El Questro - East Kimberley

Waterfall at Emma Gorge

Left the van at Parry's Creek Farm and travelled into El Questro along the Gibb River Road. First stop was Emma Gorge and the spectacular waterfall and plunge pool. A moderate walk of 3.2km return  into the gorge from the resort.  Diane found it a bit tough and only managed halfway along the rocky grade 5-6 track. The waterfall is a steady droplet type enclosed on three sides with about a 65 m fall.
The pool and surrounds are fantastic and had a swim of about 40m out to the waterfall. Water temperature was pleasant at about 24 degrees.

Emma Gorge Plunge Pool and Waterfall

Beautiful Pool at Emma Gorge

 Some of the water entering the gorge through the rocks comes from thermal springs which makes the water even more inviting. The water is so clear as can be seen from the photo above. Emma gorge is arguably the most popular attraction in the El Questro region.

Diane and the Boab Trees at Parry's Creek reserve

Stayed for a couple of days at a place Parry's Creek Farm. It's located in a reserve and surrounded by a lagoon and wetlands - very peaceful and the staff were very friendly. It was an ideal spot to spend a few days in their park before heading off into El Questro. We were able to leave our van here for the 2 days we were away.

Water Crossing on El Questro Road

Travelling into El Questro was an experience indeed. 54km of dirt roads with several water crossings and 4WD tracks. Even though it is a long drive in, there's no doubting the popularity of the place. People of all ages flock to the camping areas in a variety of accommodation. We had our trusty tent with modest but adequate equipment to enable us to spend a most enjoyable 2 nights in the Wilderness park.

View of the Pentacost River from Branco's Lookout

Within easy driving distance in the park are several features. We drove into three of the lookouts - Pigeon Hole, Branco's and Saddleback Ridge. All had steep ascents but Saddleback was the most severe. The car struggled a bit even in 4WD low range.Pigeon Hole and Branco's offer views of the Pentacost and Chamberlain Rivers and Saddleback gives you a 360 deg view of the surrounding escarpments

Peter & Diane at Pigeon Hole Lookout

 For a nature type park, the costs are relatively high. $18.00 per night entry to the park and $18.00 per night per person for camping. The park is administered by a private company who have a pastoral lease on the area. Their aim is to have a sustainable wilderness park and have restrictions on what you can and cannot do. Camping is restricted to designated areas and fires must be in dedicated areas. There are reasonable amenities for showers and toilets and a shop with limited goods. We bought a small bottle of tomato sauce (forgot to bring ours) and this cost $6.00

Zebedee Springs at El Questro

Diane & Peter at Zebedee Springs

Zebedee Springs are thermal pools located at the end of a short walk through lush tropical livistona and pandanus palms. The pools are quite small and its first in best dressed to take advantage of the warm water. The springs are only open in the mornings to try and maintain the area and prevent overuse. The spring water is a constant 38 deg and very pleasant to sit in natural rock pools among the trees and vegetation.

Peter swimming in the Grotto

Just out of El Questro on the Great Northern Highway, is a spot called the Grotto. It consists of a large hole in the rocks which is fed from small streams. Access was via 140 man made steps down into the chasm.The water is supposed to be 100m deep. It was a bit murky but still a good spot to swim. There weren't too many other swimmers when we were there - the water temp was OK, perhaps the depth put them off!

Kimberley Wildlife

 We haven't seen a lot of wildlife so far in this part of the country. That is apart from the poor dead animals along the roadside everywhere! Did notice this little gecko type lizard sunning itself on a rock and apparently oblivious to my presence. The photo doesn't show it but he was only about 10cm long. Road kill is really a hazard as we have to veer left or right around the carcasses which are often in the middle of the road. Don't want any animal parts hung up on our undercarriage! 

After leaving El Questro we are heading back south and down to Purnululu National Park.