Freshies, Fruit Bats and flies

It’s a good road from Derby to the Gibb Road-so far. Then we lose the Tarmac, and it becomes a little corrugated. But we persevered, and after about 140k of jiggles and rattles we arrived at Windjanna gorge, where we had lunch. We intended to camp there, but i

t was still early so decided to go on a bit to Tunnell Creek.

On the road we were overtaken by a tour bus, it is our policy not to exceed 70kph on these ‘roads’, and they go like a bat out of hell. They are purpose built for these areas, with huge wheels and very high clearance. Unfortunately they leave a great deal of dust in their wake!

However we took advantage of their guide through the tunnel, which consists of a wet cave, about 750 metres long. We had to wade through waist high water, which, on our own, we would not have tackled, as there are crocodiles in there. We could see their eyes reflected from our torchlight, because it was pitch black in places. We went from cavern to cavern, and in between the flora was wonderful.

There were aboriginal drawings from many centuries ago, and bats, some of which were white, and endangered.

We heard the story of Jandarra, a renegade Aboriginal who hid in the caves, and how he evaded capture for many years. He was eventually shot, after another Abbo tracked him down.

Returning to Windjanna, we came across a Bower Bird, who build a very stylish nest on the ground. We sat and watched as she tidied up the nest, what a sight.

A very hot day, over 40 degrees, 104f plus, followed by a very hot night. As the sun arose the following morning it soon became extremely hot again, and we had decided to walk the 7k through the Windjanna Gorge, as soon as we could after breakfast, while it was perhaps a little cooler. There are many pools in the gorge, which is formed from an undersea reef thrown up many millennia ago, and during the wet season a raging torrent runs through, becoming some ten or twelve metres deep.

There were many fresh water crocs lazing in the calm water, and hundreds of fruit bats in the trees, waving their wings to try to keep cool. The gorge itself has so many wonderful colours, a photo does not do it justice. The bird sounds are continuous, from the screeching of the cockatoos to the many mellodious songs of the others.

Unfortunately there are also the march flies, just like our horse flies and they bite, they are a real pest, and we had to keep walking as every time we stopped we were eaten.

Having seen the gorge by 10-30, and not looking forward to a very hot day ahead, we decided to press on in our air-conditioned car, to see what further adventures lay ahead.