When you think Pilbara, you think red dirt, spinifex, heat haze stretching to the horizon. You don't think paper barks, crystal clear water, rope swings. But that's exactly what we found, four times back to back. From a hidden waterway off Skull Springs Road to a gorge wall that has to be seen to be believed, these Pilbara free camps were some of the best free camping we've ever done.

We'd been planning this trip for years. Vehicles prepped, systems tested, itinerary mapped out. And then, approximately five days in, Paul ended up in the emergency department of Geraldton Hospital at 10pm while a Category Two cyclone bore down on the coast. Week one of our six-month adventure north had other ideas - but not before delivering some absolutely cracking campsites.