All Good Plans

Well I guess you could say we were christened on the WA roads…about 8km past Cobra station, on a really shaley road – one shredded tyre and one punctured tyre on the trailer – which to do first.

First one took 20 min, next 30 min, then no spares left. Time to change plans.



Decided to go back through Kennedy Ranges where we knew there would be other people in case we had other problems (did I mention that the battery connections had also come loose? and that we left the 3 fishing rods on the ground where we changed the tyres as well?...not a particularly good day).



Final destination was also changed to Carnarvon as we knew that we would not be able to get 2 new tyres in Coral Bay. That’s life on the road in WA. At least we would get a bunch of fresh fruit and vege!



Only saw 2 other cars on the road that day…felt a little vulnerable with our low supplies.



It was nice to be greeted by familiar faces at Kennedy Ranges and some friends, Maus and Brigitta who we had met at Cape Peron.

Gorgeous Kennedy Ranges...Peace

 

Another planet!

After trying to talk to a brick wall dude at Gascoyne Junction (not into small talk), we arrived at Kennedy Ranges National Park in awe of their size and feeling of being in some other age.

We arrived almost at sunset at a tiny campsite nestled in the red sandstone cliffs to be greeted with a cup of tea by the campground hosts (Helen and Charlie). Only about 4 other groups of people were camped there. We were told there would be a communal campfire that we could use if we wanted for cooking that would be on every night – this proved to be very useful. Aaah. We felt like we had arrived at last.

Red dirt, peace, incredible sunsets, remoteness, a campfire in a national park and welcoming people who made it feel like a community – could we stay here forever?

We slept well that night.

We stayed for a total of 6 nights until we realised that we would not have enough food and water for Mt Augustus if we did not move on.

There were incredible gorges (no water at this time of year) with amazingly coloured rocks. Fossils with cockle shells and sea worms and other things from when this area was under the sea.

We were not able to leave until all of the walks were completed – with the Escarpment Trail and Temple Gorge being the most remarkable geology-wise, and Sunrise for it’s namesake (despite the 5.45am rise!!).

At the top of Escarpment Trail

Sunrise where we may have spoilt a romantic moment for an English couple...

John unfortunately hurt his foot quite badly when goosing around and jumping off this rock….

And was unable to walk properly for a week afterward. Luckily I was able to hange out with him as I had hit my toe badly on a rock (walking to the loo without my glasses on in the night) and think I broke my middle toe…!

Anyway…We LOVED Kennedy Ranges so much that we dropped back on our way after Mt Augustus (but that’s another story).

240km (ish) inland from Carnarvon – BYO water, food, fuel and good attitude as road and be pretty corrugated. Inaccessible during the rain (and you’ll cop a fine if you drive it!).

The boys & the Delany's getting their "Escarpment Certificates" from Helen "Mimi" the campground host with the most