Sun, 10th July, 2022 Bush camp by Lennard River, Gibb River Road, WA (Tunnel Creek and Windjana Gorge)

6.30am 10 degrees, a bit better. Packed up and headed down the road a bit to the turn off to Windjana Gorge (21km) and Tunnel Creek (a further 36km on). Light corrugation on the road. Some cattle were very slow about crossing the road.

Entered Windjana National Park but the sign only said Bandilngan now. Slowly the Australian names are being wiped out. Rocky hills appear which are more of the Napier Range.

Passed the turn off into Windjana Gorge and the Police Station ruins - will check them out on the way out.

Back out of the national park and on to Tunnel Creek. The black hills of the range continued parallel to the road but with more trees on them.

A tall outcrop and a slope end the range here.

Into Fairfield Station. Further along we passed the turn off to the homestead.

More black hills appear. Into Ballili Conservation Park. Wound our way through the hills and through a gap so the range is now on our right.

Turned into the (Dimalurra) Tunnel Creek National Park carpark at 9.15am.

Had an early cuppa and got ready for the wander through creek in the dark of the tunnel. Checked out the info boards in the picnic area.

Followed the track towards the gap we saw in the hills. Through a fence then stopped to read the interesting story about Jandamarra (Pigeon)’s life and then death here.

Very high cliff face.

Followed Steve down the track around the boulders to the entrance. Amazing colours in the rocks - limestone.

You wouldn’t know there is an entrance here. Steve remembers it being closed for a bit when there was a rock fall. Love all the rock formations and colours.

Bit of a tight squeeze to get in and the water is freezing.

Quite magical once we are inside. Looking out another gap in the boulders at the entrance. Lots of bees are buzzing around on the wet sand.

Looking across the water and down the tunnel where little light beams of other walkers shine as they come back out. Lots of interesting shapes and colours in the rocks while there is still light to see them with. Around the edge of the water then into the cold water towards the dark.

Turned on our torches and the camera’s flash as it got darker. Looking back at the entrance where the people behind those little lights are heading out.

On we go looking at all the different rock formations. Lots of grasses etc sticking out of holes in the ceiling - I thought birds but maybe it is just from flood time. Limestone dripping down from the ceiling, a small waterfall coming out of the wall. The flash doesn’t work too well in the distance but up close it was good.

A bit deeper here but someone said to go over the log where it is shallower which we did. A huge log is stuck up high so my flood theory will be correct.

Sunlight appears where there has been a cave in. The water isn’t as cold here. Looking back up where the cave in occurred.

Continued back into the darkness. Across the creek we could hear water falling from this big limestone blob. Something must be inside on the lens of the camera as it only shows up with the flash - strange as it is all sealed and I have cleaned the front lens well.

Continued on. Someone mentioned there was a freshwater croc hiding in the water near a rock. Steve found it. We could see it well - about 2 metres long.

Across the sand then into the water again as the creek changes side of the tunnel. Bit deeper here - up to the bottom of our rolled up shorts. Glad we weren’t here too early in the year where you have to swim it all. Bit blurry as the flash fights with the sunlight coming in.

Across the creek again and into the daylight at the other entrance of the tunnel where the creek continues into a pool.

Climbed up one side to check out some ‘art’. 

Chatted with some others then back across to the other side to check out more art but that one wasn’t worthy of a photo. The rocks and roots were more interesting. Further downstream.

Back to the entrance where the water is just trickling out into the pool.

Headed back in.

I decided to try the photos without the flash this time, just the torch light. As I waded back across the deeper water I spotted a freshwater crayfish walking ahead of me. He kept going then turned off as I headed back onto the sand. You can just make him out in the light.

The limestone ‘waterfall’ came up better with just the torch light and you can see the water dripping into the creek.

Back to the cave-in. Walked up a bit and found an interesting shaped column.

This root is coming from the roof down to the water.

As we entered the water I noticed the rocks were green but not slippery.

A few more photos without the flash as we headed back out. Not sure where the creek water comes in to the tunnel here.

Back out at 11.45am - we had a great time chatting with people. Steve had fun showing the kids and other people where the freshie was hiding.

Had lunch then headed back. We had noticed two white boulders on our way here. Tried to get a photo of them - must be covered in limestone.

Checked out the ruins of Lillimooloora (pastoral lease) homestead which became the police station in 1893. Sadly no information here. Steve is in one of the cells.

Looking up at the limestone hills of Napier Range.

Flat open plains on the other side.

Continued on to Windjana Gorge and paid our day pass. The campground is huge and there are generator and quiet sections.

Followed the walking track watching the birds soar above.

Read the info as we near the river.

Headed down to the river. First we had to get through the narrow access tunnel.

Reached the Lennard River looking out for the freshwater crocodiles we have heard are everywhere here. The limestone walls are fabulous.

Tried to find the fossil marked. I think this is one and I know the second one is the Gogo Fish as it was in the brochure.

Continued along with the walls getting closer to the river. Spotted our first croc then another one.

Steve spotted a wallaby in the bush and he sat still for a photo.

Back to the river and we spotted more small crocs (1.5m) lazing on the sand on the other side.

This one was just floating with a big fat belly.

Down onto the sand. This rock is significant to the aborigines - Bandilngan Rock.

Lovely view back down the gorge.

The fat croc started swimming slowly towards us so he could get into the sunshine.

We walked along near the water and the crocs are just lazing in the sun and really don’t take any notice of the humans wandering by. Its a fabulous place for photography so I scanned around the gorge.

There were a few in a row along this sandy stretch. The bigger one (2m) here cruised along and annoyed the others sunning themselves so they had to move - bully! He eventually went back down the other side and got out into the sun.

I think this is looking downstream but the water doesn’t seem to be flowing so maybe it is just a big lagoon now till the wet season comes again.

Back up onto the bank and we followed the track beside the smooth limestone with lots of interesting holes in it.

Continued on further where we spotted lots of crocs and a few were pretty big too. So many interesting rock formations.

A chap had said the walk just goes on to a sign that says ‘end of walk’ so as we didn’t have any view of the water any more we turned back. As we headed back down onto the sand two crocs swam off and a few more followed. The others just laid there.

The sun has set lower as we headed back along the sand. Love the reflections here.

My turn for a photo through the tunnel.

Got back to the carpark at 3.15pm where we saw a chap taking photos of our rig. He had a extended Nissan too and explained he wanted photos for his son when we said we owned it. Steve and the chap chatted away for a while while I chatted with the lady who gave me camping suggestions for Broome and to be careful in Derby as the crime is really bad at the moment with kids stealing cars etc.

Had a cuppa then headed back out. A large wallaby slowly walked across the road till we got close then it decided to bound.

Stopped to check on a couple with their camper. The battery has died but they have a tow truck coming from Fitzroy Crossing so they are ok and thanked us for stopping to check any case.

Back to the camp area by the Lennard River again. No one is here so we parked next to the fireplace.

Steve pumped the tyres up as it is bitumen from here on to Derby.

A herd of brown cows came crashing down to the water for a drink.

Drinks by the fire which Steve shifted closer to the fence and away from our steps! We both agree the Kimberleys and the Gibb River Road have lived up to expectations.

Lovely afternoon by the fire - no need for a jumper till 6.30pm as the fire died off so we went inside for dinner. It was still closed up and the thermometer said 22 degrees.