Windjana Gorge

 
Headed out nice and early from Purnululu. Our packup is getting more and more efficent now! Once again just took it easy on the road and had no problems. Stopped at Hall's creek to refuel and had to queue for 20 mins as there were only 2 pumps working as some local kids had bust up the other ones in town. Mananged to pick up some milk, fresh fruit and bread as well which was a bonus. The road from there to Fitzroy Crossing was pretty dull and monotonous. We did stop at a very nice rest area (Mary's something or the other) for a shady lunch under the gum trees. Decided to head to Windjana Gorge that day instead of stopping at Lawarra station as originally planned as we were making good time. Fitzroy Crossing was pretty rough and unpleasant and aside from topping up on fuel we kept going. The road to Windjana Gorge from there is another legendary 'awful' unsealed road. Left down the tyre pressure and braced ourselves for the corrugations but honestly it wasn't that bad at all. Couple of sharp sections where the limestone appears on the surface but we just took it handy and got thru unscathed. Did met a couple of young women who had absolutely shredded a tire but they had just finished changing it when we arrived. Tunnel Creek is currently closed as there is some fault/gap appearing over the entrance so I guess no-one wants to risk being trapped under tons of rock or on the wrong side of a rock fall. The drive was so stunning again as we drove parallel to a limestone ridge (possibly Devastonian range?) most of the way with some spectacular boabs growing amongst the rocky shards of limestone. Arrived at Windjana Gorge campsite at sunset so quickly setup. Good campground, flushing toilets and hot showers!!! but very dusty underneath.

Walked up the 3.5km thru the gorge the next day. Its very spectacular and different with the classic limestone jagged spikes and cliffs. The river winds thru it and forms a beautiful sandy beach near the start of the gorge and there are some massive melaleucas. Spotted 17 freshwater crocs on the walk up the gorge and 28 on the way down as they came out as the day grew hotter. relaxed for the rest of the day, keeping an eye on the cheeky bower bird who kept stealing stuff from the campsite. He stole our grey soap holder and also half my tooth brush holder so had to send the kids into the bower to retrieve those. He did entertain us for our stay tho so not complaining too much!!

From there we went to Mt Hart Wilderness Lodge. The 10kms from the gorge to the Gibb River Road had some very impressive corrugations so that was a bone jarring 20 minutes! Think this caused another crack in one of our under tray toolboxes which is now being held together with a tie down strap. The Gibb River Road itself was very impressive surface wise. Occasional corrugation and potholes but really one of the best unsealed roads we've seen. Stayed at Mt Hart for a night which is 50km off the road and just the most beautiful shaded AND grassed area plus flush toilets, showers and a swimming hole off the end of the campground. Lots of very strange dark brown/black dolerite exposed on these ranges and went for a swim at Dolerite Gorge which was very refreshing. We even got offered a caretaker's job for the wet season to keep an eye on the place for 8 months til the end of next year's wet. Highly tempted but then I remembered that would mean home schooling so that shot that idea in the head!! The road in/out was rough but ok if you took your time.