Wed, 22nd June, 2022 El Questro Station to Bush camp by Pentecost River, Gibb River Road, WA (Zebedee Springs)

Up early again, 5.30am 20 degrees - warmer night and windy this morning. We should only do a half hour time change for Kununurra region like they do down at Bordertown in the south as the 1 1/5 hour makes such a big change with the sun up at 5.30 but going down at 5pm!

Breakfast then we headed out. Topped up the water tanks and dumped the toilet.

Left at 6.30am to be first at the springs. Back through the Pentecost one last time.

Then Moonshine and out to Zebedee Springs. Well that didn’t work and there are a heap of vehicles and tour buses too. The springs are only open to the public from 7 to 12 so we thought the buses came then but we found out that is for the special guests of the Homestead! Followed the path and boardwalks behind the others.

There were a couple of signs about plants and things but I took this one as it pointed out where the Zebedee Waterfall would be when flowing.

Lots of people heading out which was a good sign. Arrived at the springs and amazingly the bottom pool was empty. Everyone was climbing up the rocks to the smaller pools.

A few more joined us and it was heavenly. Warm enough to be soothing and then chilly when we stood up in the air. Chatted with the couple beside us. The tour groups and a few others left so it was peaceful while we soaked and chatted.

Eventually we got out at 9.30am. Steve spotted some blood on his leg and a leech must have had two goes at him but it didn’t bleed for long which was good. Had a cuppa in the camper in the parking area watching the antics of others coming and going.

Headed back out to the Gibb behind 4 vans - this will be what it is like on the Gibb with that many people on it - travelling in the dust. Luckily the wind is blowing well today so the dust doesn’t stay on the track for long.

Back onto the bitumen. The vans were crawling along - obviously have their tyre pressures down low so we were able to overtake them. Now the dirt begins.

Here is where all the dirt was being taken that we saw the other day in the trucks. Great view of the Cockburn escarpment. Nice and smooth so we aren’t going to complain.

The roadworks goes on for a long time. The detour sections were bumpy and then the older section still had the corrugations. It might be all bitumen by the time we come back next year. Glad we are still doing the GRR on the dirt. I can understand why they need the bitumen but it is part of the adventure to see if you can survive the corrugations etc - bit like going to the Cape.

Hit the bitumen again as we headed down to Bluey O’Malley’s Crossing over the Pentecost River (according to the Hema map). The Salmond River joins it a bit upstream from here. There is a waterhole downstream called Gemma Waterhole but that is on Home Valley Station which is closed.

We turned off to find a camp for the night. We didn’t go too far along and stopped. Chatted with a couple who suggested we stop here as the track gets sandier further along. There was a level area with dead grass to walk on so that suited us. It had a nice open area to fish from too and we can watch everyone going back and forth over the crossing. It was very busy with all kinds of vehicles, vans etc trying to choose a spot.

Looking upstream to the crossing then across - the Wandering Walshs group is over there. Then downstream.

White jellyfish are floating around.

A cattle truck rumbled across the crossing.

Plenty of shady trees by our camp too to get out of the hot sun.

This is a sad sight - someone’s holiday hasn’t ended well.

Walked down towards the crossing - looking downstream. Simon spotted a sawfish (protected fish) sawing its way through a school of mullet. Sadly we saw a couple more tow track taking broken cars or vans back to Kununurra. Hope we don’t have any issues but I did take out the higher towing option with Club 4x4 just in case.

Got out the fishing rods. Chatted with Simon and Nat over drinks as the sun set. They have been on the road from Sydney for 16 months now. Steve had success - a small WA barra. There are a couple of small crocs floating about.

Got the fire going, Simon kept throwing his lure with high hopes.

Another couple, Tracy & Paul (from Adelaide) joined us to chat as night fell. They have just come across the Gibb and loved it. Beautiful colours with the sun setting.

Chatted over dinner. The fire was great as the temperature dropped but with a jumper on it was all good. The Walshs used their big spotlights across the water and the mullet all skipped along the top of the water like a rapid. Steve got out his good torch and we spotted a few croc eyes in the middle. Lovely sky full of stars - showed Nat the star app I have.

Didn’t go into the camper till 10pm. Great night.