Crossing the Border

26/05. Left the Northern Territory today and crossed the border into Western Australia 60km north of Kununurra, and made our first stop at Lake Argyle which is in the Kimberley Ranges. This inland sea was created in 1971 by damming the Ord River, this entire lake system was once the Argyle Downs and home to the Durac family, a Million acre cattle station the original homestead is now under water.
The lake is equivalent to 54 Sydney Harbours. A highlight for Sandra and I was an evening Champagne Sunset cruse on the lake towards the end of the cruse the tour guide stopped the boat and asked if anyone would like a swim? I and 6 0r 7 others jumped overboard and into the water knowing that this 900 sq kilometer lake contains an estimated 25,ooo Fresh Water Crocodiles, which are not a danger to humans unless you provoke them, this cruse was Fantastic Sandra had champagne on board and I had a couple of Emu Lager Beers in the water. Lake Argyle has 90 Islands some big some small.
Zebra Rock is unique to this area and is a prize if you find some, it is easier just to buy some samples in Kununurra. A much sought after fish in the lake is the Silver Cobbler a fresh water Catfish and is delicious.
If one were to paint this country in its true colours you wouldn't believe it, it was said that the Artist exaggerated greatly - but we have never seen such richness & variety of colour in any other ranges.


28/05. Now in Kununura and camped at The Hidden Valley Caravan Park. It is hard to buy fresh fruit & vegetables as you have to consume them before you cross the border or declare them at Quarantine.

This caravan park backs onto the Mirima National Park and is known as the mini Bungle Bungles, the rock formations are unreal and form some weired shapes one even resembled a lions head.

Kununurra has one of the largest display of Aboriginal Art in Australia, and the Siltstone Zebra rock markings is like a zebra's stripes, & is thought to be at least 600 million years old, the brown colouring is due to the presents of Iron Oxide, it is a unique stone and only found in the Kimberley's no where else in the world.

Leaving Kununurra we drove further south trough the small towns of Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing.

Halls Creek is a dry town as you cannot buy Liquor or Beer here, it is due mainly to the Alcohol problem of the local people, it seems to be working as there is not to much swearing, yelling and fighting going on, at least not while we were there. Fitzroy Crossing is a little different as you can buy beer but only the light stuff, at $50.00 for a carton of 24 I will wait until we reach Derby. Whilst in Fitzroy Crossing we went on yet another cruise, this time to the Geiki Gorge on the Fitzroy river.

the cruise boat has a seating capacity of 60 persons and was fully booked. Geikie Gorge was carved out by the Fitzroy River & millions of years ago was a Devonian salt water Reef, its hard to fathom that the reef is made up of sea creatures and shells. The beauty of the gorge is so many contrasting colours, and a lot of fresh water crocs can be seen from the safety of the boat, we both were glad that we took the time to see it. I forgot to mention whilst still in the Kimberlys, between Kununurra & Halls Creek we diverted of the main highway and made a short detour to Whyndam, a small coastal town with a few shops and a pub, a port which transports live cattle all over Australia and to all parts of the globe.

Sandra bought a Boab nut that was carved by an Aboriginal Lady and her Husband and at $20.00 it was a bargain, as they sell in most tourist outlets for 3 to 4 times that amount.

It was good to see a young boy learning to throw a cast net at baitfish as they swam by, his uncle caught a Goldern Grunter of about 8 Kilos, he was lucky to get the fish to shore as a large croc was only meters away.

9/6/2009. Last night was cooler than usual and made for a good nights sleep. we traveled further down the Northern Highway to another rest stop this one is at Ellendale lake and is the best one yet, with a mile of camps spots all near the lake and bird life all over. There were Wrens, Rainbow Bee Eaters, Pee Wees, White Ibis, jabiru, Eagles, a flock of Budgerigars, Blue & Orange Kingfishers, Diver Ducks and Cockatoos to watch as we took things easy, "wot a life."

While we were relaxing a cow started to nudge the front of our truck, next thing I noticed that it had small horns, I got up and took after the bloody thing, it left a couple of scratches at the front mud guard, I will have to touch the paint work when we get back home.

Next morning to our surprise, there was this huge Brahman Bull about 20 meters from our van. I wont be chasing this bugger, that explains the noises we heard last night? ,,