El Questro

6 Oct Emma Gorge
The first point of call on the GRR is Emma Gorge. This is a part of El Questro Station and they charge what some people consider an outrageous fee to visit the features on the station. We duly paid up and took a picnic lunch with us on the hike up to Emma Gorge. This is the maybe the El questro Gorge with the biggest wow factor. A lovely big pool under a waterfall which was barely more than rain when we were there. Still it was a beautiful place to swim. Bro caught a small Mertens Water Monitor - he was surprised at how easy it was to catch.

From Emma Gorge

Then we drove over to El Questro ''village'' and took a private campsite along the river. That night we went hunting for crocodiles. You can see their eyes shining red in the night. We managed to surprise a small freshwater crocodile in a shallow gravelly section. It went running helter skelter down past Broughton who was equally surprised. We managed to catch a few freshwater shrimp to put out as live bait for Barra, but didn't hook anything and ended up eating them for breakfast – delicious.

7 Oct El Questro Gorge
We chose El Questro Gorge for our next hike at EQ station. It was a good choice. Much smaller gorge and hardly anyone climbs past the halfway pool and continues to the small clear swimming hole at the top.

From El Questro

It was also a good way to keep out of the sun. The swimming hole back at El Questro village that afternoon seemed so dirty after the pristine gorge water.

8 Oct Zebedee Springs
On our way out we visited Zebedee Hot Springs. It was still cool enough to enjoy the 32 degree water and not crowded now that it's off season.

From El Questro

The springs were full of tadpoles trying to eat your skin or so it seemed. It ticked more than hurt.