As we left Willie Creek we headed back into Broome for supplies and a few jobs that needed doing. I took the opportunity to post the post cards to the boys back home( Dylan, Jacob and Asher) we are missing them a lot. We started on the road in the afternoon and stopped at Broome gateway park Roebuck for the night. We were on the road early the next day we had a long drive ahead of us, not much to see on this stretch so may as well get to where we want to be ready for some more sight seeing. These are the kind of views we have become accustomed to waking up to just absolutely stunning and a different one every couple of days. Who needs caravan parks.
Unfortunately Trevor and Michelle had a blow out on their caravan. The message came over the radio, flat tyre. Luckily they were in front of us so we continued to where they had pulled up. Wow we saw remnants of their tyre before we saw them it was absolutely shredded, lucky they have a double axle.
Once in to Fitzroy we looked for a camp outside of town. We found the Old Inn camping. Mmmm certainly old, not many vans there, park where we like, miners accommodation, vehicles etc everywhere. Oh well one or two nights wont hurt at least we have electricity, water and a restaurant. Although once Jock had paid and seen the shenanigans in the bar he was starting to wonder if we should be staying here! Locals being refused alcohol because they were so drunk and they were not going to leave without a bit of swearing and shouting. It all quietened down after that and we settled in. We had been told the food was great so we thought we would trial it. It was packed and we only just got a table, the food was okay but nothing special. I did spot a couple of old vehicles outside the restaurant which I went back to photograph the next day.
Tunnel Creek
We left the vans at the site and headed to Tunnel Creek for the day. Tunnel creek is one of those places we missed on the Gibb River Road and then were told by people we must go see it. Luckily the Great Northern Highway which we were now on runs parallel with the Gibb and Tunnel Creek is actually same distance between the two roads. No dogs allowed mind you so we had a plan afoot. Michelle and Trevor parked up just short of the carpark to Tunnel Creek and had all the dogs whilst Jock and I went in. It was not too big a trek in but we did have to climb over some rocks. I was feeling quite relaxed about the distance and level of walk we were doing until we had to get into the tunnel. Oh yeh I was cocky alright, there is this rock I could sit on, swivel on to get my legs in to the opening and then all I had to do was lower myself down, like getting out of a high vehicle. It was not until I looked back at the opening pleased with myself that the realisation came over me…..how do I climb back up???? Oh well, here now may as well face that when I have to. Needless to say it played on my mind the whole time I was in there. Jock did real well with the closed in space although could not walk the very last bit as the rock came too low for him. We did not even think to take a torch with us so had one part of our walk very dark it was all on sand so not so bad. As soon as we got in there we were faced with either enter the water and walk around a boulder or try to crouch at the side of a wall and walk over rocks. We followed someone around the boulder, easy!
Everywhere we looked it was lovely, we kept wondering how far we should go in for both our sakes but we asked is it worth carrying on and the reply was always yes. So we carried on.
When we got to the second part we could hear the tiny bats that were in there. The odd one would fly but not many thank goodness. This area was where all the stalagmites and stalactites were, wow!
We had to wade through a little water to get to the third part it was beautiful, very quiet and the light was changing as we stood there. I sat with a lady on a rock and chatted for a while, didn’t really want to leave but knew Trevor and Michelle were waiting outside. There was another section as I said before but the rock was almost touching peoples heads so both Jock and I really did not fancy it. We were told nothing much up there except and small opening to outside and some water with a fresh water croc or two in it. So happily we retraced our steps to get out. Problem this time was someone was in front of us in the very dark part and had a torch!! We could see how low the rock was so we hung back so as to not see it. We would both rather walk in ignorance in the dark.
Time to try to get out!! Well, I watched a few people and I definitely could not do it the way they were. I held back and would not attempt it until no one was around. Well…….you know if you laugh you make things worse! I had to think about this, my left leg does not have strength in it to pull me up but my right one is ok (ish) so I had to put my right foot in the foothold grab a piece of rock with my hands and had Jock behind me hoicking me up by my arse. After a couple of attempts and realising this was serious I got my backside on to the edge of the rock I had dropped from…. sorted!! Um no! Now my right leg was up against the rock and I could not swing it around to enable me to stand up. If I did not have two prosthetic hips I could have pulled my knee up to my chest and achieve this but I was not game to go against advice about not pulling my knees to my chest for risk of dislocation. I know, by now you are asking why the hell I am down there?? So is Jock, I’m laughing and he is seriously concerned and trying to get me focused on the job. A man turns up, how embarrassing, he wants to get into the tunnel and I’m blocking the way. He was very nice and helped me to pull my right leg over finally enabling me to swivel and stand up. What a bloody relief, I had visions of people lining up behind me to get out!!
We headed back to Michelle and Trevor and took the dogs into our car. We explained to them about walking in the water around the boulder for easier access and they headed in to Tunnel Creek and we headed back to camp. The scenery on the way back was just lovely, every turn is different.
Michelle and Trevor had a great walk through and saw things we did not!! Especially in the water right next to the boulder where we had waded!!!!!
OMG!!!!!!!
Douglas's Downunder 
So glad you went here. We loved it but we had to walk through knee deep water all the way along, which was a bit freaky. We did know to take our torches with us, which really helped.
OMG, you really asked for it in there. That was a bit of a chance you took in there, and could easily have gone wrong. Great photos though! Please look after yourselves a bit better! X