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First up today we walked the track into Bell Gorge, which, unlike other gorges we’ve visited, brings you out at the top of the waterfall, with an extension from there to the bottom. We got a good view of the falls from the top, and had a swim in the river ... even the boys went in up to their necks. This photo is of the river above the falls. Also saw a cute little water dragon or lizard having a swim. Another beautiful spot, more open and grander than others, with access to all parts of the gorge ... but Manning Gorge is still our favourite.
Spent the remainder of the day driving to Windjana Gorge, arriving about 4pm. I had a quick walk around just before sunset, and the best word I can find for it is “majestic”. An enormous black limestone reef rises abruptly from the surrounding golden savannah. The vertical black cliffs are dotted with caves and holes, and the top edge of them is stark and craggy, forming a distinctive skyline. Will see more tomorrow with a walk through the gorge itself, but my first impression is that in scale and impact this place rivals Uluru and surpasses everything else we saw in central Australia on our last expedition. A knockout.
A few kilometres back the road goes through a pass with steep cliffs on both sides, and as you approach it there is a sign saying “Queen Victoria’s Head”. At first you think “what the ...”, but then you see the profile of a long and pointy nose, which leads you to the face, and then what looks like a headdress which makes it appear regal. I suppose that whoever named it had a coin in their pocket with a profile of QV on one side, but I doubt that she would have been flattered by the comparison.
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