31st September Mataranka – Barkly Homestead NT

Another early start as we have a long day today. We got away 7:30am
First stop Daly Water Hotel at 9:30am to have a look and some of us had a pie which they were really good. We were there for about 1hr just looking around as it was a very unusual place.
Not a lot in between places out here so a boring drive.







Stopped just north of Elliot for a toilet break and walk around the car.
At 1:00pm pulled up on the side of the road at Renner Springs for lunch.
We arrived at Three Ways at 2:45pm where Chris and Mary will leave us as they are going to Alice for a few days and then they will make there way home in a couple of weeks.
Everyone got some fuel as it is another 187ks to Barkly Homestead.
As it was so boring on this road we played eye spy between cars to fill in time.
That night we went to the pub for a $12 roast lamb dinner.

Some of the things hanging up in Daly Waters pub

30th August Kununurra -Mataranka NT

Very early start today as we loose 1 ½ hrs going over the boarder.
This is the start of the long drives home.
We had a stop at Timber Creek for morning tea.
Then at Katherine at 2;00pm for lunch. Quick stop into woolworths for extra supplies before heading on.







Arrived at Mataranka 3:30pm and met up with Carl who had his car fix today.
There were lots of bats in the trees but the pool was nice so in for a swim.
Getting darker later on this side of the boarder.

Mataranka Pools

29th August Kununurra

View from caravan park



Paul's B/day today.
This morning the boys got themselves ready by 6:00am to meet some guy out the front of the caravan park to go fishing. When the guy arrived he had to cancel as he had a death in the family.
Carl decided to leave early so he was gone by 6:00am and Ron and Jen were on there way by 7:00am. Now that only left 6 vehicles behind.

Pam was not well this morning been up most of the night.
Some of us went shopping at 8:30am to get some last minute things to take home. Meeting the boys in town at 10:00am but they did not listen and had to ring them to see where they were.
We set out to zebra rock to see what was there and it was very interesting. Had a drink and looked around the place for awhile some fed the fish.
Then out to the fruit loop first place was the salad bowl which we all had a mango ice cream which was extremely good.
Went to the distillery to have a look not much there.
On our way back to camp went to Mina Mirra National Park it was very hot but went for a short walk anyway.
Back tot camp for a cool off in the pool. The temp was 42 today.
That night we had fish and chips supposed to Barrimundi not sure though.

28th August Kununurra

Lake Argyle



This morning we had and easy morning as we had to be down town to pay for our cruise at 9:00am and after that we had free time until 11:00am so everyone did there own thing until then.
We all met up and went out to Lake Argyle for lunch and a look around. We sat in a really nice park to have our lunch. We made our way back to camp about 1:15pm.





Once back at camp everyone got ready to be picked up at 3:30pm.
We were all on the bus waiting for Roger who had decided to go to the bottle shop at the last minute and the bus waited for about 10 minutes.
We were on the cruise about 4:00pm which was really good and it was only us on the boat which was even better. The meal was very nice and lots of it.

BBQ Cruise

Toby driving BBQ Boat

27th August Elquestro – Kununurra

Most of us left early to walk Emma Gorge. Jen, Toby and Ron, Roger & Jill met us there as they did not want to do the walk. It was about a 1hr walk and very pretty and the swimming hole at the end was a bit cool but very nice. We got back from our walk about 10:00am and they were around the pool so we went in to cool off from the walk back.

Emma Gorge

Jack, Pam, Paul and I decided to go straight to Wyndham and the others took a scenic drive around the range which they really enjoyed. When we arrived in Wyndham we went to the lookout to see the five rivers which was amazing. We had baramundi and chips for lunch at the local cafe which was very good. After that we drove around to the port to have a look and to the croc farm but the tour only runs at 11:00am so we had missed it.

croc in main street

On our way out of Wyndham we passed the others going in so we kept going to Kununurra.
We arrived at Kununurra about 3:30pm and set up camp before the others arrived.
Pam and I went down town to find out a few things for the group.
When got back everyone was having happy hour so we filled them in and gave them maps of the town and other things to see.
Had an easy tea as it was very hot to cook.

26th August Elquestro

6 of us woke up really early to start the elquestro gorge walk by 6:30 as it was a 4-5hrs walk. It was not a hard walk very scenic and lots of things to see along the way. When we finally got to the end of the gorge after scrambling over rocks to find a beautiful pool with a waterfall just the thing to have a swim as it was getting very hot. We got back to the car about 10:30. We decided to go to the gorge were the others were (moonshine gorge) and when we did find them we went had a swim in the pool they were swimming and the boys started on the walk around the gorge. After a quick dip the I took the girls back to Elquestro and we went and had lunch at the shop and waited for the boys to get back.






Corrie out to dinner



When the boys got back we went for a drive to some lookouts and 4x4 wheel drive tracks. Back to camp as we were going to the restraint at 6:00pm for dinner which was very nice.
Ian McKinaly received the shackle tonight for sleeping in his chair.






Everyone out to dinner

25th August Home Valley – Elquestro

We had a swim in the pool before the others arrived up from the rive camp.

Penticost River











.We left the resort at 8:30am and drove to Zebedee springs on the Elquestro station and it a very nice place to have a dip. We were there for about 1hr and then on to the resort. We all booked in and the girl gave us an overview of the place.
After we set up camp we decided to go on a cruise.
So we drove down to the gorge for 2:30 cruising time. Once on the boat it was very good. The boat made its way up the gorge and it was very interesting. At the end of the gorge they stopped the boat and we saw Archer fish, cat fish and Barrumbundi.
After the cruise we went up to the bar for happy hr and it was nice and relaxing.

24th August Mitchell Falls – Home Valley

As the trailers were a bit slower going in we left early from camp so off we set at 6:50am.
The Simpson's and the Bleazard's had a flat battery.
We stopped half way again and the others caught us up and we let them go ahead.
We arrived at King Edward river at 9:00am for a swim, as we pulled into there our engine light came on again so Paul had to drain some fuel from the filter and it seem to be ok for a while. We left King Edward and on to the main track and the light came on again so they drained the fuel again and that seem to fix it.
We all stopped in at Drysdale at 11:15am to fuel up and water and we were out of there in 1/2hr.
Lunch was at the turn off to the Gibb River Rd.






At 1:15pm we stopped in at Elembrae Station for scones and jam and they were delicious.
The scenery was great coming into Home Valley and the caravan park was amazing.
Some of us stayed up in the park and the other went down to the river to camp where the salt water croc's were.
No shackle awarded tonight.

23rd August Mitchell Falls

Well what a big day we are going to have up early as we had a briefing for the helicopter at 6:00am and we wanted to start the walk into Mitchel falls at 6:30am so it would not be too hot. 8 of us did leave at that time and we took 4hrs to make it to the falls and that was with a few swims in all the water holes on the way. The walk was easy and we enjoyed it immensely.
Once we were at the falls we walked a bit further to get the best view and we had a lot of time before we were being flow out. Some of them left at 1:30pm. Our flight was at 2:30pm so we
floated around in the water above the falls for a few hrs.
Jack and Pam received the shackle tonight as they kept forgetting to take the toilet paper to the loo.















Brolgas
















Mitchell Falls

22nd August King Edward River – Mitchell Falls

This morning it we were not in a rush to leave as we did not have far to go. Left camp around 8:30am. The road was a bit rough and we had to take it easy. Ron still in the lead and Jack tail end.
We did stop at 10:15am at a lookout which was half way to let the shocks cool down.
When we did arrive at the camp 11:30am it was very dusty and very hot. There was not a lot of shade in this park.







After lunch we went and found a swimming hole which was a 800m walk from camp and very hot so we really enjoyed when we did find it.
We spent a couple of hrs there as it was too hot to walk back.
Had a easy tea as it was too hot to cook.
I received the shackle tonight because when I walked over to get some water a guy in a Pajero gave me a lift back to my camper.

21st August Kalumburu – King Edward River

Everyone made there way into town so we could be on our way by 10:30am.
Ron in lead and little Ian tail end.
We got back to Mitchell falls turn off about 12:30 as we traveled a bit slower going back as the road seemed rougher.










We then headed into the Mitchell falls road as King Edward river camp ground was about 8ks in on this road.
Once there the swimming hole was great and quickly set up camp so we could get into the water as it was very hot and there were no croc's we could see here.
Carl was awarded the shackle tonight as when he tried to get a dunny that morning he had a lot of trouble as they were all full and he seemed to miss out even while waiting outside them.

20th August Drysdale – Kalumauru

We were on the road at 7:30am as we were not sure of the road conditions and how long it would take us to get there. The morning was nice and cool which was a good change.
We are in the lead Jack tail end.
As it turned out the road was not too bad and we made good time. At 9:30 we stopped for a break at the turn off to Mitchell falls and we all had something to eat.

Drysdale River

Once everyone was ready off we went again. Arrived at Kalumburu about 11:30am and we had to get permits and everyone had an ice cream before we made our way out to McGowan's Island. We set up camp and a few of the group went and had a look on the beach to see if they could see any salt water croc's.
The boys tried to organize a fishing trip but no luck.
We all sat around Roger and Jill's camper to do he shackle and Colleen received it tonight.

19th August Mt Barnett – Drysdale Station

Paul and I packed up the camper early so we could have a swim in the pool at 7:15am before we left which was really nice.
Everyone was to meet at the road house by 9:00am to get on the road
Ian in the lead and we are tail end.











Arrived at Barnett River Gorge around 10:00am found a great swimming hole to cool off in and saw a lot of flying foxes in the trees.
On the road again by 11:30 stopped for lunch on the way.



Arrived Drysdale at around 2:30pm everyone got fuel and all booked into the camping area. As soon as we were set up I raced over to do some washing as it was very hot and I did not think it would take long to dry.
















Did some socializing in the afternoon as we were going out for dinner to the homestead.
We had a lovely dinner with great company.
Pam got the shackle tonight at the restaurant because Jack had to ferry her clothes from one part of the swimming hole to the other as she did not want to walk back.

18th August Mornington – Mt Barnett

On the road at 7:30am as we had a full day to day.
Roger in lead and Chris at tail end. Once in order we set off on another day of great scenery, back through the Mornington Wilderness road then back on the Gibb river road.
We traveled about 19ks to Adcock river and departed our cars for the short walk into it which was really nice.

Once we had a look back in the car and on to Galvans Gorge which was another short walk but well worth it as it was a great place to swim and cool off.

It was then only 13ks to Mt Barnett where we are staying the night.
Arrived there around 1:00pm and once the tents and campers were set up we went for a walk to the gorge which took about 40 minutes to get to it to the swimming hole so once we were all there all in the water for a quick dip to cool before walking back to camp. We had an easy tea as it was very hot.
Shackle awarded to Ian McKinley for getting the shackle stuck on his finger

17th August Mornington day 2

Jenny and Ron had to go back to Derby today so they set off about 7:00am

We left camp about 7:30am to make our way to Sir John Gorge. Once there we went for a walk to see the site and they boys walked for about 1 1/2hrs dragging us over rocks through sand patches looking for a good swimming hole but not to be found. Made our way back which took just as long and it was extremely hot so we were a bit exchanged by the end of the walk.


Sir John Gorge


















Mary in one of the water holes at Mornington






On our way back to camp we stopped off at Bluebush Wetlands but everyone was to tired to walk so we made our way to Bluebush for a swim and some lunch which was very nice and the water was great.
In the afternoon everyone packed a few things as we have to move on tomorrow.
Ian McKinley and Rhonda went and had a few drinks down at the bar waiting for Jenny to ring and they did not return.
At 5:30pm everyone else made there way down to have dinner which was really nice and it was a great night to a perfect 2 full days in Mornington Wilderness Camp.
Ian McKinley received the shackle tonight for leaving his towels everywhere even on his car bull bar.
Before heading off to bed everyone had a night cap and a chat.

16th August Mornington day 1

Bustard













Well today we are doing the trip report so I have to keep a record of all the good things that happen during the day.
We start the day leaving camp at 7:30 as we have a full day. First stop was the office to collect life jackets and paddles to row the canoes.



Corrie by the water




On the way to Diamond Gorge we crossed several water crossings. It took us about 1hr to get to Diamond Gorge as we stopped and looked at things on the way.
When we did arrive at the gorge we had to scramble over rocks to get to the canoes.
Once we were in the gorge it was spectacular. The sheer sides on both sides of the gorge. The colour in the rocks was just something to see. And the only way you can see this gorge is by canoe.
We paddled about 2ks down and on the way back it was so hot everyone had to beach the canoes and have a swim to cool off before we made our way back to the cars.
We stopped at a lookout on the way back to camp and then Cajeput gorge which was very nice and yet again had another swim.
Once back at camp we sat around and relaxed as everyone was a bit tired from paddling and the sun.
Tonight little Ian got the shackle for backing over a small tree and knocking it out of the ground.