4 Stray Katz: Easing back into reality: the luxury end of the Gibb River Rd

After nearly 9 weeks exploring along the Gibb River Road our journey was nearing the end as we approached the 'resort' style stations, Home Valley and El Questro, perfect places to reacclimatise us to camping with others. The main attraction at Home Valley Station was a huge playground. After 9 weeks with no playground the kids were enthralled. Our friends James and Emily also stopped over so the kids spent hours making up intricate games on the play equipment. There was also a lovely pool so we managed to amuse ourselves playing, swimming, watching the sunset from two different vantage points nearby (looking over the Pentecost River and the Cockburn Ranges) and visiting Bindoola Gorge. Whilst at the gorge I thought I would practise my diving in the deep water. I am having some coordination problems (how unusual for me I am sure you're thinking!) and my dives are very average. Anyway I am persisting but this time I managed to do a major bellyflop, much to the amusement of everyone, and even give myself a blood nose. I then had the kids trying to give me tips about how to dive better. Very embarrassing!! At Home Valley we also had a great dinner out, eating delicious ribs whilst downing some cold beers and listening to live music. It was a great night (that also blew the budget!).

Jackson building a rock cairn whilst we watch the sunset over the Pentecost River

Interesting photography skills after the large beers at Home Valley!

Batman at our dinner at Home Valley

Rock cairns on the lookout over the Cockburn Ranges

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Wine and sunset - how romantic!

After a couple of nights we headed to El Questro, the most well known station on the Gibb River Rd, and certainly the busiest. It had a lovely swimming hole with little waterfalls and tyres to float around in, it was freezing but very refreshing as a heat wave had hit the Kimberley and the days were heating up to around 38 deg. We spent the afternoon relaxing there. On the way in we had stopped at the much raved about Zebedee Springs, a hot springs with water constantly flowing at around 28deg. There were small rocky pools so you had your own 'bush bath', it was so relaxing and we spent an hour or so lying in the pool.

Just before dusk we drove to the Branco lookout and made it just in time to watch the setting sun changing the colours of the Cockburn ranges. We could also just see the exclusive El Questro homestead where rooms are $2000 per night. The next day we left as early as possible and headed for Emma Gorge. After a challenging walk in, over large rocks and through some beautiful palm forest we were astounded with the beauty of Emma Gorge. The large rocky walls were covered with small ferns, a small waterfall was flowing down, the protruding rocks were dripping water creating a beautiful effect and there was even a hot spring flowing from the rocks creating several warm pools (which were lovely after the near freezing water of the crystal clear pool at the base of the gorge). After our swim we hiked back then made our way off the Gibb River Rd. It was strange driving on the smooth bitumen road after 9 weeks of dirt road and corrugations. We headed to Kununurra, grateful to have been able to spend so long in such an incredibly beautiful and remote part of Australia.