Wed, 6th July, 2022 Bush camp by Barnett River to Bush camp near Adcock Gorge turnoff, Gibb River Road, WA (Manning & Galvans Gorges)

6.30am only 4.4 degrees - they will be frozen in the tent next door! We put the heater on and then got up at 7am when it had heated the camper up to 18 degrees.

Packed up and chatted with the family who had indeed frozen as the tent condensated or something and the kids sleeping backs etc got wet.

The wind is back as we headed back the 5km track to the GRR at 8.30am.

We are still running parallel to the Burnett Range and according to Hema the river runs parallel on the right side as it heads west.

Across the Barnett River below Mount Barnett (which I can’t work out as it all looks like a continuous range to me). Concrete base covered in sand.

A bit further along we turned off into the Mt Barnett Roadhouse and chaos was reigning. There was cars and vans scattered all over and some confusion on which way to line up to get fuel. We got in line and filled up, $2.75 per litre. Had to show our covid immunisation certificates for the first time. Paid our $10 each pass to go down to Manning Gorge. We can pay the caretaker if we wish to stay the night at the campground there. People were lining up for coffees, pies etc - I noticed a sign advertising ‘Manning Pies’ - should have asked if they made their own or brought them in from Cairns! Checked the weather and it looks like the cold mornings will continue for a week, 5 to 7 degrees min and 24-25 max. Got and sent some texts but couldn’t make phone calls out or check Facebook etc. Strange as it showed 2 bars of 4G. Still waiting for confirmation that Club 4x4 will repay us for the towing costs.

Followed the track 7km to the campground.

Lots of vehicles parked here. The Day Use parking is right beside the start of the track so we parked there.

We made a cuppa and walked down to the river where you either walk/swim across or pull yourself over in a little boat. There were heaps of people lined up for the boat so we decided we would get wet and swim after watching another couple go across.

Little finches were flittering around beside the camper.

10.30am Put our wet sandals on and sandshoes and towels in the bag with some nibbles as we will come back for a late lunch. I got in first - yes it was cold but the sun is out on our shoulders so it wasn’t too bad. Steve lowered the ‘bag float’ in and then got in and we made our way across.

This side wasn’t bad to the rock then there is a deep section on the other side where you have to swim. Stopped for a photo on the rock in the middle.

Glad we have a waterproof camera as we started the swim bit. Even managed to get a few photos. We made it.

Dried off on the other side and decided to stay in our sandals and see how the walk is. Now the 5km return walk following the ‘bloke in the hat’ who is following white blobs and arrows on the rocks. Up the top of a rise - nice view back to the Barnett Range.

Nice boabs along the way. Steve had to add to the big rock cairn. Lots of people heading back who went up earlier this morning. Up and down a few slopes over the rocks. The sandals are fine to walk in.

At last we see water.

Down the hill and across a dry creek bed then back up again. Then the descent to the gorge and river.

Stopped on a long flat ledge and walked along it to get a good photo up the river to the falls.

Down the rocky slope to the river. Around the wall of rock then across the flat rock and down the edge of it onto rocks that make great steps (took a photo of them).

Walked to the top of the rock area and scanned around.

Can’t get down from here. Have to walk back to the lower section and got across the little streams. Good view down the gorge from here.

Across the next stream then around the rocks to the other side. There is plenty of room and people are scattered all over the area so it doesn’t feel crowded.

Time to get wet - me first. It was freezing but at least the sun was nice though the wind was very chilly too. Nice sandy section to stand and chat in.

Steve brought me down the camera then he headed around to where the kids were jumping off a rock ledge near the falls. Great action shots. He said the face was from the water going up his nose not because it was freezing.

Selfie time and looking across the pool.

People were climbing up to the top but there was a bit of a narrow ledge to get up first so we gave it a miss. A few went to the other side and jumped in, others jumped from higher up this side.

We decided to swim across to the falls. I was holding the camera up so only using one arm and the cold got to me and took my breath away so I headed back to where I could stand. Steve made it to behind the closest falls where there was a small ledge he could sit on. I snapped some photos as I floated/swam back.

Had our snacks and soaked up the warm sun for a while watching everyone else swim and jump off the rocks. Very relaxing. You could spend a whole day up here if you are staying at the campground but we decided to move on to the next gorge so headed back. Last look back at the falls as a lady was jumping off.

Got back to the river and some people were just coming across with the boat so we decided to have a ride back. Back to the camper for a late lunch, 1.30pm.

Headed back to the roadhouse to top up the water tanks and fill a couple of buckets. Only a couple of vehicles here now. The roadhouse closes at 3 on weekday and 1 on the weekend so a few people get caught out wanting fuel etc in the afternoons. The number plate wall is growing.

Looked at the map to see where these river start and run too. Looks like the Hann, Barnett and Manning come from the Gardner Plateau.

11km along we stopped at Galvans Gorge (part of Mt Barnett Station) just before the climb up the Phillips Range. One kilometre walk to the gorge then along the creek to the falls with a few obstacles to get through.

Very pretty falls and pool. There is another tier up top near a big boab. My notes said to swim under the falls to see rock art. Maybe in that cave up there.

I was still cool from Manning Gorge so just put my feet in. Steve went in for a dip and a shower under the falls. He said it wasn’t as cold as Mannings. He climbed out on the other side where some people had found a bit of ‘art’. When it is wetter there would be a little fall coming down over the rock hence my notes. A young boy said there was a big cave up the very top but we will take his word about that. Some people have climbed up to the top.

Headed back. Grey Egret posed for a photo.

Bitumen up the hill to Phillips Range lookout where we stopped for a cuppa. There is a 44 gallon fuel drum dumped here and someone has tipped out their toilet waste between the rocks - really!!

Unfortunately the trees have grown up so not a great view of the Barnett Range. Found an orchid in the tree and a cypress pine. Steve had commented that some wood he chopped for firewood at Gibb River smelt like cypress so he was right. We had read on the Burnett Gorge info that they used the cypress for fenceposts as the white ants don’t like it.

The dirt is nice and smooth then we found out why. The grader was just ahead but obviously the Gibb breaks graders too.

Definitely notice the difference on the next bit as it the corrugations are certainly the worst yet.

Nice view of the next range ahead of us as we roll down the other side of the range. Passed the tyre repair place - hope we don’t need him. Bit of water over the causeway of Adcock River with grass on each side so you can’t see the river itself.

Opposite the turn off to Adcock Gorge is an area called ‘Rogers Hollow’ on Wikicamps so we headed in to park up for the night. There were 5 other campers here already. Parked near two ladies from Melbourne doing a 6 month trip.

Steve found some fire wood (heaps on the ground) to keep us warm while we have our drinks. A blue-winged kookaburra flew in and landed in the tree near us. Unfortunately i didn’t have my camera and he didn’t stay long.

Once the wind disappeared it was very pleasant by the fire.

Inside for dinner with the camper all closed up ready for the cold night.