Fitzroy Crossing/Geikie Gorge

Halls Creek/Geikie Gorge

6-7 August 2013

We are camped at the Fitzroy River Lodge and Caravan Park located on the Fitzroy River just outside of the township. The site is on 50 acres and it was nice to see grass, sealed roads within the park and lots of shady trees. The drive from Halls Creek is about 300km in distance and there is not much to see after driving across the Gibb.

This morning we decided to drive out to Geikie Gorge some 20km from the township to take a boat cruise. The cruises are run by DEC and go through the Geikie Gorge area – they are about an hour long with a commentary from the local indigenous community. At this time of the year they have four scheduled per day which is an indication of the number of people in the area. The boats can hold upward of 50 people on them and they can accommodate larger numbers if required.

The gorge is quite spectacular and one easily gains an appreciation of the size and volume of water that flows down this river when it is in flood. The photos below give some indication of the scenery.

We have had a relaxing day today after returning from the cruise and I have enjoyed sitting under a shady tree watching the caravans/campers come and go. Most are pulling in and the vast majority are on road caravans being towed by Toyota Landcruisers. They are everywhere and come in all shapes and models. All are driven by grey nomads. The most interesting viewing has been watching the wives direct their husbands into their caravan site. She is giving the signals and he is backing the rig into their site. Without a word of a lie, all have had words to say to one another, most cannot be repeated in this blog. Oh well I am thinking that will be me in a couple of years time. To avoid the argument, I think that I will let Lucy do the backing in whilst I do the directing. Most of the males appear to be ignoring the signals being given to them by their partners. Maybe it is a male thing? Not sure why!

Boarding our cruise boat

Banks of the Fitzroy near old Fitzroy Crossing

Geikie Gorge

Limestone cliffs

Fitzroy River views

Geikie Gorge

Geikie Ranges

Croc sunning itself

Old Fitzroy River crossing

 

Tomorrow we are off to Broome or Derby - we have to pick up the dead battery from the trailer (warranty claim) and exchange a faulty battery charger that we purchased from one of the local hardware store in Derby. Not sure how long this will all take. Cheers.