We stopped at the Grotto outside Wyndham which is a local watering hole and it felt brilliant to have our first swim of the trip and spent a few hours using the rope swings and dropping bombs. Re-stocking all out supplies at the highest non-aboriginal town in Western Australia it was time to tackle the famous Gibb River road which had been closed to all traffic except 4wd's and only came across one vehicle in the 1000 odd km length. The road was pretty rough and like the Tanami Track was littered with blown often brand new tyres from people driving too hard with the wrong pressures and bursting them.
Swinging around the Grotto near Wyndham and the Gibb River road.
The first night while looking for a camp site I noticed a set off wheel tracks leading off through the scrub so followed it to the end and came across the spot below. We very tempted to go for a swim but it was still to close to the sea and had noticed some crocs in the shadows so it was just a case of throwing some water over each other away from the water edge. If I find it again I will give the GPS co-ordinates so other can enjoy this spot as I'm sure the fishing would be good too. Took off for the Mitchell Falls but didn't get any further than the Drysdale Station before this almighty down pour came down which flooded everything in less than 2 hours and knew it was black soil which many people have gotten stuck in weeks after rain let alone while it was raining. Spock to a couple of Macaroon's and said it would not be wise to continue as no one else was up there and it could be months before it dries out.
Secret camp site Durack River and more than water in the way!
The road on the way back down which had been dry 2 hours earlier was now as above and below left with the added problem of a scrub bull in the way which I got Lisa to scare away so she could walk around the mud hole and take the picture from the other side of me coming through. What a wife! The rain came down again and I had all four wheels spinning with the water going everywhere and like the photo below right, was under water for several kilometres with the water pouring in off the land on both sides as the road was the lowest point and fast becoming a flowing river!
Gibb River road just became the river!
Made camp under a Boab tree which only grows in this part of Australia and no where else in the world. Next morning we were facing with yet another day over 40*C ( over 100*F ) which it turned out we would exceed every day for the 5 1/2 weeks breaking a lot of records as the heat wave just kept following us even though hearing cooler temperatures further south, by the time we got there it was over 100*F again. So it was time to overcome our fear of crocs and had been told that 'only' fresh water ones were around here so made alot of noise to help scare them away ( which did scare the bats! ) and then hung bombs off the rock ledge into the crystal clear cool water. Having not seen anyone for days we were swimming starkers and got a good fright when while doing breast stroke kicked a croc! Was worried he might be after something hanging down so switched to back stroke after that.
Barnett River Gorge camp site and hanging bombs to scare the crocs.