Lewis's Travel on the Gravel: August 2021

Mt Barnett to Mornington Wilderness Retreat

We packed up and headed for the roadhouse at Mt Barnett to get a few supplies( I forgot to mention that it has a pretty good range of fresh food and yes fresh milk)!! But not before we stopped to take a photo of a huge Boab in the camp ground

We also have to make a phone call there is no reception out there so we had to do it the old fashioned way on the pay phone. First call is to Mornington station to book a stay as we heard it was busy and it is 90kms down to the camp so didnt want to go and then get told no room. The second is to my Mum who is having her 80th birthday today. The kids are excited to chat to Marna (as they call her). We fill up the van with water and the car with fuel and off on the Gibb again.

Now when you get to Mornington you have radio in on the 2 way. It takes 2 hrs for around 90km. Not long after we headed in we came across a couple of ladies with a flat tyre. They were very happy to see Adam who of course changed it for them. It was a little more involved as he had to use 2 jacks but never the less got the job done. We were promised a round of beers that night at the bar. We also discovered that the bike rack had torn the weld off so we had to do some rearranging of the bikes. We found a camp, set up and then headed for happy hour as we had run out of beer!!!

Maya and Nash looking pleased as they are allowed to have a Coke

Happy hour

Galvins Gorge 6th August

Just down the Rd there is a sign post that says Galvins Gorge. We had heard that it was nice so decided to head down there for the day. It is an easy walk in lots of shade and lovely little stream. Then you get to the Gorge. What can say this little gorge would have to one of Mother natures master pieces. She did not put a foot wrong when designing this one. The water fall is gentle and refreshing the colour of the water is top end green, there is a big Gum tree leaning in to the water hole which has a rope swing. There is a rock edge that is protected so rock art is on the walls, and if that is not enough there is the most magnificent Boab tree right at the top of the falls. We are all blown away at how stunning this place is. We spent the day and at one stage had it all to ourselves. This place is off the chart 11 out of 10.

Feature Creature

Harry the Hornet

Munurru to Mt Barrnett

We left Munurru heading for Mt Barrnett Station which is home to Manning Gorge. We stopped for another quick swim in the Gibb river .

King Edward river crossing

Nash takes a dip

Maya too!

The road was a dream no bumps we even got up to 90km per hour! We arrived at Mt Barrnett Road house and got our pass for the camp. The camp is about 5kms further down on the Station. Picked a site round the back away from the busy. The next morning we got ready for our day at Manning falls. The only way to the walking track was a swim across the river which was beautiful . There were half barrels to put your stuff in so you could float it across which was a hoot. The walk in is about 2 kms so 4 kms for the round trip. The Gorge and water falls are fantastic. There is plenty of rocks to jump off. Lots of fish to see. We climbed to the top of the falls and swam around up there for a bit. Then Maya and Nash decided to take the leap of faith from almost the top of falls. My Mum had travelled to Manning years ago and she said it was a favorite of hers and we can see why. They advise you to leave the Gorge before 3.30 as its gets dark early and there are not many sign posts and it would be easy to get lost. So we spent the day, left at 3.30. The best thing about Manning is that there is a swim at both ends of the walk.

Nash and Maya make the climb to the 6 meter jump!

Bombs away

There were some fields of flowers on the track and also people had been making Cairns I dont know how they lifted the rock

Our swim back at camp with rope swing

Munurru Rest day ( King Edward River) warning this post contains aboriginal burial site

After our big day at the Falls we had a lazy day. We had the river to ourselves for most of the day and swam and ate and enjoyed our surroundings.

In the afternoon we went for visit to some aboriginal art and burial sites . The first site was all rocks and caves. The second site was a very special place and for me I could feel it in the air. It was like a garden, lush in spots with caves that you could sit under and many stone structures that looked like cities.