Timber Creek 29/7/15

We chose to base ourselves at a roadside park to access surroundings of Timber Creek and Gregory NP. A large boab tree still stands by the Victoria River with the explorer Augustus Gregory's inscription of arrival dates into the area. That makes the tree well over one hundred and fifty years old. On the east side of town stands a set of cattle yard gates as a monument to the Durack family. They certainly made their mark on the Kimberleys as pioneers but how sad that the family empire crumbled almost one hundred years later after settlement due to a downturn in the beef industry in the 1950's.

The roads into the NP are all gravel offering some rocky and rugged sections. We spent some time checking out Bullita Station which Charlie Schultz first managed then purchased(doubt any relation!) the homestead was very modest and surprisingly built so close, on the banks of the East Baines River. We back tracked on the road to view Limestone Gorge, 4 WD only, the challenge Steve has been anticipating. I think he was challenged more than expected as we weaved our way down the rocky creek bank into the large rock covered river bed. Daunting to say the least, anyway, no where to turn back now so straight ahead for the next 200 mts over boulders and thanks to his sound judgement we came out with a complete, intact vehicle!! The hilux is like a work horse, hasn't missed a beat. The landscape was impressive dominated by limestone features and many boabs. We ventured out the following day taking Buchanan Highway ( gravel) which basically follows the old drovers route, to some spectacular scenery on our way to Jasper Gorge. Steve was bitten by the bug now re 4WD so we took the Tuwakam Track 20.2 km which links to the Bullita Access Track taken the day before. What a challenge, some serious 4WDing. Large sections of limestone ridges and creek beds to negotiate which demanded low range 4WDing at a snails pace. The trip took 1.5 hrs.