We left Bell Gorge Wilderness Lodge by 8am heading off on our last leg back
to Broome.
Aside from some photo stops there was little of interest along the way until just outside Derby when we stopped at the Mowanjum Aboriginal Arts community. This centre is open by appointment only and houses a wonderful collection of artwork primarily depicting the Wandjina, the sacred spirit of the area depicted many times on the rock art we have seen. There were many paintings by the artist who created the huge Wandjina at the Sydney Olympics, Donny Woolagoodja. Some absolutely beautiful pieces. Unfortunately there were no photographs allowed, understandably.
After lunch here, we called into Derby for a quick tour of the town. Later we had a short stop at the prison boab tree. Although there is a hole in the huge trunk of the tree, the prisoners were never put inside. They were each chained to one another and were circled around the tree and linked up. Not much chance of escape!
We arrived back in Broome with time to relax before our final dinner together.
On the last leg, George summarised all we had covered on the trip in terms of his commentary. He reminded us about Home Valley Station, one of my favourite spots, being the largest cattle station in WA and the 5th largest in Australia. It is owned and operated by the Indigenous Land Corporation which also owns and operates Uluru.
In all we had covered around 3262 kilometres on this trip of a lifetime.
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| Two of the young people who live and work in the remote lodges |
Aside from some photo stops there was little of interest along the way until just outside Derby when we stopped at the Mowanjum Aboriginal Arts community. This centre is open by appointment only and houses a wonderful collection of artwork primarily depicting the Wandjina, the sacred spirit of the area depicted many times on the rock art we have seen. There were many paintings by the artist who created the huge Wandjina at the Sydney Olympics, Donny Woolagoodja. Some absolutely beautiful pieces. Unfortunately there were no photographs allowed, understandably.
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| A pair of brolgas were grazing on the side of the road |
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| The appropriately named Queen Victoria rock! |
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| Everyone taking one last shot! |
After lunch here, we called into Derby for a quick tour of the town. Later we had a short stop at the prison boab tree. Although there is a hole in the huge trunk of the tree, the prisoners were never put inside. They were each chained to one another and were circled around the tree and linked up. Not much chance of escape!
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| The wharf at Derby |
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| The local school has the right idea about the environment |
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| A beautiful tiled community rotunda |
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| The prison boab |
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| Boab flower |
We arrived back in Broome with time to relax before our final dinner together.
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| The lush gardens were still as inviting |
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| This time a joey in pocket |
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| Last drinks |
On the last leg, George summarised all we had covered on the trip in terms of his commentary. He reminded us about Home Valley Station, one of my favourite spots, being the largest cattle station in WA and the 5th largest in Australia. It is owned and operated by the Indigenous Land Corporation which also owns and operates Uluru.
In all we had covered around 3262 kilometres on this trip of a lifetime.
