Around Oz Part 16: Farewell to Wyndham, on to Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing

Early on our last morning in Wyndham I again visited Five Rivers Lookout, enjoying close-up views of several Short-eared Rock Wallabies at the summit.

Short-eared Rock-Wallaby

Also about were a few Silver-backed Butcherbirds and, feeding on puddles outside the shire council office, several Gouldian Finches.

An ancient mule was a quaint visitor to our camp in Wyndham.

We headed south to the Spring Creek Camping Ground, intending to stay there and do the Bungle Bungles on a day visit. However, staff told us we needed 4-wheel drive and could be fined if we went in with the Subaru. Apparently this is simply untrue. The camping ground is part of the huge commercialisation of the national park that includes helicopter flights and 4-wheel-drive tours. We were lied to in the hope we would join one of their tours. We left in disgust instead – the dusty, crowded camping ground alone was a total turn-off.

We ended up staying at a free camping ground on the Mary River, 100km east of Halls Creek. There was some nice country around here including plenty of spinifex. I saw Spinifexbird, Red-browed Pardalote, Variegated Fairy-wren, Grey-fronted Honeyeater, Black-chinned Honeyeater, Little Crow and Plumed Pigeon.

Pallid Cuckoo

We moved on to Fitzroy Crossing for a two-night stay at the Fitzroy River Crossing Resort camp ground. Birds around here include Yellow-tinted Honeyeater, Black-chinned Honeyeater and Pallid Cuckoo.

Geikei Gorge

We visited Geikei Gorge near Fitzroy Crossing, where the Fitzroy River runs through some stunning limestone and sandstone gorges, and Freshwater Crocodiles are ever present. We did the park walking trails as well - Little Woodswallow and Red-browed Pardalote were among the birds present.

Freshwater Crocodile

Geikei Gorge