A TASTE OF THE GIBB RIVER ROAD PART 2

FIRSTLY, I MUST APOLOGISE FOR THE RECENT LACK OF POSTS. I HAVE BEEN OUT OF PHONE AND INTERNET RANGE FOR A FEW DAYS AT BARN HILL STAION AND THEN FOR ANOTHER FEW DAYS AT A SERIES OF FREE CAMPS.

BACK TO THE GIBB RIVER ROAD EXPERIENCE. 

El Questro has a wide range of trails that allow exploration of a large part of the property. The trails are kept in pretty good shape

We started with Chamberlain Gorge, a short trip on a reasonable track. El Questro also offers boat trips on the gorge, but they seem mainly to be used by  those that arrive on the various bus tours or arrive after a vehicle transfer from Kununurra or Wyndham, I guess it’s the only way for them to see anything.

I heard a story at El Questro that they previously offered hire canoes on Chamberlain Gorge until one day when a large croc attacked the canoe of two German tourists. They were reportedly not injured. I note that hire canoes are not now offered.

Chamberlain Gorge,

Chamberlain Gorge was just another gorge so we came, we saw and we left, heading to Branko’s Lookout across quite a difficult crossing of the Chamberlain River over an area of large and very loose river stones and then up quite a steep and long ascent, but it was worth the effort.

The Durack Tree. It's my picture so I'll make it big  !!  lol

On the track to the river crossing we passed the Durack Tree, a boab blazed by one of the Durack brothers when they first passed through the area. Another photo opportunity.

Branko’s is a spectacular  lookout, gazing down on a section of the Chamberlain River. You can’t see from this shot, the two freshwater crocs lying in the sun on the banks. The Cockburn Range is in the background.

Branko's Lookout. Spectacular !

There is a trip to this lookout available from the El Questro  township, about $60 a head. These trips seem to be taken by  those that arrive on the various bus tours or arrive after a vehicle transfer from Kununurra, I guess it’s the only way for them to see anything.

 They travel in an open body built on to a Toyota troopcarrier – sounds a bit hot and scary to me, it was 30 plus degrees the day we made the trip.

A few Km further on is yet another gorge – Explosion Gorge – so named because the locals used to go fishing there with said explosives, (what old mate Rick Stubbs would call “expanding bait”) – I’ll bet they caught plenty.

Explosion Gorge. Pity I Don't carry a few grenades !

After a hard day’s trail driving is was nice to return to our campsite and just sit and relax with a drink and the camera.

Relaxing in the shade. You can see the swing out kitchen in this shot.

I was able to get quite a few nice shots including a Little Corella that was part of a screeching gang of around 200 that came wheeling in at least twice a day and zoomed around the surrounding trees creating bird mayhem before screeching off again. Also found a small flock of Double Barred Finches scratching in the dirt of the track. They were very flighty and it took me a long time to get this shot.

A Little Corella.

A Double Barred Finch. For some inexplicable reason, this finch reminds me of Phil Koperberg !

That night after a very pleasant dinner under the stars, again accompanied by regular visits from the insect eating bat and some strong rustling in the surrounding bush (probably a roo) we retired only to be woken again around 3am (and again later) by another dingo, this time with a deeper and longer howl – eerie but not unpleasant.

Later that morning we tackled Saddleback Ridge – I had heard it was quite a difficult track and there were a couple of warning signs.  After crossing the Pentecost once again we came to quite a steep and loose track up through a few switchbacks and ever upwards to reach the ridge top and  along the ridge to the lookout over El Questro  and its surrounds.

Part of the track to Saddleback Ridge

The spectacular view of El Questro and surrounding country from Saddleback Lookout.

A great view and worth the effort – although I don’t know what would have happened if we had met someone coming the other way while going up or down, in those circumstances you just hope the other driver knows what he / she is doing.

I did make a call on the CB before going up and again before going down, it’s a sound practice that has worked for me before.

Saddleback Ridge is also offered as a sunset  trip in El Questro’s open backed troopcarriers – it would be even scarier and dustier than the trip to Branko’s Lookout, probably costs about $80 a head as well!.

Saddleback Lookout from the banks of the Pentecost River.

A shallow crossing of the Pentecost River heading out of El Questro. No real reason to put this in, I just like it !!

Back to the campsite for lunch and a relaxing afternoon.

COMING NEXT

Home Valley Station

Regards

TJ