Day 6 - Blue Waterholes to Old Currango HomesteadIt was Saturday and things would get a little busy around here. Bridge and I set off to do the 6k loop around Nicole Gorge, Murray Cave and Cooleman Plain as shown in Chapmans book ( p219) while James was keen to see Coolamine Homestead and set off up the road.
- Cooleman Cave
The walk along Nicole Gorge with the cliffs and dry river bed reminded me of Central Australia, quite a contrast from the river walk yesterday, with Cooleman and the larger Murray Cave along the way.
- Nicole Gorge
- Nicole Gorge
Armed with our headlamps we entered Murray Cave and meandered through the cave for about 200m to an end point that continues underwater.
- Murray Cave
You wouldn't want your headlamp to fail now.
- Bridge in cave
There are plenty of limestone formations on the floor and ceiling.
- Ceiling of cave
From Murrays Cave the track heads to the top of the gorge, across Cooleman Plain to Cave Creek and back to Blue WH camp.
- Above Nicole Gorge
- Cooleman Plain
James returned from the homestead a little disappointed, the walk along the road wasn't exactly what he had in mind and the homestead...you've seen one you've seen them all. We told him how good our walk was and he was keen to take a look for himself.
The place was full by now and a group of motorbike riders had arrived and set up near our secluded camp. We decided that rather than stay another night we'd make a start toward Morris Ck or Old Currango HS later in the afternoon when it got cooler.
- Morris Ck
After eating what we could and packing up, I hid the bucket and we started back to the AAWT at 17 Flat Ck. James was waiting at the intersection so we teamed up for the easy 2h walk to Old Currango collecting water at Charles Ck.
- Old Currango Homestead
The Blue Waterholes was a great area to visit, plenty to see and one of the highlights so far...a sidetrip I'd recommend.
It was pleasing to get to the first 70k/five days done, reach the first food drop and have 1/4 of the walk completed...all good so far.
"If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe"