Hi Family and Friends,
Us again. We'll this time we are on our way west into parts that Tricia and I have not done previously do we are excited about what we will get to see. We set a plan that wouldn't drive more than 150km before we stop for the night so we get to see as much as possible.
So we departed Katherine on the Victoria Highway and our first stop was at a roadside rest area. It was a reasonably large area with a toilet block and plenty of room for caravans so we decided to stay the night. Whilst it had a toilet block I am glad we have our own in the van as it was full and very unclean but we were the first there so we got to pick the best area away from the block and took ownership of the shaded picnic tables. Throughout the afternoon the site filled and again as it happens in these areas we met some really nice people all doing the same thing but what I still cant understand are the rude people who are quite happy to park in your space but don't have the common courtesy to say hello. Very un Australian.
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| 24 hr rest Area. First in best dressed |
After a great night sleep we started the next leg with our first stop at the Victoria River Road house. We were greeted buy a local couple sitting in the beer garden with a bottle of wine and a couple of XXXX cans. It was only 10am but I guess it had to be 12 somewhere?. Anyway we had look around, added some fuel ($2.60Lt) and walked to the old bridge to see if we could see any crocs. sadly none were to be seen.
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| Standing on Victoria River old bridge with new bridge above |
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| Victoria River |
Back in the car we made our way to Timber Creek. We arrived at what looked like a local hangout which also had a caravan park at the rear with a pool. The park was really nice but the pool was freezing. This seems to be a trend as we move across the north. With the only pub in town being out the front and unfortunately like a lot of the areas in the north security is paramount and even caravan parks are some what fortified however we felt safe and even stayed we stayed for two nights and did make and mend activities including a much needed hand wash of the Caravan.
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| Timber creek Van park |
Our next stop was then about 13 km from the WA border. Nothing there just a gravel pit but we needed to have a final cook up before we crossed the border the next morning. WA has very strict quarantine rules on what fruit and vegetables can and can't be taken into the state so we needed to ensure we used everything prior to departing. No one else there but the four of us so we played a few games and ate all the contraband.
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| Roadside Contraband Consumption stop |
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| WA Border with inspection Station at rear |
The WA border was now in sight which is located just before the quarantine inspection site, so of course we had to stop for the obligatory photo. We then drove into inspection area and where greeted by two lovely ladies that looked like they could be prison wardens... Even though I knew we had nothing except Honey which we would hand over on inspection; I still had an easy feeling as they asked us a million questions and searched our fridges in the car and caravan and inspected all the fire wood. We were cleared to leave and were then on our way for the quick drive to Kununurra
Kununurra is busy, very busy as it is not only a major city on the Victoria highway but is only about 100km or so from the start/end of the Gibb River Road but also busy as the Ord Valley Muster is on. We didn't have any accommodation booked but were lucky to get a couple of spots at the Agriculture Showgrounds where we set up and explored the local area. Some of the highlights where the Sandalwood shop which just happened to be closing down so of course Tricia and Judy had to make the most of the 50% and buy some incent burners and incense sticks to ward off the pesky mosquito's that eat us as the sun sets. Just up the road was also a Rum/Gin distillery which was much more my cup of tea. After doing a tasting I couldn't help myself in purchasing a bottle of their Chocolate & Coffee Rum liquor and Len bought one of his favourite Five Spice Rums.
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| Aniseed, Chocolate and Coffee Rum Liquors & Gin Tasters |
The next day we headed out to a placed called Middle Springs. This was suggested to us by the campsite Manager. It was a little out of town and a fair bit of rough dirt roads to get there but it was well worth it. The lower pool was really nice by we had been told that the ones above were much better, and she was correct. Whilst they were smaller they were much deeper to swim in, however whilst the outside temp was in low 30's the water was freezing. Apart from one other couple walking up past no one else interrupted our serenity
The next morning we packed up and went back to Lake Argyle which is one of the largest man-made lakes in the southern hemisphere and home to more than 70 islands. To give you perspective of how much water it holds we were told that is currently the size of 29 Sydney Harbour's. So we decided to do a walk along the dam wall, swim in the infinity pool and hire a boat for a morning of fishing and cliff jumping. After all there are only approx 35000 fresh water crocs in the dam so why wouldn't you go for a swim. So we did and we survived. I must admit I was very conscious of my legs and the surroundings when I first jumped in from the boat and then the cliff top, but as Judy and Len had already gone in I figured the crocs would have been eying them off so I should be safe. We also did a little fishing and Judy caught the first fish which was a good size for eating but it was a catfish so Len threw it back. We then caught a couple of other small cat fish and I managed to snap my rod on a snag (I will call it a sleeping crocodile whilst the others claim a tree branch). Funny thing, when we got back we found out the cat fish that we had been throwing out were apparently a beautiful eating fish. Who would have thought?
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| Overflow from Argyle Lakes |
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| View from the Argyle Lake Lookout |
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| Judy and Len after cliff jumping. |
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| Sunrise over lake Argyle |
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| Sunrise Lake Argyle |
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| Sunrise Lake Argyle |
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| Tricia alone in freezing infinity pool at Lake Argyle |
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| Nothing like a couple of drinks to end the day |
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| Jump Rock....were Judy and Matt braved the crocs |
We return to Kununurra the next day as we had booked in to see the Ord Valley Muster Rodeo. The rodeo was packed with local, lots of grey nomads and ringers from stations across the area. The beers were expensive but the bull and bronco riding was outstanding. The only thing that let it down was the MC who was just boring and didn't get this massive crowd involved at all.
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| Ord Valley Muster |
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| Ord Valley Muster |
Anyway the next day was "Go Day" as Len calls them as it is again time to move on. This time we were looking for some where not too far from Kununurra as Judy and Len have an issue with the stovetop and new one has been ordered but being in the top end it could be here in a couple of days or a week or more. So we decided to drive to Wyndham which is the most northerly town in WA and about 100km away.
The drive out was exceptional. It amazes me at how quickly the land and colours change in very short periods of time. The Boab trees are everywhere and the red cliff faces are mesmerizing. The local caravan park is one of the best. It is clean, has a great pool and all sites are well spaced apart and as it turns out there is plenty to do here as four days later we are still here.
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| Driving the great Northern Highway to Wyndham |
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| Driving the great Northern Highway to Wyndham |
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| Driving the great Northern Highway to Wyndham |
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| Wyndham Caravan park |
On our first day we did the mandatory drive into old Wyndham where the port and old meat works used to be. The port is now used for iron ore exporting and seems to be running 24h a day. The town itself was very underwhelming but when you drive up to the Five Rivers Lookout all this is forgotten. It is spectacular and a perfect place for us to have had a couple of beers whist watching the sun set. |
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View of Old Wyndham and the Port
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| Wyndham sunset from 5 Rivers Lookout |
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| Wyndham sunset from 5 Rivers Lookout |
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| Wyndham sunset from 5 Rivers Lookout |
The next day we took a drive out to a bird lovers paradise. It is a billabong about 8 km off the highway that has been set up with protected viewing platforms and also has a resident crocodile that appears every now and then. Of course he did not show up whilst we were there. Our next stop was The Grotto. This is a swimming hole at the bottom of a gorge and also home to some aboriginal cave markings. The waterhole was majestic with high walls and deep deep water. They say more than a hundred metres deep in some spots. We spent time swimming and then Tricia and I walked along the creek line to find the Aboriginal carvings and painting. (see pics)
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| Parry Creek Billabong |
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| Inside the bird hide |
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| The Grotto |
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| The Grotto |
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| Aboriginal Rock Art |
Yesterday we decided that we would go to Emma Gorge which is on the sealed section of The Gibb River Road and a part of the El Questro Homestead which I am sure you would have heard of before. We had always wanted to go and stay there and do the hot springs and gorges they have to offer but after hearing from others on the costs and the packing into sites like sardines we decided a day trip to Emma Gorge would be it and we were not disappointed. The walk in takes about 45 mins and whilst not difficult I wouldn't do it in the heat of the day. When you arrive at the top falls it is beautiful. Shear cliffs and a running 50m waterfall surround the waterhole which just makes it so inviting for a swim. Even more so after heat the walk in. So a quick change and in we go.... Holly shit it was cold. But as you moved toward the edge away from the water fall it seemed to warm up a little and we were told that there is a hot spring that feeds in from that side.
Needless to say we didn't stay in the water for too long but we did walk back down the track to another swimming hole that was in full sun and spent some time there.
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| Emma Gorge Top Pool |
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| Looking up from the bottom of Emma Gorge Swimming hole |
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| Emma Springs Water fall |
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| Tricia and Judy at the sunny water hole Emma Gorge |
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| 'Just Chillin' |
On our way back to the caravan park we went out to local dam and to the see the prison tree which is a massive Boab tree with a hollow center that was used in the late 1800's to imprison Aboriginal offenders as they were walked back to Wyndham to stand trial.
So that now brings us to today and Judy and Len are still waiting on notification of their Stovetop so we decided to stay another day. Not sure what will happen after today but will keep you posted in the next blog.
Hope everyone is well and not missing us too much.
Cheers
Matt & Tricia
