Preparation for the Gibb River Road (GRR), fridge repair – finally, Ord River Diversion Dam , Ivanhoe Crossing and art galleries.
Mal, John, Lyn, Kathy, Jennifer & Gary as we anticipate the rugged 660km (mostly) unsealed 4WD road across the Kimberley WA. We are looking forward to hiking, look outs, sunsets, waterfalls & gorges. Some, more than others, are looking forward to challenging water crossings and demanding 4WD dirt tracks.
Ord River Diversion Dam
Ivanhoe Crossing
Local Art
Overnight stop… illegally parked caravans and motor homes? We were lined up behind a motor home with another car & van behind. Multiple rows of other travellers in the same pattern. Nowhere to escape in an emergency. Different rules in NT š³
With the bats and production line camping we will not return.
Just a five minute walk from our campsite is the Katherine River. Such a beautiful spot. If you look carefully at the river gums you can see flood debris about 10 metres up in their branches.
A little further up the river are the hot springs. Very pleasant.
We spent an afternoon exploring Cutter Cutter caves – 1,499 hectacres of limestone landscape. The rock formations were beautiful.
The highlight for us was our time spent at Edith Falls. The hike in was challenging as much of the track was steep and rocky, however, the falls are stunning.
We went to the Sunday service at St Paulās Anglican Church in Katherine. Pleased to say the gospel of Jesus was faithfully preached. Simon Hattrell is the locum and made us welcome. He is 78 and has been even busier in his retirement than when he oversaw his own churches. While the congregation was small (about 30), the church is active in the community.
Our second visit here, which was much busier as last time was during Covid. The termite mounds are larger, the further north we go and the saturated colours in the springs were vibrant blues and greens.
We had visited Daly Waters before, in 2020, and it didnāt disappoint. The quirky nature of this pub draws tourists to hear good live music, have a cool drink and dine on the famous grilled ā beef & barraā.
Tim, the owner, is passionate about the history of the region. He particularly honours those who defended Australia from the Japanese in WWII. As we travel we realise increasingly how close Australia came to be occupied by Japan. There is evidence of this throughout the Northern Territory and north WA.
A really pleasant overnight stop here with a drive through, grass AND fewer flies š
Pleasant morning tea stop at Tennant Creek Telegraph Station.
Stations such as these were successful only because of the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the pioneering men who manned them.
We left Alice Springs for our next overnight stop at Devilās Marbles.
This is a unique landscape, where you can picture a petulant giant scattering his marbles and stomping off in a huff.
On the hill climb at Olive Pink Botanical Gardens we were treated to a panoramic view of Alice Springs and the West MacDonnell Ranges in the distance.
We visited the Araluen Arts Centre with new friends, Phil and Narelle, whom we have got to know over the last week. It was a treat to see the 2024 Archibald finalists here, as well as paintings by Albert Namatjira and local artists.
We camped by Palm Creek in an idyllic setting.
The next morning we set out to see the cycads and red cabbage palms, which are mysteriously found in this area. The four km drive to Palm Valley was the hardest 4WD we have done!
Our hike was challenging. The surfaces ranged from sand and river stones to steep red rock boulders. However, extraordinary scenes awaited us. The natural colours were rich and saturated and took our breath away.
Our second dayās walk was to Kalarranga Lookout. We had wonderful views from the top towards Palm Valley and our campsite. The colours and shapes of the rock are stunning.
