VOTED BEST SWIMMING HOLE

A 45 min hike took us up to the first of several beautiful swimming pools in the EL Questro Gorge. After that the going got rough. We stripped down to bathers and swam through the water and clamored up a boulder to continue up the full length of the gorge. We carefully walked along narrow high ledges wet and slippery, then  over a few more creek crossings and a few more boulders. The prize was worth the effort.  A crystal clear swimming pool complete with warm spring waterfall. It was narrow and deep.  A little light shown in from the top and illuminated the blue/green water. Nothing slimmy and the water even tasted sweet.
We clamored up the rocks under the fall and had the pattering of water on our backs and shoulders. We dove off the rocks and swam the narrow chasm. We had it all to ourselves.

El Questro's Emma Gorge

A two hour hike up to Emma Gorge at El Questro's one million hectar station took about two hours return. The treat at the end of the hike was a stunning swimming hole complete with water fall and small hot spring.

J

Resident Donkey looking for hand outs

River Crossing entering the station.

RiverR

The venomous one.

Gibbillions of People

From start to finish the Gibb River Road was a dusty , six day venture. Above is the red dirt coated family of Asmans at the end of the road still vibrating from the miles or corrugations.

We saw some beautiful places, spectacular waterfalls, refreshing swimming holes, zillions of river crossings, wildlife, and way too many tourists. Interestingly we saw more cars on the Gibb then the return route on paved road from Fitzroy Crossing to Kunanarra. Despite all the outback adventurers, the Kimberly scenery was stunning.

Below are some pictures of our trip from start (Kunanarra) to finish (Fitzroy Crossing).

All roads open except the far North to Kulumbra

One of the many river crossings.

A fellow traveller soon to dust us.

Station gate at Home Valley

The End (not a single tire puncture)

Gibb It a Go!

Off today on a grueling outback road trip on the infamous Gibb River Road.  I avoid tenting at all costs but the Gibb is a must to properly explore the Kimberly region and the road is too rough for our caravan. So a tenting we will go.

The Gibb River Road is 660Kms of corrugated road and too many river crossings to count. We will be starting in Kunanarra and ending at the Windjana Gorge. It winds it's way through the spectacular kimberly landscape. Camels, dingos,roos, snakes, crocs, flat tires,broken axels, and all of it in the scorching heat and dust. We'll be lucky live through it:)

  We will be out of 3G range for the next week or so but the photos promise to be spectacular on the blog posts when we return. Gibb bye:)

Boab Social

The Kimberly region is the endowed with the iconic Boab tree. This tree is often called the upside down tree as during the dry season the deciduous tree has few leaves.  The limbs can be easily be imagined as roots and the thick trunks appear to rise out of the ground upside down.
 They are truly unique and original from any tree we have seen.  The trunks vary considerably in shape and and size. Often they have an humorous, almost human like characteristic to them. They make us laugh.

Mum and Toddler

Wise Boab

Head Stand Boab

Alien Boab

Wizard Boab

Boab Happy Family

Bottle Boab

The Tree Amigos

Potato Boab

Granddad and Grandson Boab

In Memory Of George

1995-2011

George was J's second pony for a two years when living in Tasmania. He wasn't an simple horse to learn to ride and the highs were high and the lows were low.  There were often tears then cuddles, kisses, and apples all in the same day. With dedication and lots of work the two of them became a force in the event field and in the show jumping arena.  George was sold in February 2011 to young rider as we were going travelling. Last month Gorge died unexpectedly at 17yrs. A sudden onset of a viral infection is the suspected cause.

  George taught j some of life's important lessons. He taught her how to be patience, precise and that whispering sends a louder message then shouting.  He taught her how she could succeed and persist but more importantly he taught her how to fail and keep going.
We will miss you Georgey and thanks for all the  best memories.
 

BEAUTIFUL BUNGLE BUNGLE

These are the bizarre Bungle Bungles. The stunning colours in the Kimberly region and these bee hived shaped mountains striped in red and black lend the land a sense of surrealism.

Magnificent Echidna Chasm

At 11:23am the sun sits directly above the chasm and sends a golden ray of light that illuminates the walls with a stunning glow. Timing is everything.