Blogs from Gibb River Road, Western Australia, Australia, Oceania - page 2

Canoeing on Sir John Gorge at Mornington was to be a highlight of the trip: A gourmet lunch from the restaurant. Three canoes (one each through the three sections of the gorge). Sir John Gorge exclusively for us to share with the wildlife. This was a fabulous trip, exploring different areas and looking for the next canoe when we finished the previous section. We had lunch at a little beach and then explored up a gully which led to a secluded and shady pond which was fed by a small creek. Sharing our swimming pond with a water monitor was fabulous. On our return trip, in the middle section, we saw a huge barramundi sleeping on its side on a rock ledge just 30 cm below the water. We thought it might be dead but it ... read more

One of the must-see places on the Gibb River Road is Mornington Wilderness Camp. The camp is run by Australian Wildlife Conservancy, an organisation that was created over 10 years ago and is aimed at reversing the recent trends of mammal extinction through land acquisition and partnership and by land management, particularly through feral animal control and fire management. Read more at http://www.australianwildlife.org/sanctuaries.aspx Mornington (the camp) is a tricky place to visit because it has a ninety kilometre driveway and has strict maximums on the number of campers that are allowed. Emails stressed that the best way to avoid disappointment was to get in early. To get in early requires getting to the front gate where you ring the camp reception (or anyone else that answers the two way radio) and confirming the size of your ... read more

When it came to leave ElQ we looked at our food and knew that we didn't have enough stocks to last along the GRR. In fact, we knew that already, but we had eaten plenty of our food over the last week and, in the end, we decided that it would be best if we went back to Kunners (again) and restocked before we went deeper and darker down the Gibb. Just before we reached Home Valley Station, there is the crossing of the Pentecost River. This can sometimes be tricky at the start of the season, but being such a dry wet season, the water in the river was relatively shallow. We took some photos as it is a staggeringly beautiful place. We thought that we could get into town and back out to Home ... read more

Finally, (after some more last minute shopping) we were ready to go. Our last activity in Kununurra was coffee at Wild Mango of course. Our first stop would be El Questro (or ElQ as it is known locally). This is a large complex comprising the original (exclusive) Homestead, the Station (where we will be staying) and Emma Gorge (a separate location which has upmarket accommodation). We took the obligatory photo at the Roadside "Road Conditions" sign board and continued on to Emma Gorge (which is just before ElQ). We drove the 3kms in to the carpark at Emma Gorge where we met some people who had just completed the walk. The lady had fallen over (it's a walk up a dry river bed to the gorge with a permanent pool) and they were doing it tough. ... read more

Ellenbrae Station After leaving Home Valley it was back onto the Gibb with our next stop Drysdale River Homestead. However, we had been told to make sure we take a small detour to sample the scones with jam and cream on offer at Ellenbrea. After doing some miles on the dusty and bumpy road we started seeing the signs and could not resist. A small 5km detour took us to paradise. Yummy just like Nanna used to make. Ellebrea Station is quite unique. A lot of creative energy has gone into the buildings made from what looks like whatever was at hand. The outdoor bathroom is quirky to say the least. The gardens are a lovely green oasis in which to enjoy your scones while being entertained by the many finches enjoying the bird feeders. You ... read more