Back on the air!

Hello dear readers!

I know, it’s been a long time since I have published the last post. Actually there was no signal on the Gibb river road which mainly explains my silence. That said, I’m back now 🙂

As you may already know, we make our farewell to Broome on Saturday. First we went towards Cape Leveque, at the end of One arm point road. There we stopped at a small beach beside the road and we saw a lot of lemon sharks in the shallow water, at the water’s edge. We could have touched them. They were fighting for some turtle leftovers. After this unexpected spectacle​, we went a bit farther, at the end of the road, to Ardyaloon Hatchery where we could observe some nice local fishes along with some explications given by one employee.

On the way back we spent some time at Cape Leveque to see these beautiful famous red cliffs along the west beach. We had a swim on the east coast where you can swim safely (as sharks don’t wander on that side). At sunset time we arrived on a free campsite area further down near Broome where we stayed​ for the night.

On the second day after we had packed all the tents and camping stuffs, we left the campsite around 9am. We were already on the fuel reserve after 450kms (the 4×4 consume around 16 liters per 100kms ?). On the way to Fitzroy crossing we had to stop at a gas station to refuel. After a long haul we finally reached Fitzroy crossing. We did a little walk nearby before we called it a day at a free camp on Leopold downs road enjoying beers and noodles together ?

The following day we started by a good breakfast (sliced bread with chinese cabbage, bacon, an egg, cheese… the whole shebang 🙂 ) and we headed to Tunnel Creek. There we crossed a dark cave barefoot in the water with flashlights and we saw two freshies (crocodiles living in rivers). Then, we drove further north to another place called Windjana Gorge National Park. We walked along the river and we could observe lots of freshies enjoying a nap on the shore.

On Tuesday, we went to the Bells falls on the Gibb river road. A small walk led us to a wonderful swimming spot. We jumped into the water from the cliffs and sunbathed as the lezards you can see sometime on the rocks. It was good fun!

The next day we swam at manning gorge (that place is a private property so you have to pay fees to enter). After crossing the river, a 30 min walk ends to a beautiful waterfall. Another day spent swimming and jumping from the cliffs. That night we stayed at Jigngarrin (another private property but with a free access).

On Thursday we didn’t do anything special, we had a long drive to the next place we wanted to see. Mitchell falls are off the main Gibb river road at the end of a bumpy road. With stayed midway at Munurru campsite for the night and reached the campsite of the falls the next day after almost 3 hours driving on a rough road.

After a good night’s sleep, Saturday, we walked to the falls that were ridiculously close compared to the estimated time on the sign at the beginning. The falls were beautiful but not the best place to have a swim, the Bells falls were much better for that. Once back at the campsite we decided to hit the road and stay at Munurru campsite again. One way or the other, we had to go back to continue the roadtrip we planned.

On Sunday, we spent the whole day on the road to Emma Gorge. We stayed on a nice camp spot by a river.

We reach the Emma Gorge resort the next day in the morning. We paid the entry fees, did 2 small treks and went to the Zebeedee hot springs. If you like to be surrounded​ by pot-bellied tourists or noisy children playing in the water, that’s a place for you, otherwise just skip it. At the end of the day the plan was to end up in Kununurra. We had to do some shopping for the next days, and bound to be after 10 days, we had to have a proper pizza and a fresh beer 🙂 That’s what happened and it’s was amazing. I had forgotten how simple things like feeding yourself is much more enjoyable while backpacking. We stayed on a picnic area beside the road that night.

Tuesday was the last day we could enjoy the company of Antonia. We went to Argyle lake and to the famous “infinity pool” which turned out to be just another camping swimming pool. Honestly if I had to go again to the lake I would skip the pool. That said we enjoyed a comfy shower and a fresh beer from the Broome’s brewery. Let’s say it made up for the entry fees in the end.

The next morning Antonia left us to continue on her own, hitchhiking. For our part, we took the road for Purnululu National Park located about 250km south of Kununurra. We spent two days within the park and did pretty much every walks there. By the way, that’s probably the best scenery I’ve been able to see since the beginning of the roadtrip. I really liked these red and black striped ills.

We are now back in Kununurra for one night. We plan to head to Darwin tomorrow. So far we haven’t planned to stop anywhere so it would be a nonstop trip.

See you soon!

Click below the see the album 😉