10^th July: Bungle Bungles

We did drive in, despite the naysayers who thought our 4WDs were too small. The guy beside us had a pristine white Patrol and a large off-road van. I don't think he has ever been off toad in his life! The irony is that if you have enough money to own a rig like that you can afford to pay $285 a person to catch a 4WD bus in! And they do! “I wouldn't take my car in there!” When Glen said he was driving in, standing beside the X-trail, the guy asked “What in?” Glen said “This !” pointing to the X-trail. He said;”You can't. It's too rough!” and I said:”Well, we don't have any other!” That's when he said that he wouldn't take his car in!

We went the 53 kms to the Visitor Information centre just inside the NP. It took us 1 ½ hrs because the road was badly corrugated, there were 10 watercrossings, and as crossed a mounatin range, the road was winding over steep dips and around blind crests. This was through Mabel Downs – the cattle propertry. It was a hard trip but was well worth it as the scenery was stunning. The first waterhole, Fletcher River, was the deepest and Glen walked through it to find the best path through. It was up past out door sills but the X-trail had no problems. We are finding more about it capabilities as we go on. It is a great vehicle! Larry came through after us and we drove all the way together which was great. I communicated with them with the CB to warn them of road hazrds and vehicles approaching.

We drove up to Echinda Gorge and walked through the chasm.. It was amazing as it was a very narrow chasm and the mid-day sun came down between the vertical walls. It reminded us of StanleyChasm in Central Australia, only longer. It was beautiful! Gail, the other one, lent me a hiking walking stick and it mde all the different as I was able to walk up the gorge on the rocky creek bed without the balance problems I had had previously. I was so glad I made it!

Then we drove the 50 kms to the Catheral Gorge and the Beehives. The roads in the NP are much better than the road in and so we able to make good time. The Catheral Gorge was great: a dry waterfall into a large pool inder a large rock ledge.

 

 Then the Beehiveso are amazing: lots of photographs of the structuresare in books and tourist brochure. They are sedimentry rocks which have been eroded and bands of iron colored sediments and lichen covered layers. Great rounded hills.

We drove out latish and had to drive into the setting sun. Very difficult especially as there was a lot of dust and a lot of vehicles suddenly appearing out of the gloom. We got the Fletcher Crossing after dark and so I wasn't able to take a photograph. I was a lttle worried but we managed well and so did Larry. (He has a Kia 4WD and it is slighter higher than ours,but also a smallish car and also a good vehicle. Larry has not done much of this type of driving and he was glad to follow us and have the CB contact.)

Showers first as we were very dusty! Bubbly to celebrate a great trip!!