12 Hours of our El Questro Stay...

El Questro is a made-up Spanish name for a 1,000,000 acre cattle 'station' in the middle of nowhere. To be specific it is South of Wyndham, West of Kununurra, North of Dunham River and East of Ellenbrae. In other words, again, in the middle of nowhere.

We were up at 5 for a 6 am pickup to the stables for a go at horseback riding in the bush. Fellow traveller Steven from Tasmania was the only other from this location going. We ate our "breakfast bag" on the 30 minute ride to El Questro Station, the area 'headquarters'. The only sign of wildlife that morning was a very large trail left by a python who obviously crossed the dusty track between us and the last vehicle down the road.

We were met by Del, our Aussie female guide for the trip.


Two others from the group joined us at the stables. They were enjoying two days at an 'upgraded' luxury visit to 'The Homestead" facilities. We six were soon tracking through the by now stifling heat and dry, dry bush. Again, the only wildlife we saw was fleeting glimpses of small birds. Del allowed those willing to try, a stretch where we could canter, which is always exciting for those who are familiar with horses. The progressive order is, Walk, Trot, Canter and then, hold on to your hats, Gallop. Anything faster than a walk is very exhilarating. The horses we had were wonderful animals. Even with a good beast I have never really ever been able to master the co-ordination of the ups and downs of fast travel on a horse. I was not sure what to look after on the canter, my camera or my lower anatomy. The result was they both took a bit of a beating.

We were soon enough back at the station, but not before we had a "river crossing" on the horses. That was exciting to all of us except just as we reached the spot to cross, our coach appeared on the road beside us and stopped, much to our dismay. Words cannot describe the feeling as we attempted to be dignified and in control as the horses, as, one by one we moved into the ever-deepening creek.


Some were successful in getting their feet and legs up, others, like me were not. There was lots of encouragement from the coach, particularly when Steven's horse decided to stop mid-stream and attempt to drink the river dry. Good fun.


A bite to eat at the Station. By now it was that magic 40c again, so Fellette and I decided to cool off in the "swimming hole" after I assured here that those middle aged aussies would not be frolicking there if the crocs were there as well. That took our body core temperature down to close to normal.

Next a coach arrived and we wandered up to Zebedee Springs for a short dip in the 30c hot springs in the jungle amid large rocks with small pools were we managed to squeeze various parts of our body in for some relief from the heat.


Next, back to our tents where our intrepid leader Louis said that for those that were up to it, she would take us up on a hike to Emma Gorge for a cool dip. Louis described it a 'a hard walk'. 14 of us attempted it. We did not know what to expect. 45 minutes later we had done the 1.6 k hike and knew what she meant.


It was footing that was the issue, it was like hiking up a stream bed, the rocks varied in size from eggs to Volkswagen in size. It was tough indeed. Soon we were all in the cooling waters and behaving like school kids. The walk back was easier even though we took longer.

The time was now 4.30. Time for a cool drink with some of our group and then we hit the showers. The time was now 5 PM. We only then realized that it was just 12 hours ago that we got up, and all the foregoing had taken place in that short time. Horseback ride, river crossing experience, dip in the swimming hole, Zebedee Springs hike and dip, Emma Gorge hike and dip. Not bad for a couple of old foggies Eh?