(Click on photos and they enlarge)
From Wyndham we headed further west to the Bungle Bungles (Purnululu) NP
The entrance to the NP and our campsite is 1 km down the road.
The 53 kms of road to the NP is through the private lease land of the Mable Station.
We did the 4x4 bus tour into the Bungle Bungles which was just as well. The road had huge corrigations most of the way and I am sure reduces even the best 4 wheel drive vehicles to tears.
There were helicopter flights from the camp. Not in our budget unfortunately.
Another great sunset in OZ
Part of the road in.
Magic honey comb formations everywhere.
That is a 2 mtr termite mound on the face of the rock away from the floods of the wet seasons, with covered paths down to the valley floor to their food!!
The cathederal gorge was magic but very hard to get a good full photo. Nobody sang for us Dee!
Lunch provided in the shade
A drive to the other end of the Park.
This was the Echidna Chasm. A walk up the water course and into the gut. Very tight towards the end and you would not want to be there in rain or an earthquake. Very spectacular.
A view over the valley with the hills in the distance over 500 million years old.
Back to our camp and then to a great stew tea as part of the tour.
Unfortunately the camp had run out of water so a top & tail shower.
The lease of the land prohibits the owner establishing his caravan park with permanent structures.
Hence the camp is made with containers and tents. This may change soon.
Travelling further west the next day we had a night stop at Fitzroy Crossing.
More burning on the way and a detour to a loo over the river.
The country around here flat with long (20 - 30 km) straight roads.
The next day headed to Derby and the travel was the same - flat, hot and pretty boring.
We have to wait 6 days to get the Pajero windscreen replaced (2nd time!) in Broome so decided to rest a few days in Derby as much cheaper than in Broome. Camp here AU$35 and in Broome up to AU$52!
Tide in
Tide out
A good sunset from the wharf.
Not much going for Derby except it has the largest tides in OZ. On a good day the tides can go up and down 11 mtrs. While we were there they were 9 mtr tides. They used to use the wharf to load live cattle, and more recently zinc and lead ore, but now not even for those. There may be some plans for coal exports.
Very hot with the temp around 33 - 35C.
A day drive out to Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek well worth the 380 kms round trip much on dirt and dusty roads.
A Boab tree once used as an overnight prison.
Off to Broome now!
A day drive out to Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek well worth the 380 kms round trip much on dirt and dusty roads.
A Yellow Tree snake on the path. Our 1st snake we could photo close up!
About no. 6 we have seen in the wild.
Very apt track markers
The Gorge is renowned for its population of freshwater crocodiles. We counted 120 in a large water hole that is the only water in the Gorge now. Crocs not as big as the Salties, and very placid. They still have many and sharp teeth.
Tunnel Creek is a tunnel under the escarpment where, in the wet, the river flows through.
With torches you can walk right through - very spectacular.
Tight entrance
A Boab tree once used as an overnight prison.
Off to Broome now!
You could have done a haka at the Cathedral Chasm:-) Or sung the NZ National Anthem.
ReplyDeleteLovely to see the tide in at Derby - and the creek devoid of water so you could show us the tunnel. Very impressive adventuring. Things like accommodation were expensive until we were south of Perth.
Keep on having fun.