Today we finally made it to the Gibb River Road (the central goal of this big WA Wander)
After a morning of packing up, filling gas, final shopping and another photo of a croc at the caravan park (now sunning on a log) we made a final stop at the petrol station to fill our tank with fuel and top up the Jerry can.
Our first stop on the way out of town was the wall of the diversion dam , which you drive over as you leave. We diverted down to a parking bay to read the information about the dam and the engineering involved.
Then out along the highway a little until Molly Springs. At Molly Springs we walked in on the short track through the pandanas and tiptoed over the stepping stones through the clear flowing water a couple of times to get to the gorgeous pool and waterfall at the end.
After admiring, we walked out again and decided to continue on to Emma Gorge before we stopped for a break. This meant that we officially turned on to the Gibb River Road. We admired the sign showing all roads open except the one to Kalumburu as we drove past.
Emma Gorge was extremely busy and we were lucky to snag a park as someone pulled out. We tried to pay our access fee there ( a price charged by the owners ( El Questro ) to all who want access) but were told by the very helpful lady behind the desk that we should just walk and wait till we arrived at El Questro itself or we would end up paying twice.
After lunch on the lawns we headed off for the walk which was reasonably difficult-requiring quite a bit of rock hopping and rock scrambling to get to the end. On the way we were amazed by the ripple rocks and the stunning red cliffs on either side as well as some truly beautiful clear pools of water.
The final pool was VERY cold ( about 15 degrees) but we followed directions and swam around to a little spot around a corner to where warm (25 degree) water flows from a spring. This felt like heaven. Then it was out of the water, shoes back on and back across the rocks to the hilux and on our way again.
It wasn’t too far till we reached the turnoff to El Questro, and we stopped to let the tyres down again before proceeding. The road in was fine and included a couple of good water crossings.
Checking in at reception we found that the Colwells had already had to pay for all of us. Now we owe them money instead of them owing us. We were on site 10 (Ibis)
We checked out the “Cantina” where you can buy pizza and burgers if you wish, before heading out past the main, crowded, camping areas to the river site which Craig had booked
Both Colwells and Al and Zita already had their vans in place, so we manoeuvred into the other flattish spot between tree branches and trunks and set ourselves up too. Al and Zita were there and still setting up, but Craig and Ev were already gone. It turned out they had headed back to Emma Gorge to do the walk after they set up.
It was a quiet evening chatting and eating our various meals. You can easily hear the river from this site, but not really see it without an effort. We could hear the stream all night. It sounds a bit like a light rain is falling!
Luvapuzzle 