Wednesday 10th July 2013 – Home Valley to El Questro

Before heading off this morning we went up to the office to ring Mum for her 104^th birthday.  Happy birthday mum.  Lots of people to share with her at Quirindi.  Would have been nice to be there ourselves.

It was only a short drive to El Questro, crossing the ‘mighty’ Pentecost River on the way.  It was fairly long and fairly rocky but also fairly shallow at this time of year so no problems.

Called into the office at El Questro to book the last of the river sites available.  In addition to the camping ground El Questro has 26 ‘private’ camp sites along the Pentecost River.  Ours was Jabiru, 7km from the El Questro ‘township’ (shop, reception, bar, coffee shop, bungalows, amenities, helicopter landing, airstrip etc).  The sign at our camp spot distinctly says ‘no swimming’- crocodiles.  It was a little unnerving at first because we had a lovely waterhole near our camp.  Not to worry there are plenty of places you can swim.

After lunch we headed for El Questro Gorge. Had to cross a long and fairly deep water course on the way in. Walked along the gorge as far as the half way pool for a swim.  Even though the gorge is in shade the water was not that cold.  Certainly warmer than we expected.  He gorge is different again.  This one has lots of boulders along its floor so there is quite a lot of rock hopping involved.

El Questro Gorge