Kununurra

18-Jun-2007

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Kununurra and Wyndham

Saturday - 31st July

Back on the road, we drove through some rugged country side to the quarantine checkpoint at the WA border, which we got through OK, (we’d cooked all our vegetables and ate all our fruit).  Arrived at Kununurra early, after setting our clocks back 90 minutes and set up in Kimberleyland CP.  Nice spot with a view across the lake.   Set up, washed the blood and dust off the van and veged out for the afternoon.  Had left over spag. marinara for lunch.  Sundown at the lake side was delightful.  Barbequed tandoori chicken for dinner, yum.

Sunday - 1st August

Tour of Kununurra environs this morning, first stop was Kelly's Knob for a panoramic view of the rugged escarpments and the green patchwork of farms then off through the sugar cane plantations to "The Hoochery" to sample the local rum.  Bought a bottle of the 40% stuff just in case of snake bite.  Next stop was "The Melon Farm" where we bought some baobab roots.  They're like water chestnuts, very crunchy.  Crossed the Ord River at Ivanhoe Crossing, pretty long water crossing, fast flowing but not too deep and went out to Black Rock Falls.  On the way we tried to knock nuts of the Baobab trees but without any luck.  Falls weren't running but location was pretty interesting with swarms of butterflies around the pool at the bottom.  Lunch was at the BurraBurra farm where Jude pigged out on a banana split and I had a local delicacy, a hot dog.  After lunch we went to a rock shop that does beautiful things with the local patterned rocks.  We bought some "raw" rocks that we can polish ourselves.   Should provide hours of entertainment for us in our dotage. 

Highlight of the afternoon was the Kununurra Rodeo, a little out of town.  Bull-riding and buck jumping on some fairly aggressive animals, one of the Brahma Bulls charged the spectators a couple of times.  Lucky the fence was pretty tough.  Jude wanted me to take photos of some of the spunky cowboys, "just for the nieces" she said.

Monday - 2nd August

We went out to Wyndham with Bruce and Elaine, Bruce did the driving, I opened and shut the stock gates.  We took the 4WD route across the Ivanhoe Crossing and stopped at a few lagoons along the way where the bird life was prolific, there were thousands of whistling ducks at the "Parry Lagoon Nature Reserve".   The view of the confluence of the 5 Rivers from the lookout over Wyndham was spectacular, the town and port itself were pretty ordinary.  Had lunch at the pub, a feed of locally caught barramundi and chips.  Wish we could get fish like that at home.   Drove along the wharf at the port, tide was out and the mudflats went for miles.  Came home on the more civilised bitumen road, stopping at the pioneer cemetery where no one was over 54 when they died, it was a tough place.  Further down the road was the Afghan cemetery, where the camel drivers where buried with their favourite camel.  The side trip to the Grotto was shortened because of absence of water, 144 steps down the gorge and the heat.  Had a few neighbours over for drinks and music after tea.

Tuesday - 3rd August

Today we journeyed out the Gibb River Road to the wilderness park in the El Questro cattle station.  First stop was Emma Gorge to pick up a park pass then on to Zebedee Thermal Springs.  We walked into the springs through a forest of palms but didn’t go for  a swim.  Next stop was the El Questro township.  The road in was very rough.  Had a look around then headed off for the interior, crossed the Pentecost River and took a 4WD track to the Pigeon Hole camp area.  Track was fairly rough and steep and I had the centre diff lock on for a while.   Track finished at a loop of Pentecost River and it looked very inviting.  But again, we didn't swim, much to the disappointment of the crocs.  A family were fishing but not appearing to have much luck.  Drove back up the track, in low range this time, what fun, Jude was bouncing quite vigorously.   Went to the lookout with magnificent views of the area then had lunch down by the river.  Jude did her first water crossing.   Drove back to Emma Gorge and caused general hilarity (or it could have been shock) among my passengers by passing a tour bus as it negotiated one of the water crossings.  I was sick of eating its dust.  Emma Gorge was a fairly difficult walk involving scrambling over lots of rocks but it was worth it.  The waterfalls and plunge pool at the head of the gorge were beautiful.  We went in for a swim there, (well I did, Jude fell half way in then decide against it), it was very cold.  After the swim, I got into the little thermal pool at the side of the gorge, it felt like a hot bath.  Another long walk back through the gorge, a little cooler by now.  The countryside throughout El Questro is stunning,  red rock escarpments tower everywhere.

Wednesday - 4th August

Had a fairly quiet day.  Updated the web site, got the van and contents cleaned up ready to leave.   Crew of regulars over for sing-song after dinner.  Great night.

Thursday - 5th August

Packed up the van and left it in the storage area while we drove out to Lake Argyle.  Stopped in at the relocated Durack Homestead then motored on to the lake shore.  It’s a massive lake and the ground based viewing doesn't do it justice.  I'm told you need a fly-over to appreciate its full size.   Drove across the dam and down to the Ord River,  a rather large freshwater croc was sunning itself on the opposite bank.   Came back to town and bought a tent in anticipation of talking Jude into camping overnight in the Bungle Bungles.  Hitched up the van and set off for Turkey Creek Roadhouse.   Wonderful Kimberley scenery along the way.    Arrived at the roadhouse and was accommodated on the overflow area (petrol station forecourt) but at least had power.

 

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