Day 39 – Mount Barnett Roadhouse to Winjana Gorge

I woke with the now usual animal alarm at 5:30 but didn’t rise until 6. Then it was a shower, dress and have breakfast before breaking camp. We didn’t want to be on the road too early because we had shopping to do at the Mt Barnett Roadhouse and it didn’t open until 8. We arrived there a little early but it was soon open and we purchased the provisions we would need for the next few days (Derby is our next shopping place). Then we headed off onto the Gibb River Road and after a while did a turn into Adcock Gorge. We drove in and had a look, but decided against going the whole way. We proceeded on and got to Winjana Gorge in the early afternoon, paid our self-registration fees and then looked for a good campsite. We found one, set up camp, had some lunch and then headed off to Tunnel Creek. We arrived about 30 minutes later and walked in. The first part looked intimidating, but after getting in, the walking was quite easy – through water or on dry to wet sand (wet where other tourists had walked back). It took about 40 minutes to walk through the whole way, but it was worth it. Some younger fellows pointed out where they saw crocs’ eyes (but I didn’t see them myself). So it was then about dark when we got back to Winjana Gorge, too late to see the bat/croc interaction. We had a scratch tea and then went to bed.