DAY 94 - GIBB RIVER ROAD - MILLIEWILLIE ROAD near LEONARD GORGE TO FITZROY CROSSING

1 June 2008

DAY 94 Pilbara – Kimberley Trip

GIBB RIVER ROAD

MILLIEWILLIE ROAD near LEONARD GORGE TO FITZROY CROSSING

It is the first official day of winter and here we are in shorts and t-shirt and still hitting 30 degrees during the day. Unbelievable!

We explored a little of Milliewillie Road, where we had camped, before returning to the Gibb for the last part of it. The Leonard River cuts across the road and we saw some locals drive across it. Their car bonnet was tied down with a rope – it was quite a sight.

The scenery again was dramatic. The Leonard Ranges and later the Napier Ranges are just spectacular.





There is a rock called Queen Victoria along the way – very aptly named.

Whilst travelling along the Gibb, just passed Leonard Bridge, we thought we hit something with the back of our vehicle but neither of us recalled seeing anything on the road. We pulled up. Hubby walked back along the track and couldn’t believe it. The weld on one of our 80 litre water tanks had gone and there was our water tank on the road. After it fell we had hit it with our diff and it was finished with. We took some photos of it. We still have one tank of water but it isn’t connected to the sink. It is all part of the journey.

Finally we turned back onto the road to Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek as we made our way to Fitzroy Crossing. We stopped for lunch at Tunnel Creek and noticed that a tyre was shred. It was one of original tyres that had done well over 60,000 km. So whilst the wheel was changed I made a damper for lunch.

Finally exhausted we got into Fitzroy Crossing and the Fitzroy River Lodge Caravan Park. We decided to have dinner out as they were having a Sunday Roast special.

DAY 93 - GIBB RIVER ROAD - ELL GORGE – LEONARD GORGE

31 May 2008

DAY 93 Pilbara – Kimberley Trip

GIBB RIVER ROAD

BELL GORGE – LEONARD GORGE

Bell Gorge is just a stunner.

It is a magnificent gorge.

We made our way there this morning and spent quite some time admiring the falls. Probably our favourite gorge.

Eventually we made our way back and decided to moozie on. Some huge termite mounds here. One was as tall as the Oka.

The scenery is dramatic as the King Leopold Ranges make their presence felt.

There was a lookout just after you went over the top King Leopold Range.

Someone had also left their bull bar behind here.

Then more dramatic scenery along the way.

I just loved the lines and textures on some of the rock cliffs.

We stopped for lunch at March Fly Glen Rest area and regret not stopping there for the day. A beautiful rest area with lovely pandanus.

Leonard Gorge was our next port of call. It is a very spectacular gorge and very different to the other gorges.

We are getting towards the end of Gibb River Road and feel somewhat gorged out but Leonard Gorge is a beauty as was Bell Gorge.

We didn’t feel like driving much after the 2 km return walk to Leonard Gorge.

So we pulled up on Milliewindie Road in a little area that has been used for camping by others.

Hubby did his checks as usual and woe and behold another little problem that was quickly solved. The filter that prevents dust getting into the diffs had sheared off. We are sure that is due to the corrugated roads we have travelled on. The problem was fixed with a scrap of fabric that for a change hubby had not me.

We are a bit intrigued by where we are as the road does not feature on the tourist route. But guess what – a 4WD tourist vehicle went up the road this evening. We looked at the map and there could be some interesting sights. We will see tomorrow.