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Notes: Bell Gorge is a delightful place to walk and swim and well worth the visit.  We stayed at the nearby National Parks campground at Silent Grove, some 10km from the gorge itself.  The campground is a great place to stay.  The road in is a bit bumpy but fine for any 4wd in the dry season.  We arrived and were met by the on duty ranger who suggested a camping area for us.  We selected a site in a nice treed area.  We then went for a walk around the campground taking a few photos of things of interest. While relaxing outside our caravan having a refreshing drink, I noticed the driver's side shock-absorber was hanging down.  It had lost the bottom bolt!  I had spare shocks but no bolts, what a slip up that was.  Fortunately the Ranger came around to see everyone was settled in and when he got to us we asked if he knew anyone who might have a spare bolt.  He replied he had lots of bolts for these occasions and I should see him in the morning after everyone had left for the day.  This we did and after selecting a few possible bolts from his huge range we went back to the caravan where he easily fixed the shock absorber in position again.  At this stage we headed off to Bell Gorge for a swim.  Along the way we saw a number of trees with epiphytes growing on them, unfortunately it was not flowering season but they did lift our spirits. From the carpark which was quite full when we arrived there is a short but rough walk to the top of the gorge.  Here you cross the creek and head upwards till you get to the rather steep track down the cliff face to the gorge floor.  You retrace your steps to get back out again.  The weather was hot on the water temperature was fine for swimming.  After a while we started back, exploring the area a bit more than when we came in.  We relaxed around the camp until we left the next day. An interesting walk and swimming hole.

Map:

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This Rainbow Bee Eater posed for us at Silent Grove campground	Amazingly it perched on the branch for quite a while	Amazing colour
It moved on and so did we	A pigeon	Checking out the termite mound
Termites rushing around	A great find on the way to the Gorge	A Cymbidium canaliculatum, the Channelled Boat-lip Orchid
Not in flower but doing very nicely	Lots of seed pods for the next generation	Back on the road, still bumpy
Information sign at Bell Gorge carpark	Information sign	Information sign at the start of the walk
Start of the walk	Rocky ground	Rocky ground
We reach the creek	Creek view	Along the path
Cliff face	Along the path	The gorge comes into view
On the right track still	Top of the falls	Top of the falls
Top of the falls	Top of the falls	Top of the falls
Crossing the creek	Top of the falls	Top of the falls
Looking back - View	Heading up the track	Looking back - View
Looking back - View	Looking back - View	Looking back - View
Forward, along the track	Looking back - View	Looking down to the swimming hole
Looking down to the swimming hole	Looking down to the swimming hole	Looking down to the swimming hole
Halfway down - view	Halfway down - view	At the swimming hole,  looking at the falls
Pool level - view	Pool level - view	Pool level - view
Pool level - view	Pool level - view	Pool level - view
Heading back out after a swim	Heading back out - view	Heading back out, downstream view
Heading back out - view	Heading back out - view	Careful now
At the top again	At the top again	At the top again - heading to the falls area
Top of the falls	Top of the falls	Getting the best shot
Top of the falls	Top of the falls	Top of the falls
Top of the falls	Top of the falls	Top of the falls
Top of the falls	Top of the falls	Top of the falls
Top of the falls	Top of the falls	Top of the falls
Top of the falls	Top of the falls	Top of the falls
Top of the falls	Top of the falls	Top of the falls