Day 29 – El Questro

We have booked in for three nights here at El Questro, although two would have probably been enough. As our 4wd has only low clearance, there were a lot of places we didn’t want to attempt to get into. Also, I’m not one for sitting around and relaxing (unlike my husband!). I think I have been constantly busy for so long, I’ve forgotten how to take time out and relax, and this is the first time where we were not off everywhere doing things.

Anyway, up and away at 8.00am this morning, with a planned trip in to El Questro gorge. The check in girls at El Questro said our car should be fine getting in there (deep water crossing), so off we went. As we left the Station yards, we spotted a couple of donkeys.

After negotiating two water crossings on the main road out, we turned off to the Gorge. But, when we saw the steepness and depth of the first water crossing, we hesitated. As a precaution Brendan decided to get out and walk through, to check the depth, and steepness of the banks. As he did, he noticed that our front number plate was missing!  Whoops, somewhere either the corrugations in the road (unlikely) or the force of the water on one of the crossings must have knocked it off. So, we got back in the car, and retraced our steps back to the main homestead in the hope we could see it. Would it float or sink?

After arriving back at the Station, back through the two water crossings, there was still no sign of it, darn it.  Sam (Mr Always Follow The Rules) was getting very worried how we could continue our trip with no front numberplate. When Brendan  remarked that he could make up a temporary one until we got home using plastic and texta, Sam was not amused! (“What about the cops dad?”).

Anyway, I had a bright idea of sending Brendan wading through the largest and deepest of the crossings (nearest the Station) in the hope he might spot it in the water. What crocs?  So, slightly nervously, Brendan waded in.

 

After much wading, and searching, and keeping a wary eye out for anything else that looked like a log, but moved, he finally held it up triumphant above his head!  There were cheers from the other three of us tucked away safely in the car. Sam was happy again!

 

So, after wasting all that time, it was getting warm, and after seeing how deep and rough the water crossing was into El Questro Gorge, we decided not to risk it, and instead drove back out the station road to the thermal hot springs – Zebedee Springs.

As you can see from the sign below, Zebedee is closed after noon, to allow the larger tour groups to come in, so the whole place doesn’t get too crowded. Good idea really.

 

So in we trooped. This one was only a short 10 minute walk in, and almost as soon as we had left the car park we were submerged in a tropical rainforest of palms and ferns.

 

Oh my, what a beautiful,  tranquil spot. Quite warm, flowing waters into different little water holes. Thankfully there weren’t too many people here yet, so we were able to find some quiet little spots to sink into, and relax. What a beautiful place – surrounded by the lush greenery of the rare Livistona Palms and fernery, looking up at the  glowing orange cliffs of the gorge around us.  Sam was fascinated to learn that to tell the age of the tall Livistona palms, you simply counted the rings around the outside of the trunk, and divided by four.

 

 Anyway, after a couple of hours of soaking, and moving between rockpools, we headed back to the car, and the short drive back past the Station to the jetty for Chamberlain Gorge. We had planned to hire a boat here and take it up the gorge ourselves, but they cancelled that option due to a large saltwater croc seen gliding around the area. Not a good idea around small boats!

 

On the road back from the gorge we could see the main Homestead and buildings across the water. Oh what a beautiful place. At $2500 per night, sadly it was out of our budget just slightly! The main building was counter levered out over the gorge – stunning spot.

 

Back to the caravan park in the main Station area.

 

Tonight we booked in for the Station BBQ which only happens on Saturday nights. $40 per head for adults, $19 for kids,  for a feed of Kimberley steak and barramundi and salads and desserts. Yum, delicious. Sam was ecstatic – nothing pleases this boy more than a good feed – and barramundi and stead pretty much hit the mark tonight.

While we ate we were treated to the sounds of Chris Matthews – a great vocalist and guitar player that had us all tapping our feet to the music. He had a guy accompanying him on the harmonica, and was great to listen to. Lovely to sit out in the cool of the evening under a canopy of stars and enjoy the El Questro hospitality.