More Kimberleys

Kimberley Panorama [click to enlarge]

Cockburn Ranges, view from Gibb River Road [click to enlarge]

First things first - Caroline has asked me to state there was one thing missing from I love list in her blog. You know the author of this blog

From the Bungles we headed north to Wyndham. Lonely Planet's Steve Kinnane said about Wyndham:

Wyndham appears - a rough frontier past, an uneasy existence, a humble and subtle presence. Climbing the Five Rivers lookout, the curve of the world is revealed as five vast river systems carve their way back into the earth. It is absurdly and terrifying beautiful.

The five great rivers of the Kimberleys - the Pentecost, King, Ord, Forrest and Durack Rivers all confluence at Wyndham. Absurdly beautiful? Perhaps waxing a bit lyrical but all the same very impressive. Despite his description Wyndham is a little off the beaten tourist trail perhaps adding to our enjoyment.

Five Rivers Lookout

Dreamtime Statues, Wyndham

Giant Croc, Wyndham

We used Wyndham as a base to explore the King River Road with its views of the Cockburn Ranges. The same ranges that are so frequently seen in photos of the Gibb River Road. We went to a property, Digger's Rest, where Madonna went on trail ride - she rode, cantered, trotted and galloped. Caroline went with her but all she got was a sore..... The property owners gave us a mud map of their favourite Barra spot on their property. But alas. We did spot our first wild saltie on the banks on the King River.

King River Road

Madonna and Johnny-Boy

Boys without Barra

Cockburn Ranges

Onto the Gibb River Road and El Questro which is essentially a private national park. Some great walks albeit with some nasty roads and a blown tyre. Caroline was able to change the tyre whilst I took photos.

Emma Gorge, El Questro

Amalie Gorge, El Questro

Amalie Gorge

Dad and Dave

Road to El Questro Gorge

El Questro Gorge

A real highlight of El Questro was Zebedee Springs hot pools, lying back in hot pools under a canopy of Livistonia palms. Priceless.

Zebedee Springs, El Questro

Zebedee Springs, El Questro

Zebedee Springs, El Questro

Onto Kununurra. It was relief to get off corrugated roads. It is amazing the roads can shake the lids off screw-top jars in the fridge, cause the number plate to drop off, disintegrate the fridge-battery connection,  pop out screws from the stove and  caravan electrical connectors and lose taps on the gas bottles. Kununurra has one-of-two National Parks in the Kimberleys that are accessible by sealed roads. Often called the Mini-Bungle Bungles and gives those not able to drive to the Bungles a taste of the beehives. I stopped counting at 100 Land Cruisers in the car park.

Mirrimar NP, Kununurra

Warning, just in case you intend on overtaking on a single lane, dirt-road strewn with rocks where even a 4WD throws up enough dust to make you pull over and wait for five minutes.

Next fuel stop, Gibb River Road

The locals pride themselves on Kimberley hospitality. See the following sign.