Tuesday the 16th of August 2022 – Derby, Western Australia

Posted on by bebraveontour

Sunset over the Indian Ocean at Derby

We left the Bungle Bungles yesterday on our journey to Derby with a planned free camp overnight at Ngumban Cliff Rest area. Unfortunately Sue and Andrew had a slight issue with their D-Max which thankfully was an easy fix but it did give us a few hours to “enjoy” the locality and locals of Halls Creek. We were told by a female elder to watch out for a young indigenous kid in a red shirt who had already stole a handbag from a female tourist. This was very kind of as she was obviously concerned about the issue and was warning us to be careful. From Halls Creek we travelled to Marypool Rest area and had a very enjoyable free camp there.

This gentlemen was trumpeting the word of GOD, as he walked the main drag of Halls Creek with his Cross. Didn’t seem to get many customers but Andrew got his life story and he has had a “difficult” life, hopefully it improves from wheeling a cross around regional towns in the top end.
Sunset at Marypool Rest area.
Very warm during the day and it cooled down dramatically at night. Happy hour at Marypool and you can see it was cold and it was only 7 pm.

We left Marypool very early this morning (around 6.20 am) as we had a big day of travelling to get to Derby. First stop approx. 200 k’s up the road was Fitzroy Crossing for breakie and a re-fuel. From there we travelled to the giant BOAB tree for a lunch stop, about 150 k’s up the road. After our stop here it was a leisurely drive of 100 k’s to Derby.

The giant BOAB tree
Sunset in the Saddle at Derby!
On a king tide this area is completely covered by the ocean but today it was a very flat pan that went for K’s.

Tomorrow Susan, Andrew and I are doing the Horizontal Falls. Which is very much a bucket list item. We fly in a seaplane from Derby out to the Falls in Talbot Bay, traverse the falls in a jet boat, enjoy a seafood dinner and then stay on a pontoon “hotel”. We’ve had this booked for nearly 12 months and despite our issues with both vehicles, we’ve made it here to Derby and we’re off to do it tomorrow.

I do have to mention that its been a bit “nervous” here in the Top End and WA. There have been many issues with the local indigenous communities with regards to breakins and stealing, just tonight here in Derby the local police have patrolled the caravan park about 4 times before 10 pm. We have to lock everything away and ensure our vehicle and van is locked at all times. It seems to be a consistent theme across WA and the NT. In all honesty I don’t know how you stop it. I think our senior politicians need to jump in a van and travel for 6 weeks in this area as we do, to get a real appreciation of the problems and then there will be a better understanding. The way some of the indigenous people live is an inditement on our current day society! Anyway enough of the political crap, Horizontal Falls, here we come!

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