Cape Leveque - Part 2 - Kimberley, Western Australia

 Hi everyone. Welcome back. It is WA Day today in Western Australia. A day where we celebrate our amazing state, culture and communities. Today I am sharing more images of our north west.

A couple of weeks ago I blogged about our trip in 2021 to Cape Leveque at the top of the Kimberley region of Western Australia. If you missed it - go here: Cape Leveque, Western Australia

Settled here over 50,000 years ago, and known as Kooljaman by the local indigenous Bardi people, Cape Leveque is located 208 kilometres from Broome, at the tip of the Dampier Peninsula. It is a land of contrasts where red pindan earth meets clear turquoise water, blue sky, unspoiled white beaches and native woodlands. And spectactular sunrises and sunsets over the ocean. 

Last time I took you to Cygnet Bay and Gumbanan Wilderness Retreat at the top of the Cape. This week we turn back south and our next destination. 

In 2021 when we visited some of the campsites were closed due to Covid, and since then Kooljaman wilderness camp located at the tip of Cape Leveque is temporarily closed to upgrade their facilities. Refer to their website to find out more. 

On the way south you can visit Beagle Bay. Statewide restrictions on entry to indigenous remote communities over the last couple of years, to limit the spread of Covid, will be lifted on 15 June 2022, so visitors will again be able to enter Beagle Bay.

Located 170 kilometres north of Broome, Beagle Bay is the traditional home of the Nyul Nyul people, who call the area Ngarlun Burr, Place Surrounded by Springs.

Central to the Beagle Bay community is the heritage listed Sacred Heart Church. Its mother-of-pearl shell alter is the main feature of this church, which is beautifully decorated inside with pearl, cowrie, volute and olive snail shells. The church is an amazing fusion of traditional aboriginal and Christian symbols, local materials and European techniques. It is a must visit. Please leave a donation to help maintain the church.

The church began construction in 1917, under the guidance of Father Thomas Bachmair, a German Pallottine Missionary. The inside was decorated by local women. An absolutely beautiful work of art and a must see on the Cape. You can see some of the beautiful shell work decoration in this image. 

I have blogged about the Sacred Heart Church at Beagle Bay before here: Sacred Heart Church, Beagle Bay

15 kilometres south of Beagle Bay is Banana Well Getaway - our next stop. 

Banana Well is located 140 kilometres north of Broome via a gravel road and then a sand track. Formerly a banana plantation, the grassy shady camping sites were a welcome relief from the dirt further north.  

There are plenty of powered (you will require a 10amp plug) and unpowered sites. There are also cabins, an enclosed camp kitchen, hot showers and a washing machine which, after a couple of weeks away, we were very happy to put to good use.  That's our caravan on the left in the pic below. 

Please take note of the crocodile warnings and don't swim! 

The well produces 100% pure spring water. The artesian spring is part of a huge underground reservoir of fresh water which is the second largest in Australia. A wander around the park brought us to a beautiful lily pond where we saw numerous birds.

A ten minute drive through the bush and marsh lands brings you to a tidal creek where you can fish off the beach, but I suggest you check the tide charts at the camp for the best times, and seek local knowledge, as it makes a great difference to your fishing. We caught a few feeds of javelin grunter fish. Not big, but great for a meal. This is mangrove country so make sure you cover up and use sand fly and mosquito repellent.  And remember there are salt water crocodiles - so no swimming! 

There are several tracks you can explore towards the coast, but please check for directions from the camp hosts and lower your tyre pressures. We actually got ourselves a bit bush-wacked one day because we didn't get proper directions, but managed to find our way back to camp using our gps Hema map - we believe a must have in remote country as it tracks your route and exact location.  

Below here you can see one of my favourite Kimberley wildflowers - Batchelor Buttons - Gomphrena canescens. 

And below is Pandanas - a genus of monocots with some 750 accepted species. This is Pandanus spiralis - commonly known as screw palm due to they way the trunk screws around as it grows and the old leaves fall off. A tropical plant native to northern Australia, the leaves are an important source of fibre for making hats, mats and bags.

OTHER CAMPS AND TOURS

Pender Bay, Middle Lagoon and James Price Point are popular campgrounds with stunning vistas over the ocean. 4WD needed to access via gravel and sand tracks.

Various tours are also available at Lombadina and the One Arm Point Ardyloon Trochus Hatchery and Aquaculture Centre, but were temporarily closed during our visit due to Covid restrictions.

Tours are also available from the The Djarindjin Roadhouse on the Cape Leveque Road. 

Refer to individual websites or the Broome Visitor Centre for camp ground and tour information, including the Lalang-garram Horizontal Falls Marine Park. 

FACTS BOX:

Where is it: Cape Leveque to 208 kilometres north of Broome on the Dampier Peninsula.  Please refer to individual websites or the Broome Visitor Centre before travelling.

Best time to visit: The southern winter is the perfect time to visit the Kimberley. Booking ahead is recommended May to September, especially if you require power. High temperatures and cyclones can occur in summer during ‘the wet’.

4WD is highly recommended. Lower your tyre pressures on the off-bitumen tracks. Conditions vary, drive to the conditions, roads could be boggy after rain.

I know it looks so inviting on a hot day - the water is so blue and clear - but swimming in the ocean not recommended due to salt water crocodiles (these are the huge mean ones) Refer to local knowledge for possible swimming spots. Sandfly and mosquito repellent recommended. Take usual precautions when bush walking.

Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you and yours are well. 

I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week. Next time I hope to bring you more of my amazing diverse Western Australia. 

I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!
   
MosaicMonday at Letting Go of the Bay Leaf

Sharon's Sovenirs 
Our World Tuesday
Pictorial Tuesday 
ThroughMy Lens 
Image-in-ing
My corner of the world through my camera 
Wednesday Around the World at Communal Global hosted by Randomosity. 
       and Little bird - Pienilintu
Thankful Thursday 
Welcome to Nature Thursday

Skywatch Friday

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