Judbarra – Gregory National Park
We continue the tour of the parks towards the Gregory National Park. Transition zone between the tropical and semi-arid regions of the territory and where we start to see baobab trees . Most of the trails in the park are rugged and only accessible by 4X4. We have two days to explore them.
Victoria Highway – 07 September
The high temperatures in the region are conducive to bushfires. These devastating fires are endangering not only eucalyptus forests, baobabs but also wildlife such as koalas, snakes or some species of Wallabies.
The soils are so dry that a single twig sets everything ablaze in a matter of minutes.
Quick lunch at Victoria Road House where real burgers are served with well-stocked burgers. Of course, we let ourselves be tempted.
Located in the middle of the desert, it is not the best place to fill up with gas given the price of fuel.
Buchanan Highway – Jasper gorge campground
We arrive on the Buchanan Highway track that goes south and by which we can reach the Jasper gorge campground where we will spend the night.
We won't be bothered by the neighbours because the campsite is isolated with only sanitary facilities and non-potable water. As for the shower, no problem, we have a solar shower that we fill up regularly.
As soon as we are settled, we are treated to a concert by Cockatoos (Sulphur-crested from Australia) perched just above us. They are very noisy and yet there are only three of them.
They feed on root seeds and have a habit of stripping trees of their leaves and bark, which shortens their lifespan.
The Presence of Crocodiles (Saltwater) in the river makes swimming forbidden. We don't venture there and stay on the heights of the shore.
08 September
We set off again at dawn, awakened not by the crowing of the rooster but by the piercing cry of the cockatoos.
At this early hour it is already hot and the light is intense.
The reddish rocky escarpment, a little wooded, Termite mounds and trees contrast with the very blue sky.
Tuwakam track
This trail connects the eastern and western sections of Gregory National Park. The sign indicates a duration of about 3 hours to do the 20kms to Bullita Timber Creek which goes up to the north.
After lowering the tire pressure and checking that everything was properly wedged in the cab, we are ready to go.
From the beginning of the track, we cross two dry rivers that are very steep and then it gets a little more complicated... A field of pebbles and angular limestone rocks are in front of us. There was no alternative but to continue on the track because on either side it was even worse and the tyres would not "survive".
Philippe manoeuvred perfectly by avoiding the most critical places and we are out of the woods.
To stretch our legs, we go into the bush and surprise a group of cockatoos that fly away as we approach.
Among the eucalyptus trees, skinny shrubs with yellow flowers line the track. They are Kapok Bushes that grow only in northern and western Australia. The flowers are edible because they are rich in vitamin C.
The flowers turn into green pods in the shape of a capsule, that harden, turn brown and open to release seeds attached to a fluffy material called kapok.
The Kapokiers found in the Marquesas Islands (Tahuata Island 2017) are less frail, they can reach 30 meters high.
It's no wonder to see so many eucalyptus forests (Gum tree) in Australia there are 700 Different species. Their leaves are the main food of Koalas.
And for Aborigines, it is a ritual to burn the leaves during ceremonies related to spiritual practices (Smoking Ceremony):)))) We'll have to try!
Final stretch before turning onto Bullita Timber Creek.
Bullita Timber creek
The track does 40 kilometres and joins the Victoria Highway which is paved.
Just to have fun... A short round trip in the water. The little water is barely enough to clean the wheels.
As the kilometres go by, the landscape changes with the baobabs or boabs, emblematic and unique trees of the Kimberley region. Bottle-shaped trunks have a dual function : They serve as a support structure and water reservoir, allowing the trees to withstand very arid conditions. For the Aborigines, this tree represents great spiritual value.
The branches are twisted and austere.
No more tracks for today, direction Bradshaw Bridge which crosses the Victoria River. During the rainy season, the area is regularly flooded, cutting off the Victoria Highway from east to west.
After a busy day, we find a well-equipped campsite near the lakeside town of Kununurra.
When we are in "civilized" campsites, it is an opportunity to do laundry, Cleaning the van especially inside because of the red dust from the slopes that seeps everywhere and of course abusing the showers morning and evening!