Had an early start and took our time to drive the 503km to Kununurra. The further we drove the nicer the countryside became and we drove through areas of majestic silver/grey boab trees with no leaves. We stopped for fuel at Victoria River Roadhouse which was a lovely area and had we realised this sooner would probably have stayed there a night or two. Apparently it is a good Barra fishing spot. On reaching the border between Northern Territory and Western Australia we had to hand over our vegies and a jar of honey at the quarantine station.
Our caravan park in Kununurra was called Town Caravan Park ($33 power & water) and as its name indicated was right in town!!! Plenty of shady trees but a bit noisy as our van backed onto a main road. It has a "Live Cane Toad Box", so if anyone finds a live cane toad they place it in the box and they are euthanesed twice a week!!! I always looked in when I passed, but didnt see any.WA are trying to prevent them spreading.
Our first day we visited the Tourist Information Centre to get information on the area and headed out to Mirima National Park where we walked up hill, through stunning rock formations to a look out. Our next place to visit was Kellys Knob which was quite close to town and gave a great view of Kununurra town.
We then drove out of town over the Division Dam of the Ord River to Zebra Rock Gallery, a workshop where they produce all sorts of ornaments made of a unique striped rock. We walked down to the river to watch the kids feeing the milk fish (a type of catfish) and then treated ourselves to coffee and cake.
On the 3rd day we drove the 200km round trip out to Wyndham in the far north of the East Kimberley. On the way we called into The Grotto, a 175m deep pool, which lies at the bottom of 140 rugged steps which have no railings. Not good if you are scared of heights as some places were quite narrow. Nevertheless we made it down and saw 2 monitor lizards on the rocks near the pool.
On reaching Wyndham we drove up to 5 Rivers Lookout where 5 rivers meet and the tides are some of the largest in the world. The lookout is 350m above sea level and the panoramic views are spectacular. Had a look around Wyndham Port before going to the Wyndham Hotel which had been recommended for lunch. Unfortunately we arrived the same time as a tour bus and waited over an hour for our Barra Burgers, as half the hotel staff had not turned up for their shift. It was a pretty good burger though!!
Next day we drove 70km out of town to Lake Argyle, Australias 2nd largest reservoir which holds 21 times the water of Sydney Harbour. It is a very picturesque spot and a great place for a picnic and also for fishing. We saw a very large freshwater "snapping handbag", sunning itself by the river.
Our last day in Kununurra was spent catching up on the mundane things like washing, shopping and after phoning every caravan park I could find, I managed to land a booking in Broome. I'll now have to start making bookings for our trip down the west coast as its school holidays in a week and they will be very busy.
Tomorrow we drive to Turkey Creek for our visit to The Bungle Bungles.
More blog from there.
Rhonda (Sam) and Pete
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