Tunnel Ck & Windjana Gorge

Make sure you can put your torch in a pocket as it's a 2 handed scramble to get in the entrance. Plus wear shoes with a decent sole as the bottom can be hard on feet.
Enjoy.
AlanH.

hi alan TH
many years ago when we walked through tunnel creek it was up to the top of my shoulders i.m 5.9ft so putting your torch in your pocket wasn't an option and we only needed to trip on something and our head torches would have gone out too i know its not that deep most of the but can be if flowing there weren't any rangers around in those days
cheers

Hi Mazcan. I've never seen it that deep but I bet it does on occassion and I doubt I for one would go through in those circumstances. I mentioned having a torch that you could put away as we saw a tour bus once full of oldies (my age 70 plus) and it wasn't until they got to the entrance they were told they needed one. Stupid tour leader probably just doing it as a holiday job.
Most of the oldies had sticks or walkers so how they were expected to get in I don't know.
Maybe in the future some gov. dept will decide to clear the entrance and build paths to make sure "it's accessible for all to enjoy".......
Cheers.
AlanH.

And a good pair of shoes, preferably reef boots

Yes that's as I said. Something with a good sole as the bottom is rough and those with thin soles soon find that out.....as I did on my first excursion through there. :-(((
AlanH.

Alan,

Your post is quite relevant and an interesting comment regarding the tour leader.

However, I hope you had your tongue in cheek, suggesting the entrance be cleared and a path put in.
If folk cannot climb through the rocks at the entrance, then they have no choice but to sit it out.
One of our party elected to stay at the car park area, sitting under a tree, as she is a little unsteady on her legs.

No Government department should bastardize natural attractions to make it more accessible to everyone. You may even suggest that the entrance be made wheelchair accessible, although the chair wouldn't get very far, once inside:-)

We were there last May and the water level at the deepest part was about knee deep. A fantastic experience all the same. We (3 of us) were on our own and it was like a surreal adventure winding our way firstly to the mid point where the roof has collapsed and then the second section to the far end.
On returning past the open roof area, we met up with a tour group of 8 or so, escorted by one of the local Indigenous folk.
We got to experience something extra, the tour group couldn't possibly grasp. The feeling of solitude and absolute anticipation of what was coming next.

One of the absolute highlights of our trip to the Kimberley.

Hi Cuppa, my apologies that I had missed you post when I wrote similar.

Just reread your post. If you are coming directly from the Great Northern Hwy to Tunnel Creek on the Leopoldo Downs Rd then I don't recommend a standard caravan for this. Better off going via Derby.

The GRR may be acceptable, but have grave doubts about suitability of dragging a conventional caravan into Windjana / Tunnel Creek - particularly the track out to Fizroy Xing side - 10 years ago the track was in very poor condition & it would surprise me if any upgrading has been done - but more recent visitors may correct me.

I would visit it without the van - an area not to be missed and the benefits may be outweighed by the slow going & worrying about your van & contents.

Derby Tourist Bureau should be able to give you an indication.

Regards - Phil

We've done both roads, the GRR from Derby to Kununurra and from the GRR down to Fitzroy with our van which is semi off road but with good ground clearance and suffered no damage. Tyre pressure and careful speed is the way to avoid damage.
Certainly I think as others do is to camp at Windjana and then travel to tunnel creek but wouldn't hesitate to travel further on either road personally.
Must add though that plenty of heroes left us in their dust on the GRR including one bloke who when we stopped to ask if they needed help response was "I've got plenty of tyres"......
Enjoy the trip with a good torch and shoes.
Cheers.
AlanH.

There is a possibility that when asking in Derby you may be unnecessarily persuaded of the need to take a tour. Ask a few folk.
We left our Nissan Civilian bus in Derby where we hired a 4wd to go to Windjana. This put us on a ‘schedule’, which I regretted. We would have had no problem at all driving our bus (towing an on-road trailer containing off road motorcycles) in, & it is such a great place to spend some relaxing time, as well as a good basecamp for exploring further afield. Our time (2 nights) was more rushed than was ideal, & the comfort of a proper bed rather than our little tent would have been worthwhile. Windjana is definitely on our ‘return to’ list - next time for at least a week just to chill out & soak up the ambience in a relaxed manner.

Bell Gorge is also a magical spot about 2 hours drive from Windjana, & well worth visiting. 2wd will take you to the campground, but (IIRC) the drive to the gorge is about 10 kms from the camp ground was pretty rocky, needing high clearance.

There are also several gorges between Bell & Windjana, waiting for us to explore next time. Time didn’t allow us to check them out last time.

If you take your van in to Windjana you stand a far better chance of experiencing some of thes wonderful places without busloads of day-trippers which makes a huge difference.

You may be interesed in this entry from our blog which also links to a heap of Kimberly photos.

http://www.cuppa500.com/_Big_Trip/Entries/2009/8/14_Entry_37_-_Gorges%2C_Boabs_%26_Crocs.html