A day in and around El Questro. In the morning the beautiful El Questro Gorge. Very weary after that so home for lunch and rest. Lookout at Pigeon Hole after lunch (read the drama below) and walk Amalia Gorge late afternoon. A late dip in the waterhole adjacent to our cabin and finished with a most sumptuous meal that evening. Just another wonderful day in such a wonderful region.

El Questro Gorge. So beautiful. We walked halfway, where a large boulder separates the class 4 from the class 5 walkers. See boulder in next image. The gorge narrows as it transitions lots of rocks and stream, palm trees and ferns. A swim at the boulder and then we returned. Might I add we also had to walk an extra 3km return as our 4WD without a snorkel meant we had to park short of the car park and walk across the first deep river crossing (maybe up to 80cm deep).

Pigeon Lookout and the mighty Pentecost River. And next image of the same but to the left or further south west. Getting to this Lookout was an emotional ordeal. First we encountered what we first thought was an impassable stream, at least for our relatively lower clearance 4WD. You come all this way and get stymied. Anyway, we got through no problem, then, the 4WD track and ascent for the last 400m or so. There is no way we are going up there, or words to that effect from my TP. To be fair, I did have my doubts too. A goat track, steep, narrow, daunting to the uninitiated. What do you do? Be foolish and hope for the best, or do your research? Fortuitously, another vehicle descended this track quite soon, and as is usual in these parts, the opportunity to question the driver. You’ll be right in that vehicle he said, just low ratio and first gear on the way down. No worries. And off we set. And he was right. Just do not stop half way up, and very slowly on the way back. Job done. Heart rate restored to normal. A good risk reward example, with risk mitigated and reward accentuated. Wow! An iconic view.

The return from Pigeon Hole Lookout. Exit point on the left else it looked impossible, from our perspective looking in as we arrived earlier. Glad there were some marker stones to guide us. And we did get out to check, as no salties here thankfully.

It’s easier to cross on the water rather than across these adjacent dry rocks. But this gives you an idea of what you are driving on for many of the creek crossings.

Amalia Gorge and two rock pools for swimming. Again more rock hopping but given more sandstone, more flat rock and pebbles, rather than some of the granite and dark stone on other walks. Still plenty of challenging spots though.

A short swim in this pool. Cold and refreshing as usual. Getting in involved an uncontrolled gentle slide down the slimy rocks so I did wonder whether exiting could be a problem. Forgot to pack that tow rope in the back pack. Thankfully there was another exit point and all was well.

The adjacent pool. Take your pick. Notice up high a rock about 4m up to the right. A very narrow passing spot was a bit of a challenge although always harder because of the consequences of falling. Warnings in advance about this spot but unless you pass, no swim. Bum shuffling got the job done for my TP and I followed suit on the way out, rather than the higher risk manoeuvre (read awkward method used) undertaken on the way in.

These final three images of Amalia Gorge give you an indication of all the rock hopping required on almost all of our recent Gorge walks, thus causing them to be rated at the second highest level of difficulty at 4. Not so hard but you do require a combination of reasonable fitness and muscle tone, good balance and constant concentration. Or stop and rest. Or do your research, as people do, often asking along the way, or over dinner the previous evening.