We farewelled the Bungle Bungles and travelled through Halls Creek to Fitzroy Crossing. We stopped for lunch near a camping area beside the river. While having lunch a willie willie was stirred up and the caravaners had to move very quickly to close the doors of their vans to save a dust wash.
Then to Geikie Gorge National Park where we had a cruise on the Fitzroy river through the ancient limestone looking at the fossils embedded in the walls. The river has 20 tributaries, stretches over 700km from the East Kimberley to the coast at King Sound. It occupies an area of 93,289 kilometres within the Canning Basin and the Timor Sea drainage division. In flood it one of the worlds biggest rivers. During the dry season, much of the river stops flowing, leaving permanent waterholes along the river and surrounding floodplains. These pockets of water are critical for waterbirds, fish and other wildlife to survive - and also make for refreshing swimming holes.
This morning we visited Dimalurru (Tunnel Creek) National Park for an underground river walk. At Dimalurru (Tunnel Creek) water has carved a large tunnel through
the limestone of the Napier Range. The tunnel is up to 20m high and 15m wide in some parts! 350 million years ago this was part of an ocean reef system. Sunlight arcs onto the cavern with a sense of mystery. Adding to the spectacle, large stalactite rock formations hang from the walls. It was used as a hideout late last century by the Aboriginal leader Jandamarra who was killed outside its entrance in 1897.
Take a walk through the 750m tunnel which takes you from one side of the Napier Range to the other. Keep your eye out for the many bat species and freshwater crocodiles that live in the cave. The roof has collapsed through to the top of the range near the centre of the tunnel. T
After this we went to Windjana Gorge where we had a guided walk through the gorge which is 100 metres above the floodplain.The 3.5km gorge cuts through Napier Range. Its hard to believe that this mountain range was once an ancient coral reef. In wet weather the Lennard River runs
through the gorge, while in the dry season it forms pools surrounded by trees and shrubs. It may sound like a good place for a dip.... wrong! Dont go reaching for your bathers, freshwater crocodiles bask in the pools.
There are a few walking trails to explore the area. You may see fruit bats and corellas roosting in the trees along the waters edge. Take a while to check out the marine life forms fossilised in the limestone of the gorge walls. Theyre fascinating!The traditional owners of this area are Bunuba Aboriginal people. Bandilngan (Windjana Gorge) is a highly spiritual place for Bunuba people. The powerful Wandjina creation spirits reside in the area.
