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| OUR BIG TRIP MARY & OLI GOING AROUND AUSTRALIA |
KIMBERLEY - Page 42
3 September 2007, Monday
Continuation of the Cable Beach Sunset...
4 September 2007, Tuesday
Finally, we are heading towards the Gibb River Road. The third and last bigger 4WD Adventure of our trip, even knowing that
we will not do the whole trip across. First, we headed towards Derby from Broome and had to cross one of the many fires
around Broome. This was fairly small compared to what real bushfires are and I mean what the Southern States normally
experience during the bushfire season, however, the heat coming even through the windows was quite an amazing feeling -
quickly hitting the accelerator even harder and through the ambers flying around hoping that none of them gets caught in the
trailer. Just before Derby is the Prison Boab Tree and we stopped for some pictures - obviously much closer to reach from
the road than the one on the Wyndham site, but fenced and not as "wild" as the other one. From here, up to Derby to fill the
car up for the next 3 days - hoping that the fuel will last - do not want to fill up more than one Jerry Can as a reserve. Here we
go - finally we entered the Gibb River Road and it is actually not bad. The first 62 km's are sealed - adventure? After that
gravel, however quite normal - not many bad corrugations. Most of jump-ups are sealed - adventure? We came to the
junction to Windjana Gorge after about 120 km's from Derby and saw a sign for a Kiosk at the Lennard River Bridge just 500
m down from the junction - adventure? Well it is late in the afternoon and an ice-cream sounds like a good idea. We stopped
at the Kiosk and had an ice-cream and a cold drink. The guy had no voice-box anymore and was still smoking - hmmmm,
maybe that is why he is here. The last 20 km's down the side track towards Fitzroy Crossing were a little rougher than the
Gibb River Road and finally we arrived at Windjana Gorge camping ground. What the hell do we have to pay? $20 per night?
Well, they have showers (cold or warmish due to the hot weather) and flushing toilets, but nothing special at all.... hmmmm
another expensive place, almost like Broome. Set-up, sunset and sleep - that was the day and below are some pictures from
the long drive and Windjana Gorge. By the way, the first 80 km's of the Gibb River Road is quite boring, after that the scenery
does start with rugged mountain or "hill" ranges and it will get better once you pass the Lennard River.
3 September 2007, Monday
Continuation of the Cable Beach Sunset...
4 September 2007, Tuesday
Finally, we are heading towards the Gibb River Road. The third and last bigger 4WD Adventure of our trip, even knowing that
we will not do the whole trip across. First, we headed towards Derby from Broome and had to cross one of the many fires
around Broome. This was fairly small compared to what real bushfires are and I mean what the Southern States normally
experience during the bushfire season, however, the heat coming even through the windows was quite an amazing feeling -
quickly hitting the accelerator even harder and through the ambers flying around hoping that none of them gets caught in the
trailer. Just before Derby is the Prison Boab Tree and we stopped for some pictures - obviously much closer to reach from
the road than the one on the Wyndham site, but fenced and not as "wild" as the other one. From here, up to Derby to fill the
car up for the next 3 days - hoping that the fuel will last - do not want to fill up more than one Jerry Can as a reserve. Here we
go - finally we entered the Gibb River Road and it is actually not bad. The first 62 km's are sealed - adventure? After that
gravel, however quite normal - not many bad corrugations. Most of jump-ups are sealed - adventure? We came to the
junction to Windjana Gorge after about 120 km's from Derby and saw a sign for a Kiosk at the Lennard River Bridge just 500
m down from the junction - adventure? Well it is late in the afternoon and an ice-cream sounds like a good idea. We stopped
at the Kiosk and had an ice-cream and a cold drink. The guy had no voice-box anymore and was still smoking - hmmmm,
maybe that is why he is here. The last 20 km's down the side track towards Fitzroy Crossing were a little rougher than the
Gibb River Road and finally we arrived at Windjana Gorge camping ground. What the hell do we have to pay? $20 per night?
Well, they have showers (cold or warmish due to the hot weather) and flushing toilets, but nothing special at all.... hmmmm
another expensive place, almost like Broome. Set-up, sunset and sleep - that was the day and below are some pictures from
the long drive and Windjana Gorge. By the way, the first 80 km's of the Gibb River Road is quite boring, after that the scenery
does start with rugged mountain or "hill" ranges and it will get better once you pass the Lennard River.
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| Panoramics from Cable Beach again... |
| Three fires in front of us, o.k. switch the lights on and through we go... |
| This looks like a small grass and bush fire, but the heat is still quite amazing even with closed windows. |
| The Prison Boab Tree and parked right in front of another Boab Tree. These trees are just magic when you either stand by them or drive by them. |
| Finally arrived at the entrance to the Gibb River Road. |