GRR - Bell, Galvan, Manning & Mt Barnett Gorge's -2018

We left Windjana and headed back to the Gibb River Road, not long after that the road became dirt but so far it was nothing to be worried about, both our vans are off road style and corrugations don't bother them provided you use some common sense, lower all tyre pressures on car and van and drive to the conditions. The biggest worry is the single vehicle's that are in a hurry and appear on the bends on the wrong side of the road. Each year there are multiple and single vehicle accidents involving fatalities mostly because of speed and inattention.

Bell Gorge was our 1st stop and we stayed here two nights, we all walked to the beautiful three level water fall at the Gorge with Dave and I venturing down to the lower level for a swim. The water was freezing but refreshing at the same time. The girls found a nice rock pool and were soaking in that, in reflection that would have been a lot easier.

 
Galvan Gorge is another pretty place to check out, years ago you could drive in close but that's no longer allowed so its a kilometre walk in which is very easy. The gorge is small but it ticks the boxes, its a beautiful swimming place, it has a waterfall, Boab tree's and some Aboriginal art. It also has some resident Merton Water Monitors.

A few hours relaxing and checking out the area it was time to leave, we headed off and within minutes we got a call from Dave that his car wouldn't come out of Park,before we had a chance to turn around we saw them coming down the road. Luckily there is a button that can be pushed to release the automatic lever so he was able to get underway. It needed looking at though when we could.

Manning Gorge was another must see for the new to the Gibb travellers, here it was packed and we were lucky to find a place where we could park both rigs. These camp area's are all controlled by the Parks and Wildlife service so there is a cost.

The next day Dave and Jo walked to the waterfall at the end of a reasonably long at times difficult walk climbing over rocks. We have done it before so choose to stay down at the large swimming area that needs to be crossed to venture on the walk. They have a aluminum punt there now attached to ropes that you can pull yourself across on, i snorkelled around looking for any lost treasures from previous visitors but found nothing. Last time we were here we took our Kayak and explored further up the river.

It made Dave and Jo's afternoon when two JB Scorpion Sting caravans arrived, no different to us when we see a Bushtracker though.

Mount Barnett was our next stop, here we walked what seemed like an eternity following a long gorge, Vickie and I decided to call it enough and return back to the car's, on the way back we came across some other travellers,we asked them if they see two people ahead, its Jo and Dave and to tell them we had turned back. Well the number of times we bumped into that group at different places was amazing, we would be minding our business and hear a call, Dave and Jo !! and there they were  .. it was so funny. I guess when your travelling the same direction you are going to keep meeting people you have seen before.