November 19, 2015 by coloradotravelingducks

The Kimberley by Bus with Zeb and Eider Duck

There are two major roads through the Kimberley of Australia. This part of Australia has little or no access during The Wet, or rainy season. Flooding frequently closes the roads. We drove to Derby earlier and took a couple day tour in the Kimberley, but we wanted to see more. We took a Greyhound Bus from Broome, Western Australia, to Darwin, in the Northern Territory.

Grayhound Bus was great transportation. Large, clean windows and not crowded

We also took bus tours to Nitmiluk National Park and to Kakadu National Park. Today we will show you some of what we saw from the bus. We already showed you Derby, and our Kimberley Wild Tour. Soon we will show you parts of Nitmiluk National Park and also Kakadu National Park. Through the Kimberley, we crossed several rivers.

Beautiful rivers

We also stopped at the Ord River Roadhouse.

Ord River Roadhouse was one of our stops

Of course we needed a snack after our meal, and this satisfied us.

Perfect for out dessert

These rock cliffs were beautiful.

Rock wall

We decided to ride the Greyhound Bus because we have seen much of the world from 30,000 feet. Of course, at that altitude, we saw nothing. Also, we were the only foreign tourists on the bus, so we were able to talk to many Australian natives, many of them aboriginals. Everyone was very nice to us. Even when mom got stuck in a restroom stall. One of the beautiful young girls that sat across from us on the bus, helped her get out. Mom was very grateful for the help. Getting stuck in the bathroom was not fun and not part of our travel plans. So thank you again to that very nice girl. On another bus to Nitmiluk National Park, we stopped in the town of Adelaide River to visit the War Cemetery.

Adelaide River War Cemetery

This monument with a white cross was very nice.

Monument in War Cemetery

Many of those buried here were killed February 19, 1942 during air raids on Darwin. We loved this tree.

Great tree

Further down the road, we stopped for a break near Emerald Springs Roadhouse.

Rest stop near Emerald Springs Roadhouse. Heading to Nitmiluk National Park

Another bus to Kakadu National Park stopped for our break at Bark Hut.

A stop at Bark Hut driving to Kakadu National Park

This is where we saw an early model Toyota Landcruiser station wagon.

Modified Toyota Land Cruiser

This vehicle has been modified as a “Yard Truck” or “Push up Truck” to push, or herd, buffalo into yards and pens. The door panels were re-enforced after a man, sitting in the truck, was gored through his thigh. The buffalo horn came right through the door. There are still wild buffalo in the Northern Territory.

Native Australian Buffalo

When we drove past a buffalo herd, the humans did not have their cameras ready. We hope you experience foreign travel in a public bus. You will see so much more and we learned so much from the local people sharing the bus.

November 7, 2015 by coloradotravelingducks

Windjana Gorge National Park in The Kimberley of Australia with Zeb and Eider

We are in Windjana Gorge National Park now.

We are in Windjana Gorge National Park

This is our third national park in the Devonian Reef of Western Australia. Remember that this area, The Kimberley, was once a tropical sea and is now surrounded by the 350 million year old Devonian Reef. Like Tunnel Creek National Park, we are in the Napier Ranges. The Windjana Gorge spans 3.5 kilometers and reaches a hight of 100 meters in places.

Limestone cliffs can be 100 meters high

The Lennard River flows through Windjana Gorge. From the parking lot, we cross this bridge to get to the Lennard River and Windjana Gorge.

Bridge from parking lot to Lennard River

When we reach the Lennard River, we realize we have lots of company here.

So many fresh water crocodiles

Also this beautiful white bird with long legs.

We like him

He is not concerned with all the crocodiles. This rock and area is important to the aboriginal people. There is a legend about fertility. So, many couples come here.

Fertility legends about this rock and area

Our humans are not concerned about fertility, but we liked the yellow colors in the cliffs to the left and the orange/red colors in the cliffs to the right. The humans decided we should see the crocodiles up close. You will notice that Zeb and Eider are closer, not humans.

Not too close mom

Maybe he is friendly. Or maybe not…

So many teeth. Mom, did you really have us close to HIM??? Does he have eyelashes?

He does have a big mouth and many sharp teeth! Leaving the Lennard River, we saw this sign about fossils.

Why fish fossils in the walls

This area was underground. Here are photos of the fossil area.

Fossil

Fossils

We saw one of our favorite white birds.

We love these birds

Isn’t he just beautiful? This rock formation is just perfect for us, the Colorado Traveling Ducks.

Rock formation. We like this one.

When we think about The Kimberley of Western Australia, this is one sight we will not forget.

So many crocodiles and the white bird

We loved all the animals. We are in awe of the many colored cliffs. We love the rivers and our boat rides. But, we will never forget all the crocodiles. Impressive, but not at all aggressive towards. We respect them and hope you will also.

November 6, 2015 by coloradotravelingducks

Tunnel Creek National Park in The Kimberley with Zeb and Eider Duck

We leave our Safari Tent, driving the 115 kilometers from Fitzroy Crossing, to Tunnel Creek National Park. Along the way, we admire these rocks.

Love the rocks

The horses are nice, also.

Horses by the ride to Tunnel Creek National Park

We must remember that this area around Fitzroy Crossing is some of the best pasture land in Australia. We arrive at Tunnel Creek National Park.

We are at Tunnel Creek National Park

We are still in the area that was once covered by tropical sea and the Devonian Reef. Tunnel Creek is one of the three national parks in the 350 million year old Devonian Reef. We are in Western Australia’s oldest cave system. To enter the tunnel, a torch, or flashlight, is needed. You will also get wet, so appropriate shoes are encouraged. We are near the entrance to the tunnel.

Near tunnel entrance

Jandamarra, an Aboriginal leader, died here. When Jandamarra was a boy, he was arrested for spearing a settler’s sheep. He did not learn all the rules of his Bunuba people, did some things wrong and was shunned by the tribe. He worked for the police as an aboriginal tracker. He and his police friend, Richardson, hunted and found the aboriginals. They found Jandamarra’s tribe. Jandamarra realized his loyalty to his people and killed Richardson. He led the Bunuba people in raids against the settlers for about 3 years. Jandamarra was later found by the police and killed near here, in 1897, by the entrance to the tunnel.

Caves near entrance to tunnel

Walking inside the dark tunnel, you will come to this pool.

Pool in tunnel

The tunnel is also known for these impressive stalactites.

Great stalactites

Near the exit of the tunnel, be sure to notice this aboriginal art carving.

Aboriginal art

The only way back to the bus is to return through the 750 meter tunnel, with your torch or flashlight. Outside the tunnel, there are hiking opportunities.

For driving or hiking

We loved these noisy white birds.

So pretty and so loud

They are corellas, a relative of the cockatoo. The limestone cliffs are magnificent.

Limestone cliffs

Looking around, several of these beautiful and loud white birds, corellas, were watching us.

There were several corellas in the trees

Leaving the tunnel area, we stopped at the Lilliwooloora Police Stations ruins.

Lilliwooloora Police Station Ruins

This is where Jandamarra shot and killed his police friend, Richardson.

Lilliwooloora Police Station Ruins

We think you would love to see this area and experience a walk through the tunnel.

November 5, 2015 by coloradotravelingducks

Zeb and Eider Visit Geikie Gorge National Park in Australia’s Kimberley

We are in Geikie Gorge National Park in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia. This area was once covered by tropical seas. The area includes 3 National Parks. We will visit all of them, but now we are in the Geikie Gorge. These parks originated as the western Australia reef, around 350 million years ago, during the Devonian Period, and now feature rocky landscapes and formations and gorges. We are promised views of the most spectacular landforms in the Kimberley Region.

A tropical sea and tropical reef were here

While waiting for our boat, we take a short walk.

Let’s walk and see Geikie National Park

Vegetation and rock formations are beautiful and abundant. The tree trunks are even colorful.

These tree trunks fascinated us.

We love this place! Our boat is now ready for us.

We wil ride on another boat!

Today the Fitzroy River is calm and we are cruising beneath towering cliffs of the Devonian reef.

Fitzroy River is calm and beautiful today

We can see the waterline by the color of the rock. During The Wet, rainy season, the Fitzroy River rises 16.5 meters, staining the walls and flooding the National Park with 7 meters of water. The colors of the cliffs here are so bright.

Bright colors and bright reflection

Great reflection in the Fitzroy River. We heading into a cave.

Into cave with fossils on wall

This wall is so full of fossils preserved in the ancient limestone reef. Also migrating birds and bats build mud nests here.

Mud nests built by migrating bats and birds

The Fitzroy River has many fish, so there will other animals here.

A fresh water crocodile

This fresh water crocodile is not supposed to be aggressive, unless provoked. We will give him plenty of room. This calm river is so different from the flooding of The Wet.

Cruising down the Fitzroy River

Had to imagine the floods, but they arrive every year. This gorge is reported to be 30 meters deep and is between the Oscar and Geike Ranges. This bird was so still.

Calm bird on river bank and reflected in river

We like reflections in the still river. Our cruise is almost over, but the bright colors on the rocks just take our breath away.

Vivid colors

We hope you come here in The Dry. It is beautiful. Next time we will visit another of Australia’s national parks.

November 4, 2015 by coloradotravelingducks

Zeb and Eider Visit Fitzroy Crossing in The Kimberley of Western Australia

The rugged Kimberley Region of Western Australia has limited access. There are few roads, and most of them require 4 wheel drive vehicles. During the rainy season, or The Wet, they are often impassable. Broome is situated at the southern most tip of the magnificent Kimberley Region. We decided to try putting a map here, so you know exactly where we are now.

Orange line below Broome and Fitzroy Crossing

In the northwest area of Australia, just above the orange line, is Broome on the Indian Ocean, and Fitzroy Crossing, today’s destination. Wanting to see some of the Kimberley, we took a multi-day Kimberley Gorges Escape tour with Kimberley Wild. We left from Broome, on the Indian Ocean.

Our Kimberley Wild tour vehicle

Along the road, we saw thousands of termite hills.

So many termite hills seen while driving

Termite hills have been very abundant since we drove into the northern half of Australia. Our first tour destination was Fitzroy Crossing. Here we are approaching the Fitzroy River and the bridge across the river.

Approaching Fitzroy River

This bridge was built in 1935 and improved in 1958. Since it is covered with water and closed during the monsoon season, another higher bridge was built nearby. This area of the Kimberley was, and still is, home to many of Australia’s aboriginal people. The town of Fitzroy Crossing began in 1886 when Mr. McDonald started the Fossil Downs cattle station. The cattle station was the result of a 3 year, 3,500 mile cattle drive from Goulburn, New South Wales. The Fitzroy River is wide, but shallow now.

Fitzroy River is now wide and shallow

As we see here, much of the river bed is dry.

Much of Fitzroy River bed is dry

The climate here varies from semi arid in the winter (May through October) and monsoonal (December through March). Leaving Fitzroy Crossing and the Fitzroy River,

Driving across bridge built in 1935

we find our sleeping accommodations for the night. We will stay at Fitzroy River Lodge. Here we had our choice of a motel room, a safari lodge, caravan bay, or a campsite. Before leaving Broome, we reserved a Safari tent. Ours is Number 12.

Sitting on the patio of our Safari Tent

In our safari tent we even have our own bathroom

Even a bathroom in our safari tent

We have our own shower in here also. This is the camping area.

Camping area at Fitzroy River Lodge

We believe this is a Coolibah tree with the noticeable white branches.

Coolibah tree with white branches

We visit a gorge, which we will tell you about (and, of course, show you) next time. Returning here, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner of grilled steak and grilled kangaroo, with various side dishes This is the building where we ate our meals.

Our dining building

Chrissy, our guide prepared very tasty food for us. Then we admired yet another beautiful Australian sunset.

Setting sun through clouds

We hope you take tours into the Kimberley when you are in this part of Australia. It is beautiful here.

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