Before we broke camp at Caroline pool I wanted to go and see what the Stone house was all about, we had seen signs for it but could not find any information on it. Michelle and Emma came with us and Trevor stayed back to watch the vans and dogs. It was not far up the track but once there I could only look from afar as you had to climb across a dry creek full of boulders to get there. I stayed back with the car and checked out the slate laying about everywhere, no need to guess what would have been used for this old stone house.
Story of the stone house
I found this information on the stone house online.
‘At the time of the Halls Creek old rush the nearest port for supplies and export of gold from Halls Creek was Wyndham. Originally by necessity the horse track from Wyndham to Old Halls Creek closely followed the important watering points. From Wyndham the track wound south through Turkey Creek and Mabel Downs. The Stone hut on Sophie Downs (now there is another name close to me) was the last stop to rest before heading into Old Halls Creek. The ruins of this hut have historic significance’.
No sooner were we back from the Stone House and we were hitched up and on the road. Today we head for Purnululu National Park better known to us as The Bungle Bungles, something I have wanted to see for many years. When we did a trip back in 2000 in this area we were all set to visit the Bungles but they had bush fires in there and closed it off to the public. We were all very excited about going to see the gorges within the park. We arrived at the Bungle Bungles caravan park and set up, then our next job was to organise a dog sitter for the next day as no dogs allowed in National park. We had been told there was a young girl on the site that did dog sitting. Once that was sorted Michelle and I were thinking of taking a Helicopter trip over the bungles but on enquiry we were told that there had to be groups of 3 and no more than a certain weight!!! Well, probably only for the tiny Asian tourists because I cant imagine how many people in a group of 3 could average 80kg? So no helicopter flight for us unless we wanted to pay for the third seat and not occupy it……..get lost! Lots of discrimination on this trip especially with weight and Dogs.
Echidna Chasm
We got up early and headed in to the Purnululu National Park, all of us very excited. First stop Echidna Chasm it was fantastic, not too bad a walk in but very taxing for both Trevor and I. There were rocks to clamber over and ladders to climb, sand to walk through and heat to contend with. But, if you want to see these things you just have to keep putting that one foot in front of the other. It was absolutely worth it, the photos do not do it justice.
When we got out of there I was knackered it had been a challenge and I knew I had yet another walk to go to get into Cathedral Gorge. As we drove away from Echidna Chasm we came across a lookout and apparently 360 degree views. Kungkalanayi lookout, up a steep hill and as it was I could see fantastic scenery so what would it be like from up there? It had to be done, Trevor just couldn’t and Jock was telling me I shouldn’t!!!!! So up I went, with lots of help from my lovely husband who pushed me up with both hands on my backside, I did start to doubt myself half way up but took small steps and kept going. Oh wow, so glad I made it the scenery was stunning, the Bungle bungles were certainly turning out to be all I thought it would be but where are those hills that look like bee hives, the ones that are so iconic of the Bungle Bungles?
to be continued….
Douglas's Downunder 