Yes Lorraine and I are in Derby, after three weeks on the Gibb River Road. Some of our family and friends were starting to get a bit worried but all is good now.
We did Mitchell Falls. I walked in and out and Lorraine got the chopper out. There was a lovely lot of water going over the falls, I was a it worried as I had heard that they'd had a dry wet but apparently what rain they did get came as a big dump right at the end and they expect a good flow right to the end. The walk in is quite arduous with reports of people having slipped injuring themselves and being air lifted out.
Then on to a few days at Kalumbaru. Stayed at Honeymoon Bay, lovely spot nice people plenty of fish if you go out in a boat, but I still managed to catch a feed off the beach every day. Did organise a boat trip on last day but the aboriginal must have forgotten the arrangement but anyway those that did go out that day said it was not very pleasant as the wind had got up.
From there we went on to Mt Elizabeth Station and did the Munja Track to Walcott Inlet. This is a hard core 230 km (one way) 4wd track over several jump ups consisting of rock ledges, but the scenery made it all worth while. The 10 metre+ tides at Walcott Inlet was amazing to watch with crocodiles floating in and out on the tide. Also caught fish there also. Met two other vehicles down there at the same time and enjoyed their (the vehicle occupants) company.
On the way back down the Gibb we called into Bell Gorge, which was absolutely gorgeous, and Windjana Gorge and walked Tunnel Creek. Counted at least 100 fresh water crocodiles sunning themselves in Windjana Gorge.
The road was rough, but I expected that, the stove came adrift in the van, and three shock absorbers on the van disintegrated, and I have been talking to the manufacturers over it.
All in all a great trip. Now I can say "I've done the Gibb!"
From here its on to Broome and maybe Cape Leveque, and then Halls Creek (where Lorraine worked for 3 years before we met), the Bungle Bungles before leaving the Kimberley via Tanamai Track. We fly out of Melbourne on Nov 28th for four months before coming back over.
Dougwe said
07:53 PM Aug 17, 2013
WOW, that sounds just amazing Brandt. I have seen DVD's on the "Gibb" and in each of them looks a great experience but can be a bit hard on vehicles and people but everyone says it's just the best thing so glad you both enjoyed it and are safe.
briche said
10:01 PM Aug 17, 2013
Great to see yo are safely back after what could only be described as a one one a life time journey. Sounds like you both are well and throughly enjoyed you time in the Gibb. Sounds like thecan however will need so TLC aft the journey. Not sure if we will catch up as you travel but will stay across youra comments and see how we go. Take care you two and travel safe.
Brian and Cheryl
justcruisin01 said
12:57 AM Aug 18, 2013
Welcome back guys, was great to talk with you yesterday.
Take care & keep those wheels turning.
JC.
Mark said
01:07 AM Aug 18, 2013
Well done on your GRR trip.
Before doing the Cape Leveque trip, and if your interested, send me a PM and I'll give you an overview, IMHO it's not worth the journey.
Enjoy Broome, it's a lovely place and the Whales are out and about, already done one trip and booked for another tomorrow.
Mark
Plendo said
01:57 AM Aug 18, 2013
Hi folks, welcome back. I thought you had been a bit quiet for a while.
That sounds like a nice corner of the country you are wandering around in up there, I am looking forward to seeing it when we get the chance.
Looking at what happened to your van, what would you change if you were starting again? (I want to learn from your experience).
Dunmowin said
09:05 PM Aug 18, 2013
Thanks for that KiwiAs, We will be up there next year, all plans going well, so I have filed your information away for planning purposes closer to then.
spida said
05:45 PM Aug 19, 2013
so glad you got in and out trouble free!!!!! Some wonderful phots coming up no doubt! Safe travels and will catch you on the road somehwere in the future.
Yes Lorraine and I are in Derby, after three weeks on the Gibb River Road. Some of our family and friends were starting to get a bit worried but all is good now.
We did Mitchell Falls. I walked in and out and Lorraine got the chopper out. There was a lovely lot of water going over the falls, I was a it worried as I had heard that they'd had a dry wet but apparently what rain they did get came as a big dump right at the end and they expect a good flow right to the end. The walk in is quite arduous with reports of people having slipped injuring themselves and being air lifted out.
Then on to a few days at Kalumbaru. Stayed at Honeymoon Bay, lovely spot nice people plenty of fish if you go out in a boat, but I still managed to catch a feed off the beach every day. Did organise a boat trip on last day but the aboriginal must have forgotten the arrangement but anyway those that did go out that day said it was not very pleasant as the wind had got up.
From there we went on to Mt Elizabeth Station and did the Munja Track to Walcott Inlet. This is a hard core 230 km (one way) 4wd track over several jump ups consisting of rock ledges, but the scenery made it all worth while. The 10 metre+ tides at Walcott Inlet was amazing to watch with crocodiles floating in and out on the tide. Also caught fish there also. Met two other vehicles down there at the same time and enjoyed their (the vehicle occupants) company.
On the way back down the Gibb we called into Bell Gorge, which was absolutely gorgeous, and Windjana Gorge and walked Tunnel Creek. Counted at least 100 fresh water crocodiles sunning themselves in Windjana Gorge.
The road was rough, but I expected that, the stove came adrift in the van, and three shock absorbers on the van disintegrated, and I have been talking to the manufacturers over it.
All in all a great trip. Now I can say "I've done the Gibb!"
From here its on to Broome and maybe Cape Leveque, and then Halls Creek (where Lorraine worked for 3 years before we met), the Bungle Bungles before leaving the Kimberley via Tanamai Track. We fly out of Melbourne on Nov 28th for four months before coming back over.
Great to see yo are safely back after what could only be described as a one one a life time journey. Sounds like you both are well and throughly enjoyed you time in the Gibb. Sounds like thecan however will need so TLC aft the journey. Not sure if we will catch up as you travel but will stay across youra comments and see how we go. Take care you two and travel safe.
Brian and Cheryl
Welcome back guys, was great to talk with you yesterday.
Take care & keep those wheels turning.
JC.
Well done on your GRR trip.
Before doing the Cape Leveque trip, and if your interested, send me a PM and I'll give you an overview, IMHO it's not worth the journey.
Enjoy Broome, it's a lovely place and the Whales are out and about, already done one trip and booked for another tomorrow.
Mark
Hi folks, welcome back. I thought you had been a bit quiet for a while.
That sounds like a nice corner of the country you are wandering around in up there, I am looking forward to seeing it when we get the chance.
Looking at what happened to your van, what would you change if you were starting again? (I want to learn from your experience).
Thanks for that KiwiAs, We will be up there next year, all plans going well, so I have filed your information away for planning purposes closer to then.
so glad you got in and out trouble free!!!!! Some wonderful phots coming up no doubt! Safe travels and will catch you on the road somehwere in the future.