Ian
priscilla 1Fitzroy Crossing & Geikie Gorge
July 11th 2008 12:14
Fitzroy Crossing and Geikie Gorge
(through one traveller’s eyes)
(through one traveller’s eyes)
Fitzroy Crossing is a popular town for tourists to stay a day or two and use as a base for tours to interesting attractions nearby (nearby as in North West language). Fitzroy Crossing also has an interesting history of its own, as a tour around the town will reveal.
Fitzroy Crossing has a population of about 1500 (about 3500 in the district). Cattle, mining, tourism and Aboriginal enterprises are the major industries in the area and the town boasts a new Power Station, Hospital and School.
In the late 1880’s pastoralists were attracted to this area because the Fitzroy Valley contains some of the best cattle country in the Kimberley region.
The Fitzroy River is one of the biggest rivers in Australia, having a catchment area of 90,000 square kilometres. During the wet this mighty river swells to become the second fastest flowing river in the world. Sections of this river have water in them all year round. Geikie Gorge is one such beautiful place, which is visited by nearly every person who passes this way.
The Old Crossing Fitzroy River.
Fitzroy River Bridge in the dry.
I was particularly interested to see the old crossing at the Fitzroy River because over the years I had often heard of it flooding and being impassable for weeks at a time. This site was chosen for the crossing because it was the narrowest, flattest and easiest place to cross the river with the cattle. When the new bridge was built the town of Fitzroy Crossing spread to be near the new highway. The old Police House and Post Office still stand in the old town site.
Police House, Old Fitzroy Crossing.
Post Office, Old Fitzroy Crossing.
While at Fitzroy Crossing we had a very happy stay at Fitzroy River Lodge. This Lodge offers all types of accommodation - motel style units, caravan park sites, safari lodges, tent sites and a campers’ kitchen.
From Fitzroy Crossing we journeyed 18kms to Geikie Gorge, in the Geikie Gorge National Park, to join a one hour boat cruise run by CALM (Conservation and Land Management). Geikie Gorge has been created by the Fitzroy River eroding a path through the Geikie Range. As we marvelled at the height and beauty of the Gorge a Ranger presented an interesting and educational commentary about the Gorge and its flora and fauna.
Geikie Gorge.
Geikie Gorge.
Geikie Gorge.
A Freshwater Crocodile, Geikie Gorge.
As we slowly cruised along Geikie Gorge we saw some freshwater crocodiles. Crocodiles lay their eggs at selected spots at Geikie Gorge. The ranger explained to us that if the eggs are kept at 32 degrees C the baby crocodiles will be male, otherwise they will be female. If the temperature varies too much either way no crocodiles will hatch. We were also informed that only 10% of crocodile eggs survive and only 10% of little crocodiles survive. They are eaten by other crocodiles, barramundi and birds of prey.
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