Heading up to the Kimberley to join the Adrianos at Purnululu. Adrianos are returning from Cape York.
Pippa is also independently travelling with her friends to do the Gibb River Road.
We have a very loose plan to meet somewhere in the middle of the Gibb, with no mobile signal...
Staying on route to Kimberley... It took us 3.5 days to drive up to Purnululu.
We woke up after our first night to a whiny (but working) alternator... not good.
Nearest one in Port Headland, 800km away, or we could drive back 650km to Perth and start again!
(We continued, and bought a new one in Pt Headland, as a spare to be fitted if needed.)
After the alternator whined away for another 1000km or so, it suddenly gave up!
Dash lights decided it was Xmas. Time to stop for the night and fit the new one...
It turned out that there are two types of alternator with different bracket sizes - of course we had the wrong one!
Only 5mm difference between types - it was close, so a bit of fabrication was in order. Worked fine for rest of trip.
Arrived at Purnululu, after a rough 53km track with water crossings which took us well over 2h to do.
Great campsite and a delight to reach our destination and catch up with Ivan Siona and Alisha.
Echidna chasm - a deep narrow gorge
Further up Echidna chasm where it became a knife edge cleft in the rock
Arriving at the Picininni walk trail, Purnululu
Picaninni: Cathedral rock - the photo does not do justice to how huge this was. A massive natural ampitheatre.
Picaninni: A river bed from another time.
Picaninni: Oli by a rock window
Banded beehives, characteristic of Punululu.
Mmmm! Thats quite a good one, if I do say so myself.
Oli the rock god gives lessons!
On the walk trail to the Mini Palms Gorge Trail.
Walking up the trail.
Nothing mini about these palms!
Walking back to the car - one of the few rocks at an angle.
Kungkalanyi Lookout: Spot the car.
Kungkalanyi Lookout (Daniel not looking out).
Sunset at Kungkalanyi Lookout and farewell to Purnululu.
Having left Purnululu, this was our en-route camp stop on the way to Kununarra.
As we turned into the side road the camper wheel wobbled, and nearly fell off!
Three wheel nuts missing, the last two took half a turn to remove.
Wheel off for inspection - didnt look to bad initially, but...
... on closer inspection with the wheel off, the studs were completely ruined. As was the wheel.
Very very lucky this didnt fall off at speed passing the road train 50km back...
After a very careful drive with a spare wheel barely held on, we visited Metalland in Kununarra
*Big thanks* to the fellow campers that put us onto this place.
Spot the new one? (Yes, we bought an extra 5 spare studs!)
New camper studs fitted, punctured tyre repaired, and all stocked up in Kununarra.
Time to head off for the Gibb River Road!
At the start of the iconic Gibb River Road!
Map of the Gibb River Road
On the Gibb River Road - First night was a bit hemmed in at the Pentecost River.
Big views on the eastern end of the GRR.
Taking the side trip North to Mitchell Falls via Drysdale - saw many cars like this...
And don't mention Britz rentals!
Remember that loose plan to meet Pip and her friends somewhere in the middle of the GRR?
Well, who do you think we found at Drysdale? Pip, her friends, and a rather unwell car (80 series with bonnet up).
An evening of repairs helped by our friendly station manager Paul who dug out spares from his car graveyard!
Following morning we set off but Will's car still wasn't right so more work was needed.
Eventually, it was sorted, but with all drive to the front removed! Time to head north!
Water crossing along the way. Puddle slightly deeper than it looked...
Arriving at Munurru (King Edward River) Camp - near the Mitchell Falls, about 90km north of Drysdale.
Ivan doing what he loves best, where he loves best!
Looking down the King Edward River, walking distance from camp.
You could even swim in it. Not sure whether Katie got any deeper than this.
River carved weathered and polished deep red rocks...
... deep blowholes: this one about 12ft deep.
Daniel learns to fish for his supper under Will's watchful eye.
Rest of us take cover from his casts! (Fish did not appear on that night's menu.)
Sunset reflections over the King Edward River.
Gorge on the 4km walk trail to the Mitchell Falls
At the head of Mitchell Falls (swimming in the pools above)
More leathery rock
Oli contemplates the huge scenery
Mitchell Falls - spot the people in the top right for a sense of scale.
On the move again, camping near a small stream en route
Cold night - frost on the coat in the morning. Not common in WA!
On the boat with a rope pull to get across the river. (Katie and Ivan swam back!)
Approaching the Manning Falls
Enjoying the scenery. Bit cold for swimming :-)
Oli and Alisha climb to a high platform. But will they jump?
Yup!
Team Photo - Manning
Boab tree on walk trail back to the car
Bell Gorge
Getting some shade
Katie swims in the gorge
At the entrance to Tunnel Creek.
They are not selling it...
Amazing rocks.
Good torches are a must.
Spot the croc? We saw about 6 as we waded past.
Tree roots growing through cave roof to reach the water.
The far end of the tunnel - time to turn around and retrace steps.
At the entrance to Winjana Gorge - tall cliffs loom.
Shady walk trails by the river.
Let's NOT stop here for a picnic.
Feels like Jurassic Park!
Just chillin.
Prison Tree, Boab at Derby
Sunset on the river (S of Derby)
Last night camping in the Kimberley
Oli googles to see if snake is dangerous. Others look on...
At Matso's Brewery, Broome.
Final night camp
Well said.
Post trip repairs? Lots. 4 tyres & 1 wheel destroyed, camper trailer shocks, bushes, exhaust downpipe crack.
Air intake cracked, exhaust hangar cracked, engine mount cracked. Aging car, mostly!
The tyre with the tread missing was only discovered after 2000km home!
Can't wait to go again.
