In total we stayed 7 days in Broome. Twice we went for the sunset at “Cable Beach”. Each time it was very relaxing. You see 4×4’s driving on the beach searching for the ideal spot to see the sunset. Also 2 different camel trains provide visitors with a relaxed stroll over the beach without having to walk yourself. On our last night it was full moon and low tide. The ideal time to see “Staircase to the Moon”. There were food trucks and craft stalls in the park. After getting some nibbles (and an original spanish paella for Rudy),  we settled on the large rocks of the boulevard. Many others were there to see the full moon rising out of the sea as a red ball. The higher it gets the more white it becomes. So the optimum picture is just after it is completely out of the water and the reflections in the shore puddles look like steps.

On Saturday 19/10 we took the bus into town and walked to the rented camper supplier and picked up our 7 m long Mercedes Maui camper. We received an unexpected upgrade from 6 to 7 m. And instead of two, this accommodates 3 people. It has cushions in the back which can be coverted to a large bed. Further more an aircon, which is actually essential now that the temperatures at night do not drop below 35 deg. C and there is a toilet shower cabinet. (Stuart camper also have these but till now we didn’t have to use them. We did use the fan though). On the first night near Derby we actually used the shower to cool down. That bush campsite did not have power (in fact there was nobody around) so we used the fan we had bought in Broome to give some relief.

Before reaching Derby we made a stop at “The Prison Tree”. This large century old Baobab tree was used up till 1900 to temporarily lock up prisoners who, in chain gangs, were on their way to the local penitentiary. The road to Fitzroy crossing was uneventful, other than that Rudy was not feeling well and was glad that this was a short drive of 260 km. The driver seat in the camper does not give him the right support and somehow he has caught a cold along the way. At Fitzroy, the road crosses the large Fitzroy river which runs from the distant mountains to the coast. In 2022 the rundown was so strong that one of the bridges was washed away. I enquired about this before the start of the roadtrip and was advised that by the time we got there in 2024 the bridges would be repaired. We could cross but the new bridge was not totally completed. At the campsite next to the river you could still see many skeletons of the holiday accomodation which had been damaged in the flood. At the lodge campsite they had electricity as well as a swimming pool. Essentials to keep yourself cool. We will now make an effort to find campsites with power. In this remote area that is easier said than done. Most of the tourist gorges and campsites along the road have closed down for the hot/wet summer season. In Halls Creek, where we are now, the only campsite with power has been closed down for some years due to unknown reasons. We therefore took shelter in the local Kimberley Hotel (with aircon and swimming pool). Since most attractions by road are closed or need a 4×4 we decided to book ourselves on a private flight for tomorrow morning over the Bungle Bungle formation @ Purnululu National park.

At 8 o’clock we were at the airport which was next door to our hotel. The young pilot was waiting and after a safety briefing we climbed into the small 5 people chesna. First some 100 km north east over bushland with many tracks from the stations in the area. Apparently the cattles roam free and once a year they go out to round them up by motorcycle or if need by airplane and 4×4. Some bulls escape and may live their life in solitary freedom. The Bungle Bungles is a 200 – 300 m high plateau of sandstone with bands of red iron oxide. Over millions of year water and wind erosion has cut deep some deep narrow gorges in the rock. Left over pinnacles are rounded off and look like castle towers. The rock is special due to the clearly visable red bands in the gray sandstone which are visible from a distance. Unfortunately the park can only be accessed by 4×4 vehicles so we had to take this tour to see it. On our return we drove on to Kununurra.