Day 49 – Fitzroy Crossing

After a promising beginning (up for shower and cups of tea and breakfast in the camp kitchen), the day did not progress well. Firstly, after getting down to the Visitor Information Centre at 8:30 to get queries promptly answered and the day organised, it didn’t open until 9 (staff meeting on). I enquired about my book which I left there (a donation to their library in May 2012) but no record could be located (there had been break-ins and damage done as well as books stolen). I asked about the Indigenous boat tours in Geike gorge – not unless there were at least three, and no-one else had even enquired. I asked about the cave tours at Mimbi (too late today) but they were not doing them tomorrow. There is no booking for the DPaW tours – just turn up beforehand – but the afternoon ones were cancelled yesterday because of the heat. Things were unsatisfactory on all counts! However we did talk with a relative of the Krakouers (AFL Footballers) and some French tourists who were amazed where I had visited in France. We looked over the supermarket (doing a little shopping) and then drove out to the gorge – all was as I remembered it. After looking around we headed back into town, going via the old crossing (which I couldn’t find) and accidentally came across a wedge-tailed eagle sitting in a tree. After getting to some good photos, the eagle then flew away when I wanted to get ultra-close-up. We had lunch back at the tent and then did some 4WDing on our return to the gorge. There was no 2:30 DPaW tour advertised, but when we asked, it was on. Eventually they altered the sign to suit, as there were a few who would have driven away and come back at 4. We headed out on the tour together with about 14 others, but having done both tours now I would give the DPaW tour a guarded OK but the Indigenous tour an enthusiastic thumbs-up. During the tour it started to rain – an ominous sign. By the time we got back to the park, the rain was on and off. I helped one chap with erecting his waterproof over his ute tray and then another with undoing a bolt and nut which had held his spare on the caravan (the frame had broken). The rain then set in (although I hoped it would stop before the evening) and we headed down to the BP Roadhouse for tea – a mixed grill which was very nice and certainly value for money. Back at the tent it was was obvious the rain had set in, so we went to bed and crossed fingers it would stop well before the morning. During two comfort breaks overnight there was little precipitation, so I hoped.