Hello all It's been quite a while since I updated, too long, so I thought I had better get blogging. A lot has happened since I last did an update. I have has a 145 litre ARB Frontier Long Range tank fitted to the Hilux. These are a Poly tank, the steel tanks don't like the roads up here and all steel tanks seem to crack on the rough Kimberley Roads. This should give me about 1000km range.
Lightning over Lilly Lagoon
The missing Wet Season.............I had heard and seen so much about waterfall Season......well this year it took a wrong turn and ended up in Queensland.
A bit over a dozen or so thunderstorms do not make a Wet Season. We have been going places since Christmas that should not be accessible this time of the year.
The Grotto after a 50mm thunderstorm
Some thunderstorms have only delivered a few millimeters of rain.........bad news for people doing the Gibb this year..............it will be dry.
Thompson Springs
In January we headed out to Thompson Springs for a swim. In days past this used to be the local swimming hole for Early Kununurra. Unfortunately due to the lack of Wet Season was refreshing but slimy.
Thompson Springs
Next was a trip out to the spillway at Lake Argyle on another stinking hot and humid day.
Even Lake Argyle is low
There has been an addition to the Brumby Family that lives out there since I was last there.
Shortly afterwards the Water Corp decided to drop the level of Kununurra Diversion Dam for maintenance work.
Celebrity Tree Park minus the water frontage
Lilly Lagoon without the Lagoon
Ivanhoe Crossing while draining the lake
A few weeks later we headed into Secret Springs, are area usually way too wet to access this time of year. It just proves our lack of Wet Season the Year.
It was an awesome day despite being 41C
bogged
This is what happens when you are using "active track" on the drone and not paying attention to track conditions. Just as you get stuck, the drone beep "low battery" and you try to land on the roof of your ute as a mate kindly hooks up the snatch strap.
getting snatched out
A few weeks later we journeyed into Harry's Hole, another place which should be too wet this time of year.
Heading to Harry's
Heading to Harry's
the crew
I thoroughly enjoyed the scenery along the track, this is a special part of the Kimberley.
I can think of worse places to spend a 39c Sunday afternoon
It was another awesome day and time was getting away, so it was a late afternoon trip back to the main road.
the track?
the track
More recently we headed out to Bindoola Falls, as Main Roads opened the Pentecost Crossing the day before.
Bindoola Falls
Bindoola Falls
cooling off
It was blistering hot out in the stone country, but on the upside it was excellent not to see another vehicle the whole time. That will certainly change soon enough as the tourists arrive. I don't expect much to happen over the next few weeks as we are getting ready for a 10 day epic trip to Kalumburu over Easter, before the masses mess up the road and crowd us out. 10 days, I hear you say...........remember I am 35 minutes from the Gibb River Road and 7-8 hours from Kalumburu. So 10 days.........can't wait Bye for now..............
Hello all I thought it was hot in November...............but December showed me how wrong i was. I have read many articles over the years about travelling out of season to avoid the crowds and inflated prices. It all sounds good in theory but just is not practical, its just too bloody hot.
Early october in the Kimberley
Even now I see the occasional traveller come through in a Camper Trailer or Tent, they only last one night,two nights at the most, then book into an Air conditioned Cabin.
late october in the Kimberley
The plans you make for the weekends don't happen.......its just too hot.
mid November
Unless you get what you need to get done before about 8-9am it just gets too hot.
early December
Now as you are probably aware official temperatures are measured in the shade.
ground temperature a few weeks ago
When you decide that you wish to go for a drive, think again............ground temperatures hovering around 70c, shade temperatures around 42-45c and its just too hot to get out of the vehicle. Until the rains start and cool the ground down there is no relief, in the morning everything is still hot from yesterday. So next time you southerners get a couple of days about 37c and whinge, spare a thought for us up here, where there has only been a handful of days UNDER 40c since late September. With work closing for two weeks over Christmas and the New Year it was a good opportunity to head up to Darwin to do some shopping and escape the heat.
Victoria River Region, Gregory National Park
Wow Darwin was so pleasant............you could stand in the sun........you could do things and was such a nice change to be only getting 34-35c days. On the other side..............after dealing with our 2 roundabouts but no traffic lights, hitting the Boxing Day sales at the homemakers centre carpark in Bagot Rd (BCF, Anaconda, Supercheap and Retravision) was a traumatic experience haha. So many angry, people all competing for a carpark.....so they don't miss out on a bargain. I did my bit for the economy, while there, New 245/70R16 BF Goodrich K02 All Terrain tyres on the Ute. A new CFF45 Dometic Fridge Freezer. a Dune Barwon Swag and so on. Fuel, food, accommodation, a short trip to Kakadu, my trip to Darwin cost me about $3800 but the savings and elimination of freight cost compensated somewhat. Reluctantly I left Darwin for the wilds of Kakadu, in the Wet while I still had some money left....
South Alligator River Floodplain
After an uneventful drive out to Jabiru, It was check into accomodation and next morning head out to Cahill's Crossing. Remember that camping up in the tropics this time of year is not really an option, its just too hot and wet.
40kph wipers were on
A tropical Storm was encountered on the way out to the East Alligator River. The rain was so heavy I had to pull over and stop.
Cahills crossing into Arnhem Land claims another victim
The Wet Season needs to be experienced, the new vegetation growth glows almost luminous with the nitrogen in the soil.
Kakadu floodplain
The downside is, so much is inaccessible due to flooding, and the best parts of Kakadu are off limits this time of year. The upside is, after seeing Kakadu many times all brown and dry, it was good to see full of life. And believe it or not.....I did not see a mosquito!
The humidity is so high this time of the year that every time you get out of the vehicle you sunglasses fog up, as does the camera.
Jim Jim Creek
It was time to start heading back towards home, and after a massive overnight storm in Katherine the Victoria Highway was like an obstacle course in parts with debris and trees down across the road.
Victoria Highway, Gregory National Park
The drive through the Victoria River Region is one I always enjoy, and to see it so lush and green was special.
Victoria Highway, Gregory National Park
Since being away there has been a couple of good storms to cool things down a little.
lightning tracker from thursday night
When these storms occur they need to be seen to be believed............the lightning is constant......thursday nights storm started about 12.30am and fizzled out about 9.00am after dumping 65mm of rain. The benefit is that these storms cool the ground down a bit and make life a little more livable here. Also the temperatures seem to have dropped below 40c and the waterfalls have begun.
The Grotto (movie) and Valentine Springs (still)
I am desperately hoping this change is the weather stays so that I can explore the waterfalls. I talked the Boss into closing again at Easter (take 3 days get 10 days) so depending on Roads being open I want to head to either Kalumbaru or Broome for 10 days. Bye for now.............
Hello All It has been a while since I have done a decent post, so I thought I had better get my act together. This is the first time I have spent time in the Tropics during build up period and have mixed feelings. The downside is the brutal relentless heat, mid September and through October a normal day was 39c. November was hotter............a cool day is a day under 40c with the temperature hovering between 40c and 43c and an increase in humidity.
Packsaddle Springs
By the time I head to work at 6.45am it is already around 30c and 70% humidity.
Packsaddle Springs
On weekends by about lunchtime the airconditioning in my caravan starts to struggle so the only option is to ether laze in the pool or go for a drive........even if it is too hot to get out of the vehicle.
Packsaddle Springs
The town is like a ghost town, shops are empty, everyone is either inside with airconditioning or in the pool.
Packsaddle Springs
Any swimming holes or creeks are warm bath temperature and thus give very little relief. I have now turned the hot water service in my van off as the cold water tap now supplies water warm enough to shower under.
Packsaddle Springs
It's not all bad though, the tourist have gone, the roads and sights are quiet, the cloud thunderheads are awesome and everything is now getting a tinge of green.
Packsaddle Springs
Also the lightning displays need to be seen to be believed, but unfortunately all the storms so far have been during work hours or the middle of the night.
Cockburn Range
And the Boabs leaf up with the humid weather and start to blossom. The other weekend I drove out to the Pentecost Crossing and back seeing only one other vehicle on the Gibb River Road.
Cockburn Range
Oh how I wish it was like that in the Winter months..........
Buttons Crossing, Lower Ord River
The other upside is that over Christmas I am heading to Darwin. A self contained Apartment at Cullen Bay Resort is $62.50 per night. I am also going to do a loop through Kakadu on my way back with the Crocodile shaped Resort in Jabiru $109 per night.
a large Salty in the Lower Ord
It should be amazing seeing the Kakadu floodplains during the Wet.
Jabiru at Marlgu Billabong
By the time I get back it should be Waterfall time in the Kimberley.
Ragged Ranges, Carr Boyd Range
I have been fortunate enough to get permission to access this largely closed off area next Dry Season. This spectacular area is Aboriginal Land and has numerous Gorges and magnificent rugged scenery, some of the best in the Kimberley. Needless to say I am pretty excited. This along with a trip to Kalumabru soon after the road opens makes for a pretty awesome dry season next year. Stay tuned I will finish editing some drone footage over the coming weeks and will post a video when completed. Bye for now
Hello all It's been a while since last posted an update, so I thought I had better get busy.
Pidgeon Hole Lookout ElQuestro
It's starting to warm up with most days 39-41c, so unless I get an early start it becomes uncomfortable out and about.
Pidgeon Hole Lookout
The up side is that it is getting too warm for the tourists and it is a lot quieter along the roads and tracks. The long Weekend in September I did a quick trip to Darwin, which was a good break away from town. Although the town nearly burnt down while I was away with a bushfire.
Before that trip I had OME shocks and struts fitted which transformed the trusty Hilux.
Last Sunday on a balmy 39c day we did the Karunjie track, which is the old stock route from Wyndham to the Pentecost Crossing on the Gibb.
dam on the Karungie Track
It was hot, dusty, and recently burnt out with bushfires.
Karungie Track
We only saw one other vehicle, a couple of swedish tourist who asked us "Is this the way to the Gibb River Road?"
Karungie Track
A touch over 20 kilometres and five hours travel...........
False Mt Cockburn
I will try again next season a bit earlier and cooler as it would be a much nicer trek.
A couple of clowns
By lunchtime it was just uncomfortable to get out of the ute.
mudflats on the Karungie Track
Blogger has a limit of 100 megabite uploads, so this limits what drone footage I can upload.
I am on a steep learning curve with my video editing but I am thinking I might have to sign up to Youtube for video uploading.
Lower Pentecost
And to finish the day..............an undisclosed secret place for a dip.
no directions will be given
and finally to round off this post a shot of the ever stunning Ivanhoe Crossing.
Ivanhoe Crossing
Until the weather breaks I cant see myself doing much exploring, by mid morning temps are hovering in the high 30's. Bye for now......
With tourist numbers starting to drop and the temperature increases I still try to get out and about on weekends.
Skull Rock Lower Ord River
I want to get over Wyndham way but the roadworks widening the Wyndam Road road is putting me off. It's currently drive a kilometre and wait ten minutes at the stop/go sign, drive another kilometre and repeat. When you get home your vehicle is red from the doorhandles down with the roadbase which sets like concrete.
The Grotto, Wyndham
Weaber Plains remains a favourite though with the Drone, with rugged ranges adjacent to crops looking awesome from above.
looking towards Keep River on Weaber Plains
Weaber Plains looking west
I did take another run out to the spillway at Lake Argyle.
The spillway at Lake Argyle
It's starting to warm up with daytime temperature 37-39c and nights dropping to low 20's.
Spillway Creek looking downstream
Although I must admit my lowest winter daytime temperature of 28c was something I enjoyed.
campers at Spillway Creek
Today I took a short run out to Ivanhoe Crossing a few km's out of town.
Ivanhoe Crossing
Ivanhoe Crossing
The weekend after next is a long weekend here and I am contemplating a weekend in Darwin. If I go I should get some good footage along the escarpments in the Victoria River Region. Bye for now.
