Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek

We were woken at midnight to the pitter patter of rain on the tent. By the time Evan got outside to zip it all up it was very heavy and for the next hour or so we lay in bed as the heavens opened over our heads and the lightning and thunder rolled across the sky. Thankfully there were no nearby strikes. L and R slept through it all.
Our camper trailer held up well and there was only a small wet patch in the corner.
We were told in the morning we'd had 42mm and to stay put for a few hours before the roads could be checked.
The plan was to walk along Windjana Gorge (said winge-ana) in the cool of the morning. Unfortunately it stopped being cool at 5am so we set off with the other families just after 8 in the muggy heat. After the rain last night, the water in the gorge was running brown which made it difficult for spotting fresh water crocs but we did manage to see a few. This is a limestone gorge made of a Devonian reef, about 600 million years old. Some fossils of shells can be seen at the base of the towering cliffs. It is really beautiful at the bend in the river, boab trees growing in the vegetated parts of the limestone cliffs and the flowing river below, but very different to the Pilbara and Karijini NP.
By the time we'd got back to camp it was hot. We had a quick lunch and the got in the air conditioned comfort of the cars to drive to Tunnel creek, 36km down the dirt road. There were quite a few patches of mud and I was glad to be traveling in convoy. Evan enjoyed the 4wd. Luckily no one got bogged.
Tunnel Creek, like at Stockyard Gully, is a river that flows through the limestone mountain range. This one has pools of water in it so you get a bit wet but it's only knee deep. There were a couple of other tour groups of people and all our kids were noisy so it wasn't quite the same experience as Stockyard Gully but we all enjoyed the walk in the cool cave and the limestone cave was very beautiful with high ceilings in areas with stalagmites and bats. There was a small patch of aboriginal rock art high up near the entrance.
The drive back was a bit easier as the hot afternoon has dried up the muddy road quite a lot.
Luckily there were no more storms nearby.