Fitzroy Crossing and Geikie Gorge

Fitzroy Crossing is just that - a river crossing in the middle of nowhere. It is only a town because when the river floods and cannot be crossed, people need somewhere to drink beer. Surprisingly for a blink and you miss it town it had a large and good caravan park (and a great IGA that sold icecreams!). Importantly for us it is midway between the Bungles and Broome and it was a good resting spot.

The Fitzroy river carves its way through the adjacent limestone range and 20km from the town Geikie Gorge is easily accessible. We had heard about a locally run indigenous heritage cruise up the Gorge and so got up at the (freezing) crack of dawn to get down there to investigate. All tours were fully booked but we sweet talked the one-man show into running a special private Rosengren - Brownhill (cash only) trip.




I was sceptical but indeed the 2 hour cruise was great. We got some fantastic insight into the local culture, saw some obligatory extraordinary scenery and plenty of wildlife - the kids counted 50 crocodiles in the 2 hours.  We got what we wanted and in return so did he - He did seem to like touching the girls a bit and both Susan and Amanda got a very warm grope hug at the end (for those that know them you can imagine how well that was received!)

While filling in time for the cruise we went for a walk along the river. It was a beautiful walk interrupted only for a 30 minute session of deprickling after Mr Rosengren led the party off track through the most insanely sharp and densely packed prickle patch on the planet - ask the kids about that one!

In the afternoon I unpacked my new fishing rods and got out the How to fish book I purchased from BCF before I left. After spending 30 minutes trying to work out why the reel wouldn't work and then working out how to thread the line the right way (specially for you Murray!) we headed down to the river to show our talents to the locals camped there. Thomas did a great job at casting into the water and Daniel did a great job casting 25 metres sideways into the back of the nearest local lady. Oops!!!!

We were surprised to see Mr Wright and his 2 mates drive into camp late in the afternoon - laden down with eskies full of fresh fish ice. Overcome by male hormones he then proceeded to insist we shave his head, Ray and I tried to talk him out of it but he wouldn't hear of it insisting that he was a big boy and his wife wouldn't mind a bit. Especially after she sees the state of the tent after the 3 men have been on a fishing safari in it!


Next stop Broome - the other side of the world!