Day 39 - Saturday 11 August - El Questro via the Gibb River Road

Day 39

Saturday

11 August

Lake Argyle – El Questro – Emma Gorge

The winds came gusting in at 4am and Paul was out quick smart winding in the awning, before we had to pick it up from someone else’s site. He began a trend, with the obvious sound of awnings being wound up echoing through the park. 

The breeze was still strong, when we woke at 6.30 and sat in bed reading for an hour. Once up, we organised ourselves and packed our bags before heading out for our day of adventure. We stopped in at reception and booked the Lake Argyle sunset cruise for tomorrow and then it was off to Kununurra. As soon as I had reception, I began loading a few things on line, making the most of the cover. 

Once the car was filled with fuel, we began the trek out to Emma Gorge about 80km away. The gorge is on the well know El Questro station which you get to by driving the top end of the Gibb River Road. Fortunately, this end is all sealed, so the trek out was a breeze. 

We stopped briefly at a roadside lookout, checking out the Cockburn Ranges through the haze beyond, before we continued on to the Emma Gorge turn-off. Once off the Gibb River road, we had dirt to contend with. It was only 2km and was fairly well maintained, but we weren’t counting on the three river crossings. Thankfully, none were particularly deep, but the track was full of river rocks and pebbles, so we just hoped the Getz didn’t mind too much. I am sure people passing us by thought we were nuts, but she got in ok, in the end. 

I was impressed with the fancy reception, restaurant and pool facilities, very flash and the gardens were so lush. We wandered into reception and picked up a day pass for $24, collected a map and then returned to the car to grab all that we required for the 3.2km return trip. 

There were plenty of people passing us on the path, returning from there morning wander and all were saying it was well worth it. It turned out they were right, but far out, the trail was a rough one. After finishing off on the flat, we were ambushed with large, slippery boulders, rocky and unstable stones, narrow gaps, tripping hazards, tree branches and an incline. I was managing ok, but Paul was struggling with his hammy, ankle and back. It wasn’t an easy walk for him. The scenery however, was spectacular, you just had to make sure you stopped to take it in, rather than walk and look, as you were bound to stumble over an unseen obstacle.

We eventually reached, Turquoise Pool where there were some people swimming. It looked so inviting and feeling hot and sweaty, it would have been the perfect spot to cool off, but instead, we kept on following the trail a few extra hundred metres and were rewarded with Emma Gorge, pool and falls. What a breath-taking spot. 

We found a place to leave our things and enter the cool, clear waters. We had been told by one previous trekker, to head to the right where there was a warm spring, they were right. A rock pool had been created and I slipped inside and made myself comfortable. Paul eventually joined me and we sat watching the other swimmers freezing their bollocks off. 

We did eventually give up our secret spot and allowed others in on the secret, the small rock pool was soon full. We stood beneath the droplets falling from the 100m cliff above, it was like watching snow fall. We enjoyed the atmosphere of the place, before towelling off and beginning the journey back along Emma Creek. 

The trip back, didn’t seem anywhere near as difficult of as long, possibly because we knew what to expect and how far we had to go. Before too long, we were back at reception and straight into the bar for a cool drink and a rest. Phew! Made it. 

We collected our lunch bag and sat on a park bench within the gardens to enjoy our lunch. We were both in need of sustenance and were happy to just sit, eat and take in the view about us. 

Once we were finished, we returned to the Getz, driving the 2km out of the park, hoping we would get out unscathed, we did. We drove back along the Gibb, stopping at the highway junction to take a photo of the sign and then we ventured on to Kununurra. 

We stopped in town to buy a few bits at Coles and then we motored on back to Lake Argyle, getting in just before 4. We didn’t waste any time unpacking the car and getting down to the pool for a refreshing splash. The place was packed and kids were running about in all directions. I perched on the wall in the spa, while Paul used the jets to massage his back. 

Cooled down, we made our way back to the van and I began putting on the photos, while Paul went for a shower. At 4.45pm, we went down to the bar area to watch the last quarter of the Eagles match and to use the net. The connection was rubbish tonight, unlike the Eagles who pulled off a win after the siren against Port. 

Back at the van, I worked on the pics and then we had dinner. I eventually wrote up the blog, while Paul went to lay down flat. When I was all done I made my way to bed.