Bungles Doesn't Dissapoint

 

Friday 26 May 2023 Bungle Bungles

We all slept really well as it was so quiet and peaceful with only the sound of the wind rustling in the trees and the occasional bird chirp to disturb our slumber.  We were still awake early though but enough time for a cooked breakfast and a bit of blogging before setting off about 8am for the southern end of the National Park.

We got to Picaninny carpark and walked in to Cathedral Gorge. Matthew and his Kimberley Explorers tour group were coming out as we were going in so we stopped for a quick chat as he had to get his guests off to their helicopter flights. We got in to Cathedral Gorge just as the APT tour group were walking out which was awesome timing as we meant we had the whole place to ourselves which just made it so lovely and we could get lots of photos of it with nobody in them or, if anybody, only us.  Amazing how a single footfall on the pebbles reverberated so that it sounded as though 100 people were following behind.

As we headed out the Adamsons were heading in so a quick chat to them to compare trips in on the windy road (they have left their van out at the rest stop on the highway so made it in a bit more quickly than we had) and left them to explore the Gorge.  They were with another family they have befriended along the way so the Cathedral will be a bit noisier than our experience. 

Already mid morning it was heating up as we walked across the rocky river bed to the lookout and we were happy to get there and get a couple of selfies to prove we were there and then head back to the cars.  Last time we were here Larry left a lens cap at the lookout and had to do the walk twice. Suffice to say he was careful not to leave anything behind this time!

We had a cuppa back at the picnic area in the carpark and admired the view of the beehives and then L & S did the quick Domes walk whilst J minded the stuff and chatted to the Adamsons and other tourists as 7000 steps already covered was enough for one morning.  Once the boys were back it was beers and ciders in the car on the way back to the vans where we set the airfryer to work and cooked up curry puffs (leftover from Kate’s 21^st) and karaage chicken for lunch.  It was great to have a fancy lunch in the middle of nowhere but it seemed particularly difficult to get motivated after it to go hiking again.

Still lots to see though so we piled back into the Hilux and headed north up to check out Echidna Chasm.  Once again met Matthew and crew coming out as well as the Adamsons so lots of people to say hello to as we made our way up the rocky riverbed.  Still amazing to be in the chasm with the difference in temperature from the sunshine to the deep shade and the tiny patch of blue sky so high up.  Sat on the thoughtfully provided benches and enjoyed the surroundings whilst the boys climbed up over the rockslide at the end of the chasm then it was time to wend our way back to the car.

We had planned to try the Mini Palms gorge walk as well but worked out that by the time we finished it would be dark and by now our legs were telling us that they had probably gone far enough for one day, thanks very much, so we headed back to the vans.  We entertained brief thoughts of going to the nearby lookout to watch the sunset but reading that it involved a Category 3 walk 500m uphill to get to the lookout we wimped out and headed to the van for feet up and gin and tonics instead.  Lamb chops and salad for tea and then the boys managed to knock off half a bottle of spiced rum (L says it was a thin bottle in case you are judging him!)