The Kimberley

I don't think a tour of the top end would have been complete without a visit to the Kimberley. I had found quite by chance a 4WD trip for 9 days through this region (covering a distance of 2600klms from Darwin to Broome) that also took in the Bungle Bungles (see separate story). Although this meant yet another trip It was I found the only way to have a good chance of seeing things well in the time available, plus you DEFINATELY need 4wd as there are many rivers to cross.

Day 1.

Kimberly Adventure Tours duly picked me up from the hostel just after 6am, well this is the most comfortable vehicle yet complete with nice comfy seats, cushions and curtains which help keep it cooler,and air con that works !.

After collecting 7 other (3 Australians, a couple of Canadians and one other Brit plus 2 Germans, much older group too) we headed off for ANOTHER brief visit to Katherine Gorge, glad to say that we went somewhere I had not been before.

From here we headed further south, quite a drive today to make the distance toward the edge of the Kimberly. We entered Gregory National park and took a dirt road off the main highway and headed off into the bush. It seemed to take forever but we eventually arrived at a bush camping spot with stupendous views out over the Kimberly. What a place for the first night, and its good to sleep in a swag again under the stars, not so cold either.

DAY 2.

Early (ish) start departing camp around 8.30 we are making our way to Kale Argyle as we will stay on one of the islands overnight. After a morning drive we arrived at the W.A. border which is a convenient place for lunch as we had to get rid of all vegetables, fruit etc, they wont let you take this kind of thin into W.A. They even made us get rid of the fire wood for some reason. We also found a Bower Bird's love nest, these birds have a kind of tube made from sticks on the ground which the male uses to attract a mate. So after crossing the border and a brief stop at a road house we arrived at Lake Argyle at 3pm. We had enough time to take some pictures from the view point before boarding the boat. (At the time we visited Lake Argyle covered some 11,000 sq klms and had about 120 islands, although this can vary from wet to dry season)

Greg takes us out into the lake in beautiful weather through a myriad of islands, its absolutely stunning and reminds me of Lake Ti Ti Ka Ka in Peru. We stopped in several locations for a swim and diving off rocks at the deepest point in the lake. we also found Archer and Cat fish to feed, that was pretty amazing,and they obviously know all about feeding time as their where so many of them. Greg also found some huge Golden Orb Spiders which have the strongest webs of all spiders (I think that right from memory) to look at.

So after another swim at sunset and champagne in  the water (very novel !!) we made our way the last bit of the 25klms to the nights camp spot looking at Wallabies on islands en route. Its quite a location, camping on the beach and a fire and a sunset over the lake, a great way to end the day.

DAY 3.

Its an early start and pack up camp to head for shore and breakfast. Today is a big driving day as we head for the Bungle Bungles (Purnululu National Park). After stops for lunch etc we turn onto a  dirts road, it a 50klm drive on a rough road crossing numerous dried up river beds we arrived at Walardi camp at 6.30pm. so after getting the fire going (having collected wood en route) Wade and Faye cooked a great meal and we bedded down around 10pm for an early start on day 4.

DAY 4.

Awake at 5.30am followed by breakfast departing camp at 7.15am for the last 12klm drive to the Bungle Bungles proper, all very stunning. A number of people had booked heli flights here, so that was apart of the days itinerary. This section of the trip is covered separately under the heading of The Bungle Bungles.

Day 5.

Its yet another beautiful day of clear skies and to good an opportunity to miss a Heli flight over the Bungle Bungles. The day is devoted to this spectacular mountain range, including a walk around the gorges and bee hives.

Day 6.

Its another early start at 7am for the return drive out of the Bungle Bungles. Today we start the Gibb River Road near Kunuara which is a 620klm dirt road to Dereby which is about 2 hours north of Broome.

Its quite a lot of driving today too, so lunch stop at Ley Road house and a swim at Black Rock falls before heading to Ivenhoe causeway where locals seem keen to fish despite the risk of saltwater crocs, we had thought of being able to cross the river at this point but this proved impossible, so it was time to turn round and head back the way we had come.  From here we headed further west making camp on the edge of a sacred Aboriginal site just before nightfall. The following morning revealed great views of a distant Coburn mountain range that produced beautiful colours as the sun rose.

DAY 7.

Another very early start at 5am and departing camp at 6.15, or at least we started too until we got stuck on a rock on the track, so after a few minutes of Jay digging we where on our way once more. River crossings are becoming more and more interesting as the rivers seem to get larger and deeper, but it makes for some good photo's. We stopped at Manning gorge for a much needed swim and lots more pics, From here we made our way to Galvins gorge and finally a chance to take some pictures of the famed Baob Tree, for those that are not familiar with this tree its trunk is shaped a bit like a wine bottle. The Kimberly is well known for Boab trees and the can be found all over. We are heading for the Cockburn River for the nights camp, but a puncture in the rear tyre means a short delay, so we arrived at this lovely spot on the edge of the creek with another group (unusually) not far away, so after a meal and a few beers the other group called in briefly for a few beers before  hitting the swag about midnight.

DAY 8.

More Leisurely start and we eave camp around 8.30am and m,make out way for an early swim at Addcock Gorge, a rather cool but refreshing start to the day. From here we made out way further a long the Gibb River rod visiting several other gorges, with water holes getting progressively colder. Our final camp being beside another river on a huge area of rock, Its took some finding off the road as the grass was so long, but it was well worth it when we got their. 

DAY 9.

Our final day and just a couple of gorges and lots of fresh water Crocs to end  a really spectacular trip through the Kimberly, I can strongly recommend this area to visit, its a huge wilderness but with a mystical charm of its own, and very beautiful. We arrived late evening in Dereby and had to then make the 2 hour drive to Broome. One last surprise, the lights on the trooper failed, so Jay taped 2 big torches to the front. But luckerly a kind chap drove in front for us so we could see and travel at  a reasonable speed.