Derby, Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek

Next stop was Derby, on the coast north east of Broome. Not too much to report about Derby really, but worth noting that it had improved a lot since we visited there nearly 15 years ago. The same can be said for most of the towns we have passed through in the Kimberley - while a high percentage of the population is indigenous, there seems to be more money around and less obvious social problems (maybe they are just better hidden now?).

Leaving Derby, we headed further into the Kimberley on dirt roads to Winjana Gorge. It's hard to describe another amazing gorge, but it surely was beautiful. We arrived late in the day and took a walk through the gorge as the sun was setting. As you'll see below, amazing colors in the rocky cliffs, and plenty of fresh water crocodiles. We really enjoyed the National Park campsite there, as it was the only one we've found to have showers. A real bonus out in the middle of nowhere.

The next day we drove on more dirt roads to Tunnel Creek. We donned our swimmers and grabbed our torches and headed into the tunnel (cave). It seemed a little creepy at first, but we really loved wading through the tunnel in waist deep water with frogs and fish. After about half an hour of walking we finally emerged into the light at a billabong where we all had a swim. We then turned around and headed back through the tunnel, and noticed a few big (freshwater) crocodile prints as we finally reached the end.

Another great day.
Photos below are-
1: the Prison Boab Tree near Derby (yes, it was used as a prison cell)
2: the cliffs at Windjana Gorge at dusk
3: walking through Windjana Gorge
4: freshies sunning themselves in Windjana Gorge
5: the entrance to Tunnel Creek
6: ready to head off through the Tunnel