5 - 6 May 2008
DAYS 67 - 68 Pilbara – Kimberley Trip
FITZROY CROSSING – GEIKIE GORGE
After a late lunch we set out for Fitzroy Crossing. The landscape varied from grass plains interspersed with some low scrub
to more lush vegetation.
The ranges appear and disappear as we travel along.
At times the boab trees would disappear and then they would be there again in full force.
The occasional pool of water needs to be crossed. The cows were drinking at this one when we came along and sent them on their way.
We arrived at Fitzroy Crossing located on the banks of the Fitzroy River late in the afternoon. The town only got its first bridge – a low level concrete structure in 1935. Because this bridge was often closed during the wet season people would have to go across on the flying fox. As usual we pulled up at the big “I” to get local information on the area. We then went and booked in at the Fitzroy River Lodge. Our friends had stayed here last year, so we thought we would too. Very few vans or motor homes in the park.
It was an early start in the morning as we went for a one hour cruise on Geikie Gorge or Darngku - another part of the ancient Devonian Barrier Reef.
The Fitzroy River is huge and we saw evidence of the height of the various floods marked on the gazebo walls in the national park.
The limestone cliffs have eroded over the ages into interesting formations.
The reflections in the water were beautiful.
The West Wall does look impressive.
We had quite a laugh at what is referred to as President Nixon’s face.
We heard the story of Darngku rock - beautiful dreamtime story about an old man. Darngku Rock looks like an old man is resting on his arm.
After the tour we confirmed that we could take Putt Putt – our boat out on the river. We were advised to launch it at the old low level crossing. We ran into Chris, Brita and Mia and arranged to meet after lunch for a boat ride. That became the start of a most unforgettable day – or a jinxed day.
We explored Fitzroy Crossing whilst cursing their map as it was so incorrect. Things were labelled on the wrong side of the street. We went back to the caravan park and cleaned the dust from the car. Then we went back to the Old Crossing to launch the boat – what a saga.
We met with Chris, Brita and Mia. First hubby decided that we could launch it from the opposite end than that advised by the ranger. So off he went left with a big jump down on one side of the car over the embankment towards the river as I held my breath and watched. He then got sort of bogged. He got out of that one by deflating the tyres somewhat. Then someone suggested that the way out maybe was by reversing a bit. The ground was duly inspected, jumped on to check whether it was firm and a decision was made to follow through on the suggestion. Well the Oka got bogged good and proper up to the axle. The more he tried to get out the further bogged he got.
Eventually he decided to use the high lift to jack the car up and deflated the tyres to 30 psi.
We packed tree branches under the wheel and he got out but was still in trouble as he still had to turn around and there were tree branches preventing him going any further forward and there was not much room to go back without getting bogged. Min was more concerned about what he had to do after getting out of being bogged as the angle of the car tot eh road meant that there was extremely little room to move. Eventually, 90 minutes later we were out.
But our troubles did not stop there. We went across to the other side to launch the boat. Chris, Brit, Mia and Min were assembled on the boat but the engine wouldn’t kick over and eventually he flooded the engine.
So they all came back defeated.
After re-inflating the tyres we returned to the campsite. Chris’s family moved to the same caravan park. After dinner we sat around and had a good chat before calling it a night.
What a day - it will never be forgotten!
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