Sunday 7th September 2014 – Windjana to Derby – Fine Clear Skies, Hot

We spoke with the ranger last night and I have updated the previous blogs with the information that he gave us.  Late last night, I was woken by a dingo taking a drink from our water bucket, obviously a stop off point on the way to the gorge, just in case someone has left something tasty out.

 

    Photo of the Lennard River where it crosses the Gibb River Rd

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is Kimberley Downs Station – grassland as far as you can see.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had an early breakfast and pack up, so I made pikelets at our morning tea stop to celebrate Father’s Day for Glen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’ve now completed both the Tanami and Gibb River Road…. Whooo   Hoooo !

This is Derby, small, green (where it is watered using bore water)  The islands run down the entire main road through to the port and are planted with Boab Trees.  It has a large information centre which was closed today Sunday. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The famous Derby Jetty, we were lucky the tide was in, it has the highest tides in Australia and when they are out, it’s scenic mud flats to look at.

 

Barramundi, Prawns & Chips for lunch from the Jetty Cafe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This was the Derby Gaol until 1975.  In 1966 they held 109 men in these cells. The picture shows the cells with a preservation roof over, it was just flat tin on the top.

The final piece of the story from Tunnel Creek about Jandamarra.

This is the grave of William Richardson murdered by Jandamarra, the aboriginal Outlaw/Freedom Fighter (depending who is telling the story)

 http://www.kimberleyaustralia.com/story-of-jandamarra.html

Jandamarra was killed at the entrance of Tunnel Creek after 3 years on the run.

 

The cemetery is the oldest in the Kimberley, reading the gravestones, you didn’t live long out here especially without medical help.  A lot of young children are buried there.

We’re off to Broome tomorrow which is 222 km down the road.   I am looking forward to seeing the Boab Prison Tree which is reputed to be 1500 years old – I am in awe of that.

We plan to spend two nights in Broome and then head up to Cape Leveque and spend about four nights at Nature’s Hideaway at Middle Lagoon. http://www.middlelagoon.com.au/