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.
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!.
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