip as we had no luck with working a few weeks at manning gorge as it was filled today , ce la vie as I hadn't rang two days before hand .

Back at camp dash was still irritable on the ear front but we felt more at ease then I cooked up a rolled brisket ( the first in over 20 years I think for me !) with mustard gravy and pasta Alfredo , Ej and dash enjoyed the slow cooked cut of beef but Corinna and in thought it a little less trimmed than the norm and this moisture infusion these wankers use is crap , but I can't wait to hit Perth and do a real one from scratch on the webber stuffed , rolled and tied .

We were the first can off the rank tonight for dishes fortunately as many had piled up later with at least 5 or 6 others waiting patiently as a travelling family camped close were more than a little pedantic on dishes hygiene with pretty pink gloves donned much to the amusement of waiting patrons and ourselves as we were camped right on the camp kitchen .

A nice drop of single malt from Scotland from Shane and Sam next door and another beer and bed time was looming nearer and looking good after two big sessions here yesterday with the cruise and the grand final the previous day .

Kimberly dreaming -this had to be what it was all about wasn't it , today provided some excellent views yet again and the halls creek fault line now a part of our knowing up here explaining the Kimberly  style of folding rock lines which makeup this spectacular west of oz .

The evening was a little windy so we held off packing up our awing earlier for a quicker getaway .

A quiet night In the dark talking about future tracks amongst ourselves and we were all beat .

Fletchers Creek to Kunnunurra

Throughout the night another two campers setup , one strangely enough an older couple setup a shanti under the bridge in the mozzie zone not sure why as it wasn't going to rain and the river was all but dry , only enough to breed mozzies and strand hundreds of fish , the other was a massive yank tank with a massive trailer behind loaded to the hilt for only two people who took nearly a good half hour of driving forward then back and around trying to get sorted and revving loudly with a little yelling as can happen I know after a long day on the road.

It didn't take long to get to Turkey creek where we absolutely had to stop on the name alone for Jordan Dole and the kids with the big turkey joke still on their minds lol.

Trailer tyres fully aired and a snack all round we continued up the great northern highway where twenty minutes later we spotted and elderly gent on a touring push bike heavily laden with a flat tyre , so we turned around to offer assistance and luckily we did it looked like although he was fairly fit it was hot out here to be doing this type of travelling .

 Two of his spares were only 20 inch bmx inner tubes that would never fit his 26 inch tyres , he must have been sold the wrong ones but wasn't too fussed about it as he had ridden from cairns weeks ago and this was his first flat.

A lovely hour later after assisting with valves , water and refitting his complex inner geared hub we swapped credentials and he explained  he was German ( of course lol!) and that he wrote books on his travels which were quite popular and did tours of Europe explaining his ventures to forums over there and they were amazed at Australia's hospitality especially in the outback .

He had promised to send a book so we shall see on that but it would be interesting .

An hour and a half later we were crossing the roadworks on the diversion dam heading east across the  lower ord river which was a welcome change to previous dry and dusty conditions .

We booked into town at Kimberly land caravan park for three nights as recommended by our good travelling friends and former work colleagues geoff and Steph Bell ( top people who we talk to still regularly ) .

A good price for three nights and I was happy so we took off into town (after setting up with all shade being taken advantage of next to bow the Boab tree next door) for some fresh fruit and veggies as we needed some after crossing yet another quarantine border .

Being a Coles it was fairly reasonably priced and I'm not sure how but we spent just $20 short of $400 which would last two to three weeks we hoped , enough till Derby we hoped unless we took a job we had heard about for a few weeks care taking on a private gorge along the Gibb river road .

Home at the park we stashed the food and enjoyed lunch but the pool and kicked back for the remainder of the afternoon and watched yet another brilliant sunset 

Kunnunara

It's the morning ritual again must be 5 am and no dramas getting up and at it here as the mornings are brilliant .

A cuppa brekky and a shower for some of us ,the rest were good .

I put a new bolt in the lower front passenger shock mount as the other one was broken and MIA which upset our park owner as there was no mechanical repairs to be done on site but quite frankly stiff bikkies.

We had let the park know about our extra night so that was sorted , and we took off towards Wyndham, our first stop being Molly springs. A mere 17 Kms down the road and a few more off road into the local hideout of Molly Springs where after a short walk and a wade through a smaller pools edge we reached the spring fed waterfall of Molly Springs and the water was still going over with the pool below a pristine clear picture of this area .

We wasted no time getting in , the boys and I by jumping in the deep end the girls by a slow wade before the plunge .

We spent an hour or so here jumping diving bombing into the tranquil cool waters and it wasn't even 9am lol.

We were joined by a local worker and his backpacker partner who were just relishing the sunshine .

A wet sandy  walk back to the cruiser and a cool drink then back on the sealed road to Wyndham , a short while later we took the grotto road turn off to another Kimberly oasis ! The Grotto  .

We grabbed some snaps from above and spied the cool water below and a rope swing , yippee we were in like Flynn but the mrs was more than a little edgy about the unbarriered walk down the 150 tentative steps to get there.

Once there we passed a few other travellers and said our hellos before the kids and I were on the massive mooring line now used as a rope swing into the pool below with different heights achieved along the rock ledges .

Shahla was more keen than the boys and she easily went higher, being shorter and all .

I was the last to go and being the tool that I am had to go higher , a massive swing later I could have sworn I hit a turtle or something hard in the water as I nearly reached the other side .

On the walk out we surmised it to be possibly a little rock shelf I hit as I kicked off to swim back .

Back up the steps to the car with the eldest being a complete dick and carrying on which I don't normally mention but it was getting to near critical levels and needed to be dealt with .

That aside it was an awesome morning .

Another 40 Kms we were in Wyndham , a pleasant little spot but I'm glad it was just a day visit as from what we seen and enjoyed it paled alongside the greater Kunnunara area.

We took in the port area first and the new wharf but the tide was massive so we passed on throwing a line and weren't up for the historical museum ( something for adults later I think !).

We drove past the mine loading dock and some interesting parts of the port before heading back to the town proper and on to the heights above for the five rivers lookout where the view were amazing excepting the smoke haze filled horizon which didn't help for good shots but was a great vista none the less.

Hot dogs with cheese and the last of the home made sauce for lunch with cool drinks as the breeze was warm and sun blazing up here with little shade .

Back in town and a pic of the giant croc then a talk with a local family who made amazing carved boabs pods with intricate carvings of the turtle and crocodile that she was looking to sell , I would have but all that stuff would likely break in the camper which was a shame .

Just out of Wyndham we came across a silly tradie that had tried to do a u turn on roadworks while talking on the phone and he got stuck on a grader scraping with his trailer sticking dangerously across the road on a roadworks area so I helped snatch him back down the other side away from the dangerous side tipping road trains that tend not to slow down or move over.

This done using my as new snatch strap ( thanks Adam ) and promises of a carton the universal top end currency to be delivered to our site this arvo ( yeah right !!) all done and dusted although it did break my reversing camera grrrr.

A quick trip back to Kunnunara stopping off at the town side of the Ivanhoe crossing but as the sun was unrelenting and little shade we gave a flick of lures a miss for the day, it's a pity the crossing is closed as I was really looking forward to it .

Back at camp and some housework of cleaning out the freezer and reorganising it then a swim with a cold drink before tea.

Busy night in the pool area tonight but we still managed to use the BBQ for our tea with salad chatting with friendly families both from Aus and overseas .

Still not happy about early sunrises but it does cool it down a bit 

Well it's now 730 pm and no sign of my carton of piss , bloody trades lol you get that .

Everyone is looking to head to bed as it had been another big active day.