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We have recently returned from the Pilbara where we visited the Ruddall River National Park. Its the second largest national park in the country (I think?) and is pretty remote with minimal facilities.
Without doubt the highlight of the whole trip was visiting Desert Queens Bath on the outskirts of the park.
Heading north through the middle of the park you come to a little hand written sign about 15cm x 15cm which points you in the right direction. If you were going too fast you'd probably drive straight past.
Its an 18km drive in and it took us around 50 minutes so its slow going. It was late in the day after a long haul, and to be honest I was starting to think it had better be worth it.
Five minutes after arrival we realised we'd need to extend our stay as it was truly an oasis and a feast for the eyes.
A short walk from camp saw you heading into a gorge where the "baths" were located. Lots of cajuputs growing along the banks with rock figs in the cliff face.
The water was without doubt the coldest I have ever swum in as most of it never sees the sun. Is it possible for water to be below zero without turning to ice? :lol:
At the end of the gorge is some aboriginal rock art around a small cave where unfortunately or fortunately (whichever way you look at it) we found a feral cats skull.
The place is frequented by heaps of budgies, Painted Finches and Peaceful Doves and at night lots of tiny frogs around the water. The kids loved it.
A couple of kilometres across the open plain is some breakaway with some more small caves, I drove the vehicle right up as far as you could go (which was nasty when reversing back down) and then we climbed to the top of the breakaway where you could look for miles in every direction.
It is without doubt one of the most picturesque places I have ever visited in 30 years of travelling Australia and I'd go back there tomorrow if I could.
Without doubt the highlight of the whole trip was visiting Desert Queens Bath on the outskirts of the park.
Heading north through the middle of the park you come to a little hand written sign about 15cm x 15cm which points you in the right direction. If you were going too fast you'd probably drive straight past.
Its an 18km drive in and it took us around 50 minutes so its slow going. It was late in the day after a long haul, and to be honest I was starting to think it had better be worth it.
Five minutes after arrival we realised we'd need to extend our stay as it was truly an oasis and a feast for the eyes.
A short walk from camp saw you heading into a gorge where the "baths" were located. Lots of cajuputs growing along the banks with rock figs in the cliff face.
The water was without doubt the coldest I have ever swum in as most of it never sees the sun. Is it possible for water to be below zero without turning to ice? :lol:
At the end of the gorge is some aboriginal rock art around a small cave where unfortunately or fortunately (whichever way you look at it) we found a feral cats skull.
The place is frequented by heaps of budgies, Painted Finches and Peaceful Doves and at night lots of tiny frogs around the water. The kids loved it.
A couple of kilometres across the open plain is some breakaway with some more small caves, I drove the vehicle right up as far as you could go (which was nasty when reversing back down) and then we climbed to the top of the breakaway where you could look for miles in every direction.
It is without doubt one of the most picturesque places I have ever visited in 30 years of travelling Australia and I'd go back there tomorrow if I could.
Snaga
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