Kununurra 2

Went for a tour of Lake Argyle and the Ord River. We were picked up by a bus and driven to Lake Argyle, shown the highlights along the way eg Durack’s Homestead then at the dam wall we transferred to a boat. Our bus driver  transmogrified into the boat captain. Saw 3 crocodiles on the rocks near the dam wall, I guess they’re employed by the tour companies. The trip down the river through the gorges was excellent and although we were away from 11:30 until 5:30 no time was boring. We were even given soft drinks, muffins, tropical fruit and scones at a nice little landing place. We could see Catfish, renamed Silver Cobbler or something to make them more desirable. We’ve seen a lot of silvery fish which have black dots along their sides. Crocodiles were in many different parts and also near the banks big rogue bulls which are descendents of escapees from those owned by early pastoralists like the Duracks. The cattle around her now are all Brahmin types but these were all Shorthorns. The bird life was less than I anticipated but like around The Cooper there is so much water about they have no need to move to the big rivers. Took lots of photos but none will do justice to the place. We’ve booked in for another night because I want to see the Sandalwood place and also the Zebra Rock workplace. Alex wants to drive over the Ivanhoe Crossing as a prelude to the Gibb River crossings. The editor has just pointed out I failed to mention the wonderful steak I had for dinner, cooked to perfection of course, by said editor.

Alex stunning Sunset photo.

Reflections in the river.

Escarpment on the Ord.

Bend in the Ord River.

Freshwater Crocodile near the dam wall.

Kununurra

Had an uneventful drive to Kununurra past more amazing rock formations. Came to Hidden Valley Resort on the recommendation of another camper but we think he was misguided. There are lots of permanent residents, dogs and stinky bins. The couple next to us have a young baby, less than a year old, and have 2 tiny tents and are travelling in a single cab ute with 2 dogs. There isn’t much communication between them and none with other campers. Alex finally got his Barra & Chips, the serve was ENORMOUS. We walked in not exactly directly then coming back ended up at the highway to Wyndam so had to walk back to the place we’d parked during the day and find our bearings from there. Next time the GPS comes with us. My editor is currently asleep in the chair, glass in hand,  he didn’t have a siesta when I did this afternoon. Yesterday a near neighbour had a generator going day and night which meant we were both very tired today.

 

Gregory National Park

Big Horse Creek Campground, Gregory National Park –Saturday

Left the peace of the campsite and the dirt road, back onto the Victoria Highway heading for Timber Creek. Crossed lots of floodways which were dry but are an indication of the massive amount of water that comes down during the Wet. Stopped at Victoria River which has a new bridge which towers above the old one and the are around has amazing rock formations that look like they’re made of tumbled bricks. One escarpment looked like a rival for the Great Wall of China. Where the Buchanan “Highway” meets the Victoria we became part of a long line of Variety Club Bash cars. People were dressed as Santa, Bees, Tarts, Zorro etc. We expected them to go on to Kununurra for fuel but they all stopped at Timber Creek so we had a drink and cake to thin out the line at the fuel pumps. Came along to the campsite and finding a place to camp was easy because it was only about 1:00 but now there would be at least 30 vehicles here and the tent area has been taken over with vans etc.  One of the other campers is actually Bill Kemp (from the Grange Golf Club) and his wife, Irene.  Alex saw the familiar shape “fishing” he was enjoying himself even though he had nothing to show for his efforts. We enjoyed a nice cool drink together before the mozzies set in. Tomorrow we move onto Kununurra and a Caravan Park so we can get some washing  done, everything is covered in red dust and we need clean clothes.

The melee at the pumps.

Posing in front of the Victoria River.

 

Whistling Kite?

Our camp amongst the Boabs.