Tunnel Creek

 Kookaburra and I were all set to do the Gibbs River Road when we went into an information centre and were informed that nearly all the national parks along the road were already closed due to the wet season. Taking this into account we decided not to do it.

Instead we took the highway and went to the Bungle Bungle and Tunnel Creek. Bungle Bungle was pretty amazing but that’s a story for another time.

I was really excited to go to Tunnel Creek from a brief look of a picture I had seen on a pamphlet.

I’d never really been inside a natural cave and was excited as to what it would look like and feel like.

We had just past Fitzroy Crossing with Kookaburra mapping out our route, trying to decide what would the fastest way and easiest when she suddenly said that she didn’t think we’d have enough fuel. So we had to turn around and drive the ten minutes back to Fitzroy Crossing.

Upon getting the fuel we continued on our way this time with Kookaburra driving so I could catch a quick nap.

Taking the turn off that led along a dirt road we had the scenery of cows and crossings of dried up creek beds.

Driving past a tree we both exclaimed that it was a very photogenic tree, debating whether we should turn back or not we decided that if we came back this way we would stop and take pictures.

We soon made it to Tunnel Creek, packing the backpack with the essentials: water bottles, swimmers, underwater camera, phones, and kindles.

Debating whether to wear sneakers or thongs we settled for the thongs knowing that we’d probably have to walk through water.

Setting off along the path we quickly came upon where the cave started. Only problem was we couldn’t figure out where the main entrance was supposed to be. We had to scramble over big smooth bolders that looked and felt like marble and in case you’ve never walked on marble before it’s slippery especially in thongs. 

Making our way very carefully across them we found the entrance.

Sliding down the boulders we stepped foot in the cave, it was heaps cooler then outside and you could hear all these flies buzzing but I couldn't actually see them. 

We cautiously made our way further inside, pausing to turn the light on when it got too dark. Before going very far in, we found a large pool of water, knowing we'd have to cross it and not knowing how deep it was we debated leaving the back pack or just taking out all the electronics. We ended up taking out all the electronics. Kookaburra went first then myself next with the backpack, it started out on my back but as the water rose it ended up on my head.

The water in the end just reached the tips of my shoulders. Making it to the other side successfully Kookaburra went back for our phones and kindles.

Wondering further in we relied solely on our torch's light. We started seeing light around the bend from where there had been a cave in. With the roof having collapsed, it made a perfect home for bats.

We crossed another patch of water, this one being way smaller, not even reaching to our knees.

We spent several minutes watching the bats sleep. They smelt terrible and sounded like squealing pigs.

Continuing on we found stalactites. I spent quite some time trying to capture a drop in mid air, I was pretty successful but my camera quality just wasn't up for the challenge.

Moving on we saw the light at the end of the tunnel. This entrance was way more impressive than the other side.

Walking through it, it let out into a creek with the run off water from the tunnel. 

Kookaburra and I spent a great time playing in the creek, I even washed my very dirty over shirt.

Just as we were getting out we could hear voices. As we went back into the tunnel we decided to do a quick photo shoot with the entrance. 

As we were finishing up the group of people came into view, it was a bigger group then we'd expected and judging from the height of the youngest he would have had to swim in that first pool.

They came and went so fast that Kookaburra and I were left far behind them.

Making our way back through we stopped here and there to play with our camera settings. 

Coming back to the first body of water I went first this time. I must have picked a slightly different path though because the water came up to my chin and I was seriously considering swimming the rest of the way. I eventually made it safely across though without getting the backpack wet. 

Stepping outside was like stepping into an oven, I didn't realise how cold it actually was in there.

I'm really happy that we were able to have that experience and I'm sure that I'll remember it fondly for the rest of my life. 

Oh and we did end up going the same way back so we got to have a photo shoot with the tree.