Here's the plan. Fly to Broome, via Perth (Covid permitting). Rent an Apollo 4WD Adventure Campervan and drive east along the Great Northern Highway via Fitzroy Crossing, Hall's Creek, and the Bungle Bungle (aka Purnululu) to Kununurra to restock. Then drive west along the famous Gibb River Road, staying at El Questro and other places, back to Broome to return the campervan. If there is time, we shall drive up the Dampier Peninsula towards Cape Leveque.
Next, fly back to Kununurra and join a small cruise boat (20 passengers) called Odyssey to explore the Kimberley coast back to Broome. Fly home.
On holiday at last!
Sturt desert pea in Broome
Wrinkly face in Broome
On the road to Fitzroy Crossing
Bungle Bungle camp ground
Whistling kite at Walardi campground
Bungle Bungle
Walking in to Echidna Chasm
Elephant Rock
Chink in Elephant Rock
Reminiscent of Hundertwasser
Echidna Chasm
Echidna Chasm
Echidna Chasm
Echidna Chasm
Helicopter flight over Purnululu
Bungle Bungle (Purnululu) is about 100 times the size of Uluru Park. Very impressive.
View from Kungkalanayi Lookout
View from Kungkalanayi Lookout, just before the lunar eclipse
Cathedral Gorge, Purnululu National Park
After the amazing Purnululu, we drove to Kununurra, a relatively well resourced town in the east of the Kimberley. Two nights in the Kimberleyland Waterfront Park were comfortable, and allowed a restock.
Lakeside at the Kimberleyland campground
We made a trip up to Wyndham, and visited the Marlgu Billabong bird-watching site.
Great Egret
Next, heading west along the famous Gibb River Road. First stop Emma Gorge.
Sapphire Pool at Emma Gorge
Emma Gorge
The southern side of the Gibb River Road is the El Questro Wilderness Park.
Madi (8) in the horse trekking stable
A big baobab tree
Checking the water depth into the El Questro Gorge
We got through OK; this car followed us.
El Questro gorge
A dip in 'half-way pool'.
Sunset at Pigeonhole Lookout
Rock Wallaby in Chamberlain Gorge, El Questro
Chamberlain Gorge cliff
Saltwater crocodile
Dingo
Pentecost River crossing
George swimming at Elanbrae
Rosella flower
Old skills as a Girl Guide being brought out.
Plover at Mount Elizabeth
Corrugations on the Gibb River Road
Road train generating dust
Road trains carrying live cattle
Plenty wrecks
Might have to hire a replacement vehicle!
A Kimberley character: Nev the Tyre Guy from 'Beyond the Range'.
Beyond the Range
At Manning River you have to swim a river with your dry gear in a floating bucket before walking to the beautiful gorge. The crocs are only freshwater and relatively safe.
Walk to Manning Gorge
A big boab at Manning Gorge campground
Manning Falls
Manning River near the camp
Characters in Manning campground
Nikki, the guide at Charnley River Station. It is run by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, dedicated to research into land management to preserve wildlife. Their other station nearby is the famous Mornington Wilderness Camp. It was booked out, but is a recommended spot for people with time to book ahead. Charnley was great.
Brown Honeyeater
Monarch butterfly
George birdwatching
Bachelor's buttons
Bevan, the Charnley camp host
Silent Grove campsite, near Bell Gorge.
George at Bell Gorge
Dalmanyi (Bell Gorge) in the King Leopold Range
We decided to pass on more gorges and corrugations, and bypass Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek and press on to the Dampier Peninsular and Cape Leveque. Most places were booked out, but we found a small off-the-beaten-track option called Smithy's Seaside Adventures. It is run by an aboriginal family on Pender Bay. A very relaxing few days in a gorgeous place.
Red pindan cliffs on Pender Bay
George listening to an audio-book on a beachwalk.
One often meets interesting people in campgrounds. A GP and his family that I knew from the Gold Coast, and a young family from Freemantle on an extended trip.
Paul, a retired GP from the Gold Coast
Paul's sister Robyn.
Clancy, from Freemantle.
Albert his brother
Harriet their sister
Julia, their Mum.
Pender Bay from the drone
Smithy's place
Sunset
Beach fishing rig
We returned the campervan to Broome with some relief. The van was minimally equipped and we feared a puncture with only one spare and very limited equipment. In the event all went well, and we flew back to Kununurra to prepare for the next stage; the cruise. The Kimberleyland Waterfront Holiday Park is a good place to stay.
Comb-crested jacana (Irediparra gallinacea), also known as the lotusbird or lilytrotter
A Great Bowerbird preparing his bower.
A Rock Wallaby in a cave
Fabulous looking trip, photos and people.
ReplyDeleteAmazing pics so far. The colours are fabulous especially the last one, above, at Pigeonhole Lookout.
ReplyDeleteWe look forward to the updates! You look like you are having a ball :)
Ross and Shari
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ReplyDeleteCan't go wrong with a camera in that part of the world. Glad you finally got up there Dave, well done.
ReplyDeleteWhat an adventure! Wonderful photos too. I especially love the photos from El Questro. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMaryEllen
What a trip! Wonderful. Great photos. Thank you for sharing! MaryEllen
ReplyDeleteI was with you in each of these photos... my heart took an extra at the thought of having to do such a deep water crossing though. Thanks for sharing this with us. You both look like you are having fun in this beautiful country.
ReplyDeleteHi Dave & George. Many thanks for sharing this blog and the wonderful photos. It is very timely for us, because we are ourselves off to WA in August for a month-long road trip, to Ningaloo Reef and other parts. Nothing quite as adventurous as you guys though. Stay safe. Shack & Kate xx
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