Sun 15 Sept 2013 – Crocs and Wildlife at Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek

We again set off early to walk through the Gorge and, for once, it didn't involve any rock hopping! The first part of the walk was called "The Time Warp" because there was a large wall of limestone which is part of a reef from the Devonian Period, when The Kimberley was under water. It has lots of imprints in it of fossilised creatures from long ago.

Next we walked along the banks of the river, which was nearly dry, just a few pools left. Lying by these pools were many freshwater crocodiles. Usually they're very shy and hard to see but, as the water was so low, they didn't have anywhere to hide and were much admired and photographed.

Rodger and I saw 22 of them and were able to stand about 5m away, without them seeming to mind. They only become aggressive if they feel threatened but we were careful as this is the mating season and so they might have eggs buried in the sandy river bank. We saw and heard 2 large colonies of fruit bats, a peregrine falcon and 2 brolgas having a drink.

The Gorge itself was impressive with towering walls of mainly black rock with red streaks and it's 3.5kms long and about 100m wide.

Even though we took our time looking at everything, we were still back at camp at 10.30am and so we decided to go to Tunnel Creek as well. This is a tunnel that the creek has made through the limestone cliffs and you can walk through, if you don't mind wading in cold water and have a good torch. 

We were a bit apprehensive at first, as we imagined blundering around in the pitch black with bats flying around and the crocs invisible to us. 

Actually it was really good and not too scary. There was a little light all the way from each end and a place where the roof had fallen in, so we could easily see where we were going with our head torches and the crocs eyes shone red so we could stay away. 

There were a few bats flying about but most of them were firmly attached to the ceiling and sleeping r squabbling. There were also some impressive stalactites.

Tunnel Creek was a hideout for an Aboriginal freedom fighter called Jandamarra who lived at the end of the 19th century and bravely tried to drive white people out of the area.He was finally shot dead just outside Tunnel Creek in 1897.

It feels strange to think that we've nearly come to the end of the Gibb River Road and tomorrow we will be in Derby - but it'll be great to get a haircut!