Mon, 20th June, 2022 El Questro Station, Gibb River Road, WA (El Questro & Moonshine Gorges) (Annalise’s bday)

6am 12 degrees, thin clouds. Annalise’s birthday - will try and ring her later.

7am headed off to do the El Questro Gorge walk early hoping to beat some of the crowd. Jill the donkey was having a wander.

Took a video as we headed across the Pentecost River.

Through Moonshine Creek crossing then following the grader who was doing a good job smoothing out the track. Along to the turn off to the gorges. A couple of cars have parked up not wanting to do the river crossing as it is about 80cm deep but we will be fine with the snorkel etc. I took a video.

Passed the turn off to Moonshine Gorge which we will do after lunch so we only do the water crossing once.

Pulled into the car park where 1 other vehicle was pulling out their floor mats. Checked ours and we did get some water in through the door seals. This is a hard walk and nearly 7km return, taking about 4 hours to complete. Got our water, anzac cookies, togs on, towel and wet shoes to change into for water crossings etc. 

7.30am - Off we go. The others from the vehicle let us pass as they said they were going to be slow.

Across the boardwalk and continued on. Lovely and cool in the shade. The creek is narrow here going through all the roots.

Zoomed in on what I thought was fungus but turns out to be wasp nests.

Continuing on along the side of the creek. Bit of rock hopping in wet area. Looking up and down the creek at a wider section.

On and on wobbling over the rocks following the blue arrows and square markers. Nice pool at the base of the cliff. The water is so clear we can spot some little fish.

More pools and little waterfalls as we continued on. The gorge is getting narrower. The ferns are growing down the wall as water dribbles down from above.

A few caves in the cliff wall. Zig zagging over the creek.

Reached Midway Pool which has a huge boulder that we have to get over. First we have to get wet so we stripped off and changed shoes. I sent Steve across first. Cool water but not freezing like Emma Gorge. Steve had read to climb up the left hand side but he couldn’t get up so he went around to the waterfall. It is deep there but he managed to pull himself up then came back to help me. Trouble was he couldn’t get back over the other rock. A chap arrived and he put his back to the wall and feet against the rock and go up so I followed and made it up with Steve pulling me up over the rock.

I changed my shoes but just stayed in my togs. Steve stayed in his beach shoes. Continued on. A younger couple came up too so they went past us with the chap and his lady who was struggling a bit. Across the creek - looking down the waterfall Steve climbed up. We think this is how we will go back - flop into the water and swim.

On we go. More rocks to climb over. Nice view straight up. More water dripping on the rocks from above. Lucky someone has built up some steps over the big obstacles. Certainly giving us a workout.

Gave Steve the camera so I could climb up - hence he got a photo of me in my togs.

Down and up the creek to where the water is coming out under a huge boulder.

The first chap’s wife stopped and another couple caught up and she stopped there too so her husband continued on in front of us. Slow and steady for us, don’t need to fall etc. Certainly is a rock scramble. The water had gone underground here. Found where it disappears under the rocks.

Still clambering till we reached the waterfall. It has a good wall to climb up so this wasn’t as hard as getting over the big boulder.

Made it. Further along we came to the entrance to another gorge but no access to this one. The others were coming back. Said it was far now. Continued on over the rocks. Up another big rock, looking down at the pool then upstream.

Another interesting scramble.

MacMicking Pool - beautiful and we have it all to ourselves. Had a cookie then headed in for a swim. Very refreshing.

Looking straight up.

Steve swam to waterfall. Looked good so I swam over too then swam back to get the camera, Thanks Dad for the waterproof camera - working well.

Dried off then put the camera away for the walk back. Lots of people coming up now so we were lucky to have the pool to ourselves. Amazing watching the kids bounce over the rocks and I take my hat off to the young mums and dads with their little ones in backpacks. Its going to be very crowded at the pool shortly.

Back to Midway Pool. Steve went down the waterfall side and I passed him his backpack which he swam to the other side. Then he came back for mine. I climbed down then went splat into the water so my hat got a wash too. Quite deep at the base of the falls. Lovely and refreshing. I swam back so Steve could take a photo. So lovely just floating looking up.

Had another Anzac which the fish enjoyed too. There were a couple of big ones too. More people here just doing the half walk.

Back to the carpark at midday. Drove around to the turn-off to Moonshine Gorge then parked and got out the chairs to have our lunch in the shade. Only two other cars here and they left when we headed off for the walk. Grade 4, 5km, 3 hr min - certainly getting our exercise. Left at 1pm. Not far and we reached the swimming area of Moonshine Creek.

We continued on. Not a great track but we worked our way along by the creek. Always on the lookout for pretty flowers and unusual rocks.

Up and down then across the creek.

Steve stopped and pointed out a small Barra - eagle eyes.

Back across the creek again. Lucky we have the pink ribbons to follow. More small pools and little rapids as we continue along.

Came to a large waterhole.

Nice views as we wobble along over the rocks. Another big waterhole that is marked as a swimming area. First we have to get across the creek to the other side. Hard to see the rocks for the grass.

Got to the other end of the lagoon but couldn’t find a nice spot to get in so we continued on. Back across the creek.

We left the creek and worked our way around the base of the mountain. Part of this track was an old stock route. Up the hill towards the saddle. Reached the top where the old fence line is.

Nice view to the hills and over to the green line of trees of the creek where we started and then the gorge we walked up.

Only wildflower I have found.

Down the hillside that appears to have been pushed with a bulldozer at one stage. Onto the flats - looking back up to the saddle between the hills.

Followed the marker along the thin path but it stopped. We could see the truck so we headed through the grass, then we found a cattle pad so followed it back. Boabs come in all shapes and sizes - hence I take so many photos of them.

Back to the truck at 2.40pm. Feeling tired but happy to have completed the two walks in good time.

Back across the deep water crossing - will have to dry things out later.

Turned off into Jackeroo’s Waterhole. You can fish here. There is a picnic table under a big tree too.

Back out to the main road. Stopped to check the Bronco Panel.

Passed a ‘tour’ group in the open truck like Walkabout Safaris from Croc Dundee. Bit dusty!

Back through the two water crossings again to camp. Sent Annalise a message for her birthday - she was working as no Jon at home to spend it with. She had a lovely celebration with some friends the other day - high tea. Anita had rung so I returned her call and caught up on her news.

Had a cuppa then headed off to Chamberlain Gorge. Steep drive down to the ‘jetty’ where the cruise leaves from. Good bit of info on this board about the river and the Durack Range. Looking upstream then downstream.

Drove back up then stopped to get a photo of The Homestead, on the cliff above the river - very expensive accommodation.

Back along the track then we turned down the track to the crossing over the Chamberlain River. The notes said it takes 6 to 8 minutes to cross. We can see why as it is very rocky. Only 1 lane too so there was a blockage as people were heading up to Branko’s Lookout for sunset and some others were trying to get back. The track also goes around to Explosion Hole but we will skip those.

At the top of the bank was a big boab that one of the Durack’s carved his D into. I found a few carvings and maybe this is the D.

Back to the camper for drinks. More vans have moved in beside us. I rang Erica - no problems after her treatment which is wonderful. Sent Fran a text for her birthday as we probably won’t have reception on the 26^th. 

Sunset came and the coolness descended again so we headed into the camper to have dinner and watch TV.