Blog 20 - 16th to 28th September 2013

It's been a while, so some epic posts to come.

Monday 16th Sept - we left Fitzroy Crossing, and head to Fitzroy Barrage, which is part of an irrigation system built in the 50's along the lines of the Ord River system that is around Kunnunurra. Our plan was to get there and go for a swim, either below the weir, or in the water above. A quick chat to the guy Ken camped there changed that plan, as he showed us a bull shark swimming in the shallows below the weir, and mentioned lots of salties would be above the weir. Damn, damn and damn as it was damn hot. Camped on the river banks overlooking the weir, and cooked up a roast dinner and shared with our neighbour.

Tuesday - left camp and made our way towards Derby. Just before town is the Prison Boab tree, where the police would place criminals inside and use as a holding cell for the night.

It is said to be around 1,500 years old. Then into town, visit the info centre, out to the jetty to see it at high tide where we had some lunch.

Then coffee and cake at a cafe before checking into the caravan park.

Wednesday - stopped in at the jetty again to see it at low tide (up to an 11 metre change in the tides - 2nd biggest in the world).

Then continued onto Broome and booked in at Tarangau Caravan Park at Cable Beach. A quick look at the white sand and turquoise water

before a short trip into town to the info centre to spend a @#$%-load of money on some tours. Back to Cable beach for an afternoon swim in the warm water, and then a sunset coffee overlooking the ocean to watch the sun retreat into the horizon over the water.

Thursday - played tourist for the day, grabbing an all day tour on the bus service for $10p.p. First stop was the shopping centre, and then into Chinatown for a walk around. Lots of pearl shops, and spent some time trying on bikinis (well Di did anyway!!!). Had a cheap Chinese lunch, and then to Matso's Brewery to sample some beers, including a mango beer. Then back on the bus to Town Beach where the night markets were being set-up, before back to camp for the evening.

Friday - haircut day from a lady staying in the caravan park - worst haircut EVER!!! From here we drove out to Gantheume Point where the lighthouse is - picture red hills, white sand and turquoise water.

Had a swim in a rock pool where the water came in and out from a hole in the bottom and filled up and then emptied out every 15 seconds or so.

Lovely spot for a cool off and then a quick walk to the lighthouse. Today is a big treat - there was a Macca's in town, so we HAD to go for lunch - same old, same old - but was good to have some junk food. Back to camp where we had booked in for our camel ride along Cable Beach at 3.20pm.

They are damn high once you are up on top, but the scenes were great, and we even got to see some camel toes!!!

From here back to camp again, where we caught the bus back into Town Beach to see the Stairway to the Moon, with the full moon rising over the bay, and reflects in the water giving an impression of stairs - that's the plan anyway - look it up on google as our photos were crap. Met Celia and Eugene from the Suzuki 4WD Club at the night markets.

Saturday - the local markets were on this morning at the courthouse, so we had a wander around, meeting up with Celia and Eugene again. Then back to Woolies for a food re-stock. Had another swim down at Cable Beach - too nice not to - before watching the sun set again over the water, and a quick race down to the sand to catch the camels right on sunset.

Sunday - had an early morning swim before back to camp to pack up for our trip to Cape Leveque.

Stopped in at Beagle Bay to see the church that has lots of pearl shells all around the windows and the alter, and also the stations of the cross.

Then from here we continued north to Middle Lagoon, where we camped above the beach.

Had a swim, keeping an eye out for both sharks and salties.

Monday - left Middle Lagoon for the last bit of dirt before the tar starts for the last 100km's to Cape Leveque. Stopped in at Lombardina, but the office was closed and you need to get a permit, so we headed back out, with our final destination being the resort at the tip called Kooljaman.

Had some lunch before driving around to the swimming beach, a swim in the waves, a walk around the rocks for another swim, and then back to camp for a shower and to relax. Had a coffee and scones at the cafe, and then watched the sun set over the ocean again.

Tuesday - plan was for another early morning swim, but the tide was way out so we got to explore around the coral and rocks instead. After a shower and brekkie, we drove out to One Arm Point, where we got our permit to enter the community, but which also included our tour through the fish hatchery. Had a quick look at all the fish in the separate tanks, and also saw some different types of anenomes and starfish

- but the favourite was the monkey fish.

Then to Round Rock lookout to watch the tide rushing through,

and then to Middle Beach for a look over the water.

Not far away was the Cygnet Bay pearl farm, so we stopped in and went on the tour which finished with a lesson of the different types of pearls.

Back to camp for lunch, and then another swim as the tide was back in.

Wednesday - walked down to the Western Beach just after sun rise, where the red cliffs contrast with the white sand, blue sky, and turquoise water - very striking.

A quick pack-up for the drive back to Broome, including all the corrugations in the 100km's of dirt. Had fish and chips for lunch before back to Tarangau Caravan Park and relaxed for the afternoon.

Thursday - this is the expensive day I referred to earlier. We were booked for the flight to the Horizontal Waterfalls. Picked up at 5.30am for the short drive to the airport, where a seaplane would fly us north-east to the edge of the Buchaneer Archipelego and would land on the calm water before arriving at the houseboat pontoon. Here we were loaded into the most high powered speedboat on earth for the trip through the falls, which are caused by the movement of the tides through a very narrow channel. The first channel was 20 metres wide and 40 metres deep, and the volume of water coming through is astounding. The 2nd is narrower, and was way too dangerous to take the boat through, but the up-close view was awesome.

A few more runs through the 1st set before heading back to the pontoon for brekkie and then a swim in a shark cage while they fed some of the resident sharks.

Then another boat ride up stream for a quick look at the rock formations,

before back on the seaplane for the trip home, flying low over the many, many islands and coral reefs,

and then over Cape Leveque,

before arriving back in Broome for lunch. Another swim at Cable Beach, and then out to dinner for Indian.

Friday - this morning we finally say goodbye to Broome, and start our trip south, arriving at Barn Hill Station where we arrive before lunch.

A short walk down to the beach, where the rock formations were very rugged,

and then a swim - the surf was dumping and Di got creamed, with sand everywhere. Back to camp for a shower to wash off, and then relax around camp.

Saturday - left camp to continue south, driving into Port Smith, but the threat of midgies changed our mind of staying there, so went further to 80 Mile Beach, where the caravan park is just one sandhill behind the beach. Went down for a swim, and found the beach completely covered in shells, so collected quite a few to send home - sorry Sharon.

I went to the TV room to watch the Roosters play Newcastle in the footy, and then back to camp a very happy boy. Got chatting to our neighbour Gina and we talked for a long while about places to visit, and a NP she had heard lots of stuff about - Ruddall River NP.

More to come soon, with the next 10 days.

Di and Hammo