After two nights in Exmouth, we headed into Karijini Nat. Park. Sat in the Pilbara among the Hammersley range of 'mountains', it is full of deep canyons cut into the rock by water flows over millions of years. At the moment it is dry season, so the water is very low, collecting only in a few pools, which are bliss to swim in.
On Sat we stopped into Hammersley Gorge. As we descend, the strata in the rock wall opposite us are fascinating, so clearly delineated. In some places the pressure has actually caused the layers to buckle. There is a basic rope swing, and we swim a little further up the gorge, but the waterfall has dried up. Back to camp for some stew, an amazing sunset, and a look into Joffre's gorge.
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| Friendly camp nightlife |
Next morning I join Seán for a quick run and dip in Joffre's Gorge. A perfect start to the day. Down to Dale's gorge to see Fern Pool, sacred to the Aborigines. From there, a short walk downstream to Fortescue Falls, which trickles down a curved wall of extremely hot rocks, baked by the sun. I have to sprint down in my bare feet to escape the burning. A short while in the water (I'm still burnt from the previous day), and a snooze in the shade. Leave around midday, the sun at its hottest.
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| Fortescue Falls |
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| Fern Pool |
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| Jumping in at the base of Fortescue Falls |
An hour or so in the visitor centre, learning about the stations (ranches) of cattle, and the Aboriginal workers. Then a long descent into Dale's Gorge again, this time to Circular Pool. This one is enclosed on three sides by towering red cliffs, with a white tree precariously perched on an overhang on one. We while away the hot afternoon hours there, and everyone is fairly bored by the end of it all. There's only so much swimming to be done. We head back to camp, and I loiter in the reception area with Angie and Charlie, check my mails. Enjoy a cold beer, then we have some delicious fish for dinner, with cous-cous.
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| Looking up from the Circular Pool |
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