Posted on 08 August 2025
by
Mum Today we packed up, crossed a few more rivers with the caravan, and headed south
towards Purnululu National Park. We were not allowed to bring our dual axle
caravan into the park because of the 53km of dirt road and steep river beds.
Instead we opted to camp at Spring Creek Rest Area just across the road from the
junction into the park.
We got into camp early and had a quiet afternoon - planning our walks in the
park, sorting out some bookings for later in the trip, and watching two
cockatoos coming and going from their nest hallow in the tree next to our
campsite.
Posted on 07 August 2025
by
Mum Today we headed out for another gorge walk and swim, this time to Emma Gorge.
This walk started in a wide meadow, so was very open and therefore rather warm.
Once into the gorge itself it cooled down a bit. Similar to El Questro Gorge
this track had us crossing back and forth across the river, but the Emma Gorge
track was better maintained so we did not get our feet as wet and muddy.
We stopped for a quick look at the lower pool before heading up to the Emma
Gorge pool for a swim. This swimming hole was larger with a 35m waterfall (in
the wet season). There wasn't much of a waterfall when we were there but there
was lots of water dripping off the walls into the pool making it look like it
was raining in sections. The water was also much cooler, almost take your breath
away cold when you first get in. But there were some smaller pools to one side
that were warmer. After lunch at the top pool we headed back to the lower pool.
The lower pool was much smaller but has a nicer temperature to just hang out in.
It also had some good jumping rocks. We stayed at this pool much longer than the
upper one.
Once back at the trail head we treated ourselves to hot chips and cold drinks at
the Emma Gorge Resort before the drive back to camp at El Questro Station.
Posted on 06 August 2025
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Mum Today we got up early and drove out to El Questro Gorge trail head. The water
level in the river on the way in was less than 80cm so was open to non-snorkel
fitted 4WDs like ours. So we thought we'd take the chance to get out there. In
the end there were four river sections to cross. One rather long deep one and
the others much shorter and shallower.
Once at the trail head we started the walk into the gorge. The first part of the
walk was more open as we followed the stream that runs through the gorge, often
by walking back and forth across it. This lower part of the gorge was filled
with Livistona Palms. As it started to narrow the sandstone walls where filled
with ferns. We made it to the Halfway Pool and changed into our swimmers to wade
out into the pool and climb the rocks to continue further into the gorge.
After the Halfway Pool the gorge walls continued to narrow and we had to
traverse lots of large boulders and even scramble up a bit of a rock wall and
some steep steps to eventually make it to Mac Miking Gorge Pool at the end of
the walk. There weren't very many people at the pool and we even got a few
minutes of being in the water with just the four of us. After a refreshing swim
we headed back down the gorge to the car. Stopping at the lower pool for a
longer swim this time.
Then it was back to camp. Late in the afternoon we headed over to the bar and
grassy area near reception for the kids to set up a cricket game and the adults
could have a cold drink. By the time the sun set the kids had 10 players on the
pitch.
Posted on 05 August 2025
by
Mum This morning we got up early and headed for the NT/WA border. We passed our
quarantine check - only having to leave a piece of fire wood that still had bark
on it. Then we rolled into Kununara around 8.30am (as we gained another 1.5
hours crossing the border). We stopped long enough for a quick restock of fresh
fruit and veggies, and to head to Ivanhoe Cafe for breakfast before continuing
west to El Questro.
The road was paved until the turn off to El Questro Station. It was then 16km of
dirt road. Most of it was pretty good driving, just a few small corrugations, as
a section of it was being graded as we drove in. But there were three river
crossings to negotiate as well. I had heard there were at least two possible
river crossing but apparently John did not remember being told that, and he was
the one driving. The first one was not very deep but the other two were ~60cm
deep. The last one was the longest as well. John did a great job negotiating
these on the fly for his first ever river crossing, never mind that he was also
towing the caravan! The car and caravan both survived the drive in, although we
did get some water on the inside step of the caravan that came through the vents
at the bottom of the door.
Once we checked in and found our campsite we hung out for the afternoon. Olivia
and Theo played cricket in the heat of the afternoon. Then we all headed over to
the creek for the kids to have a swim. Olivia then scouted out a few places for
her bracelet stall.
