We say bye to our French neighbors and leave Charnley River Station and travel for a short distance to refuel at Mt Barnett then into Manning Gorge. We have been here before and even though we have heard the water flow has already started to drop its still a fantastic swimming hole.

As soon as we arrive at our new camp we pack a bag with food and head off on the 45 minute trek to the Gorge. The walk is hot as it cuts across a rocky ridge covered in savannah woodland so shade is scant and the rocks radiate a lot of heat. Carrying water is a must. At the start of the walk you have a choice to swim the river with a eskie box for your cloths or pull yourself across on a tinnie, which has a rope and pulley system. We opt to swim as it cools you down at least for some of the way. The tinnie is a vast improvement on last years model that one had a hole in it.

When we reach the Gorge the swim awaiting makes it all worthwhile. During one of our swims I thought for split second thought a freshwater crocodile decided to pay me a visit but it was a young water dragon hitching a ride on my back. We parted company as I picked up speed heading for the rocks.