Our Personal Favourite

Manning Gorge

7kms from Mt Barnett Roadhouse

We met the Daddow Family from Moonta, while at El Questro. At times you seem to be on the same 'itinerary' as some families and we consequently, but not deliberately, ended up at the same place as the Daddow's for 6 nights, as we worked our way across the Gibb River Road. A couple of times we camped quite close to them , and the kids had a great time with their two boys - Kurt and Tate. Kris and Lisa both worked at the Moonta School and were on Long Service Leave for 3 months. Kris teaches Outdoor Ed and is quite an adventurous sort (like our Jake), and Jed thought his 'antics' were pretty good. It was nice to have someone different to chat to at the end of a day and a bit of adult time, rather than just 'family' time.

This is how we ended up sharing our time at Manning Gorge with the Daddow's - and what fun it was!

The campground was dry and dusty. The Caretaker was a 'rough and ready' sort, but friendly enough and to talk he had to put his thumb over the end of his permanent "trachy". And there were showers, that were under pressure when he put the "power" to them on at 6.00am - 7.30am and  5.30pm - 7.30pm. However, they were cold because the solar heating had had a malfunction and as with lots of things "Outback Style", they hadn't yet been fixed!

However, to make up for all of that the adjacent setting was superb.



Lisa Daddow and family crossing the waterhole prior to
 us, complete with styro foam box to carry the belongings



The waterhole adjacent to the campground, which was relatively safe
for swimming - only 3 "freshies" were sighted sunning themselves on the nearby rocks.

 After a walk of about 3 kms we arrived at the Gorge!

Manning Gorge and waterfall

Kids loved being able to clamber up to top of waterfall and look over the ledges - I just shut my eyes!

Every kids idea of a good time!

Kris Daddow had done a through job of checking out the depth, absence of rocks etc before they all got busy jumping and diving.

He eventually managed to touch the bottom with a loooongg... dive down!



It was lovely to be able to have a refreshing swim, after the warm walk into the gorge, and nice to sit on a ledge in behind some of the waterfall!

View back along the Gorge



Return trip required - back across the waterhole. Great! As the walk
 back had mad us a bit hot and sweaty!



Mt Barnett is home to a community of aborigines -
these girls were left at the waterhole for a swim
for the afternoon by their father, who took the two
toddlers home. The girls had a great time talking and playing with the tourists and then were going to walk the 7 kms home!

Jed, Lily, Kurt and Tate 'borrowed' the waterhole 'tinnie' for a
spot of fishing - had a great time catching black bream. All of which had to be kissed and thrown back as they were too small!
Great fun tho'! (Even baling the water out of the boat, as it had a small leak!)



This lovely critter is the reason why
a caravan up off the ground is better than
sleeping in a swag!