Day 24: Mimbi Caves to Mt Hart Homestead, 380km

Another big day: gorges, rock ranges, swimming holes, bad fuel and lots of driving, with only one number plate but we finally go tot the Gibb River Road in the Kimberley.

Cooked breakfast and sunrise at Mimbi caves, then packing up to get to Fitzroy Crossing for fuel. The washed-out bridge across the Fitzroy won’t be finished until 2024, so they just filled in part of the river over some pipes and created a temporary “low crossing”. Fitzroy Crossing only had “low aromatic” unleaded fuel – whatever the hell that is. The bowsers are all in cages and the BP store has been abandoned. Only the Shell remains but they are not allowed to sell normal petrol. Creepy place and I think I got my front number plate stolen when we parked outside the visitor centre because I noticed it completely missing, screws and all, when I got to Mt Hart and although the roads were very rough, I never hit the ground with the front of the car.

Temporary low crossing of the Fitzroy River

The shortcut from Fitzroy Crossing to the Gibb River Road is the Fairfield-Leopold Road: 100k of the worst road so far and included our first big water crossing. Saw some abandoned quarries and Tunnel Creek along the way.

The Fairfield-Leopold Road (closed, but we did it anyway despite the example set by this car)

Some of the road wasn't great so I had to use the other side a bit

Tourists at Tunnel Creek, which a swimmable river that passes 750m under the Napier Ranges

Boab tree, and friend

Road Train on GRR kicking up dust

View of the road after the truck has passed

Queen Victoria's Head on GRR

 

Mt Hart is the most remote place we have ever been to: 50km off the Gibb River Road on a rough road that included about 20 water crossings. A former cattle station it is now only for tourists: campers and glampers, with local swimming holes and 4WD tracks to rivers and ponds. As it is closed off from the main roads for half the year, they have their own airfield. Power from a big solar array (and likely a generator) and local water. They have a great bar and restaurant so they must rely on regular deliveries from trucks using the terrible access road. Had a great swim in a river and a great dinner and a few beers. Another big day.

Red dragonfly (my first!)

Michele under a giant boab being strangled by a fig tree