172. Katherine Gorge, Mataranka Hot Springs (this blog pages 168 - 172 incl)

KATHERINE GORGE

Our trip along the gorge was late afternoon & it became quite cool within the confines of the gorge.



GUIDED TOUR

We normally prefer to do our own thing & explore in the tinny, but the local tribe know runs the show here & we were not permitted to use our own boat; anyway it was nice to kick back & let someone else do all the work. Our guide was great, very informative & truly proud of his land.



MATARANKA

After leaving Katherine we moved south to Mataranka. In this part of the world there are many naturally occurring hot springs that rise up after travelling for sometimes several hundred kilometres through the limestone beneath. It might not look like it from above, but below the water is crystal clear & 32 degrees Celsius. The spring fed water runs into this creek at a rate of 320 million litres per day.

We plunged into the waters & floated downstream looking through our goggles into a very strange world. It is like you filled up the room you are sitting in.

ELSEY NP

ELSEY HOT SPRINGS

This pool was crafted by soldiers in WW2. There is a naturally occurring stream that at this point has been widened to provide a place where the officers were able to cool off after a days work. Again it is crystal clear & 32 degrees Celsius.

171. Katherine

SAFE WATERHOLE

As we were again within two hundred kilometres of the coast we had to be aware of salties. We were safe in this middle pool as there was a substantial waterfall to the pool below.



LOWER POOL

During the height of the wet, & as the water levels rise, salties will move far upstream as they are able to pass over obstacles that would usually restrict their passage. On this day the rangers declared that this lower pool was now safe as they had not sighted nor captured a croc............ Anyone for a dip?



NITMILUK NP – KATHERINE GORGE

GALLERY

After a while, one gorge can resemble any other, but this one is well worth a look. The paintings are in great condition & are large. These figures are about two metres long.



VERTICAL

170. Lake Argyle, Katherine

DAM

The dam that has created the headwaters of the Ord River.



POOL PERFECTION

Not a bad way to relax after a day checking out the lake & its surrounds. This place is still only visited by a few grey nomads & the odd tourist but you can feel that this is about to change. The parks owner has big visions for the place & with such beauty on offer it won’t be long before visitors arrive in executive choppers & dine in a flash restaurant before returning to their seven star suites.



THREE MONTHS

We had spent just over three months in WA. So many great memories. Such a great state; with plenty of go forward, such beauty, much diversity & great people. We were back into the territory & excited for some new adventures.



‘BULLO RIVER’ SIGN POST

Does anyone remember a television advertisement for women to come forward & have breast screening. Yeah that’s right, the one where this tuff lady of the outback is leaning on a cattle yard fence a tells you that if you haven’t had a screening “then you bloody well ought too!” I always remember that she was from Bullo River Station in a place far, far away. As we drove along there it was, the sign, & yes it is, far, far away.



KATHERINE

Katherine is a large town that links travellers from the west, the east & the south as they make their way north to Darwin. I recall that upon entering the town we encountered the first traffic light we had seen for about three thousand kms. Katherine has much to offer the traveller but we decided to book into a couple of National Park camps & explore the surrounds.

169. Lake Argyle

LAKE ARGYLE

Not far to the south east of Kununurra lies Lake Argyle. The area was dammed to form this magnificent lake & to provide water throughout the dry season. The holding capacity is something like eighty times that of Sydney Harbour. The lake is approximately seventy kilometres long.




MANMADE BEAUTY

There is often debate whether or not the construction of a dam is appropriate or not. In this case I think they got it spot on. Not only does it provide water throughout the year , it has created an absolute marvel. Can you imagine the transformation that would have occurred quite rapidly as what was a smallish river meandering along suddenly after the wet began to widen & expand its reaches to manifest into such a lake.




ARGYLE FRESHIES

We got a great tip from a fellow traveller that told us to look to the left as we approached the dam. The view to the right is what really catches your eye & therefore many don’t see these guys which are just meters away.




SWISS NOMADS

This young couple of adventurers had spent the previous night at the same campground as we. They were checking out the rapids & I made them aware of the crocs on the other side of the road. They were travelling around Oz on these bikes that with all their gear you could hardly lift. In the following days I would think of them as they pedalled toward Darwin into headwinds & some long stretches of road. Talk about gutsy, these guys were just about to notch up 20,000 kms & reckoned that they might crack a beer when that happened.



OVERFLOW

Can you believe it ?. This is just an overflow to release some water along a tributary. The photograph does not do justice to the sheer volume of water that is moving here. The amazing thing is that it will run like this not for a few days or a couple of weeks, but throughout the entire dry season. That is so much water.

168. Katherine.

STILL CLOSED

The Gibb River Rd was still closed as we left & headed east once again. During our travels we had met many that were waiting to complete the crossing. Still they would have to wait.



HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANE

The boys celebrating Danes 15th in Kununurra.




GYPSIES

As we pulled into the Ivanhoe Caravan Park in Kununurra we were met by a jovial chap who asked; ‘were you guys camping near the cliffs on the Nullabour earlier this year?’. He & his wife had sighted our convoy as we pulled up near them on along the cliff tops. It turned out that they were from South Australia & were travelling north to help out as assistant managers. We spoke & sometime later met the owners. As with many along our journey we were overwhelmed with peoples generosity. The park owners offered us to stay for a couple of nights at no charge. Thanks guys & all the very best.



KUNUNURRA COPS

Matt loves his get-up’s whether it be Police, Security or otherwise, but really enjoys all the different Police uniforms. Along the journey we had met a few Policemen whom had even sent along caps etc. Before we left WA we thought we had better call in to check out the WA gear.

167. El Questro 2 .............. (this blog pages 164 - 167 inclusive)

EL QUESTRO RIVER

EL QUESTRO LUNCH

EL QUESTRO WATERHOLE

Not a bad way to cool off after lunch.



SADDLEBACK RIDGE

A very steep track climbs to the top of Saddleback Ridge. The view are simply “birds eye”. Not only was the view special but the silence & the great vastness of this property comes to the fore from this vantage point.


SUNSET OVER EL QUESTRO STATION

166. El Questro Station

EL QUESTRO STATION

Another massive cattle station that has part of its area opened up for tourists to call upon.



ZEBEDEE SPRINGS

A short walk & one finds at the base of a cliff these thermal springs. The water is a constant 32 degrees. From the relative arid landscape that surrounds, within this grove there are ferns, palms & pandanus creating a tropical oasis in the heart of the outback.



JACKEROOS WATERHOLE

SUNSHINE CREEK

I am a pretty keen fisho & will explore all options to catch a fish. Without getting to deep, I think to myself: ‘if I were that species of fish, where would I hangout ?’

This was one of those places.... We drove the cruiser along the river pebbles to pull up at a spot I had eyed earlier. At this point I had probably cast a lure no less than five hundred times over the last few days in search of the elusive barramundi. Matt then said, almost with a taste of disgust in his voice at my failure to hook up, “Dad, here........give me a go”.



BARRA MATT

Two casts was all that it took for Matt to hook a Barra. OK, it wasn’t going to break any records but he really does have a canny knack of catching fish.

165. Home Valley Station

HOME VALLEY STATION

Amongst the rugged terrain of the East Kimberley, like an oasis, appears Home Valley Station. Originally run by white pastoralists the station is now owned & operated by the Aboriginal Land Council. This joint is a must stay & offers the passing traveller a welcome respite.




THE DUSTY BAR

Dano & I on our way for a chat with the locals & a few cold ones at the ‘Dusty Bar’



NIGHT OWL

These guys come out at night to hang around the lights of the pool area that attracts numerous bugs.




MIDNIGHT BOABS

164. Gibb River Road

BREAKFAST: GIBB RIVER ROAD STYLE

The Gibb River Road was originally used as a stock route. Today it is a track used by 4WD enthusiasts. The track runs from the West Kimberley starting at Derby, through to the East Kimberley just south of Wyndham. In total it stretches over 700 kliometres. This year there had been a record flood & the road that would usually reopen by the start of May was still closed. We were able to travel the required 66kms to reach our first destination “Home Valley Station”.




PENTECOST RIVER CROSSING

As we reached the crest of another hill we were confronted with this. It might not look to severe but this was the Penetcost River in the late stages of flood. Upon arrival & closer inspection it was discovered that the water level was about 800mm deep. Luckily the tide was on its way out so we decided to wait a little until the level was 600mm. Well, with the water up to our headlights we made it through.



PENTECOST RIVER

On the far side we would be in the remote area of the East Kimberley.




WE MADE IT

EAST KIMBERLEY CANYONS

You should get up here & check this place out.