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Private Notes
We kick off this season with the biggest adventure YOUR4X4 has ever undertaken, a three-week cross-country trek across the Kimberley region, one of the most beautiful and imposing parts of Australia.
We start this episode with a tease of all the grand imagery to come, before joining up with the Kununurra 4wd Club as we explore the hills around the local township.
We then flash-forward to our first official day of the trip, seeing some of the provincial sights, dropping into the local Hoochery for a tour and taste-test, exploring the gorgeous Mirima National Park by foot, and capping it all off with a sunset BBQ cruise along the picturesque Ord river.
In this episode we say goodbye to Kununurra, and hit the Gibb River Road. Driving parallel to the awe-inspiring Cockburn Ranges, we stop in at the natural wonder that is Zebedee Springs as well as the hospitable El Questro Wilderness Park for a quick break. Venturing forth we cross the Pentecost River, the most photographed section of the area, and one of the most memorable images of the trip.
We finish off with a final run to Home Valley Station, a beautiful private property that caters to all kinds of travellers.
We start this episode in the skies, touring around the Home Valley Station from the comfort of the Station's own helicopter. After landing safely we take off down the Kalumburu Road for Drysdale River Station, driving past many tyre carcasses and even abandoned vehicles along the way, solemn reminders of the importance of preparation.
We end our day at Drysdale River Station, where a quick dip in the Miners Pool was readily welcomed.
Leaving Drysdale River Station we head off the graded track onto a beaten one, where unforgiving corrugations threaten to shake the convoy to pieces. Our skilled drivers quickly find the appropriate speeds to skip over anything damaging, and we make our way towards Mitchell Falls.
Stopping at the King Edward River for a quick dip at lunch time, we collect firewood, pay our passes at the check-in point and arrive, dusty but happy at the campground.
Taking respite in the fact that tomorrow isn't a driving day, we retire once again to a swimming hole, celebrating the beauty of our surroundings.
Another episode that begins in the air, our crew takes advantage of the helicopter services at Mitchell Falls and has a chance to view these spectacular waterfalls in their proper scope, with The Kimberleys laid out before them.
As soon as everyone debarked safely it was time to explore the falls themselves, wandering freely with no restrictions on where to go, and no barriers to stop you.
Several swims in crystal clear water were in order as we leisurely made our way back to camp over the day, stopping in at Little Merten falls and checking out some ancient aboriginal art as we went.
With heavy hearts we say goodbye to Mitchell Falls, driving back through corrugation country, taking a brief stop to take in aboriginal art thoughtfully preserved by the community. Further along we stop at a local tip spot to dispose of our rubbish responsibly. Driving carefully but quickly we arrive at Drysdale River Station to chow down on the renowned XXL burgers.
Heading towards the township of Derby we refuel (both cars and bodies) at Mt Barnett Station. A quick jaunt later we come to Manning Gorge where we camp for the night, looking forward to traversing the gorge the next morning.
The day kicks off with a brief sojourn across a river. While some elected to swim across, others took a leisurely dinghy, hoisted by ropes from end to end.
After an hour of walking we were rewarded with the stunning sight of Manning Gorge. No invitation needed, everyone dived into the pure water, played on the rocks and basked in the sunshine that perpetually shines in the dry season.
A long scenic drive through farming territory ends at Charnley River Station, a private property which is affiliated with the Australian Wildlife Conservancy and the Mornington Wilderness Sanctuary. A quick dip in the Donkey Pool refreshed us all as we watched the sunset over the valley.
This episode kicks off with the exploration of Grevillea Gorge, a canyon of three distinct levels mostly empty of water this time of year. Our crew climb and clamber down until finding a hidden oasis.
Soon it's time to hit the road however, and we head through cattle property to our final destination for the day, Silent Grove.
Stopping off at the Imintji Store for stock-ups (and a quick bush repair), we barrel through the dust and sunset to our camp ground, where we set up for two nights stay. An uneventful evening is broken by a friendly visit from an Olive Python.
After Danny revs everyone up with his famous mobile coffee set-up, we drive towards the resplendent Bell Gorge.
Arguably the most beautiful and certainly the most grand gorge in the Kimberley's, Bell Gorge provides a myriad of pools, watering holes, oases and every other kind of swimming hole imaginable.
Our convoy swim, climb, bask and explore the gorge, spending the whole day uncovering this untouched piece of Australia.
We bid farewell to Silent Grove, and head towards our first stop of civilization since leaving Kununurra, the township of Derby.
An easy ride on the blacktop, we stop in at some local sights, such as the Prisoner Boab Tree, Frosty's Pool and the Derby Wharf.
We take a look back at the previous ten days of exploration and look forward to the coming adventures, as well as a quick behind the scenes glimpse of what goes into making the show.
