We are now on the road out of Kununurra, heading towards Broome. If you look at the map you can see we are just in Western Australia and leaving behind The Northern Territory.
We had a great time at Berry Springs, out of Darwin and made some great mates, thanks for the memories guys!!!
On crossing the WA boarder, we went through the quarantine stop where we were checked for honey, fresh fruit and veg. We were expecting this so used up all these bits before the boarder and felt quite confident we would be ok as the guy went through our van.
Our first stop in WA was Lake Argyle, what a surprise that was! We had been told to detour there but after so much dry land for so long, to see that amount of water was incredible. No wonder it's called an inland sea. When full to capacity the surface area is 21 times the size of Sydney Harbour, and volume about 80 times. The park where we stayed had an infinity pool which looked like you could swim over the edge, right into the lake! Cool but beautiful.
We did the 4 hour evening sunset cruise on the lake and saw only a small part of it, learnt all about the Dam wall, when it was built etc. Such a small Dam wall for so much water!
We saw the wildlife from different fish in the lake, birds, Rock Wallabies and of course the inevitable fresh water crocs, some 20,000 plus. The highlight was to watch the sunset while swimming with the crocs in the lake or from on the boat. Then drinks and nibbles to follow. (By the way, Freshies are quite safe, it's the salt water crocs you need to worry about) A great experience all round.
The old Durack homestead was taken brick by brick, out of the valley before the flooding and moved to higher ground where it became a museum and tells the history of the place, the Durack family and the dam. Some off the Durack family graves are there including that of Mary Durack, the author of "Kings in Green Castles" a well known australian story.
We were so impressed with the lake we decided to do a flight over it from Kununurra and see it from the air along with the Argyle Diamond mine and the Bungle Bungles.
On reaching Kununurra, it was a quick trip into town to stock up again on fresh supplies and to book the flight, then on to the Sandlewood Factory and the "Hoochery" Western Australia's oldest legal still, making Rum and different variations of. We liked the chocolate and coffee liquor.
Tuesday morning, it was up early for a 5.30am pick up. We both had a restless night's sleep worrying that we would oversleep, how stupid was that as we are always awake early anyway!
Our young pilot, Simon gave us a very smooth flight with only the tiniest bit of turbulence. Apparently that's why we leave so early before the heat of the day which is reaching high 30's at the moment. Not bad for a winter's day!
To see the lake, diamond mine and the Bungle Bungles from the air is amazing, so vast it's incredible. It's certainly a different aspect than from the ground. The photos definitely do not do the landscape justice, it has to be seen to be believed.
Now as we head out of Kununurra, it will be a few days of free camping before we reach Broome where we are meeting up with friends and more adventures ahead.