Carnarvon Gorge - the unexpected detour

Starting to tire of the crowded coast, we struck out west for an unplanned visit to Carnarvon Gorge.  The landscape flattened out, the roads narrowed, the trucks got bigger and mines were everywhere. 


Wide load - Leighton mining trucks (minus wheels) on the move



For hundreds of kilometres we tracked alongside and crossed over a massive LNG pipeline that is under construction.  Stopped at a small town that was almost entirely populated by men (with the exception of some well dressed young women tending the bar and playing pool at the pub - will leave you to ponder the possibilities...!).  Spotted this wonderfully cheesy ‘big’ offering along the way.

Went through a town called Banana, named after a yellow bullock.  Had a fun time explaining what a bullock was to the kids and confirmed for Dylan that, yes, he too could have that operation if he didn't want to have children, preferring to stay a "flatmate", ha ha ha!

Aimed for a dot on the map called Moura with a free camp at Dawson River 7km out of town.  About 1km out, Kel starts to get anxious about isolation.  No need...we rounded the corner to be greeted with a caravanopolis - even here!!!!  Educational fact for the day - courtesy of Dawson River and Greening Australia - some turtles can breathe out of their bums!

Arriving at Carnarvon National Park next day, stayed at a great camp called Takarakka, our first dirt road + caravan adventure.  Nothing broken!  The camp was next to a rocky bottomed creek that apparently is home to platypus.  It is certainly home to lots of kangaroos and bettongs.  Chilled out by the river in the arvo, a taste of what was to come. 

Carnarvon Gorge is an absolute gem.  We walked for 14kms (good job kids!) crossing the river many times on stepping stones (Ariel loved it so much she asked for stepping stones for her birthday...hmmm tricky...).  Visited an amazing rock art site and some smaller caverns and gorges.  It was full of hidden treasures and glorious to explore.  Hopefuly the pictures will speak for themselves.  Well worth the effort!







Set off back toward the coast next day, with a stop-over at Theresa Creek Dam.  Wow, this one truly was a city of caravans.  Turns out it is dinner and a show night.  Kids got excited when they saw the movie screen - sorry guys not for you.  Best Exotic Marigold Hotel showed after 30 excrutiating minutes of Roy Orbison, ha ha ha!