Prior to our trip I knew nothing about Halls Creek beyond the name. This was to be our destination for this day. I will quote from the Shires website.
"Situated in the heart of the Kimberley, Halls Creek is the gateway to a range of world renowned natural attractions, including the World Heritage listed Bungle Bungle ranges of Purnululu National Park. It is one of Australia’s iconic outback regions with a unique cultural and heritage environment. Predominantly Aboriginal populations live in a number of remote communities around the district and the town site of Halls Creek.
Covering some 142,908 square kilometres of predominantly desert and pastoral country, Halls Creek has something for everyone, from wide open spaces and magnificent natural attractions, to rich Aboriginal and European history and culture."
The day started bright but cold and with breakfast out of the way we climbed aboard the coach and headed off to "Old Halls Creek". On the way we learned that Halls Creek had once been a mining site in the goldrush days. It fell into ruin after the gold ran out and the new town was built during the second world war as a hub and to provide support to the airfields attacking the Japanese forces. Some of these airfields still exist and play a major role in our defence capabilities and ocean border surveillance.
When we arrived at Old Halls Creek I wondered what we were here for. There was a large shed with walls of wire mesh, and in the distance on a hill the Cemetery and the remains of the hospital from the gold rush days. A few bits of rusted out vehicles and a small creek some 60 meters from the road and no path. It turned out that the shed housed what was left by the termites of the old post office; the shed is to protect what's left from the tropical "Wet". With my experience of the grasses in the Bungles I carefully walked down to the stream for a picture and found quite a pleasant view. I didn't explore too much, having a "Poms" fear/respect for snakes in the north or anywhere else for that matter.
Our next stop was to Caroline Springs, which turned out to be a delightful spot on a dry riverbed full of huge old trees and home to some very pleasant water holes with sandy banks. Many of our companions decided to take the plunge and I'm told it was very refreshing. Also present were a group of young Aboriginal boys and girls, a group supervised or just accompanied by a young lady who turned out to be from the WA dept of education. I was about to ask the youngsters if I could take their picture when they yelled out "Take our pictures, take our pictures" they were sitting on a 4wd in the creek bed and the group were there for a BBQ. Of course I did as asked, and got the teacher's email address so as to send them the pics after we got home. Which I have since done. Sadly I haven't had any acknowledgement but that wasn't the point.
After the wet folk had dried off we headed to the "Walls of China" a seam of white quartz that runs all the way from this district to near Darwin. Its impressive when you consider the scale but I doubt the Chinese would rate it. After the obligatory pic's we went back to Caroline Springs for lunch. The BBQers had left and the sun moved around causing some interesting shadows from one tree in particular. I think this will make a picture with some photoshop action. I show it here, as shot, 'cos I like it.
Lunch over, we headed for town. That's the new Halls Creek. It's a bright cheerful looking small town. Government buildings, information centre. Shops mostly brightly painted but with a fortified sort of look to them? Is this, has this been a troubled community? I spoke to one or two young people, they were polite and friendly. I do hope they have a good future because they are certainly in an area with huge potential. One last arty picture for your viewing pleasure. That finishes todays reminiscing.