Day Two: Thursday, 6th May 2021

 Day Two: Thursday, 6th May 2021

The group departed Fitzroy Crossing at 8:24 am, with a long day of driving ahead. After a brief pause to collect the day's lunch from the Ngiyali Roadhouse, during which I took my first flower photo, and also my first bird photo, we continued on the Great Northern Highway in a south-easterly direction. 

As yet unidentified

White-breasted Woodsparrow (Artamis leucorynchus)

This is a small passerine bird (feet adapted to perch) which breeds in an area from the Indonesian Andamon Islands to Northern Australia. The term "woodswallow" is something of a misnomer, because it isn't closely related to true swallows, but belongs to the family Artamidae, which includes Butcherbirds, Currawongs, and the Australian Magpie.

At about 10:25 am, we paused at Ngumban Cliff Lookout Rest Area to take in the expansive views, to the north-east, of the Meuller Ranges. Note the open Savanna woodland, and the spinifex in the foreground of the photo below.

Meuller Ranges from Ngumban Cliffs Lookout

At this stop was a variety of wildflowers all located within quite a small area. It was exciting to see the profusion and health of flora.

Purple Mulla Mulla (Ptilotus exaltatus)

Cockroach Bush (Senna notabilis)

Pindan Wattle (Acacia tumida)

Native Cotton (Gossypium australe)

Holly Grevillea (Grevillea wickhamii) also known as Wickham's Grevillea

No common name (Solanum carduiforme) - quite rare

Leaving the Lookout, the road continued easterly, then curved nor-easterly. The landscape continued in a similar form as yesterday, as we passed "Louisa Downs Station", the Lubbock Range, and the Ramsay range - all to the north (left of the bus).

We arived at Halls Creek at about 1:00 pm, and stopped at the Information Centre for the amenities, and a picnic lunch in the park outside. A statue in the grounds commemorates "Russian Jack" (Ivan Fredericks), a famous figure in the 1885 Gold Rush at Halls Creek. The plaque records that he once carried a sick friend over 300 kilometres, in a bush-made wheelbarrow, to seek medical aid, over a track that existed in name only.

"Russian Jack"

Refreshed and enthused we headed eastwards along Duncan Road to investigate the Old Halls Creek settlement site, but first stopped at China Wall which is a natural vein of sub-vertical white quartz. This striking formation transects the country for many kilometres, rising high out of the ground as much as six metres, and then disappearing back into the earth again. Sections of quartz wall can be spotted all the way to Kununurra.

China Wall, near Halls Creek

China Wall, and Ord River

There were more wildflowers in the area displaying a wide variety of colour, shape, size, and foliage. Quite amazing! And a beautiful little skink.

Pea - no common name (Cajanus cinereus)

No Common name (Hibiscus solanifolius)

This Hibiscus shouldn't be confused with the Native Cotton shown above.

Cattle Bush (Trichodesma zeylanicum) also known as Camel Bush, and Water Bush

A juvenile Ring-tailed dragon (Ctenophorus slateri)

The Ring-tailed dragon or Ring-tailed bicycle-dragon is a native species of lizard that may be found in rocky ranges and outcrops of Australia. It was formerly known by the scientific name: Ctenophorus caudicinctus macropus.

Flying Doctor Memorial, Old Halls Creek

Old Halls Creek is the site of the first gold discovery in Western Australia. This short-lived gold rush contributed to the establishment of the ports of Wyndham and Derby, as well as the township of Halls Creek. Though originally a settlement of makeshift tents, after the gold was exhausted, the old town boasted a Post Office, two stores, an hotel, and a Police Station. Nowadays, there is little evidence of the original settlement other than the cemetery, some rusted car bodies, and the Flying Doctor Memorial.

Rusted car bodies, Old Halls Creek

The Lodge, Old Halls Creek

Returning to the Great Northern Highway, we now headed northwards until we turned off onto a rough track that led in an easterly direction to our campsite in the Purnululu National Park - APT Picaninny Wilderness Lodge - where we would stay for two nights. As we approached, the Bungle Bungle Range was lit by the setting sun.

Glamping in Purnululu NP

Very comfortable accommodation on quite a cool night

Because of staff shortages, we drove to another campsite - APT Bungle Bungle Wilderness Lodge - for dinner, that was shared with another tour group. Dinner was excellent! We returned to our own camp, and retired for the evening after a day well-spent.

Go to Day Three