Bush Ranger Cadets Weeding at Millstream
On the 4 th of July 2018 our Millstream experience began.
We started by meeting at school and getting everything organised for departure, 18 Students and 5 coordinators all working together eager and curious towards the adventure yet to come.
Organisation of food, equipment and vehicles was all underway when we took off early the next day.
Travelling along the Great Northern Highway we saw the red and rusty parts of WA's inland regions.
It took two days journey to reach the Karijini National Park, camping along the way under the glorious Million Star Hotel, passing the mines in Mount Magnet, through Meekatharra, over the Gascoyne river, through the town of Newman and finally reaching Karijini Drive.
Once there we drove to Dales Gorge containing the famous Fortescue Falls and Fern Pool.
Everyone marvelled at the astounding rock formations and waterfalls in the gorge, no one wanted to leave.
Karijini was full for the holidays and the Rangers arranged for us to stay in the tourist car park that night.
Waking early the next day we headed off to Hancock Gorge.
We had to wade and swim through freezing cold water like Kermit's Pool and the Spider Walk to make it to the opposite end of the gorge.
It reached almost mid-day when we arrived back, but none the less we had places to be and people to see, so off we went again.
It took several hours to reach our desired destination, Millstream-Chichester National Park in Yinjibardi country.
Once there everyone was introduced to the Rangers, Kate and Simon, and the Camp hosts.
As a well-oiled machine we worked together to set up camp that would be our home for the next six days.
Our hard working Cadets started in Jirndawurrunha Pool, clearing the almost 20 metre deep Water Lillies and the Indian Water Fern that covered the surface.
We also cleared several streams that came off of the pool, for a further one kilometre through the park.
Amongst the reeds and the spiders we managed to pull out every centimetre of Indian Water Fern.
By the time we had finished weeding there were massive piles of weed the size of cars all along the edge of the water.
In amongst the hours spent weeding the rangers set up an amazing race and a movie night under that stars.
Weeds seemed to be our best friend when we also had the opportunity to clear the pathway on the camel trail walk trail near Python Pool at the northern end of the Park.
The views were incredible but we were all extremely tired after walking 8 kilometres.
After the 5 hectic days in Millstream we headed further north towards Dampier, which is where the cadets experienced Red Dog's statue and the town of Dampier.
We ventured into the Woodside Visitor Centre and learnt how the machinery worked and where the products came from.
We also got to experience Australia's oldest and largest art collection, ancient carvings created by the Aboriginal people in the area thousands of years ago.
Travelling down the North West Coastal Highway we slept again under the Million Star Hotel and stopped at Coral Bay for one of the lunches.
The Millstream Experience is something all of the cadets will cherish and remember forever and even though the weeds may grow back ... we will never forget how difficult it was to deal with the spiders.
Jade (Year 11)
