Part 2 Gibb River Road

Sunday 22nd June

We got away from Manning Gorge pretty early and had a slow, steady trip. The road to the Drysdale Station turn off was badly corrugated and at times we were down to 20kmph. We thought it would improve after this but no, it got worse to the Ellenbrae turn off. When we were here 3 years ago the road was really good. But this year there wasn't a big wet and the Gibb River Road was open early and consequently there has been a lot of traffic over it and it is really chewed up.

Ellenbrae

Ellenbrae Station is located 5km off the Gibb River Road. It is a working cattle station with about 4500 head of cattle bred for the live export market. It also has camping available with hot showers made by the unique hot water donkey system. They also do the most amazing home made scones with jam and cream. The gardens around the homestead are like an oasis. Karen and Jason, the managers care for the property like it is their own. They are the most amazing couple along with their 2 dogs Ned and Gus. Karen came down for a few drinks each afternoon and she has some great stories to tell. Anyone going on the Gibb should really drop into Ellenbrae.

This is John, Margaret and Ray relaxing in the gardens at Ellenbrae. We went up there every day to have afternoon tea or lunch. It was so cool.

This is a view of the homestead from the gardens. There are bird feeders all around which attract finches.

Ray, Margaret and John in the garden.

This is what the scones look like and they taste so good. Karen makes about 11 batches each day and there are 13 in a batch. And they sell them all.

This is one of the bird feeders. There is a little finch on the right but he is well camouflaged.

This is the Boab tree which grows in the garden. Karen told us that when the branches start to grow down then the tree is about 1000 years old. So this one has quite a bit of age about it.

This is the amenities area. Inside is the donkey for heating the water, a sitting down area, a toilet and a shower area with a big old claw footed bath and a rain head shower.

These are the instructions for the donkey. First person there in the morning lights the donkey and then you need to add some more wood periodically to keep the water hot.

This is Gus one of the little terriers

Margaret with Ned who jumped up on her knee.

This is the signpost to direct you to the swimming hole in the camping area

John, Margaret and Ray on the walk to sandy Gorge

Margaret and John beside the Ringers swimming hole.

Sandy Gorge just a short drive from Ellenbrae Station

Another view of Sandy Gorge















We were getting ready to leave Ellenbrae on Thursday 26th June when the battery on the truck was flat. We had done a lot of short trips, up to the station, collecting wood and the battery had drained. Luckily Jason was able to jump start us as we need a vehicle with 2 batteries to do it. We got away about 10am to head to Home Valley.

Home Valley

Home Valley Station is located on 615,108 acres of working cattle station. That's right, it is huge. It is located at the base of the Cockburn ranges and the Pentecost River runs through the property. It has a lovely restaurant called Dusty's Bar and Grill and a beautiful swimming pool. There is a spectacular lookout where at sunset the Cockburn Ranges glow and close by there is Bindoola Gorge. Home Valley Station is owned by the Indigenous Land Corporation and is a training facility for indigenous students to learn hospitality skills and stock skills.

This is the view from the car as we were approaching the crossing of the Durack River on the way to Home Valley

This is what our camp site looked like at Home Valley

The Cockburn ranges from the lookout at Home Valley, just before sunset

Another Cockburn range view

The Awesome Foursome at the lookout

The Pentecost River taken from Home Valley Lookout

Another view of the 4 of us

Enjoying sunset drinks at the lookout

The topless waitperson serving us drinks

The cairn at the lookout. And yes, Susie, we did add a rock to it.

Ray enjoying a sunset beer

Maura and Margaret being sun smart and wearing our hats

This is the half rack of ribs which Ray and John each had at Dusty's Bar and Grill.

John and Margaret all dressed up for dinner at Dusty's Bar and Grill

Maura and Ray dolled up for the night out. We had a good night and there was a C&W fellow playing as well. It was good to get dressed up a bit after 17days in the dirt.

Bindoola Gorge, a short drive from Home valley

The water hole at the bottom of Bindoola Gorge. No water flowing in as there was only a short wet season this year

The Pentecost River from the bush river camp at Home Valley. We stayed up near the homestead as we were uncertain what the facilities were like . But it had the same facilities so next time we will stay there.

The Pentecost River with the Cockburn ranges in the background

Ray and effie crossing The Pentecost















We left Home Valley on Monday 30th June heading to Kununurra.