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GIBB CHALLENGE & KIMBERLEYS 23GIBB CHALLENGE & KIMBERLEYS 23
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A sojourn north to participate in the Gibb Challenge bike event ( https://thegibbchallenge.com.au/ ) and explore the Kimberleys thereafter. Read more
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  • TravelerGIBB CHALLENGE & KIMBERLEYS 23

    OVERVIEW

    April 19, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 20 °C

    The primary focus of the trip is to participate in the Gibb Challenge 2023 as a team entry. (http://www.thegibbchallenge.com.au )

    After the ride several of us plan to travel back down the Gibb Road and spend a couple of weeks exploring all the gorges, waterfalls, walks etc.

    I plan to post something every couple of days or so, and as the mobile coverage allows.

    The ride is over 5 days, covering about 630 km. It's not a race, but a fundraising event, embracing about 400-500 people, 300+ being cyclists, either soloists, duos or team riders. The beneficiary is the RFDS, a super worthy cause. The event is in about it's 20th year and raises $500K -$600 annually.

    Our team is The Dubai Globalistas. A couple of us heard of the event whilst living in Dubai, and decided it had to be done. It has taken us about 6 years to get on board. COVID intervention and border closures being our main stumbling block. All the riders are ex-residents of Dubai, or with a strong connection to the UAE, hence the name. The team:
    Issy Montouri
    Dave Montouri
    Amy Rolf
    Juergen Otte
    Gordon Duzevich
    Chris Walter
    Mike Walter
    And our Support Team is Judy Duzevich.

    Amy and Juergen are flying in from the USA for the event.

    Anyone wishing to make a contribution can do so at:
    https://www.mycause.com.au/p/305003/dubai-globa…
    And anyone donating $100 or more to my fund goes into the draw ( after the event!) for a bottle of Veuve Clicquot. Thanks in anticipation.

    Happy Dayz!    Read more

  • TravelerGIBB CHALLENGE & KIMBERLEYS 23
    Day 1

    ON THE ROAD AGAIN! Wooramel Station.

    May 3, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Day 1. 0630/1700. 800Km

    After 2 days of panic prep and burning the midnight oil cooking up frozen meals to store in the Engel freezer, we departed the North Cott Bubble pre dawn.
    Thank goodness for a very comprehensive 4 WD checklist. So far haven’t missed anything - yet!
    Co driving with brother Chris and in convoy with Judy and Gordon Duzevich. Originally we were planning on a roadside pull-in stop at Galena Bridge on the Murchison River, but deferred to delaying our departure for a day, and then putting a big day on the road straight thru to Wooramel Station stay.
    Coffee stop at Jurien Bay and lunch at the Northampton Cafe. A very acceptable pork pie and a fruit cocktail juice, satiated the hunger pangs.
    Just prior to Northampton we took a 7km deviation into Coronation Beach. Chris was keen to check it out for kite surfing reasons. A good set-up. Camp park with drop toilets. He’ll be back!
    Two years on from Cyclone Seroja ripping thru Northampton, the damage is still very apparent. Recovery is obviously very slow. Must be very hard getting trades people, especially in a rural area.
    A very good mural like display shows all the recent AFL players who came from the region, including Josh Kennedy. Must be a very healthy local competition.
    Arrived at Wooramel at 5 pm in good time to set up camp before sunset. An attractive setup along the banks of the Wooramel River. An enjoyable feature is the thermal bathing pools. A nice way to follow up a long day in the saddle. Especially with a cold frothie in hand.
    The station staff put on a camp dinner most evenings. Spit roast or something similar. Our menu was curry, lentils, rice and damper. Very acceptable. We quaffed one of the 2 dozen reds Chris has kindly contributed to the mission. I’m the beer baron on this trip. Plus port provider.
    Shared a table with a young couple from Victoria with a 7 yo son and a 4 yo daughter.
    They have been on the road since January, doing a 12 month big lap of Oz. They spent a fair amount of time in S Australia. They said they particularly liked the Flinders Ranges, and specifically Wilpena Pound. All on my future bucket list.
    Ken Austin, a touring musician, was playing guitar and singing to the dinner audience from a stage under a big gum tree. He was pretty good too, real singalong music. Temperature was a very pleasant 22 degrees or so. Cruisey way to spend an evening. Went back to the vans, consulted the astronomy apps and did some star gazing. Super clear night with a near full moon. Pretty stunning. All the better for sipping on a DeBortoli port at the same time.
    Turned in at about 9:30 pm for a good night's sleep.

    Wooramel Station Campground. (4 star)

    https://www.wooramel.com.au/
    $30-/night, 2 persons
    Numerous, well spaces unpowered sites stretching out along the river bank. Toikets and warm ( thermal) showers. Catered camp kitchen: spit roasts, curry's etc. Cannot book for it. Served up at about 5:30-6:30.
    Fire pits available. BYO wood.
    Maybe a few powered sites available?
    Fair Telstra mobile reception.    Read more

  • TravelerGIBB CHALLENGE & KIMBERLEYS 23
    Day 2

    Exmouth

    May 4, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    May 4. Day 2

    Exmouth. 0900/1700. 485 KM

    A more leisurely start today, a significantly shorter driving distance. Headed up the NW Coastal Hwy (NWCH) to Carnarvon.

    We grabbed a coffee at the Post Office Coffee Stall and got the low down from the owner regarding fresh produce availability, as her dad is a grower. Subsequently we went to Morels and bought some fresh veggies, fresh guavas and some dried mangoes, amongst other things. And a frozen chocolate banana for good measure. Very tasty. Another good stop is Bum Baks. It’s also a comprehensIve provedore store. Fuelled up and headed for Exmouth. It was a lot warmer than Perth , heading towards Exmouth, about 36 deg at 4 pm. Stopped at the IGA on arrival and bought some chops, sausages and salad. Caught up with Julie and Paul Rumble after we had checked in. They are heading north too, for a road trip of about 3 months.
    A pleasant sit-around BBQ at Judy and Gords ensued . Perfect temperature, about 23 deg, negligible breeze and clear skies. A late-ish turn in, about 11pm from memory.

    RAC Caravan Park. Exmouth (4 stars)

    Spacious bays on fine gravel. Powered. Good amenities blocks and 2 swimming pools.
    Telstra: 2 bar reception
    WiFi: FOC Fair performance
    $60-/ngt (2 persons)    Read more

  • TravelerGIBB CHALLENGE & KIMBERLEYS 23
    Day 3

    Exmouth - Whale Shark Diving

    May 5, 2023, Indian Ocean ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    5 May. Day 3

    Whale Shark Diving trip - Exmouth

    Chris and I were picked up at 7am for a 30 minute mini van ride to the Tantabiddi Boat ramp. Then a 100m ferry in a tinnie to the Jazz II 52 ft launch.

    Just a few kms trip to a piece of inner reef for a practice swim and a snorkel acclimatisation. Some beautiful small fish and a turtle sighting, everyone ( 20 pax on board) was comfortable with the gear and the procedures for the whale shark swimming.

    Then only about 15 minutes cruising further out and we had our first encounter. A spotter plane directs the boat into the immediate area and the skipper does the rest from the fly bridge. 10 people at a time ( maximum allowed by Parks and Wildlife dept regulations) then jump in and swim alongside the whale shark. We had 6 encounters for the day, with two of the amazing fish. Both about 5m long. They range from 3m to 9m apparently. During the first two encounters it was had to keep up with them, even with flippers. The remaining 4 were much more sedate. They travel at varying depths from 3 m to 15m depth generally. They are not at all flustered by the boats and human interaction. And they have a beautiful serenity about then. They are the largest fish in the ocean. They are not a whale or a shark. Little is known about any migratory habits or their breeding patterns.

    Lunch was served. Salad rolls, cake and fruit. Needed sustenance, as it’s hungry work!

    We them motored back into a lagoon area only a couple of kms from the boat ramp and had another snorkel dive on an area of very colourful coral. An amazing collection of very colourful fish. Saw a couple of turtles and a huge cod. As we pulled up anchor the skipper spotted a large tiger shark nearby. He motored over to it and it was not disturbed by the boat and we came within a boats length of it. Very impressive, probably about 4m long.

    Back on shore by 2:30. A fabulous experience.

    Went to the Whalebone Brewery for a very good pizza and a beer. Back to the vans for a cup of tea and small talk. I just couldn’t stay awake. It had been a big day in all regards.

    More pics to come when we get access the photos and videos shot by the staff photographer onboard Jazz II.    Read more

  • TravelerGIBB CHALLENGE & KIMBERLEYS 23
    Day 4

    Exmouth - Bundegi Beach

    May 6, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    6 May. Day 4.

    Exmouth - “Free Day” - Bundegi Beach

    Executive decision to do a training ride, so we headed off at 7am. Found a bike trail aptly named the Dingo Trail that took us out to the Harold Holt Communication Base. The Americans built the base in the 1960’s. It’s one of 3 installations globally that facilitate submarine communications anywhere in the world. From a distance, and in photos, is not that impressive. It consists of about 13 towers and a base station. But then you realise that the building is 5 stories high and the towers are over 1000ft high. And there is over 58,000m of cabling involved in the aerial array, and the cable is about as thick as your leg.

    We continued on a few hundred metres to Bundegi Beach which has a neat beachside shack cafe. We had an obligatory coffee and then headed back to the caravan park, for a round trip total of 32km.

    Had a nice hot shower, did some laundry duties, and then for something completely different we drove back out to Bundegai Beach for brunch! The motivation was to catch up with a couple io Gordy’s surfing mates and their partners. I learnt all about Flite electrically powered surf boards from Bill who currently holds the world record for acumulative distance travelled!
    And Murray is about to fit a Boost Fin to his board. It's a mini electric prop that is part of
    the centre fun on the board that can give you a boost paddling for a wave or paddling back out to the break. Technology, it’s a wonderful thing!

    Anyway, had a very nice nasi goreng for brunch! Followed up with a very refreshing swim with the water temperature being pretty near perfect.

    As we were about to leave the car park Gordy wandered over to the fish cleaning bench where a guy was fileting several large Spangled Emperor. Gord scored the skeletons which contained the wings that still have plenty of meat on them. He subsequently grilled them for dinner on the Weber with olive oil, garlic and smidge of mayo. Combined with a salad Judy prepared and a Stella Bella Semillon Sauvignon Blanc compliments of Chris, we consequently dined par excellence!
    After doing the dishes it was a relatively early turn as we planned to depart about 7 in the morning.    Read more

  • TravelerGIBB CHALLENGE & KIMBERLEYS 23
    Day 5

    Whim Creek

    May 7, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    7 May. Day 5. Whim Creek.

    0700/1700. 670 KM

    Another longish day so an early start, on the road by 7am.

    After approximately an hour’s drive we pulled into Bellara Station. This is another station stay camp/caravan park on a working station. I had stayed here two years ago. It is great stop over. A rustic setting with character and interest. They are renowned for their scores. Last year they converted the old shearing shed into an enlarged and enhanced cafe and dining area. They have done a great job, plenty of character. And the scones are still very good!

    Shortly after rejoining the NW Coastal Highway we crossed over one of the emergency runways that are marked out on the various highways around the state, for critical emergency landings by the RFDS. In a conversation with an RFDS pilot a few years ago he told me they are used as a somewhat last resort, and that to maintain currency for the procedure each pilot has to do one training landing per year, at night, on one of these strips, and with only three lights positioned along one side of the road. A real “black hole, aircraft carrier“ type landing! Pretty challenging stuff.

    Pulled into Fortesque Roadhouse for a lunch stop. MYO ( make your own) salad roll, as Judy had bought some very good bread rolls from the bakery at Exmouth.

    Arrived at Whim Creek at 5 pm with just sufficient daylight left to set up camp. The hotel that has a lot of character, closed down a number of years ago. But it is supposed to be reopening. There is a caretaker in residence in a donga out the back somewhere who waters the lawn and cleans the solitary toilet. The old copper mine is visible about half a kilometre further back. Anyone is entitled to park up for the night in the gravel parking area and can use the toilet. A nice gesture by someone.

    Dinner consisted of Italian sausages and lamb chops on an open fire, accompanied by a salad, and a red of course. The fire was put to good use thereafter, along with a tawny port. How many hours can you idle away looking into the flames of an open fire, takking about nothing in particular? Plenty!

    Whim Creek pub parking area.
    FOC.
    One toilet available
    Telstra Mbl: 75%+ strength, 4 G    Read more

  • TravelerGIBB CHALLENGE & KIMBERLEYS 23
    Day 6

    Barn Hill Station Stay Camp Park

    May 8, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    8 May. Day 6. Barn Hill

    0800/1700. 610 KM

    Another significant day on the road, kilometre wise.

    Into Port Hedland for coffee and fuel. Murphy’s law, Monday the Silver Star Cafe is closed. It’s a converted rail car that was originally brought out from the US to serve as the Managers rail car on the original CRA ore line. Times have changed!

    Hedland is the largest tonnage port in the world, thanks to the iron ore shipments. Approximately $10-12 billion worth each month.

    Fueled up, diesel now north of $2-/litre. Suck it up!

    Passed through Pardoo on the highway. Cyclone Ilsa tore through here on April 13th destroying the roadhouse. So damaged, it won’t be rebuilt. Trees were completely stripped of leaves, branches ripped off and some trees completely uprooted. Winds in excess of 285 kph. Just south of the roadhouse all the remaining vegetation was flattened and leaning to the SW. Shortly afterwards similarly but leaning to the SE. In between, just a whirl in all directions. It was obvious where the eye of the cyclone had travelled.

    Stopped at Sandfire roadhouse for a sandwich for lunch. Had sufficient fuel to get thru to Broome. They now have a monopoly on fuel between Hedland and Broome and priced accordingly at $2:48/litre.
    Arrived at Barn Hill at 5pm, set up camp in the remaining daylight. We had bought a butterflied leg of lamb in Hedland so did a roast dinner on the Weber. Very acceptable. Pretty good finish to a good day.

    Barn Hill Station Stay Camp Park (4 star).

    $45-/night powered site ($35- unpowered).
    Basic but clean amenities.
    Cool and shady under extensive trees.
    Good cafe ( try the Vanilla Slices!).
    Telstra Mbl: patchy reception, but manageable.    Read more

  • TravelerGIBB CHALLENGE & KIMBERLEYS 23
    11
    Day 7

    Barn Hill - Chill Day

    May 9, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    9 May. Day 7.

    Barn Hill. Chill day.

    A nice spot to chill for a day free of driving. Scenic coast abutted by thick green bush. This is a working cattle station. Reckon the only way to muster here would be by chopper.

    Had a couple swims and a walk on the beach. The day disappeared pretty quickly.
    Gordy tried his hand a fishing. A couple of bites but none caught.
    Stunning sunset, as is so many of them up here in the North.

    We had a Spaghetti Bolognese for dinner, compliments of Judy and Gord, and partook in a port beside a camp fire. Can’t do better than that!    Read more

  • TravelerGIBB CHALLENGE & KIMBERLEYS 23
    Day 8

    Broome

    May 10, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 25 °C

    10 May. Day 8.

    Broome. 0800/0945. 2HR:25 135KM

    A short run into Broome. Albeit a reasonably early start as a big list of chores to do in town.

    First up arranged to have a slow leak fixed on one of the tyres. 3 tyre repair places in town. First one closed, owner on jury duty, second one booked out for 8 days, 3rd one did it on two hours notice. 10 minutes and $88-, oh well, the joys of rural driving!

    Checked into the RAC Cable Beach CP and set up and settled in. Plenty of shade with big gum trees. Very acceptable. Then the 3 B’s: Bank, Bunnings and Beach.
    .
    Dined at Mr Saigon, needless to say a Vietnamese restaurant. All of us, plus John Date who had come up from Perth specially to see Juergs. Not yet though. He and Amy scheduled to fly in the next morning.

    RAC Broome Caravan Park (4 star)
    Nice and shady and very neat and tidy CP. 10 minute walk to Cable Beach.
    $55-/ngt for members    Read more

  • TravelerGIBB CHALLENGE & KIMBERLEYS 23
    Day 8

    Broome

    May 10, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 24 °C

    10 May. Day 8.

    Broome. 0800/0945. 2HR:25 135KM

    A short run into Broome. Albeit a reasonably early start as a big list of chores to do in town.

    First up arranged to have a slow leak fixed on one of the tyres. 3 tyre repair places in town. First one closed, owner on jury duty, second one booked out for 8 days, 3rd one did it on two hours notice. 10 minutes and $88-, oh well, the joys if rural driving!

    Checked into the RAC Cable Beach CP and set up and settled in. Plenty of shade with big gum trees. Very acceptable. Then the 3 B’s: Bank, Bunnings and Beach.
    .
    Dined at Mr Saigon, needless to say a Vietnamese restaurant. All of us, plus John Date who had come up from Perth specially to see Juergs. Not yet though. He and Amy
    scheduled to fly in the next morning.    Read more

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