WARMUN- HALLS CREEK- FITZROY CROSSING- DERBY

We departed Kununurra, and Sally's jovial hospitality, making our way towards Halls Creek to meet friends- Tisha, Mat and their four Kidlets, Ben (9), Riley (7), Megan (5) and Emila (4), as they were also planning to travel the Kimberley and the Gibb River Road.
We had a brief stop over for the night at Warmun Roadhouse.

Halls Creek itself was a bit of a non event, so we decided to continue driving and eventually the others may catch us up in Fitzroy Crossing. This was also going to be a brief stop over, as there really wasnt much to do, other than a short wander out to Geikie Gorge.

Fitzroy Crossing is 114m above sea level and surrounded by the flood plains of the Fitzroy River. It is home to the 350million year old Devonian Reef, as seen by marine fossils in the walls of Geike Gorge.

Jarrambayah Walk, 3km return is a very sandy walk along the Fitzroy river bed. Duration approx 2 hrs, although the walk itself could be done in an hour- we decided to have a swim with the freshwater crocodiles, to cool off, as the temperature in the arvo up here is 33degrees.
The escarpment is much more brittle, limestone and contains many fossils and organic matter.
We didn't hang around long, once we had established that we were going to be able to traverse a fair portion of the Gibb, (especially whilst we had a potential back up crew) provided we left the Van in storage at Derby.

Derby, an otherwise sleepy coastal town, had a greater population as the Derby Boab Festival was on for the month of July. We were in town for the Mudpit Footy and the Marsh Art evening. Mudpit, literally that- a big pit 25mx25m approx, is dug and filled with water...once the Footy game is finished, then the crazy locals jump into their 4WDs and attempt to drive across the pit in 2WD. The closest to the end wins.
Boys and their toys!!
The Marsh Art was cool. There is no sandy coast, the jetty and sea water meets the Marsh Mud flats. So during the dry, a large section of the mudflat is exposed to the sun- providing a great space for the sculptures included in the Festival display. The theme this year was fire- so artist from around the world, and local budding sculpture's- plus the school kids etc, depicted for the crowd their expression of Country, the flora and fauna of Derby region and story telling. ( check out YouTube PegKezzy for videos)

We were planning to stay only two days in Derby- wash (ourselves and our laundry), stock up on supplies for the Gibb River Road and reorganize the car, as the van was being stored at the same campground. However- its harder to get things done when all of a sudden four children want your simultaneous, undivided attention! Whilst most of the interruptions were fun, it was very difficult to follow a single train of thought after being bombarded with questions by four inquisitive souls!!! How Tisha does it everyday- I don't know. Maybe we were the novelty, and food was the only 'entertainment' we didn't provide.
Whilst Megan was assisting me with my every move, she told me how she liked me and missed me, and that she was going to stay with me- cos she could see her Mum and Dad ANYTIME when they were at home. Well, how could I argue with that logic!

Puzzles and Paints, card tricks, Bikes and Guitar all put aside, we were finally packed up and ready for the bumpy drive to Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek. Yippee! Just enough time to charge up the 12v items in the car, and a few zaps for the Drivers wouldn't go astray either!!