Tuesday, we chilled out in the morning and lazed around our ultra-private campsite. There are rapids in the Pentecost River near our site with running water and pools just perfect for an al-fresco bath, which was greatly enjoyed.
In the afternoon, we did the Explosion Gorge tour, led by ranger Del, a self-confessed "horse chick" who delighted in flinging a Land Rover down the worst 4WD track imaginable (that is how the tour was promoted, take a ride along a track you would never consider taking your own 4WD on). Several other "lads" did try the road for themselves though. That was followed by a cruise in dingys on the Chamberlain River gorge, a truly spectacular waterhole. Finally, back up the horror track to Branko's Lookout, amazing vistas of El Questro, accompanied by champagne and nibbles. We splurged and ate at the ElQ Steakhouse for dinner.
Wednesday, reluctantly departing El Questro, we hit the Gibb River Rd again. The road is a pretty reasonable gravel highway, but what makes it a 4WD only route are the river crossings. The biggest was the Pentecost River, but there were many others.
We had no troubles in our Hilux until we had a flat tyre, very flat, totally destroyed on a sharp rock. Some South Aussies helped us change the wheel in our unfamiliar vehicle, and we then drove ultra-carefully to tonight's resting place, camping at Mt Elizabeth Homestead, some 150km without a spare tyre on a rough dirt road. Same tomorrow, another 150km before we can hopefully get a new tyre at a bush mechanic's garage!
1 comment:
I'm hoping you can get that new tyre!!! Sounds like it is going well apart from that though. Looking forward to hearing more.
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