Leaving the free Pentecost river camp was a relief but at the same time it really was a lovely setting. No I did not see any Crocs. but that’s not to say they were not there. Now we get to do our first river crossing with the van, everyone had cameras at the ready.

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The drive to Home Valley was not long and the road was certainly better that the one so far. We set the vans up around a shaded seating area which was very handy. We all got into getting some washing done, although the washing machine there was pretty useless and ended up staining our clothes. We reckon its bore water! The fun began! A couple had gone over to the washing machines and lifted the lids, Mick went to investigate, well I could hear him from our van, he was not happy. The couple were wanting the clothes out of the machines as they needed to use them????? As it was, the machines had stopped as there was a power cut. So said couple sent away with flea in their ear. Then, yep another dickhead came on the scene next to us arguing that he wanted Trevor’s electrical socket, even though there was another there. He had worked out who’s was who’s and Trevor had used his. OMG!!! Jock suggested he plug his in the spare one, no Trevor’s was his!!! So Jock unplugged Trevor’s moved it over and he was happy!! WTF! Now here’s me wondering how many of these dick heads are there on this road or was it the dust and corrugated roads causing brain injury?

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That evening we all sat around chatting again about the next days plans. It seems Mick and Joy not happy and plumb for getting off the Gibb River Road asap. The Prendy’s and Douglas’s are enjoying it and want to continue slowly. As it is there are plenty of places we will not be going to, one because of the dogs but also because caravans are not allowed. So we definitely need to see all we can.

“Adventure before Dementia”

I already had a Gibb River road post scheduled, which has just posted. But as I took so much time getting this one together, having forgotten the other one I’m posting anyway. Those who know me understand!!

Pentecost River

Today was the day, Gibb River Road here we come.

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Everything was going okay, we broke camp and Trevor went to get his air-conditioning in his car seen to, it had stopped working and it is far too hot to push on without it. Jock and I went to get coffee for the road and Mick and Joy were off doing what they were doing. We all met just out of town and made our way towards Gibb River Road, this is it, this is what we came for.

The scenery on the way was spectacular, so many photos taken and so many photos missed but if we had stopped for every one we would never get anywhere. We all still felt very secure on the bitumen, this is great……..

BANG, RUMBLE, SHAKE, RATTLE, RATTLE AND MORE RATTLE WITH A LOT OF DUST THROWN IN……..Hello Gibb River Road! OMG the rocks were so sharp, the dust EVERYWHERE. 10 minutes in and Mick gets a flat tyre. Oh what fun, ha ha. Actually the road was not quite as bad as I had expected (yet) I don’t know what I expected but already it was fun. Yep I reckon I’m gonna enjoy this adventure.

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As we turned into what was to be our free camp for the night Michelle messaged back and said, “do not come up this track, stay where you are”. They had followed the Wiki camps directions and were stuck tight up the track. They had a job to turn around and by then Mick and Joy had decided the best spot was right next to the river, not the recommended 10 mtrs from the river but right next to it!!! My anxiety and panic got the better of me, all I could think about was bloody crocodiles. Go on have a laugh, its the pom in me, camping yes no problems, by Crocs, no bloody way. I made Jock park our van a way back from the bank and kept the dogs inside. Mind you, that was once Jock got us parked up!!! I reckon he had a brain fart when we pulled up, he got out the car which at this time was still on the track, took one look at the river and grabbed his fishing rod and went fishing!!! Keeping in mind, I was in the car with the dogs, engine running, sitting on the track. WTF? He really could not see what the problem was. Reckon all those rocks and dust had addled his brain.

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Once set up everyone came to us for the evening fire, I definitely was not going anywhere near that river, especially in the dark. We chatted about our plans for the next day. The original plan was to free camp then in the morning go back to El Questro which we passed on our way. But someone in our group said they would not be backtracking. I was disappointed as I really wanted to see as much as we could on this road. As it was Emma Gorge was also back the way a bit and I was definitely going there. Michelle and Trevor had to return to Kununura to have their air conditioning fixed and would spend the night there. Emma and Ruby would stay with us so we decided Emma Gorge for the morning.

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Pentecost River stop

Here we are, we have started along the famous Gibb River Road and boy did we start with a bumpy road. It was big grey crushed rock with some very big sharp ones thrown in and lots of corrugation. Mick found the sharpest rock! we all turned around to help him with his tyre change. 10 minutes in and a flat tyre already, what the hell have we come to? We have radios for communication in the vehicles which is a must here.

We eventually found our first stop by the side of the Pentecost river just next to what will be our first water crossing. A bit of a bugger to get into with a bum steer from Wiki camps, Michelle and Trevor had a hell of a job to turn around up the track just as well we stayed back. So having pulled up right next to the river Jock could not help himself, I really think he had a brain fart because he jumped out the car grabbed his rod and went to fish. Keeping in mind the caravan was not parked up/set up, the car was still running and myself and the dogs still sat in the car. He really could not see what the problem was?? I could not resist taking this photo from the car.

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Both Michelle and Joys vans were right next to the river ours was a little back with me being so wary of crocodiles I really was not comfortable there. It was a very picturesque spot and we could watch the river crossings from where we were but the idea there may be crocs did not appeal to me.

As it was we stayed by the river for three nights, I did enjoy it but it was a relief to drive out sight seeing in the safety of our car. Michelle and Trevor had to head back to Kununura to get their car air conditioning fixed it is far too hot to continue without that. So the plan was Trevor and Michelle would keep camp for the day with the dogs whilst Mick, Joy, Emma, Jock and I went to explore Emma Gorge. Michelle and Trevor would either visit the gorge en route to Kununura that afternoon or the next morning on their way back.

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On arrival at the Gorge we were told it was a medium walk to the gorge with a bit of climbing! Like buggery, it was a bloody cliff, boulders and a rock climb. Not recommended with replacement joints and back problems!!! You would have to be fit to get to the top of this one. Each stage was numbered, I gave up at no5 and Joy did very well to get to no11. Only Jock , Mick and Emma got to the top no12. Whilst I waited sat on a rock I saw many people return from marker no6 and say, no way! So not for the faint hearted. I have to say I really enjoyed just sitting there soaking up the scenery, that was until I started to think about the return trip. But there were heaps of birds, lovely bright red dragonflies and lots of different butterflies, reckon I had the best deal sitting there in a cool breeze.

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It was a long arduous climb back, I was absolutely buggered and by now the heat was getting to me and the flies AND ANYTHING THAT BREATHED!!!!!! By the time I could see the end I was in so much pain I was almost vomiting. I sat on the first bench I found, Jock bought me an ice block, then I drank a cold coke then a coffee. Jock brought the car over to me so I could sit in the air-conditioning, what a relief! Won’t ever be doing that again.

Jock and Emma were pleased they had got to the top and when we got back to camp showed me all their photos.

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When we got back to camp Michelle and Trevor headed off back to get the car fixed. We had Emma and Ruby for the night.

After a terrible night of hardly any sleep Jock and I decided to take Emma out exploring. We headed to Home valley station to have a look see as we are contemplating a night there tomorrow. We liked it as soon as we saw it, a little oasis in the middle of whoop whoop. They even had coffee what a bonus. We sat and had a coffee and found out prices for a nights accom for us all. My phone was going mad, obviously there was a signal but only enough to allow messages in as I was unable to message out. We had been told about a hill near by where you can get a signal so we took a drive up there. So glad we did, the view was something else. Took heaps of photos but really do not think they do it justice, it had to be seen.

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I got messages out to people to let them know all was well. Our drive back to camp was just as scenic, it really is lovely around here and the rock and scenery changes at every turn,

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Michelle and Trevor got back not long after us and we set up a fire for the evening. We had some good laughs and told lots of stories. We all decided we would got to Home valley station the next day and enjoy some electrics and catch up on our washing.

Pancakes for breakfast this morning, gosh its a tough life! We are heading to Kununura so passing into Western Australia. We had to get rid of all our fruit and vegetables and had been told not to take honey into WA or at least declare it. So we boiled up our potatoes because pre cooked veg was ok, we cut up our tomatoes and added a salad dressing.

We stopped at Victoria River roadhouse and had a look at their campsite for future reference, it looked nice and the scenery around there was brilliant. We took the chance to refuel and grab a coffee. This was only up the road from our stop last night.

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Once again the scenery as we drove was just brilliant it changes with every turn. I was hanging out of the car window taking photos if we stopped every time I wanted to take a photo we would never get anywhere. We did however stop at a place of interest and took the opportunity to get a photo of all three vans together.

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Our next rest stop was at Timber creek, we went to the bakery (for Joy of course) and then headed down to have a look at a boat ramp where we stopped for lunch. There was evidence of crocodiles everywhere with marks on the banks of the river, a crocodile trap, a sign saying, “large crocodile spotted at ramp today” but we did not see any!

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Driving over in to Western Australia we had to stop and have caravan fridge/food inspected, they took our honey off of us and luckily everything else was ok to take through. So many Boab trees in this area and the scenery continued to change.

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We arrived in Kununurra and booked in to Lakeside camp site. I remember this one, Jock and I stayed here many years ago when travelling from Perth to Darwin. It had not changed much and we got a nice site overlooking the lake.

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We stayed two nights to catch up on the usual domestic stuff and we did a day of exploring the area. We found the ord river crossing and decided we would give it a go, my very first water crossing of this trip, I had better get used to it as I have been told there are a few on the Gibb River road. After the initial anxiety of the crossing it really was quite exhilarating. We went to the Zebra rock gallery, where I purchased a lovely little vase, couldn’t afford much else as it was very expensive.

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There were a couple of locals outside the supermarket selling Boab nuts that they had carved. I couldn’t resist, the idea of buying local craft from the ones who had carved them. If you buy them in the shops they are around $100 but mine was $20 and although the ones from the shops are very intricate I love mine.

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We explored a rocky area that the locals nickname, “little Bungles”. It was a lovely drive around there I could not stop taking photos, I wonder how many photos I will have taken by the end of this trip if this is how I am now.

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One of my favourite stops, not a large area but we all pulled around a semi circle and set up. Jock and I absolutely loving this free camping and fires at night.

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Mick and Jock were soon fishing in the small waterhole next to us and I sat with Emma to do some craft. Mick soon returned with his first fish a Barramundi Jock was well envious the challenge was on! I think they all fished until dark but no more fish were caught.

It was my turn to fall, backed out of the van and went arse over tit! Just missed the rock sitting by our doorway, I have never seen Michelle run as fast as I did then. Luckily Mick was just returning from fishing and helped Michelle get me to my feet. Mick spent his evening gutting his fish and preparing it for cooking. A great evening was had eating Micks fish and watching the stars.

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Katherine was our next stop we needed to get there as Trevor had had a fall and hurt his back and ribs, we needed to get him to the hospital to get checked out. I also had a bite on my leg that was looking infected so needed to see someone. We stopped in Mataranka for lunch, it has certainly changed somewhat since I was last here. The drive was brilliant, some people say not much to see but I have to sit and watch out of the window as we travel, cattle, birds, ant hills, scenery so much to take in. Some people have “dressed” the ant hills, they do look funny. I would like to stop and put something on one myself but there is never a good safe place to stop with the caravan.

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We parked up in the Boab caravan park in Katherine and decided to go out for dinner at a local sports club. Trevor had had the all clear from the hospital although had badly bruised himself internally. I had my bite looked at, it is a spider bite!! I have antibiotic cream for it, so hopefully it will start to heal now. We called the curtesy bus and headed out to the sports club. We all thought that as it was so packed out the food must be good, the line up for ordering was at least half an hour long. It was a shame but what I had I was not impressed with and neither were Mick and Joy. Oh well, at least none of us had to cook or clean up. It certainly was a great place for people watching, so many different characters and so many different ways to dress!!

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We took the opportunity to catch up on some shopping in Katherine also some washing. But not before we had been to the Coffee club. Then a visit to the information centre which was full of lovely things. There were a couple of locals outside the supermarket selling Boab nuts that they had carved. I couldn’t resist, the idea of buying local craft from the ones who had carved them. If you buy them in the shops they are around $100 but mine was $20 and although the ones from the shops are very intricate I love mine.

We drove via the tablelands and Berkley roadhouse to Cape Crawford. Although there was a lot of nothing, it was fascinating and very sad at the same time. We passed through cattle country and saw all the devastation we hear about on the news. I can tell you, seeing it on the news is nothing like seeing it for real. There were dead cattle everywhere and if they were not dead they were skin and bone. Heartbreaking. I took photos so that everyone could see it is very real, we look at the news then walk away and get on with our daily life. Here we were in the middle of it all, our hearts went out to all those poor farmers and the poor cattle fighting to survive.

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By now we were in the Northern Territory, Berkley Homestead roadhouse was our stop for lunch, coffee and refuel.

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Our nights stop was at a free camp called Stuart Tree at Daley Waters. So called because Stuart the explorer camped there.

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We were soon on the road again and sadly saying goodbye to Leichart station, we had word that the Gibb River Road had just been graded in the past two weeks. If that is the case, the sooner we drive up it the better.

Camooweal was only to be an overnight stop which was a real shame as it was a beautiful stop. Michelle the stations manager at Leichart had told us about it. So many birds and so scenic sitting beside the lake.

Jock was reminiscing about his stops here in Camooweal when years back they would come through in convoy en route to an excersise. Not much had changed from all those years ago, he certainly didn’t know about the water holes. Jock took photos of the pub and the bullaroo, a statue next to the roadhouse that is mainly a kangaroo but it has bulls horns, it has sat there for many years we have photos of the boys with it when they were little.

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This spot really was lovely, we bird watched, just sat listening to the birds and in the evening took heaps of photos as the sunset. Shame we have to move on in the morning, we would have stayed longer but the Gibb calls.

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Leichart Station

We were up early and back on the road to make sure we got to Mt Isa in time for the appointment for the fridge to be fixed. Mick and Joy took their time and would meet us at our next stop, Jock and I headed in to Julia creek town to find a café for a coffee for the road. As I was sat in the car waiting for Jock Michelle’s voice came over the radio. They had gotten up really early in the hope of catching us up we all got our coffees and headed off. When we got close to Mt Isa, actually it was at the turn off to where we were going stay, I jumped in the car with Michelle and Trevor got in with Jock. The boys would head in to town to get the fridge fixed and Michelle and I would head out to Leichart Station where we were staying for a couple of nights, close enough to explore Mt Isa and pick up fresh supplies.

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By evening time Trevor and Jock were back, fridge fixed up under warranty thank goodness and not long after them Mick and Joy arrived.

Exploring Mount Isa

The next day we went in to Mount Isa for a look see how much it had changed since our last visit some years ago. Wow, it is so much bigger than I remember and unfortunately I can not say it is a lovely town! It is one big mine, the town has been built right up around the mine. The mine is a huge eye sore.

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We did find a lookout to go up and look over the whole of the town and we found a coffee club for a coffee. Must have been the best place in town it was packed and we waited about 45 minutes for a coffee!! Good job it was nice. Are you getting the feeling I did not like Mt Isa?? We didn’t it is dirty and has nothing picturesque or pretty about it. I am so glad we were staying at Leichart Station.

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We were not in town long and it was a relief to go back to such a nice setting at Leichart station. That evening we were invited over for the happy hour bbq. As the station is a working station the workers gather for dinner around the huge bbq every evening also the miners who live on the station.

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Exploring Leichart Station

We were given permission to explore the station some more so Jock, Emma and I jumped in the car and had a good look around. It was so interesting. One of the fourty water holes of the property was close to our site, it was full of birds and some cattle. We then came across some horses, they looked friendly enough and we stopped to take some photos from the window of the car. The horse started to wander towards us and before I knew it it was trying to get its head in the car, I put the window up not knowing if id get bitten or not. It chewed on our mirror!! Emma was laughing her head off.

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A bit further on we came across where all the work was happening, cattle yards, there had been some mustering and the cattle were being put in to different pens. The working dogs are fascinating to watch, I could have sat there all day. I do not know why but I did not get any photos of that just sat there and watched.

We found an old airport a bit further up, one only used for the station in by gone years. Fascinating to see an old plane, old cars even an old snooker table propped up in the shed with a piano, imagine the stories these things could tell. Who owned them? How long had they been there? It all fascinates me.

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As we were heading back to go the other way we spotted some cages, we wondered what they were used for and I reckoned it was where the working dogs live. As we turned to leave we saw a great sight, the working dogs coming home after a full days work. The Ute was driving slowly and the dogs all running behind. We got into the car not knowing if they were friendly but the bloke with them told us they would be fine, so we got out and took photos. The dogs looked very healthy and even looked as if they had enjoyed their day, mind you they were about to get fed!

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We had been told it was a lovely drive to go down by the river at this time of year it is dry. There was a lovely little building sitting on the hill which I was told later was the old abattoir, not really what I wanted to hear, I wanted to hear a fanciful story about it lol. Emma and I collected a couple of rocks from the river bed to colour as Islasstones. ( Look that up on facebook). Emma and I were also fascinated by the quartz rock.

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The sun was starting to go down so we thought we had better head back to camp. Just in time for happy hour again. I took more photos of the working area around our camp some of the trucks have been sitting there a long time. I will have to do some research on this station one day I have loved exploring it. Hope we get to look around a few more on this trip.

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Richmond was our last stop on the Dinosaur trail, Kronosaurus Korner a small building but it had so many exhibits and best of all some that you could touch. This part of Australia used to be a huge inland sea millions of years ago the dinosaurs here were ones from that inland sea.

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We spent a fair time in here reading information and looking at the exhibits. What I liked the most was being able to hold some of the fossils and really inspect them.

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The absolute best bit was left until the end, we had to walk through glass doors and were told not to miss it out, Behind these doors in a huge cabinet was the fossilised skeleton of one of the sea creatures and it is 98% complete, the most complete dinosaur in the whole world right here in sleepy old Richmond!

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And so ended our Dinosaur trail, I will add more photos of the museum for you to see, far too much information for me to remember it all.

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Mick and Joy followed us to Julia creek free camp ground. Michelle and Trevor stayed in Richmond to visit someone. We had to dash off as we were having fridge problems with our van and had made an appointment for early tomorrow in Mount Isa.

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