Travel Diary 101 : Darwin to Broome Overland Adventure

While living in Australia for more than 1.5 years, most of the cities and places that I visited are located in the eastern side and southern part of the country. I also got a chance to visit even the middle part of Australia. What does this mean? It means that I never got a chance to be at the northern part and western part of this huge continent country. Therefore, before my visa ended last February 2017, I planned for my last adventure in Down Under last October 2016. The said adventure was not like the first part of my tour. The suppose to be Kakadu National Park day tour became Litchfield National Park day tour. The whole story of what happened in the first part of my adventure were explained in my post here and here. The second part of my adventure started from Darwin at Northern Territory and ended at Broome in Western Australia.

After my tour in Litchfield National Park, the bus tour dropped me off near my hotel accommodation (The Cavenagh Hotel) that I booked for 1-night since the next day was the start of my 4WD Darwin to Broome Overland Adventure in 9 Days. In my travel and adventures, the tour was the longest multiple day tours that I experienced. The tour company also offers longer  days such as 21 Days that will end in Perth, but unfortunately, I cannot afford to be in 21 Days straight travel even I wanted to as I have other personal matters to attend even I was in vacation.

From the hotel, I picked-up my Telstra sim card that I reserved even before I arrived in my accommodation, then setup my phone. I had my dinner at the hotel and tried the steak that it was offering since The Cavenagh Hotel is famous for their steak. I had a great dinner that time inside my room since a lot of people were outside having dinner while drinking on Friday night. It was a typical Aussie ambiance in a pub restaurant. Before I slept that night, I prepared my stuff and my luggage so it will be easy for my early morning checkout.

Here are the 9 Days 4WD Darwin to Broome Overland Adventure itinerary that we had:

Day 1: Darwin to Katherine Region

From Darwin, the group drove towards Nitmiluk National Park in Northern Territory to enjoy Edith Falls and Katherine Gorge.

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Edith Falls and Upper Pool

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Nitmiluk National Park with Katherine River at Baruwei Lookout

Related Travel Post(s) :
Nitmiluk National Park : Sandstone Country Full of Stunning Gorges

Day 2: Victoria River, Judbarra National Park and Lake Argyle

The first stop of the group was a quick look of Victoria River along Victoria Highway. Next, the group had trekking adventure in Judbarra or Gregory National Park which still located in Northern Territory. Here we enjoyed fascinating scenery of the valley and the thousand years of aboriginal drawings and paintings created in rocks, boulders and escarpments.

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“The Vic” or Victoria River

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Trekking Escarpment Walls of Judbarra

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At Judbarra (Gregory) National Park

Related Travel Post(s) :
Judbarra (Gregory) National Park – “One of the Most Prolific Sites in Australia”

Then, we drove to cross the border of Northern Territory and Western Australia where we experienced to adjust time as the two states has different timezone. The second adventure of the group for the day were cruising some part of the 700 square kilometre man-made spectacular Lake Argyle and swimming.

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Sunset at Lake Argyle

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At Lake Argyle

Related Travel Post(s) :
Lake Argyle – Where People, Birds, Fishes, Wallabies and Freshies Meet

Day 3: Purnululu National Park (Bungle Bungle Ranges)

The following adventure we did after we drove towards Purnululu National Park, were quick viewing of Osmond Range from the ground and trekking Echidna Chasm. We also had a sunset viewing at lookout ridge to witness sunset towards some part of Osmond Range and Escarpment Walls of Bungle Bungle Range.

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Osmond Range

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Echidna Chasm

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Sunset with Escarpment Walls (West of Bungle Bungle Range and Osmond Range)

Related Travel Post(s) :
Purnululu National Park – A Park With One of the Most Striking Geological Landmarks in Western Australia

Day 4: The Bungle Bungle and El Questro Station

Since we camped within Purnululu National Park, we trekked “The Bungle Bungles”. The walked includes “The Domes” and “Cathedral Gorge” Walk. After we left Purnululu National Park, we passed Warmun (Turkey Creek) and Durack Range. We took the famous Gibb River Road to continue adventuring Kimberley. Our first stop along Gibb River Road was El Questro. We arrived at El Questro Station before it gets dark that day.

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A Walk in Purnululu Range from Picaninny

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The Domes

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Cathedral Gorge

Related Travel Post(s) :
The Bungle Bungles – One of the Most Spectacular Landmarks in the World

Day 5: El Questro Station and Zebedee Springs (plus Champagne Springs Trail)

The following day was spent in a relaxing bath time in Zebedee Springs. When we returned to El Questro Station, we played around and swam in Pentecost River just beside the group’s camping site inside the station. In the afternoon, I joined few people from the group to walk along Champagne Springs Trail.

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Zebedee Springs

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At Champagne Springs Trail  (unofficial itinerary)

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Thousand Year Old Boab Tree along Champagne Springs Trail

Related Travel Post(s) :
El Questro Station and Surround

Day 6: El Questro Wilderness Park, Gibb River Road and Manning Creek

After leaving El Questro Station that day, we went straight to El Questro Wilderness Park which can be found within Cockburn Range. We trekked towards the waterhole of Emma Gorge and had great time  in the water. It was the same day where we spent longest hours driving in Gibb River Road for the day. We passed Pentecost River which cross each other with Gibb River Road, we enjoyed the scenic view of Cockburn Range from a distance and we took lunch in one of the resting point that located along Gibb River Road. Then, we had been in the same road for hours until we reached Manning Gorge Campsite just near Manning Creek before sunset.

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Emma Gorge

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Cockburn Range

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At Manning Creek

Related Travel Post(s) :
Emma Gorge and Cockburn Range – El Questro Wilderness

Day 7: Manning Gorge

The day’s adventure was focused only in Manning Gorge, as we trekked hours towards and from the gorge and swimming on its waterhole.  Then, a relaxing time again in Manning Creek before ending the day.

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Manning Gorge

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Near at Manning Gorge Campsite

Related Travel Post(s) :
Manning Gorge – A Picturesque Gorge In Gibb River Road

Day 8 : Bell Gorge and Windjana Gorge

A busy time for the group as we visited two gorges in one day which both includes easy to medium walk towards the beautiful gorges. A great time spent in a picturesque Bell Gorge. A great experience in Windjana Gorge to witness sunset, freshwater crocodiles in Lennard River and thousand  fruit-bats flying away from the gorge for feeding time in one seating.

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Bell Gorge

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Windjana Gorge

Related Travel Post(s) :
Bell Gorge and Windjana Gorge – Two More Amazing Gorges in Kimberley

Day 9: Tunnel Creek National Park, Derby and Broome

Before heading to Broome, we had our last adventure in Tunnel Creek National Park in the morning where we explored a historical and ancient cave where the Tunnel Creek flows through it. We had lunch near Derby Wharf, stopped in Prison Boab Tree, Willare Bridge Roadhouse and Willare Bridge before hitting the road again to reached Broome. When we reached Broome, it was the end of the 9 Days Overland Adventure  from Darwin to Broome.

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Tunnel Creek Cave

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Derby

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Prison Boab Tree

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At Willare Bridge, Fitzroy River

Related Travel Post(s) :
Tunnel Creek National Park, Derby and Broome

It’s the end of my adventure tour with the group and the beginning of my solo trip and tour of the rest of my stay in Western Australia.

Until then.

Something To Look At : Tunnel Creek, Bunuba and Jandamarra

Something To Look At (Post#13) : Tunnel Creek, Bunuba and Jandamarra

After coming out from Tunnel Creek natural cave, I had a time to look at the information boards at the entrance trail which I haven’t had a chance to read it before coming in. The boards both gives information about the walk into the Tunnel Creek cave with friendly neighborhood living things that lives inside the ancient natural cave and the historic information about Bunuba Aboriginal Tribe which Jandamarra led the resistance towards the white.  These photos are part of Day 9 (Tunnel Creek, Derby and Broome) of 9 Days Darwin to Broome Overland Adventure Tour October 2016.

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Bell Gorge and Windjana Gorge – Two More Amazing Gorges in Kimberley

We left the camp near Manning Creek and move forward in our adventure for the day. If Day 7 used to spent in Manning Gorge and around it up to Manning Creek, Day 8 was a bit different as we had been in few different places that stunned me of its natural beauty. If Manning Gorge amazed me, it’s the same thing that I felt when I reached two more gorges.

After leaving, we stopped again in Mount Barnett Roadhouse to buy some stuff. Then, our guide was on checking up the truck. Someone from the roadhouse helped to checked the tires. Then, one tire has been replaced. Next, we went to a nearby motor repair shop to vulcanize the tire. In the same shop, we enjoyed seeing photos that was given to us by one of the worker in the shop and we had something to spent our time while we were waiting.

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Mount Barnett Roadhouse

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Over the Range Tyre and Mechanical Repairs

After leaving Mount Barnett Roadhouse, we traveled again in Gibb River Road for at least half an hour to reached Imintji, a local community. There is community store that can serve cold drinks, ice-cream and other groceries. It also provides fuel-diesel. There is art centre beside the community store but at the time we reached the community it was already closed for the season.

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Imintji Community

Bell Gorge

We left Imintji Community and move forward to Bell Gorge. We drove towards the gorge for almost an hour. We reached the parking and trekked half an hour to reach another amazing and picturesque gorge named Bell Gorge, still located in King Leopold Ranges. There was a waterhole in gorge but I never walked near it since the waterhole looks deep and my swimming skills are not for it. But few from the group and myself decided to enjoy the small pool where the Bell Gorge Waterfalls flows through it.

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Bell Gorge Information Board

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Bell Gorge

We enjoyed more than two hours of our time in Bell Gorge. Next we were all back again in Gibb River Road. After more than two hours again, we stopped along the road without knowing the reason at first. Then our guide Scotty told us to look back and there we saw a human face structure which positioned as side view. The first thing that I noticed was its pointed nose. Then our guide said it is called Queen Victoria Head. It is quite amazing to see a human figure in rocks and boulders along Napier Range and located just above the Gibb River Road.

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Queen Victoria Head along Gibb River Road

Windjana Gorge National Park

We returned to our truck, we stayed in the road for more than half an hour when we reached the parking of Windjana Gorge. Scotty told us to bring our torch which we did and we got off the truck. At the parking area, we already enjoyed limestone escarpment that I had noticed when stopped to see Queen Victoria Head. We walked few minutes towards the gorge and we saw Lennard River where we noticed there are lots of freshwater crocodiles (freshie). We stopped walking when we found a great spot to see the gorge and the river on sunset. Most of my group sit around just beside the river. While I spent few minutes to capture the surroundings of Windjana Gorge before I joined the group to sit with them.

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Escarpment at Windjana Gorge National Park

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Lennard River at Windjana Gorge

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Surroundings of Windjana Gorge

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Freshwater Crocodiles at Lennard River in Windjana Gorge

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Fruit-Bats Leaving the gorge

We sit in our spot for a while to enjoy watching the “Freshies” in Lennard River and after few minutes, we started to see fruit-bats flying away from the gorge. The few bats become too many, until we saw thousands of bats leaving the gorge. We were watching for half an hour and it seems the fruit-bats have not gone all. It was one of the amazing thing to see in the gorge aside from crocs. It was totally dark when we left the gorge. That was the reason why our guide told us to bring our torch. We spent our night in camping ground in Windjana Gorge National Park, where we enjoyed again our daily night routine in cooking and preparing the dinner, then cleaning our mess after. That night, we also exchanged our email address as the night was the last night of the group to be all together as some from the group and that includes me will end the adventure journey the next day while some from the group will continue exploring Pilbara Region after reaching Broome.

Featuring Our World : Windjana Gorge and Lennard River

Featuring Our World (Post#14) : Windjana Gorge and Lennard River

Windjana Gorge for me has its own unique beauty. I love the surroundings. I just thought that the dry land area where we sit at that time to observed the “Freshies” (Freshwater Crocs) and to watch fruit-bats most likely under the water during wet season. And it was another amazing environment to see the crocs in their natural habitat which is the Lennard River and the surroundings of the gorge itself. The gorge is made out on Napier Range because of the Lennard River, as per study, the whole place was under the ocean 300 million years ago. I can’t comprehend how long was that. These photos are part of Day 8 (Bell Gorge and Windjana Gorge) of 9 Days Darwin to Broome Overland Adventure Tour October 2016.

 

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Life Of Others : Windjana Gorge – Fruit Bats

Life Of Others (Post#17) : Windjana Gorge – Fruit Bats

One unique thing that I experienced while in Windjana Gorge was the time to observe thousands of fruit bats flying away from the gorge before the place gets totally dark. Before, I wonder why we visited the gorge when it’s already sunset. Then I realized why, because our tour guide wanted us to witness the moment where these bats leaves the gorge for feeding time. We had been watching the bats around or almost half an hour and I felt like it’s too many bats that I was thinking if there will be a time that they will be all gone. These photos are part of Day 8 (Bell Gorge and Windjana Gorge) of 9 Days Darwin to Broome Overland Adventure Tour October 2016.

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Discovery : Queen Victoria Head in Gibb River Road

Discovery (Post#46) : Queen Victoria Head in Gibb River Road

Around two hours after we left Bell Gorge, we stopped along Gibb River Road, but I had no idea why. Then, Scotty our guide told us to look back and he mentioned about Queen Victoria Head rock which visible at the top of the road. When I looked back, I saw an interesting part of rocks that shapes like a head which significantly shows its pointed nose. Its kind of intriguing that even natures shows human head. These photos are part of Day 8 (Bell Gorge and Windjana Gorge) of 9 Days Darwin to Broome Overland Adventure Tour October 2016.

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Chromatic Outlook : Imintji

Chromatic Outlook (Post#47) : Imintji

When the tires has been fixed and has been put back to the truck, we were back in the road. And we had a quick stop in a local community that can be found along Gibb River Road which named as Imintji. The place also offers camping site which is great for nearby attractions such as Bell Gorge, Tunnel Creek, Windjana Gorge and others. It also offers community store and diesel fuel gasoline, a better place to be while surviving in Gibb River Road. And one more thing, they have arts centre to spend sometime on but at the time of our visit it was already closed for the season. These photos are part of Day 8 (Bell Gorge and Windjana Gorge) of 9 Days Darwin to Broome Overland Adventure Tour October 2016.

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Chromatic Outlook : Over the Range “Tyre and Mechanical Repairs”

Chromatic Outlook (Post#46) : Over the Range “Tyre and Mechanical Repairs”

After we left Mount Barnett Roadhouse and had been in Gibb River Road for around half an hour, we stopped again. This time, we went to a motor repair shop. Then, we got off and realized that there was need to be done with the tire of the truck. At the repair shop, while we were waiting, we enjoyed looking at the photos of the owner of the shop and the beautiful places within the range of Gibb River Road or around Kimberley. These photos are part of Day 8 (Bell Gorge and Windjana Gorge) of 9 Days Darwin to Broome Overland Adventure Tour October 2016.

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Name Of The Place : Mount Barnett Roadhouse

Name Of The Place (Post#50) : Mount Barnett Roadhouse

As photo for the day, Mount Barnett Roadhouse is featured.  During the group’s 8th Day adventure, we visited Mount Barnett for the third and last time after we left Manning Gorge campsite to check the truck and of course because there is a store inside it, we sneak sometime to shop. And the most sellable to the group were ice pop, ice cream, cold drinks or any type of frozen food as the sunny day helped us to crave for it. The place was short drive from the camp we came from. These photos are part of Day 8 (Bell Gorge and Windjana Gorge) of 9 Days Darwin to Broome Overland Adventure Tour October 2016.

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Manning Gorge – A Picturesque Gorge In Gibb River Road

It was our 7th Day and the adventure destination was Manning Gorge. The group had breakfast but did not break the camp that morning. Scotty, our guide explained something in the group even before the walk starts. He explained in the group that there are options to choose. First option was walking to the gorge will be the same walk going back to the camp and the second option was walking to the gorge while swimming back to the camp. Since I was not really a good swimmer at all, I chose the first option and we were just few to chose the first option, the rest chose the second. Since there were two groups in the camp, the other group came from Broome joined us in the activity.

Then, we started the walk after passing Manning Creek using a small boat. At first the walk was easy but because the sun was up, we felt the warm in our bodies. We thought that the walk was a short one but it took us more than an hour to reach the gorge. There are parts of the trail that were too rugged because of rocks and boulders stray along the trail but still pretty well-marked and visible to which most of the group or individual can follow the track.

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Along the walking trail

When we were almost near in Manning Gorge we had a bit of trek as we descent towards the gorge. When we reached the gorge, I felt that we discovered a remote paradise from nothing in the wilderness to something amazing. Along the walking trail, I never imagined that there is a magnificent waterhole at the end of the walk. Because I was too mesmerized in the waterhole and my surroundings, I took a lot of photos that I felt that I did not want to miss anything. Someone can say, why don’t you take a video of it? To be honest, I was not really a fan of taking or recording videos, but sometimes in some of my travels I did capture videos. The reason I preferred photos than videos is because photo is like frozen time, taking photo means capturing a second or a moment.

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Aboriginal Arts in Rocks in Manning Gorge

As I approached the main waterhole where the waterfalls tracks is visible, during my descent I saw some Aboriginal Arts drawn in a rock wall which significantly shows that the place has been lived by ancient people.

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Manning Gorge

At first, I didn’t have a plan to swim in Manning Gorge waterhole as I can see that its depth was not for me. But our guide Scotty invited me to get into the water and the rest of the group did the same thing. They showed to me that there was a shallow area in the waterhole that I can stand. When I saw the lighter color of the waterhole, I decided to join the group with a thought that the whole group were there that can help me and assist me so I can enjoy the water too.

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At Manning Gorge Waterhole

We spent hours in the gorge. But before lunch time, we decided to return to the camp. As mentioned earlier, the group divided into two. One group will return to the camp the same way reaching the gorge which was walking back to the same trail and I joined that group. The second group was group that will swim from Manning Gorge following the Manning Creek towards the camp.

We reached the camp an hour earlier from the other group that swam  through Manning Creek, then altogether had lunch at the camp site. After lunch, we went to Mount Barnett Roadhouse to refill our truck since the previous day was unsuccessful as it was already closed.

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At Mount Barnett Roadhouse – Looking at the information about Toad in Western Australia

We returned to the camp to spent the rest of the days. For the group to maximize the resting time in the camp, some of the group went at Manning Creek to swim and play which just beside the camp, I joined the group and had fun. And some just rested in the tent to rest and sleep.

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Soaking myself in Manning Creek near the camp

We spent another night in the camp. And since there were two groups in the same camp, it was kind of fun because there were lots of people having dinner altogether, helping out together in preparing and cooking the food. Even in cleaning up the mess we made during the dinner. I kind of like of that way of mingling with people though we were strangers at all personally but it feels like we were a big one family at that time.

Until then.

Featuring Our World : Manning Gorge

Featuring Our World (Post#13) : Manning Gorge

After a long walk towards the Manning Gorge, though we had a bit of rough walk in reaching it, it was worth the effort to be in the said place. Sometimes they call the place Manning Gorge waterhole or Manning Gorge Waterfalls. Because its dry season, the was a little bit of falls that can be seen in the gorge. When I saw where we were, I felt like we found a paradise because of its natural settings, the surrounding areas, the rocks astray in the ground, the walls in between that made the waterhole like it was a river in some part of the gorge. I was really amazed and enthusiastic that I got a chance to be there. These photos are part of Day 7 (Manning Gorge) of 9 Days Darwin to Broome Overland Adventure Tour October 2016.

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Something To Look At : Toad in Western Australia

Something To Look At (Post#12) : Toad in Western Australia

When we were in Mount Barnett Roadhouse to refill our tanks and to buy some stuff, I was able to capture something about toad. The information is dissipated so that people will be informed about it. After the adventure tour that I had, I learned that toad or specifically cane toad, has effect on biodiversity of Australia when it was introduced as fight for beetles threatening the sugarcane plantations because it has poisonous glands that resulted of reduction of other species. Therefore in Western Australia, one of the reasons why there is border between Northern Territory and Western Australia is to control such organism to spread in the said state. The photo is part of Day 7 (Manning Gorge) of 9 Days Darwin to Broome Overland Adventure Tour October 2016.

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Arts and Craft : Aboriginal Arts at Manning Gorge

Arts and Craft (Post#19) : Aboriginal Arts at Manning Gorge

When we reached Manning Gorge Waterfalls, the surrounding walls while we were trying to reach the falls closer, shows some of the aboriginal arts drawn in the rocks. The said arts is a proof that ancient people lives around the gorge. And up to this date, the Australian Aboriginals keeps managing the area. These photos are part of Day 7 (Manning Gorge) of 9 Days Darwin to Broome Overland Adventure Tour October 2016.

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Featuring Our World : Manning Creek

Featuring Our World (Post#12) : Manning Creek

Though we were in Gibb River Roads for hours, reaching Manning Camp was indeed a relief to all of us. And aside from basic facilities that the camp is offering, it has nearby Manning Creek that helped to immediately alleviate the heat that we felt while we were on our way to the camp. And we had enjoyed this creek as there were colourful and small fishes to be found even at the shallow area. These photos are part of Day 6 (Manning Gorge) of 9 Days Darwin to Broome Overland Adventure Tour October 2016.

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Photos from the camp side

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Photos from trail towards Manning Gorge

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Photos while soaking myself in the water

Beyond Our Reach : Kimberley Wilderness

Beyond Our Reach (Post#4) : Kimberley Wilderness

While we took Gibb River Road, it was a chance to me to appreciate the vast space that can be seen in Kimberley. The scenery photos were not the only thing to see, there are more but sometimes its beyond our reach to see it all at once. These photos are part of Day 6 (El Questro Station) of 9 Days Darwin to Broome Overland Adventure Tour October 2016.

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Panoramic View : Cockburn Range

Panoramic View (Post#38) : Cockburn Range

After passing Pentecost River while taking Gibb River Road, we stopped a bit in Cockburn Ranges Lookout to appreciate the majestic beauty that it offers. The said range is also the most iconic views to see while in Gibb River Road. And please take note that Emma Gorge where we had swimming in waterhole is part of Cockburn Range. These photos are part of Day 6 (Gibb River Road) of 9 Days Darwin to Broome Overland Adventure Tour October 2016.

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El Questro Station and Surround

Fourth Day continues …

From “The Bungle Bungles” to Bellburn Airstrip Airport

Just past 9:00 AM in the morning of our Day 4 adventure, we left “The Bungle Bungles”. Then we drove towards Bungle Bungle Airport (Purnululu Airport or Bellburn Airstrip Airport) as few from the group had to take Bungle Bungle Scenic Flights via Helispirit. Then, the rest from the group waited at the ground and had a morning coffee/tea break while waiting. I did not join the scenic flight as it has additional cost and not included in the adventure tour that I paid. It is an optional activity being offered while in Purnululu National Park.

When the scenic flight adventure has been finished, we were back in the truck to continue our journey leaving Purnululu National Park. Leaving the park takes a while,  same time when coming into it because of obvious reasons that slows down everyone – the unsealed roads or dirt tracks. And from what I learned, the management of the park wanted to keep it that way as part of protection program of the park. Before we finally left Purnululu, we had quick-lunch again at the same place where we had our lunch the previous day, not far from the gate.

To Warmun (Turkey Creek)

After hours in the road, we had a quick stop at Warmun (Turkey Creek) to rest a bit, to have snacks and to refuel our truck. I cannot forget the said station because it was the place where everyone craved for cold food like ice cream as the sun’s heat scorching in our body as we continue adventuring the region.

To Gibb River Road

As we move along, we drove hours again in Great Northern Highway going north towards Durack Range, passing Victoria Highway that goes to Kununurra where we came from few days earlier. We turned right towards Wyndham continuously taking the same highway.

From Great Northern Highway, we turned left towards Gibb River Road Wyndham, we stopped a bit before we started the longest and harshest road that we will take, the famous unsealed road in Western Australia named Gibb River Road.

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Before we even started driving Gibb River Road, we had some troubles in our truck, but we are not aware of its gravity how we were troubled.  But our adventure guide Scotty, were able to managed the truck to maneuver even we took Gibb River Road, we successfully arrived at El Questro Station.

At El Questro Station

Everyone had a good relief that we reached the station because we do not want to be in the middle of nowhere with our truck malfunctioning. Because the dry season was almost over, it means that fewer visitors were visible in the station. El Questro Station has complete facilities, we were able to take showers again which we were not able to do in Purnululu National Park, washing clothes are feasible because there are coin-operated washing machines available in the station. There was a restaurant that at least we have something to visit in the evening. We felt good that our truck gave up when we were in El Questro Station, for me it is the best place to be in that situation. Our group pitched the tent again which just near the Pentecost River. That night that we arrived in the station, we had a great dinner as if we never experienced problems along the way to the station.

Fifth Day

The next day, it was definitely that our truck needs some repairs. Our guide Scotty did some arrangements of tour bus for the group so we have activities during our fifth day adventure. I checked that day’s itineraries of the group and to my surprise, we haven’t missed anything as part of the adventure up to our fifth day even we were spending a relaxing time in El Questro Station. Looking at the places that we had been for the past days, we are still ahead of the schedule which was really great. When everybody were ready, we left the station and went to a nearby and wonderful thermal springs.

Zebedee Springs

We walked few minutes from the parking area, then we had an easy walk except for the slippery rocks near the pool. I liked the surroundings because the thermal springs are naturally covered by Levistona Tall Trees that makes the places so natural. It was not like hot springs that I had been with which mostly were developed and too commercialized as business. Because the thermal springs located in remote wilderness, it is able to maintain its natural surroundings which makes the place so beautiful and amazing. By the time we arrived in the location, there are other groups already taken the best spots at the top, therefore we have to take the lower part which our group still enjoyed because of the hot water that flows in the rocks. Everyone got relaxed though at first most were having fun together.

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Because the Zebedee Springs always closed at 12 noon, we just spent an hour in the thermal springs.

We returned to El Questro Station where we had lunch again altogether. I quite like the stay of the group in the station because for me it was time to get rest and re-energized again and be away a bit from adventure. After lunch, the rest just slept and some went to Pentecost River and play with the water. I joined the group at later time after taking a nap inside the tent.

Champagne Springs Trail and Thousand Year Old Boab Tree

Champagne Springs Trail was not really an official itinerary adventure of the group. But while we were in El Questro Station, some from the group just don’t wanted to sit and do nothing while everyone were waiting for the next overland truck that we will be using to continue the group adventure in Kimberley Region. Some from the group decided to find the Thousand Year Old Boab Tree. Therefore, one of us inquired about the trail and was able to get some trail information. We reviewed the trail and because of the timing, we knew that we have to just target the middle of the trail where the old Boab Tree stands.

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Boab Trees at the station

We started the walked between 3 to 4 PM. Initially, we thought that the walk was an easy one but we were wrong. As we follow the trail to reach the Old Boab Tree, the trail become difficult, there were sandy part, huge rocks to climb on, the trail information tells the truth, it was a difficult one. Some part of the trail is near the river where it was mentioned that possible sightings of crocodiles. Some of us saw snakes.

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Road entry to El Questro where Pentecost River is flowing as well.

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Some snapshots along Champagne Springs Trail

We reached the Boab Tree and there, we were amazed how huge the tree is. For me, its body can be a place or refuge for someone stay on. We rested and took pictures of the thousand-year old tree.

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Thousand-year old Boab Tree along Champagne Springs Trail

After spending sometime with the old boab tree, we decided to go back. And we used the same trail. But before we even reach the camping station, even we knew we were almost back but we had a wrong turn as it’s already dark. We took a trail away from the station and we ended with the location where lots of vehicle were dumped. And along the way, we were a bit nervous as we felt we lost our way.  But, we turned around as we followed the lights coming from the station, it’s just we took the farm just beside the station. When we reached the camp, we were all relief, because we knew were back and sound safe. Then we joined the group in preparing the dinner

Note:

I reviewed the trail and the Champagne Springs that we did not reach, then I realized how amazing that spring is.  After seeing some photos of it, I felt saddened because we were already within the trail, but because it was late, I knew it was impossible to reach it. As per advise, going to the springs must start the walk not later than 11 AM and at that time were already enjoying Zebedee Springs. We started the walk past 3PM in the afternoon, so, it was really impossible to be there and the said spring is not official itinerary of the group as part of adventure activities while in El Questro.