Sun 24th July, 2022 Kimberley Entrance Caravan Park, Derby to Bush cam by Telegraph Pool, Fitzroy River, WA (Erica’s bday and Derby history)

Happy birthday to Erica, will give her a call later.

The night was quiet which was good. No problems with the ‘locals’.

We closed up the camper and locked it all up but left it in the van park. We headed off to follow the Derby Heritage Trail. It is nice and cool now but you can feel the sun’s warmth beating down. We walked down to near the sculptures and found a plaque to start us on the walk. The first one needs replacing. Not a good start.

The next one was better. Then no so good, oh well. We kept walking and trying to read about the town’s history. One thing that stood out is a lot of the houses and businesses aren’t fenced in like at Halls Creek.

This tree has grown against the blade of the prop from HMAS Colac.

Along to the Information Centre where the trail officially starts then we continued along the street heading towards Jetty Road.

Found the info about the wool shed and wharfinger house on the opposite side of the road.

Turned left and headed back towards the western mud flats. Read the last of the plaques. We prefer these walking history plaques instead of museums as you see where in the town they are talking about but it is a bit hard when they get too faded.

Back to the camper and we headed back to the wharf for a cuppa and ring Erica for her birthday. David & Amanda took them out to lunch to celebrate with Amanda’s Mum whose birthday was a couple of days ago so that was lovely.

High tide is just peaked for today, 8.7 metres.

Headed back out of town then turned off to find the Dinner Tree at One Mile Camp on the edge of the western mudflats where the drovers had lunch before taking the cattle down to the jetty.

Back onto the Derby Highway then south to the Great Northern Highway and then westward to Willare Roadhouse and the Fitzroy River. A plaque before the one lane bridge about the two bridges over the Fitzroy and Minnie Rivers.

Over the Fitzroy River on the Willare Bridge.

Across a muddy looking ‘Ski Lake’ which the sign said.

Then Minnie Bridge over Minnie River.

Next is Cockatoo Creek which was quite big and they all flow into the Fitzroy River.

We turned onto a wide gravel road. As we approached the gate we stopped to check on a chap working on his wheel. He said it was under control. We asked how the fishing was and he didn’t get any but his mate got a 77cm one this morning but that was it.

I got out to open the gate. Bit of a hard gate to open as it had to be lifted but I got it done.

Continued along the well used road with a few cars heading out. It is a popular fishing spot for Derby and Broome locals to come to and there are plenty of camps along the river edge. Just have to watch out for the big crocs apparently.

Stopped at the next gate and there was a bit of information on the sign about the old road crossing.

Spotted some vans are upstream so we continued along past a huge pile of sand - sand mining?

Drove down to the river and stopped for lunch. Chatted with a couple from Albany. They said they have watched a big croc cruise up and down this section and there is a bigger one further down in the actual ‘Telegraph Pool’. Obviously those fisherman aren’t worried about the croc. This section is fresher water, it is brackish on the other side of the old crossing a bit further downstream.

The couple said further downstream there is an old house that was built by a chap, Helmut Schmidt. He lived that for years catching barra for a living. Will have to go down and check it out.

We drove along the track a bit and found the old Telegraph Pole. Can’t see one on the other side.

It is up on a high bank of rough rock - looks volcanic but probably just limestone or something. Big open pool of water.

We chatted with a chap camped nearby. He hasn’t caught any barra off the bank - a bit cold for them but a few people have caught some trolling from their boats. The big croc is sunning itself on the opposite bank.

We continued down the narrow bush tracks checking out campsites.

We are the blue dot on the map.

Took the left track and ended up heading away from the river so turned around and tried another track and eventually found old Helmut’s house. He had built it all himself and it was obviously a comfortable home with a fabulous upstairs bedroom. How it survived the floods each year is hard to imagine but the river and time is slowly pulling it apart now. Steve remembers a 4x4 show doing an interview with him.

Why he chose here is interesting as the actual river flow is way over there.

There are two trees here growing so close together they look like one.

Headed back down the track and stopped at another spot. Looking downstream and across to the river then upstream where it widens out. There is a white-bellied sea eagle standing by the water edge.

We checked out other sites. Found this guy trying to hide. He has such intricate patterns.

Decided to camp by the telegraph pole so went back there and set up camp.

Steve went to try and get us some dinner. I think the bird will have better luck.

Nice view out my window while I worked on my blog.

I baked some Anzac biscuits and a gingerbread spiced pumpkin cake too since I had a fair bit of pumpkin still.

The big croc has disappeared off the bank. As we sat outside having a cuppa we spotted him or maybe another one cruising up near the point. Chaps in a boat beside us were cruising up and down trolling but doesn’t look like they caught anything. Min 50cm and max 80cm in WA.

The Whistling Kites are soaring over us and whistling all the time - lovely sound. A sea eagle flew through them that upset everyone!

Nice colours on the opposite bank as the sun set and Steve got the fire going for dinner. Lots of satellites zooming around tonight and the temperature is just perfect to sit outside and enjoy the night.