The scenery, as we drove through the Kimberley to Kununurra and Lake Argyle, is very different from the red cliffs of the Pilbara. Because the wet season has only recently ended much of the landscape is very green and creeks often have water for the endless amount of cattle seen wandering on the sides of the highway. I never realised that the Kimberly area is mostly pastural land ..... and endless ranges of mountains that constantly appear to change colour depending on the time of the day and the shadows that are formed on the ridges.
We stayed in Kununurra, on the Ord River, for 2 days. Farmers here are very lucky having vast amounts of water to irrigate their crops - compared to Carnarvon, where water is so precious. With all the water around there are also plenty of mozzies! We set up our caravan in a park whose grounds had only acres and acres of green grass. Lovely. The Ord River is flowing so fast that the well known "Ivanhoe Crossing" in the town was not able to be crossed. Whilst visiting the crossing we were luckily told by a fellow traveller that our spare wheel was dangling. Chris was going mad trying to work out some very bugging noises at the back of the car. We just hadn't noticed the wheel!! I think our visit to El Questro, on the Gibb River Road, caused a few nuts and bolts to become loosened!! (Going to El Questro also involved a few creek crossings. Good fun!)
I also loved seeing the zebra rock that is unique to a small area in the Kimberly.
After visiting Kununurra we left for Lake Argyle which is just amazing - it's size, beauty and history. The caravan park is beautifully maintained, and the sail we had around the lake was
wonderful, especially when we stopped in the middle of the lake for a sundowner... and a swim, if you wanted! The pool at the caravan park was the best we had ever seen. The edge of the pool almost disappears over the rock ledge into the lake. It is beautiful.
We decided to do a bush walk to the homestead/museum containing the history of the Durack family. It was very interesting even though we took a slightly wrong track leading us through very prickly spinifex grass and steep, rocky ledges. We found our way in the end, thanks to Chris's good tracking skills! Luckily no snakes!!
We were very lucky to meet up with Chris and Anne Bollen. They had just arrived from Kakadu and Katherine and we were making our way to Darwin. We told them of all the good stuff coming their way in W A and they shared their tips on Darwin and other places on the East coast. They are having as much fun as us!
