The Gibb River Road - Part 3

The Gibb River Road - Manning Gorge & Falls

Friday 15th - Monday 18th September

Day 11/12/13 – Manning Gorge

We were lucky enough to score a fabulous camp spot right under a boab tree and just a short walk from the Manning River. We had a such an incredible time over the 3 days we camped here- we met heaps of great people, swam in some amazing gorges and waterfalls and spent a good part of each day enjoying the cool water and shady banks of the river.

The highlights were:

• Hiking out to Manning Falls where we spent several hours swimming under the waterfall, jumping off the rocks and exploring the upper pools. The kids (and Daniel) impressed everyone when they jumped from the top of the waterfall – everyone cheered for them!
• Spending time with Matt, Jacqui and their 4 girls (who we’d met at mt Elizabeth Station) and Courtney, Rex and their 2 kids (who we just met) as well as a few other couples we got talking with. We had campfires each evening and sat around sharing stories- it was great to be social.
• Watching the kids have so much fun with their new friends – they spent all the time we were at camp playing in the water and swinging on a rope swing they found.
• Going to 2 nearby gorges – Adcock Gorge and Galvan’s Gorge. At Adcock we had the whole place to ourselves and we were lucky enough to follow a water monitor on the walk in. At Galvans the kids and Daniel had a blast swinging off a high rope swing into the deep water.
• Early morning swims – it was a great way to wake up each morning and the water was a perfect temperature.
• Milkshakes at the nearby Mt Barnett Roadhouse – we have not had a milkshake for so long (as we don’t drink dairy milk) but the roadhouse did dairy free milkshakes for only $6 each. They were so delicious and a welcome treat on a hot afternoon.
• Our early morning hike out to Manning Falls on the day we left. We began walking before the sun had risen so got to see it glowing red as we hiked higher up- it was stunning. We arrived at Manning Falls at 6.30am so we had the place to ourselves for the whole hour we were there. It was spectacular watching the sunlight slowly creep down the waterfall as the sun peeked over the gorge walls. 

Our lovely campsite right next to a majestic boab tree.

This is the huge boab that was just behind our camp.

One of the campground's resident cows just chilling under the shade across the road from our camp.

The next photos are from our first hike out to Manning Falls:

The biggest rock cairn we've ever seen - of course we had to add a rock each!

Manning Falls was just as beautiful as we'd remembered.

As you can see we had so much fun swimming under the waterfall!

Emilia and I when we climbed up to the top of the falls.

The following videos are of the kids and Daniel doing some super high jumps- everyone was so impressed. They certainly have a lot more courage than me!

Just before we began the hot walk back to camp.

Jackson taking our belongings back over the river- you had to swim over and drag the barrel behind you.

Having fun on the rope swing near camp.

The water monitor we saw on our way in to Adcock Gorge.

The pool at Adcock Gorge was such a gorgeous colour.

Galvan's Gorge

Galvan's Gorge- the kids were exhausted after spending an hour climbing up a tree and swinging on a rope down into the water.

This group of photos are from our early morning hike to Manning Falls on the day we left.

We all look a bit sleepy - it was only 5.30am. We were a bit apprehensive to get into the water but it was actually such a nice temperature.

Wading over with our gear in the early morning light.

The stunning scenery looked even better in the dawn light.

Happy hikers - we were already getting hot and it wasn't even 6am!

Looking down the gorge as we approached the falls.

Breakfast with a view.

Emilia is showing Jackson how to use her underwater camera so they can film each other jumping- they had a blast jumping and videoing each other.

This height is just about right for me!!

Ready to walk back - we'd had the whole waterfall to ourselves for an hour, it was the perfect way to end our wonderful 3 days at Manning Gorge.