Derby part 2

Waking up this morning we are all super excited. Finally we are off to Windjana Gorge, and more importantly Tunnel Creek.  For this little adventure we get to drive along the southern end of the Gibb River Road. Mostly black top but still the Gibb River!!!!

 At the turn off onto the Gibb River Road we are greeted by this piece of machinary. This is to become more familiar as we continue to travel west. This belongs to the miners and is one of their toys. More about this in future posts. To grasp an idea of size, check out the man leaning against the front tyre!!!! 

Note: Timna took this photo.

It was being hauled by a road train. It dwarfs the towing vehicle.

  We are so loving the experience of going off road. Thanks always to Glen, Steve and family for taking us out on our first off road adventure and giving us the confidence to do it solo. It has enabled us to see many things we would have otherwise missed.

Some of the gorges to be seen on the Gibb River road.

Dropping our tyre pressure to lessen the impact of the corrugated road.

Entering the Windjana Gorge National Park

This gorge is regarded as a geological monument of world class as it is one of the finest Devonian Era limestone reefs in the world.

Freshwater crocs apparently abound however we didn't see any. Archer fish and many different birds we did see!

Fossils  are easily seen in the limestone, part of the gorges natural attractions.

Then off to Tunnel Creek National Park. 750 metres of wading through water, underground and in the dark. Past crocodiles, fish and bats. Torches on, shoes on, senses set to overdrive and off we go.

To enter the tunnel we have to clamber over these beautiful rocks.

The entrance to the tunnel. Not knowing what to expect we set off, all holding hands. Kids started off very cautiously but by the half way mark were running off ahead without a care. Water came up to our waists at its highest, chest high for Boaz!!

The view from inside the tunnel looking back to the entrance. Inside we saw bats, stalagtites, butterflies, fish, wasps but fortunately no crocs!! We think the amount of noise we made splashing through scared off any scary monsters.

After surviving the Tunnel Creek challenge, we set off, tired but happy, back to our camp at Derby.

Passing the time while dad pumps the tyres back to the proper pressure for bitumen, with his 12v compressor, after the dirt and corrugations of the Gibb River Road. Notice that no-one gets out to help poor old dad!!

But at least we get another beautiful sunset!!

Derby proved to be a wonderful place to spend a couple of days. Don't listen to anyone who says it may not be worth visiting.

The Kimberleys has so much to offer and we have really just scratched the surface. What we have managed to do is collect a list of places and things we must come back to experience when we have more time.