Eating green tree ants at Windjana Gorge!
My latest adventure was into the West Kimberley of Australia, a beautiful medley of vast cattle stations, pristine gorge country and indigenous homelands. Travelling east from Broome, we left the fresh coastal air and entered a seemingly endless savannah of Australian pindan wattles, melaleuca, bloodwood and boab trees. Scattered throughout were dense anthills built tirelessly in red pindan soil. As the landscape passed by, my eyes were peeled for Kimberley cattle, wallabies and black kites soaring above. Smoke billowed In the distance as fires burn freely on cattle stations, an atmospheric dry season ritual that has endured for thousands of years to invigorate the environment, promoting fresh growth and renewed life.
Reaching the red soil of the famous Gibb River Road, we left the tarmac behind and travel towards the picturesque Napier Range. Once a Devonian reef, the rocks that form these mountains are over 350 million years old, amongst the oldest on the planet. Turning into the Windjana Gorge National Park, dramatic cliffs formed a backdrop to the natural habitat. Walking towards the cliffs, a narrow cavern marked the entrance to the gorge itself. An outback oasis, this geological wonder stretches 3.5 kilometres into the escarpment. Rugged gorge walls towered 90 metres above us as freshwater crocodiles sunned themselves on the banks of the river. These prehistoric-looking creatures are relatively harmless and the brave can get quite close! Our guide showed us some local indigenous bushtucker, including green tree ants, which he offered as a refreshing treat. Hesitantly, I did as instructed and bit off the ant’s abdomen. The citrus flavour was surprising and though green tree ants would not usually be on my menu, and may never be again, it was an experience. Later that afternoon, as the sun began to descend over the Kimberley, we set up camp beneath the gorge walls that glowed a brilliant red. Currawongs squawked overhead as they made their way home for the night while I helped our guide prepare dinner over a flickering campfire.
What a wonderful Aussie experience!
- Serena Elmore travelled on Kimberley Wild’s 3 Day West Kimberley Experience
