Reset search
Coast to Coast: May-June 2025
  • Helen and Charlie Leahy
  • Helen and Charlie Leahy

Coast to Coast: May-June 2025

A 37-day adventure by Helen and Charlie Read more
FollowInsightsInsightsCalendarCalendarPhotosPhotosShareShareBucket list
InsightsCalendarPhotos
  • Helen and Charlie LeahyCoast to Coast: May-June 2025Traveler
    1Camel footprintsNorthern end of the trackSunset at 80 Mile Beach

    Kidson Track/Niangumarta Highway

    May 28, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 24 °C

    Up very early to pack up as it was drizzling rain. The track continued to be very over grown, rutted and large sand dunes that previously were clay and gravel topped for the drilling rigs now have deep hazardous washouts. Very picturesque and green with the added bonus of seeing many feral camels and lots of birdlife.
    By midday the clouds had totally cleared and the temperature was warming up. At the site of Mellinjerie Well, which used to be a borstal type facility in the early 80’s for aboriginals, marks the beginning of the Niangumarta Highway which terminates at the Great North Highway. Once past this site, of which no infrastructure exists anymore, the track is maintained therefore not as overgrown, small washouts but quite corrugated. The final 200kms is good and we’re able to reach speeds up to 85kms.
    We arrived at 80 Mile Beach at 3.55pm to stay for 3 nights.    Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyCoast to Coast: May-June 2025Traveler
    Thousands of shells on the beach

    Eighty Mile Beach

    May 28, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    We have three nights booked here where we plan to recharge and do a few household chores. The weather is perfect for relaxing and walking along the beach. A “rogue” crocodile had been sighted nearby a couple of months ago. At the moment the tides are running at 7.2m, the water is very muddy and the fishermen are complaining they’re not catching much!Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyCoast to Coast: May-June 2025Traveler
    Sunset drinks at the Sunset Bar

    Broome

    May 31–Jun 3, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Arrived early yesterday afternoon and today, the first day of winter, the temperature is a very unwintery 30 degrees. Visited the Broome Courthouse Sunday markets, then lunch at the Dragonfly Cafe and shopping for mozzie zappers and beer.
    Drinks at sunset at the Sunset Bar where Carmel joined us and then dinner at the restaurant.    Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyCoast to Coast: May-June 2025Traveler
    Poulson Pools
    Poulson Pools1Campsite for the nightPoulson pools

    Gibb River Road

    June 3, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    Leaving Broome early this morning heading north east with a quick diversion to Derby to top up fuel and buy some lunch.
    Looks like most of the roads off the Gibb River Rd are closed due to either wet roads or crocs at camping sites.
    We took a station track leading 7kms north off the road to Poulson Pools. This track was a narrow two wheeled road with water logged and muddy sections. The track to the camping sites was underwater but the pools were accessible.
    We were hoping to camp at Windjana Gorge campground but as predicted we couldn’t get in due to road closures. Once pass this turnoff the road is unsealed. Drove further on into the King Leopold Ranges where we found a high open area well off the road to camp for the night.    Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyCoast to Coast: May-June 2025Traveler
    Adcock Gorge

    Adcock Gorge

    June 4, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    Back on the track - access to Bell Gorge closed (fortunately we did do the trek in on our last visit). Further on we came to the picturesque Adcock Gorge on Mt House Station, approximately 5kms off the Gibb River Rd. A very rough track in, definitely no trailers or caravans in here, the walk in involved traversing a creek with knee deep water. After crossing a lily pond and scrambling over some boulders we reached the waterfall and deep, shaded pool, bordered by the walls of the gorge on three sides.Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyCoast to Coast: May-June 2025Traveler
    Galvans Gorge

    Galvans Gorge

    June 4, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    Not much further east is Galvans Gorge. Galvans Gorge is the most accessible gorge along the Gibb, about one kilometre off the road and carpark. This is another pretty swimming spot, with a seasonal waterfall flowing into a horseshoe shaped pool. The trail is relatively flat and easy, following the path of a creek & lily pond and ending at the waterhole opposite the waterfall. I went for a refreshing swim in the deep cool water.Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyCoast to Coast: May-June 2025Traveler
    1Many floodways to cross, most with waterA bad section of the Gibb River Rd

    Gibb Range

    Jun 4–5, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    Found a large quarry, about 600m off the road, as an ideal spot to camp for the night. Two caravaners followed us in but there was plenty of room. Another beautiful sunset to enjoy over dinner.
    There must have been a herd of feral donkeys nearby as the ee-yoring went on for most of the night.Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyCoast to Coast: May-June 2025Traveler
    Crossing the Pentecost RiverCrossing the Pentecost River

    East Kimberley

    June 5, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    We had hoped to get up to Kalumburu which is the northern most aboriginal community in WA and is 270km off the Gibb River Road. Unfortunately the track through Drysdale River is 2m under water and probably won’t be open for another week or two - never mind, next time!
    The road continues to be pretty rough with the occasional sealed sections over the hills.
    Easy drive to cross the Pentecost River. A lot of caravans camped along the river probably because El Questro is charging $132 pn for a powered site and $122 for unpowered! We had seen the landmarks there so weren’t tempted to revisit at those prices.    Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyCoast to Coast: May-June 2025Traveler
    Largest Boab in captivity - approx. 2,000 years old

    Wyndham

    June 5, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Wyndham is the northernmost town in the Kimberley region. It was established in 1886 to service a new goldfield at Halls Creek, and it is now a port and service centre for the east Kimberley with a population of 941 - 54% being indigenous. After a bit more googling we discovered the rate of violent crime in Wyndham was 539.2% higher than the Western Australia average, and was 580.7% higher than the national average in the years 2022/24. We’re leaving first thing in the morning!Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyCoast to Coast: May-June 2025Traveler

    One night on the Duncan Road

    Jun 5–6, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 26 °C

    After a quick scoot around Wyndham we drove on to Kununurra to top up fuel and beverages.
    There were few clear spots to get off the road for a camp, the White Dimond campsite we could see on our map was totally overgrown so we plugged on. It was just on sunset when we finally found an abandoned station, most buildings had been demolished but a good clear area was perfect for the night. Again we could hear donkeys nearby, but otherwise a peaceful spot.Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyCoast to Coast: May-June 2025Traveler
    A bustard being snooty!

    Duncan Road

    June 6, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Travelling east on Victoria Highway into the Northern Territory (where we lost 1.5 hours due to the differing time zones) and then turned off south on to the Duncan Road which crosses several rivers and creeks that are safe for swimming.
    Because the road is wiggly it turns and re-enters WA so we gain our hour and a half back, this exiting and entering happens twice more by the end of the track where it finishes in Halls Creek, WA.    Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyCoast to Coast: May-June 2025Traveler

    Sawpit Gorge

    June 7, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Up early with the sunrise, as we have been doing this trip, and back on the Duncan Road. Sawpit Gorge is about 50kms from Halls Creek and was a great spot for lunch. One car was camped up out of the gorge and there were 3 cars (locals from Halls Creek with 4 dogs) down by the pool with us. Still managed to be peaceful and it was cool being sheltered from the sun.Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyCoast to Coast: May-June 2025Traveler

    China Wall

    June 7, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    A short distance off the Duncan is this natural vein of sub-vertical white quartz rising up to 6 metres above the surrounding country in places. This striking formation transects the country for many kilometres, rising high out of the ground and then disappearing back into the earth again.Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyCoast to Coast: May-June 2025Traveler
    Caroline Pool just out of Halls Creek
    An abandoned, damaged house on the hillAbandoned house near Halls Creek

    Halls Creek

    June 7, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Coming off the Duncan Road into Halls Creek for what was supposed to be a quick fuel stop turned into a delay to repair some other traveller’s punctured tyre. Driving out of town some indigenous youths threw a large rock at our car, fortunately no damage was done but it did give us a fright!
    Not far south of Halls Creek is the start of the Tanami Track, the first 30kms is sealed but roadworks underway for about another 30kms.    Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyCoast to Coast: May-June 2025Traveler

    Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater NP

    Jun 7–8, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    23 kms off the Tanami is this crater and so we decided to revisit as there is good camping here. Mozzies were out, so we covered up and covered ourselves in spray but they disappeared pretty early, we managed a small fire but no decent wood available. Camping is free and the only facility is pit toilets.
    The next morning we walked up to the rim of the crater - Charlie put the drone up and I will upload his video when we get home.    Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyCoast to Coast: May-June 2025Traveler
    Selby Hills
    Perfect lunch spotBlack headed python

    Selby Hills

    June 8, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 23 °C

    About 90kms west of the NT border is this rocky outcrop with an overgrown 2 wheeled track a kilometre off the track where we stopping for lunch. A bit windy still but very picturesque spot.
    Spotted what we suspect is a black headed python (non venomous) sunning itself on the road.Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyCoast to Coast: May-June 2025Traveler

    Tanami Track

    June 9, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    Running 1,050kms from Halls Creek to Alice Springs, the Tanami is sometimes closed after rain, is rough and corrugated in many places but is sealed at both ends. It is commonly used by large mining industry vehicles (there are 2 gold mines in the Tanami) and by road trains carrying livestock from the Kimberley to the southern states.
    The section closest to the Kimberley is rocky and hilly terrain, the middle is flatter and the south has small ranges. The landscape changes from sandy plains to spinifex, low acacias and grevillea and of course termite mounds!
    Saw one dingo and one wallaby.    Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyCoast to Coast: May-June 2025Traveler

    South Tanami

    June 9, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Stopped for lunch at this bizarre restaurant stop.
    Interesting rocky outcrops down south.
    The last 400kms of the Tanami Track is sealed although 80kms of it is a single lane only.

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyCoast to Coast: May-June 2025Traveler

    Harts Ranges

    June 11, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Drove a fair way off the road to the foothills of the Hart Ranges. A very rough corrugated road that leads to a racecourse and the Spotted Tiger campground (very pricey for offering no facilities or power) which is probably only used when the Hart Ranges Sports Weekend is held every year in August.Read more

  • Helen and Charlie LeahyCoast to Coast: May-June 2025Traveler
    Cyclists on the Plenty

    Arthur River

    Jun 11–12, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Quite a lot of the Plenty Highway is now sealed with more roadworks happening as we drove further east. What isn’t sealed is not too bad and a few large pools of water on the road which was obviously why the road was closed last week.
    Stopped for a photo at the giant termite mound.
    We camped on the west bank of the Arthur River where we had camped in September 2023. In my post from that trip I had mentioned the annoying flies - unfortunately nothing has changed in that regard, but as an upside there are plenty of dead trees for a great campfire. Fortunately by dinner time the flies had disappeared and there was no wind - perfect!👌    Read more

  • 2026© FindPenguins
  • Home
  • About us
  • Group Tracking
  • Press
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy & Cookies
  • Help Center
  • Legal notice