Sunday 4th
Today we had a little bit of a lay/sleep in. Up at 7.30am and breakfast.
We were ready to go and no the northern walks when a neighbour came over and asked if he could borrow some jumper leads as the battery in his new Land Rover was flat. Well we ended up driving over and giving him a jump start as he couldnt start it off his 2nd battery. Brand new car less than 6 months old and his battery keeps going flat on him. Land Rover say there isnt a problem, well I think that there might be.
That done we headed out to the Bloodwood parking area and did the Mini Palm Gorge walk, there was a few more rocks to squeeze past and jump over than last time we were here. So proud of our little hiker girl Rena. She is really getting good at this rock hopping.
It was nice to make it right in to the end of Mini Plam Gorge and see that this section hadnt changed, still very serene and spectacular.
We then headed back to the car and on to Echidna Chasm, we didnt make it there by 12 noon but were there a little after so we didnt get the whole experience of the light down the chasm (did last time though) but it was still quite spectacular.
Once again Rena was a good little hiker albeit a little tired we made our way back to the car with a promise of 2 smooze (fruit ices) when we got back to camp. Its like holding a carrot in front of her, she really likes the fruit smoozes (and they are good for her too) you can get her to stop dragging her feet and get her to almost run back to the car :) I know bad mummy :D :D
We then headed to the visitor centre to officially book in, yesterday we were naughty and headed straight to camp and set up (camp site host gave us the gentle slap on the back of the hand when he saw us this morning).
Whilst enroute a ute going the other way had his side door to his trayback open so we tried to wave at him, but to no avail. Down the road a bit we stopped and picked up his chair and tent pegs and put them on the side of the road.
Just a little further down the road we found his foot stool and wood chock, so these in the car we headed to the visitor centre. I got James the fact sheet on the Bungle Bungle range, Rena and book and CD and myself a really nice post card. Mind you if they had of sold ice creams we would of bought some too but alas no ice creams.
Back at camp for a late lunch after our fruit smooze.
About 4 pm we headed off to the Kungkalanyl lookout in readiness for the sunset shots. I took my camera and treated it with kid gloves and took some photos and Rena took alot of photos too, but mainly of another family that were there taking photos too.
That done and another beautiful Kimberley sunset we headed back down the hill to the car and back to camp.
Early to bed tonight as we are all a tad tired, we are off to do the southern section of the range tomorrow.
Monday 5th
This morning we were up at 7am and a quick breakfast before getting ready to do the southern walks.
We did the drive down to the southern section, it is amazing the way the range changes between the northern and southern sections.
We decided to stop at the Elephant Rock on the way back as we should get better lighting later on in the day.
The parking area at Piccanninny Creek section is alot bigger than last time, and now has shaded areas and new toilets.
We decided to head straight for Cathederal Gorge and then see how Rena is going before attempting to do the newer Whip Snake Gorge walk.
The walk in to Cathederal Gorge has changed slightly since last time, there is now steps in some places as you can no longer walk all the way up the creek any more. No more clambering over rocks in the creek bed.
We got to the gorge, still an awesome spot, but unfortunately for us, no opera singer today, just some back packers with a boom box seeing how well their music echoed around the gorge. We just sat back and took it all in for a while. Still a spectacular spot.
We headed back to Piccaninny Creek and decided to do the newer Piccaninny Lookout walk, well it is a hot walk and not much shade, but the lookout at the end is well worth the effort. Really gives you a good perspective of the area.
With a very tired and hot miss 4 yr old, we headed back to the car park via the Domes walk. We did the side track and went to the little gorge at the end, the waterhole has long since dried up, but was nice and cool on a hot day.
Back at the car, we headed to Elephant Rock, unfortunately, the foliage in front of the 2 Elephant Rocks is quite tall and thick so it is almost impossible to get a good picture. We then headed back to camp for a quick lunch.
We then headed up to the northern end and did the Stonehedge walk, an aboriginal fauna and flora interpretative trail.
This was really good for Rena, we got to read the signs and look at the plants so we knew what they looked like.
We then headed back to camp and did the track up and over the hill near the campground. This then lead through the campground, it had information signs all the way around it, so once again Rena got to read the signs and see the plants in the wild and also find out about the landscape and rocks.
Back to camp for a cuppa, showers, tea and early to bed. All a tad tired tonight.
Tuesday 6th August
We packed up this morning (unfortunately) and headed out of the park. This time we stopped half way along the road and gave Rena a bit of a leg stretch and some fresh air. It seems longer going out than coming in. The track is very windy, corrugated and hilly. Any wonder after 18,000 klm's Rena had car sickness the other day.
We got to the park entrance and used the facility whilst James pumped up the tyres before hitting the black top again. I made some lunch, there was a guy there with a mobile coffee van doing a roaring trade, very good idea, I reakon you would need a nice strong hot coffee after driving that road.
We then drove on to Halls Creek before turning left and heading out to look at China Wall. The car park has changed a lot, and the riverbed is very much different from last time. The wall looks to have crumbled a bit since last time.
Back in the car and off to Old Halls Creek, this hasnt changed at all, although doesnt look at busy as it use to be.
We then headed to Caroline Pool for the night to set up camp right on the creek bed. What a beautiful spot. James headed off and got some firewood and I made a fruit cake ready to go in the camp oven.
Rena got to enjoy the waterhole before dark and after we all sat around the campfire and ate dinner and cake before retiring inside for the night. Was a cool night.
Beautiful free campspot not to far out of Halls Creek, worth a visist if you are coming this way.
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