Today started slowly as our bodies reminded us of the exercise we subjected them to yesterday. Getting up out of our chairs seemed to be the time that we were most reminded. With all the ground we had covered yesterday, there was still one side-track we wanted to check out; it was about 4 kms into Carnarvon Gorge. We estimated that somewhere between 2 and 3 hours would be sufficient to allow for the walk in, a stop to look around, take some photos and have a snack, before the walk out. With that in the back of our minds, we weren’t in much of a hurry to get back to the gorge and start the walk.
The morning was spent doing domestic chores. Wendy did some washing while Chris recharged various appliances in readiness for a few nights of bush camping on the coast. Around 11am we set off for the National Park and retraced our steps of the previous days back up Canarvon Gorge. It was as though we could walk the track blindfolded and at times we stumbled, suggesting we possibly were!
After a number of (now familiar) river crossings we came to the side-track that took us up a few flights of stairs, then a few more stairs, across a creek and up another flight of stairs; eventually delivering us to a boardwalk that served as the observation deck for the small waterfall and surrounding moss, fern and liverwort garden. The walls of the canyon were literally raining down onto the ferns and mosses. This had something to do with porous sandstone on top allowing seepage to move through until it hit a layer of shale which forces the seepage to flow horizontally until it drips down the exposed cliff face. With little sunlight making it to the canyon floor and the place permanently cool and damp, the ferns and mosses were in seventh heaven!
Descending the stairs back to the main track was less of a challenge than climbing them, helped by the knowledge this would be the last time we would walk this way until next time we visit. The creek crossings came and went with a clean slate in terms of making it successfully to the other side and we were eventually back at the visitor centre (and partially domesticated wallabies grazing in the picnic area, that barely lift their heads as you pass them by).
We have returned to camp, retrieved the (now dry) washing, packed away the recharged appliances and started to turn our thoughts to camping on the beach in Eurimbula National Park, just north west of the town of 1770. We plan to take a short detour via Gladstone to stock up our diminishing supplies. It will be our first big town for some time – hopefully it’s not too much of a shock for us.