Day 59 Gibb River, Mt Barnett

 We got to enjoy a slower morning and were able to check out the camp site in daylight, which was beside the Gibb River itself. The river had a lot of beach beside it and was more of a clear, small stream, smaller than some of the other rivers we have encountered. Wattle was quite prolific beside the river, and the wattle flowers were quite robust and floated in the water, downstream

We packed up and headed back onto the Gibb River Road. We encountered some pretty rough patches and corrugations. The best way to drive on the corrugations was to find the sweet spot speed where the tyres just skimmed across the top and you didn’t feel every individual bump. For us it was between 50-60km/hr. But if you had to slow down for a dip or floodway, it was pretty loud and bouncy. The scenery again kept changing and became quite flat with grasses and a few cattle, taller gum trees, and then after we passed the turn off to Mt Elizabeth Station, we got to enjoy some rocky escarpments again. It wasn’t a long drive, but took us 2 hours to do about 100km to the Mt Barnett Roadhouse. We filled up on fuel and once spied by the staff, we were asked if they could take a photo of us in front of their roadhouse while we were filling up. We then headed to the camp ground ready to do the Manning Gorge walk tomorrow. 

After setting up and having lunch, Matt and the gang went to explore and have a swim in Manning Creek, which we will have to cross tomorrow to do the walk. The creek has a sandy bottom, and is very deep but clean and clear. No crocs sighted, but they can appear there. Matt returned and then took me down to the sandy beach and we sat and enjoyed the beauty around us, kids nearby having fun on a rope swing and jumping into the waters, lots of squeals, it’s great to see families out and about enjoying the Kimberley. I could only spy little fish swimming around, the noise and action probably scaring away the bigger fish. The area is very popular and the campground is quite full. Matt and I returned to the creek at sunset but there wasn’t any red rocky range to light up, so not too special. The moon soon appeared, again with a banana smile for us. We came together to enjoy dinner around the fire, and a nearby camper came and joined us for a chat. A better day for Ian and Meredith in Trailways, as the repairs seem to be holding on, despite the rough road today. 

Mt Barnett offers electric vehicle charging too. No one is using it though