Week Commencing 28.06.10
Monday 28.06.10 – Left Kununarra at 10.30ish after saying farewell to Michael and Sarah (they were heading North to Diggers Rest) and then back to Bungle Bungles. We drove to Turkey Creek Roadhouse where we had booked the last powered site. We spent the afternoon packing the car ready for our adventure to the Bungle Bungles the next morning.
Tuesday 29.06.10 – After putting the van in storage (see pic) we headed down the highway 50 kms to the turnoff, this takes us into private property Mable Downs Station. The 53km track was not as bad as we had been told, I think John enjoyed the challenge. Some of the turns are very blind and you also have to be careful as it is difficult to see what is coming over the hills. It took us about 1.5 hours. We then had to drive a further 13km to Walardi Campsite. Here we quickly set up camp and headed to Cathedral Gorge. This is a 3km return walk. You walk passed striped sandstone beehives, creek beds and potholes, looming cliffs, evidence of waterfalls that cascade down steep rock faces during the wet season, honeycomb weathering, opening into a huge amphitheatre. Very impressive! On the way back to camp we stopped in at the Airstrip to book our helicopter flight. So at 11am Wednesday it is up up and away for John & Willy. There were alot of folks camping at Walardi Campsite so we settled in for dinner and an early night. Forgot to say there are no shower facilities at Bungles, but John rigged up a great shower for us both.
Wednesday 30.06.10 – Wished Carmel a happy birthday. We decided to pack up camp at Walardi and after hiking the Southern end of park we would find a spot at Kurrajong Campsite. We arrived at the Airstrip about an hour before takeoff. Our pilot, Anthony gave us a great commentary , during our 30min flight over the Bungles. The Bungle Bungle Range is almost 99 times the area of Uluru, there are more stunning features and spectacular formations. We fly over Red Rock Gorges of the northwest tip, Piccaninny Gorge from end to end, and the unique beehive dome formations that have contributed to the listing of the Bungle Bungle range as Australia’s newest World Heritage Area. This was a fantastic way to see Purnululu National Park. John and I thought this was the best and yet another highlight of our trip. Seeing all this from 2,000 feet gives you an idea of just how big this place is. When we finally came down from the high we were on, we decided to tackle Cathedral Gorge again. This time it was like Queen Street, people everywhere. We also did the Dome walk , this trail winds around sandstone domes that rise majestically from the Spinifex-covered sand plains. After a nice lunch we set off to our new campsite of Kurrajong. We found a lovely spot on some grass. Camp was set up within half an hour. A doctor of science asked us to fill out a survey, she also commented on how well organised we were at setting up camp and that there were not fights. I felt very proud of her comments, we are a good team. This camp was much bigger and seem nicer than the previous one. While we were passing time we both set back enjoying the coming and going of folks. A group of about eight people pulled in on dark and it was very entertaining watching them set up and get their dinner organised etc. All in all we had a pleasant evening and once again enjoyed dinner and a couple of nice reds.
Thursday 01.07.10 – Pinch and Punch 1st Month - Wow 1st July I can’t believe it. Anyway yet another busy day. We pulled down our camp as it was a very overcast day and raining slightly. Our first hike was to Mini Palms. This walk takes you over pebbly, dry creek beds leading to high cliffs, undulating over fallen blocks of cliff face before you ascend to the first viewing platform reaching a vortex of rocks and palms. Another ascent leads to the top platform for an awe-inspiring view into a high, narrow amphitheatre – the Mini Palms Gorge. Wow this was a fantastic place, getting there was quite challenging for me we had to climb up rocks and through tiny crevices, you had to remove your backpack to fit. Well worth the effort to see this gorge. Our next walk was not quite so challenging, Echidna Chasm Walk but it was the best just beautiful. After walking the creek bed you are faced with a spectacular long narrow chasm, which yields striking colour variations depending on the angle of the sun beaming into the chasm, with Livistona palms waving from the 200 metre high ridge above. Once in the chasm, there is a further area to climb ladders to reach the very end – a wall of rock. When you look up there are boulders that have fallen and are squashed between the walls. This end of the park is very very beautiful. We really enjoyed our experience at the Bungle Bungles. We then had the 53km drive back to the highway, this time with the rain to add to the adventure. There was alot of traffic on the way back we were behind at least five cars the trip took about 1hr 40mins. Our little van was sitting in the lock up waiting for us. We hitched up drove over to the roadhouse, John gave the car a quick wash and we headed down the highway and stayed at the Free Camp called Leycesters Rest on the Ord River. We were both very tired after a couple of big days hiking and camping. After organising dinner it was an early night for both of us.
Friday 02.07.10 - Up at 6.00am , yes we saw the Sunrise. This rest area would have about 40 vans, tents, campers staying there. We have been told people leave their vans here and at Spring Creek and travel into the Bungles. Left camp early , next stop Halls Creek well we only got fuel and kept going not much in Halls. We arrived at Mary Pool (Mary River) around lunchtime and decided to stay the night. We have a lovely spot under some trees and really just having a lazy time. We have been down the river edge and collected wood as we plan on having a fire this evening. We have finally got a chance to use the generator. There would be at least 60 caravans. Tents, vans and even a couple of buses. Lots of folk looking for a free night. John cooked a beautiful dinner and we ate this in front of our fire with a couple of glasses of red. Very nice.
03.07.10 – Saturday – left camp around 8.30am and drove the 180 km to Fitzroy Crossing. Lucky we were early as the sites filled up quickly and only unpowered left. Lots of washing to do, we also washed the van and car. Went into town for some bread and milk, had to go to the school as the IGA had burnt down. We watched a bit of a local footy game. Unable to pick up either Foxtel or TV so some ready and computer updates to do this evening. We are at the Fitzroy Lodge Van park , very nice. John had a swim but l chickened out as the water was freezing.
Sunday 04.07.10 - Visited Geikie Gorge this was a pleasant walk and very pretty place. On the way back to camp we came across a Rodeo, both of us had never been to one. It was fantastic we had a great afternoon. We saw some bull riding, these guys have lots of guts to get on these animals. Two of the bulls crashed through the closed gate and another one jumped straight over. Wow this was an exciting afternoon.
