Bell Gorge - Best till Last

 

Saving the best for last – Bell Gorge was voted our favourite gorge along the Gibb River Road!

After a couple of deepwater crossings, we drove into Silent Grove (which turned out to be quite empty - bum steer from other travellers), and continued on another 11km to reach the carpark. It was then a few km’s walk along Bell Creek to arrive at the top of the amazing tiered and full flowing waterfall – just stunning! After a few photographs at the top, we clamoured (slowly) across the slippery rocks in the water, to then clamour a bit more down the steep slope to get to the base of the falls. We had met a lady on the way in who had fallen and injured her collarbone – so we were being very careful – as no medical help for hours. The falls were situated at the end of a gorgeous tall, red rock gorge, lined with enormous rock platforms from which to enter the water.

Sippy and I managed to swim out to the falls, challenging with the turbulent current generated from so much water plummeting into the waterhole. We touched at the base and then floated with the current through the waterhole while lying on our backs and marvelling at the red rocks towering above us – magnificent!

We shared a picnic lunch in the shade of one of the overhanging rocks and enjoyed the scenery for several hours – with a few more swims in between. We also cringed at a young man who choose to jump from the top viewing area into the waterhole, with sarong, hat and thongs mind you – rather silly – again, so far from medical help. But each to their own.

We had an amazing day.