Mimbi Caves, Tunnel Creek & Windjana Gorge (By Miss E & Miss A)

We went on a fantastic tour with Anthea from the Bunuba Aboriginals at Mimbi Caves, Mueller Ranges. Before entering the caves she welcomed us to country with a smoking ceremony. Before we entered the caves we had to take a small rock and wipe under our arms then throw it in the pool of water so the Rainbow Serpent would know us by our sweat. The pool of the Rainbow Serpent continued through the first cave. This is where the Bunuba ancestors used to hide from the white people – even during the stolen generation era. Some of the tunnels were very tight – you had to squeeze through them. It was also very cold. You eventually came out into a rocky chamber where the spring came out of the rock.

Anthea taught us about bush tucker. We ate bush fig which is like a small fig except you eat it with insects inside to make it sweeter! She taught us about yams. She also taught us about different trees and their uses.

We saw some rock art in the second cave of cloudman and min min. In the second cave we saw a second spring that was longer than the first. Miss T and Mum also spied some ghost bats. We had damper and billy tea for morning tea that Anthea’s sister made.

We also saw a humpy that 2 German squatters made and tried to hide from Anthea’s tribe.

The females of our family got to visit a birthing cave but we can’t tell you about this as it’s secret women’s business. It hasn't been in use since the 1930’s due to a massacre that took place outside the cave. It has bad memories associated with it now.

Geike Gorge, Tunnel Creek & Windjana Gorge

We did the National Park boat trip up Geike Gorge. It is part of the Devonian Reef. We don’t have much more to say cos we are gorged out!

At Windjana Gorge we got up nice & close to the freshwater crocodiles! There were heaps of them – Miss A counted about 83 within a 250m length of the gorge! We also found some more bush fig here to share with other tourists ;)

Tunnel creek is the resting place of a famous Bunuba Aborigine who led an armed resistance against the white pioneers in the Napier Ranges. It was very dark in the Cave and there was lots of places we ahd to wade across water. Miss T got a bit scared. It is 750m long – half way through we went into an adjoining cave that looks like it is held up by columns. There were some amazing stalagtites in the tunnel. We saw a freshie (crocodile) hibernating in a little side cave. We were surprised as it was so cold in the tunnel. At the end of the caves were some more rock art.

After tunnel creek we headed back to Fitzroy crossing but very nearly ran out of fuel!