DAYS 66 - 67 WINDJANA GORGE AND TUNNEL CREEK

4 - 5 May 2008

DAYS 66 - 67 Pilbara – Kimberley Trip

WINDJANA GORGE AND TUNNEL CREEK


We travelled along the Gibb River Road for some distance with a smoke haze and smell of smoke from the burning off that is taking place.

The termite mounds were very visible in the burnt out sections.
Before we knew it we were at Windjana. The sheer rock wall was in your face as if it just appeared from nowhere – stunning. We were standing looking at the ancient Devonian Barrier Reef. You had to imagine that you are standing on the floor of a vast tropical sea covering much of the Kimberley during the Devonian period 360 million years ago. The reef then built up over the next 50 million years to a depth of 2 km before subsequent earth movements uplifted it.

We decided to go for a short stroll before sunset. You enter the gorge through a narrow tunnel. You are then greeted with a sign regarding crocodile safety – a timely reminder that we are in their territory not ours.

We were then greeted by a beautiful grove and a glowing wall.

Then a fresh water crocodile on the opposite bank. The first one I had seen in the wild. Min had seen them when he had lived for a short stint in Darwin.

We saw some stunning sights.



On our return the setting sun set some areas really glowing.



In the evening Chris from Germany came for chat about places to see on his family’s twelve month trip around Australia. We have seen each other at several camp grounds recently. He is travelling with his partner and little daughter Mia. Mia is the same age as our grand daughter by the same name.

The following morning after breakfast we set out on the gorge walk as all other walks were closed. It was a 7km return trip. The gorge whilst still stunning was not as spectacular as at sunset.

We saw at least a dozen fresh water crocodiles sunning themselves half in, half out of the water or on the water’s edge.

We had to walk along a narrow track in rather dense scrub but the views were worth it.


At the end of the track before turning around to come back we ran into Chris and his family. After the walk we drove the 37km to Tunnel Creek through interesting landscape. It varied considerably.

The rock formations were so different from what we had seen earlier in the trip.

The boab trees look so stately regardless where they grow.

We finally arrived at Tunnel Creek. The approach to the entrance was quite daunting. Apparently some recent rock slides have made the entrance into the creek more difficult.

After getting past this section I was beaten by the final bit to enter the creek as my legs were too short and my joints too unstable to get through the next bit.

I was very disappointed at not being able to do the walk. Min kept going and brought back some great photos of it.

The initial view in the tunnel.

Going deeper into the tunnel.



Section where the tunnel ceiling has collapsed.

Looking up through the ceiling cavity.

Reflections in the creek.

Exit out of the tunnel at the other end.

The pool that one can swim in at the end of the tunnel.

Looking up at the re-entry point.

Re-entering the tunnel.

Stalactites

Seeing the light at the original entry point.

Agaiin what wonders of nature we have seen.