26th June, 2011 Derby to Bungle Bungles

BUNGLE BUNGLES
Just a bit of camping in the Bungle Bungles , should be fun.
23-7-2011. We are driving through today to Fitzroy Crossing. Small town 1,500 people in town.
Fitzroy Crossing on the Fitzroy River, is situated in the centre of some of the best pastoral land in Australia. With other interests, mining and tourism. The whole west coast is mining everywhere.
Country side as we drove through is raw and harsh with termite mounds everywhere. The highway is so busy with caravans and road trains also dead animals.

We settled for a free camp 88 km's from Fitzroy Crossing.. You have to be careful in this part of the West Coast as it can be quite dangerous.
Next day we nestled our vans on the Margaret River for a free camp.

Geikie Gorge.

We went for a walk early as it get too hot in the middle of the day. The Gorge is beautiful with water still flowing, with crocodiles laying on the river bank. [ Fresh Water ]

This is the river that we were walking through as there isn't any water until the wet season then it all explodes.

Halls creek then onto the Bungle Bungles

This is where we are leaving the caravan for a couple of days while we go camping in the Bungle Bungles.

  We have a 50km rough dirt road to go to get there, should be fun if all goes well.

Lots of water crossings dodging the cattle as they bolt across in front of us from out of nowhere.

We were so pleased to get there and set up our tents and have time to have a look around.

We have been told it is better to wait until morning then it is cooler for walking. Sounded great to us we played cards.

Up at 5.30 am for an early start after a short drive into the gorge.

Spectacular

Bungle Bungles

 Walking through the gorges early was the right decision as it will give us time also to see all of them. They look great with all of their colours photo's just don't do them justice.

Bungle Bungles

These hole with rocks in them are carved out by the swirling of the water as it rushes through the gorge they are huge and quite beautiful to see.

 Cathedral gorge was so colourful and the reflections to be seen just beautiful.

 This is where we got lost in the Gorge. It made our walk longer and then we didn't get to see the lookout.  Walking with our head down and watching the rocks we passed the sign to the lookout. Instead we were heading for the 10 km walk down the gorge. not funny!.

Found this Love Message made from the pebbles in the Gorge.           We were happy that someone as feeling the love at this particular time we didn't.

Definitely worth a visit when ever you come this way.

We had a great time exploring the Bungle Bungles and the walk is easy it is even quicker if you don't get lost. We are hopeless oh well that's life.

Our next adventure before leaving is to fly over the Bungle Bungles in an open door helicopter which John has also been looking forward to.

Sandra sat in the front and gave John the backseat to himself. No door l think he has a death wish l don't.

It was fabulous Sandra felt ill and John enjoyed every moment. Getting him to take the photo's is a problem.

Back on the road again heading for Kununurra for a well earned rest as we are all exhausted. There has been a lot of driving, walking, climbing but little rest or time out time.

Happy or Scared?

Flying over the Bungle Bungles

KUNUNURRA

2-8-2011

Kununurra is a medium sized town compared to a lot of others that we thought would have been a lot larger than they were.

The Boy's have booked themselves in for a fishing trip which John has been looking forward to for most of the trip.

They were up early and were picked up at the caravan park. Can't wait to see how many fish [Barramundi ] they bring back.

Wendy and Sandra had rest days while they were here, changing beds, getting the red dust out of the vans and general clean up. We will be parting soon as they are going to Brisbane and we now are heading for home.

I took myself off to the hospital to get my blood pressure checked as l wasn't feeling great. I thought that they were going to keep me this time 183/118 is quite up there and not good. They want me back again in the morning and l have tablets to take until l get back home.

The boy's came home with one fish each as that is all that you are allowed to keep. Bum! We thought that they could fill the freezer. They did catch a few each but the law is that you can only keep one.

John was very disappointed with the tour they went on as they guy was quite rude to him and Bill.

 Took his mind off it when l told him what l had done at the hospital. We went back the next day and the medication was starting to work but l have to keep an eye on it and see my Dr when l go home.

I will as l have never had this happen before but l have had it now for most of the trip. Hard living in one van.

SATURDAY WAS MARKET DAY AND FRESH VEGETABLES AND FRUIT

This we have been looking forward to. some fresh country vegetables.

Saturday night Wendy and Sandra went out to see the touring group JANDAMARRA

stage set for the show.

BOAB TREE

BOAB GOAL TREE

An Aboriginal group touring the West and telling their story of when the settlers came and how they were treated.  An excellent show we both enjoyed and of course the story is sad and the way they have been treated so bad.

9th August
W are getting closer to the point of going our own way.

We have a short trip today 70 km to Lake Argyle on the Ord River for a few days rest again then we all head out for different directions.

It is a beautiful 32degrees and the Argyle Resort is very relaxing. We are here for a 3 day stay to swim in the new pool that looks out over the Ord River, kayak, crocks and beautiful sunsets.

The Ord river is 22 times larger than  Sydney Harbour in capacity. It is beautiful and we are going on a sunset cruise so that we can enjoy the area. There is only rocks and water to see bu so relaxing. These ones we can look at we don't have to climb them.

John, Bill and Wendy went for a kayak and enjoyed themselves while Sandy read a book. They keep making jokes that the crocks won't bite as they are fresh water.

friendly crock

looking out across the pool

When we went for our sunset cruise on the Ord River and had our history lesson about the area which was very informative. We saw heaps of crocks on the banks of the water way's. That opened every one's eyes as to how many there were. And they didn't see all of them.

To top it off you could jump in and have a sunset swim. If these guy's keep it up l will be driving two cars and two caravans back.

They enjoyed their swim i think my blood pressure is high enough without making it higher.

It is a small caravan park and they say it is a resort. They have one of the locals who work there sing twice a week and it worked out for John's Birthday that he had a wonderful night. We danced, sang songs and everyone enjoyed themselves.

13th August and it is time to leave

Today we are heading to Katherine so it is an early start as we turn forward our clocks and loose one and a half hours today. No phone service again for a few day's which is a pain. Free camp tonight then into Katherine.

14th August

Sunday and Katherine is closed. We thought the Town was a pretty little town but there isn't anything keeping us here so we kept on driving. Mataranka is our next stop another small town mostly Aboriginal community.

I find it amazing that there are so many places for cars and caravans to stop and free camp of a night with tables chairs, toilet and trees for shade. The Interstate long haulage Road Trains have nothing. They have designated places but without any toilet or comforts. If l notice this l am sure that they feel the same . They are the workers we are on holidays and we do after all have Caravan Parks, Motels/Hotels.

15th August Monday                

 stopped over at Newcastle Waters free camp. Great spot and the most glorious Moon rising l have ever seen. The colours were so rich and the moon just beautiful.

Heading for three ways now and our direction is set we are heading to the East Coast. Stay for a couple of day's in Mount Isa which is another mining town, then onto Cloncurry then down to Longreach then Moree.

Elliott 1st stop and on the way you wouldn't believe it there is a man walking along the highway with his wooden wheelbarrow full of his belongings. Having the wheelbarrow makes it hard for him to get a lift. Maybe he doesn't want one.

How the scenery has changed now that we are in the Northern Territory. Flat un-usable land, rocky.

In all towns we are passing there is i garage and that's all. We haven't even seen dog's while travelling. You can guarantee there are termite mounds where ever you go.

Fire! Fire!

Both sides of the road and it was out of control. We made it through without any problem but we both held our breath as passed through.

What's that oh no it's a POLICE MAN in his patrol car. The first we have seen since we have left

home.

19th August

Leave Mount Isa today and the landscape is the same, rough rocks arid land.

[1] CLONCURRY.....Mining Town,Copper and pastoral farms.

[2]Walkabout Pub........"Crocodile Dundee"

[3]Waltzing Matilda Country Banjo Patterson  WINTON

Banjo Patterson

BIG FOOT

NOW HERE IS A COUNCIL THAT HAS SOME FUN. These bin containers are all along the street. They are to resemble the prints in the area of the pre historic Dinosaur

BLUE HEELER PUB

Welcome to the Central West Queensland Outback.

Blue Heeler Pub

20th August

Longreach....3 days to have a look around and a rest from driving

Qantas

demonstration. always wanted to be an air hostess

tied onto the wing of the 747

707 1st one made original. There were only 13 made this is number 1 john Travolta owners number 13.

inside the where they wind the front wheels down manually if they have any problem

Stock Man's Hall of Fame

Great day with demo of riding, Bullock 's, and cattle dog's

On the day of arrival we were astounded that everything including the Tourist centre was closed.

Town closed from 12.noon Saturday until Monday 9 am

23rd August

Left Longreach today, 1st stop Balcadine where the town is in the main street so small BUT there are 5 pub's. The elderly community were having a day out for morning tea. We had a little look around and found in the centre of town these wooden chimes which must sound beautiful when the wind is blowing.

Blackall   Lunch then onward we go

Tambo. Wilderness Way

Augathella. South West Outback

Melwah

24th August

Leave Augathella today and head for Charleville

Mitchell

Roma Where we will spend tonight. This is a thriving town with Industrial machines galore.

Getting to the end of our trip, we have 1,800 km to go then our adventure will be over. I am so pleased that l have written 43 Bloggs with all of the information on the trip. When l get home l can print it out after a little adjustment.

I have missed all of the family and it will be so great to see them again.. Sorry to those who didn't get enough photo's posted but we will have them all for you to see when you visit us.

Sending this last bit of our adventure tonight as l don't know when l will have time other wise.

I am sure that l have missed out on areas that were important or photo's that l should have added.

We have had the best adventure and it has been a safe drive which has been important. We had no problems at all with the car and van. 

Wendy, Bill, Warren, Judy thank you guys for helping us have a great time. With your previous knowledge it made the trip interesting.

To all of our children and friends and family see you all soon and Thank you for letting us go.

Love you all xxxxxx

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