Jo & Stephen & a 4x4: Gregory National Park

17^th & 18^th July

Left Top Springs (top spot) and continued on the Buchanan Highway till the turn off to Judbarra/Gregory National Park which covers 13,000 square km in the transition zone between tropical and semi-arid regions of the NT. The park is renowned for its 4WD tracks so we thought we’d have a look. We travelled on the Humbert Track from Humbert River Station at the entry of the National Park heading north. This track was used by Charlie Schultz as a stock route and to cart supplies between Bullita Outstation and Humbert River Station. The driving was quite rocky with some challenging bits. Did our first real river crossing for this trip and saw our first boab trees – they are really amazing. Had a pleasant walk out to the Gunturungjawun water hole where we sat in quiet contemplation for a while. Bush camping on the first night at Fig Tree Yard – flies are coming into full force – the fly nets had to make an appearance!

We often laugh when we are on the road at the ‘serious 4WDrivers’ who are up and at ‘em, driving well before we have even emerged from our tent. This morning was no different. We didn’t see any other cars but we didn’t manage to get on the road until 10.30am today – you can’t rush a good porridge!! Who cares – we are on holidays.

Not far from where we camped was a lookout that we climbed up to and could see all over the Figtree Valley. Very beautiful but there have obviously been some fires recently as lots of black patches. Continued along the Humbert Track and popped out just near Bullita Station. Worth a look as the National Parks Service have recreated the Bullita homestead with fascinating interpretive signage talking about life in cattle country – wow, what a tough life it must have been. There is also a recreation of the stock yards and explanation of how the cattle were brought in, sorted, branded and prepared to go to market.

Now on the road out of the park we took a detour on the track to Limestone Gorge were we saw tufa dams and took a walk along the calcite flow. Good to be travelling with a mad, keen Science teacher – I’m getting interesting science facts along the way to complement and explain what I’m seeing.

Not long after that we exited Gregory National Park (glad we took this route) and had a brief ice cream stop at Timber Creek to reinflate the tyres now we are back on the black top. Decided to head into Kununurra tonight so another fairly decent drive leaving the Northern Territory and entering Western Australia for the first time. This is the third time change we have had so far this trip – a bit confusing but watches are off and it is holiday time so who really cares. We also had to pass through quarantine and get rid of all our fruit, vegies and honey. We always seem to end up with food we need to dispose of at these border crossings no matter how well we plan. We ended up giving our excess to a nice couple in the road house at Timber Creek rather than throw it away.

Finally made it to Kununurra. Mixed feelings driving in here as some of you may remember we spent a lot of enforced time in this town during our 2001 trip due to various car problems. It was nice to be driving in and staying by choice. For old time sake, we decided to stay at the same hotel – Hotel Kununurra. Nice room, good pub food for dinner (yes, more chips) and even open mic night in the beer garden for entertainment. Decided an early night was a better option.