Drysdale2
EXPERIENCES / KIMBERLEY
Drysdale River National Park No. 2
Overview
- The largest and least accessible park in the Kimberley.
- The best way in is by using an amphibious aircraft.
- Because of a change in the landing spot, we will need to carry food for the full two weeks.
- Includes an exploration of an area we visited in 2022, the first time we'd been there in 30 years.
The area through which we will be walking contains one of the highest concentrations of Aboriginal rock art in the Kimberley. The fishing is excellent. Beautiful waterfalls and inviting pools next to every campsite. There will be a number of day walks where we don't need to carry full packs. What more could you ask?
Click here to see a 2½ minute video showing the float plane flights we use on our Youtube channel.
Click here to see a 3½ minute video showing the first five days of the walk.
Click here to see a 4 minute video showing days 6-9 of the walk.
Click here to see a 2½ minute video showing days 9 & 10 of the walk.
Click here to see a 4½ minute video showing the last 3½ days of the walk.
KIMBERLEY
June 30 - July 14 2024
2022 -- a long time dream came true.
We found an amazing Aboriginal stone arrangement on a trip in 1992. Last year, we finally found it again.
The trip begins when we board our aircraft in Kununurra and land on the Drysdale River about two day's walk above Solea Falls. We stash the meal for our last night and follow the river downstream for a relatively short distance and set up camp, ready for an early start the next morning.
Next morning, head cross country toward Johnson Creek, one of the Drysdale's largest tributaries. Camp will be at one of the creeks we pass along the way.
Once on Johnson Creek, we move upstream. The hills close in and the pools get larger.
The going becomes a bit scrubby and progress becomes slow, but we are rewarded at Cracticus Falls where we find a large pool and a five star camp site on the flat rock ledges above the falls, a beautiful place for relaxing and fishing. It normally takes two to two and a half days to get to Cracticus from where we leave the Drysdale.
This is our first two night camp. From Caracticus, we do a day walk up the creek through some interesting gorges.
Next day, we follow Johnson Creek a short distance downstream before turning roughly north, aiming for another large tributary of the Drysdale.
It will probably take us two days to get to this creek. The 2022 expedition showed us where to find water, so camping along the way is no problem.
Once we hit the creek, we head downstream to a nice pool and campsite.
In 1992 (pre-GPS), two of our guides were exploring part of this creek and came across an an Aboriginal stone arrangement. In spite of several visits to this creek over the years, we only found it again in 2022. Well worth the effort.
We follow the creek down to the Drysdale and set up a two night camp so we can have a leisurely exploration of this part of the Drysdale the following day.
rom the junction, we follow the Drysdale north to Solea Falls, repeating the most spectacular part of Drysdale 1, but on the opposite side of the river. Solea will be our most spectacular campsite.
We continue upstream to near the junction of the Drysdale and Planigale Creek, another two night camp. If we're running ahead of schedule, we might even spend three nights here.
There are a number of excellent Aboriginal rock art sites on or near Planigale. Since our last trip, we've been given information about others we've yet to visit.
From Planigale, it is less than a day's walk back to where we began. We retrieve our food drop and enjoy a final night in the bush before flying back to Kununurra the next morning.
Note.
Those who enjoy fishing should consider bringing a collapsible rod or hand line. There are barramundi below Solea Falls and a variety of other fish on the rest of the walk.
Details
DATES
June 30 - July 14
PRICE
Full price: A$7295
Special offer. If we have the bookings to run two consecutive Drysdale trips 4 months prior to departure, we'll take $500 off the list price.
Special offer. If we have the bookings to run two consecutive Drysdale trips 4 months prior to departure, we'll take $500 off the list price.
Or do both Drysdale trips, only $10,995 for the full 29 days.
*other discounts available
GROUP SIZE
4 - 12 guests
CAMP SITES
Mix of sand and rock ledges. The one at the top of Solea Falls offers spectacular views. You are unlikely to see anyone else anywhere along the route.
ART
We visit a large variety of art sites
SWIMMING
Excellent. Except for a few places below Solea Falls, there are no large crocs to discourage us from long swims.
WILDLIFE
Birds are always present. You are unlikely to see many large animals but, for those who look, there are a variety of small ones.
CLIMATE
Average daytime max 30-31ºC (86-88ºF), average nighttime min 12-15ºC (62-68ºF) – averages hide the extremes, it can get close to freezing. Generally low humidity. Rain very unlikely but possible.
COOKING
Firewood is abundant so we will have campfires every night. No need to carry stoves and gas canisters.
WALK RATING - MODERATE+
Terrain
The start of the walk is relatively flat and easy but there are some longish stretches of soft sand. As we continue toward Solea Falls, the terrain becomes more difficult with lots of rock hopping and some scrambling over large boulders. Above the falls, the terrain gets easier once more.
This trip includes an exploratory section we haven't done before. We don't expect it to be much different to the rest but we can't be sure until we're there.
Vegetation
Most of the vegetation should be fairly open but it is likely that there will be some thick scrub to push through. It is not likely that there will be much. Scrub conditions vary dramatically from year to year so we can't say how much you will encounter.
Distance
Generally 4-6 hours. On some days, you need carry your pack for only a couple of hours after which you can rest or explore without packs.
Pack Weight
You need to carry food for 14 days.
Itinerary
*This itinerary is subject to change
2019 All rights Reserved