On the road with Flynn and Aidan: Fitzroy crossing to Purnululu

Geikie Gorge

We spent one night in Fitzroy Crossing, and it seems that there isn't a lot there. We did visit Geikie Gorge which is nearby. We took a boat trip with a ranger. Someone mentioned that the boat trip was peaceful, and it certainly was, kids would describe it as boring (and to be honest about half way through I would have to agree). It was very hot out on the water with no breeze or shade. The boys did really well and it was only the last few minutes that the ants in their pants started up!! We saw a fresh water crocodile sitting on a rock, birds nesting in the rocks and the gorge walls were, well, gorge walls.

Croc on a rock

Fitzroy Crossing

On our way out of town we went to visit the Old Fitzroy Crossing, which is a concrete bridge that sits just on the water. We then drove to a free camping area called Mary Pool, which lots of people recommended we stay at. We had a great night here. The camp ground is next to a small river and there are huge gum trees providing some much needed shade. The great thing was that we had two lovely families camped either side of us. The boys had fun playing with all the kids and Nick and I had a great time meeting some really nice people. We even stayed up past 9.30 to sit by the camp fire!! I had to go to bed at 8.30 the next night to compensate!

Bushfire beside the Highway

Halls Creek Pool

We took our time leaving Mary Pool and arrived in Halls Creek for lunch. We stopped in at the bakery and the lovely lady working there gave us a few freebies as they were about to close for the weekend. With tummies full of custard tarts we decided to go for a walk, but the heat was a bit too much and instead went to the local pool. We found it to be a fantastic pool with great facilities. We were the only non-indigenous people there, which is a bit different to Northcote! There were heaps of kids for the boys to play with. Flynn was gorgeous and at one point he plonked himself in the middle of a few boys who were warming themselves on the concrete at the pool. Flynn made himself a few new friends! We were told that Halls Creek is a bit dodgy, but we found people very friendly and saw no signs of dodgyness!

Squirting action!

Exhausted after the pool!

Purnululu NP

Our next stop is Purnululu National Park, home of the Bungle Bungles. As you cant take a caravan into the park, we stayed at a rest stop on the main highway and met a lovely Spanish couple who looked after the van while we went sight seeing (we had heard stories of caravans going missing from here and we didn't want to come home to no home in the middle of nowhere!). So it was a rough, rocky road into the park. 55kms with several river crossings and it took two hours to get to the visitor centre, then another 45 mins to the Bungle Bungles. Lets say it was a big day!

Piccaninny Creek

The Bungle Bungles were spectacular, their form is amazing and the colours beautiful. We walked to Piccaninni Creek which is dry at the moment. We explored the smooth rocks of the river bed which made interesting patterns. Flynn found some large round pebbles and potholes in the river bed and had a great time getting into them and throwing rocks around. We then walked to Cathedral gorge, hoping for some shade along the way, but no luck as yet. It was a very hot walk and we had a long rest for the boys once we got to the cathedral. The cathedral is a large cavernous area where there is a waterfall during the wet and a pool. The pool was pretty green, I imagine it has stagnant water there from last wet season. It was a great place to stop and felt at least 10 degrees cooler than outside. Flynn discovered a new game of throw your shoe in the water and watch mum and dad try to find a big enough stick to retrieve it. Not sure why we bothered as he refuses to wear shoes anyway! The toilet training of Flynn is going well. We are at the stage where he tells us that he has to do number twos and we have about three seconds to get him to the toilet. So it ended up that Flynn did number twos in front of a bus load of tourists at the cathedral, but what was more embarrassing was that Nick and I almost had words over whether its ok to bury the toilet paper or not- I think not and we took it with us. We had a laugh about it on the way home; the heat does not aid effective communication! Meanwhile, Flynn was rolling around in the sand like a crazy kid and got sand in his eyes which really hurt. He cried all the way back to the car which got rid of the sand, but poor Nick had to carry him. It was very difficult in the harsh Kimberly heat.

Cathedral Gorge

Pool at Cathedral gorge

Waterfall at Cathedral Gorge (in the dry)

Just returned- Aidan asleep, we are all hot and bothered!

River Crossing, Purnululu

So back in the car at about 2.30 and ready for a 3 hour drive home. All was going well, boys had a big sleep and on the last river crossing, 10 mins from camp, we got out to take some photos and realised we had a bit of a flat. By the time we drove to a spot where we could change it, it was as flat as a tack! Flynn thought it was fantastic- he always wants stories told to him about broken cars and trucks. So he was excited. Nick and I were not! Super husband took charge and changed the tire. I found the lollies that Nick and I sneak when the boys aren't looking, and fed them to the boys along with anything else that I could find. We were heading back to camp within 40 mins. We were exhausted but happy that it didn't happen in the heat of the day.

Definately flat!

Daddys helper

Flynn's first helicopter ride

The next morning I had planned to go on a helicopter flight over the Bungle Bungles. Flynn was disappointed that he wasn't going to come and when I asked the pilot to take a photo of me in the helicopter for my son, he offered to take him for free! So Flynn said he wanted to come, and came too! I was a bit nervous about whether he would be scared, as it was a cattle mustering helicopter without sides. He sat very still and said nothing which is very unusual for him. Poor little thing said that he was scared, but was very animated about the ride afterwards, making loud broom broom sounds! I don't think he was too scared. It was a beautiful fight but unfortunately it was very hazy as there have been some bush fires in the area. I was amazed at how large the area is and how many bungle bungles there are! We flew over some deep gorges which were spectacular, but it did give you some perspective about how high up you are and that bit was a bit scary. We flew over a huge cattle station, Mabel Downs, and could see the cattle amongst the red dirt and trees.