Friday 16 July
Lake Argyle
Today was a big fishing day and look around day! Went back to the same place for fishing where the boys saw the crocodile. Not there again- was in the middle of the base of the dam wall. So a bit of flicking with the lures and Mum caught the first fish of the holiday! Lololol A small muddie about 10cm long! Lolol so Dave used this for live bait to try to catch the big one!
But, alas,,,, still nothing. Returned to the park and had a bit of lunch- boys went into the pool. Too cold for mum! Dave went in but was soon out again. Chatted to some people around the pool getting tips for the way down. The arvo we went for some more fishing – this time to the spillway creek. Think we took the wrong turn because we did about 20minutes of 4 WD to get there. Was a beautiful spot with big rocky plateaus with water cascading down into deep fishy pools! But again,,,, no fish. It was a great 4wd section anyway! The boys loved it. Back to camp just as the sun was setting, tea then early bed!

Saturday 17 July
Kununurra- Wyndham
Pack up and off we headed for Kununurra. Very busy town! Not much signage to anything even the information place where we picked up a WA national park pass and some info. Did some grocery shopping then headed out, stopping for a picnic on the big lake they have there overlooking the mini-bungle bungles in Mirian National park. Didnt really get a feel to stay here so we thought we’d head for Wyndham.
When we drove through town in Wyndham, it was like time had stood still here and nothing had changed since the 60s!! It was a strange feeling town but an attraction at the same time. We were going to go and camp 28kms south in a freebie but decided to set up in the caravan park here. As we drove in the first thing we saw was a donkey roaming around! Lololol Fuzzy is his name .... he is the lawn mower in the park and everyone gives all their veggie scraps. Was only $22 for the night on a slab u/p. There was a little caravan set up near reception that did fish and chips and burgers so we treated ourselves to a dinner out. Was yummy! And no dishes! Hahahahah
Jack must be growing – he was in bed at 730pm and Liam fell asleep watching a dvd by 830pm. Still adjusting tho the time difference too I think.

Sunday 18 July
Wyndham
After chatting online in the early morn! ( Hi Mum ) – we decided to spend another night here. As we didn’t think the van would handle some of the Gibb River Road that we wanted to do today so checked in again. This is the funny thing about Wyndham and talking to heaps of people here – they all intend to stay 1 night and stay at least 2 – 6!!! Just something here attracts you to stay. When I was in reception paying for a extra night there was another 2 ladies doing the same!!!
Anyhow, we tackled the Gibb River Road up to Diggers Rest Station ( we made a wrong turn lolol! ). The road was very corrugated, then smooth, then rocky, and bulldust. Glad we didn’t take the van. The first site was a dam and some aboriginal paintings . But no steps up or marked out track... you had to climb over rocks to get to the overhang. Was a very natural setting. A further 2kms up the road there was the Big Boab Prison Tree. It was huge!!! Hollow inside to accommodate the prisoners! The boys went inside of course. Was amazing how these trees grow. This one was dated about 2000 years old. Speaking of which- there is one here in the park too the same age. There were cattle gates to open and shut and you went through and was a novelty in taking in turns! Yes even Liam. Hahahah
Did the same trip back and stopped by the King Gorge River for a fish and some lunch. Yes yes mums we were careful of the crocs! Again nothing. But a lovely peaceful spot overlooking some beautiful escarpments and ranges. Everything is still green here from the late season rains. Went back to park via the salt flats – was so much smoother than the section of Gibb River Road! Back to the park for a swim and decided to go for a fish at the boat ramp at Wyndham Port for an hour then up to the 5-Rivers Lookout for sunset as recommended by some people in the park. Took up our tea as well as there were BBQs there.
The view- OMG! It was a steep winding 5km climb up but I tell you what – What a view! Photos will not do it justice of course! We are just small fragments in the big scheme of things! Popular spot too. About 60 people there. We were the only ones to stay back and have tea. Was a nice ending to the day.

Monday 19 July
A bit of a sadness when we left Wyndham. Think Dave wanted to keep staying on and try his luck at getting this barramundi! Lololol Anyway, travelled down and headed south this time towards Spring Creek Reststop just at the entrance to the road into the Bungle Bungles. On speaking to many people on our travels already, it was suggested to leave the van at the rest stop whilst going into the Bungle Bungles. So that is what we did. We arrived early enough to get a decent spot. There were only about 10 vans there at the time , but by 5 oclock there were over 30! We were lucky to have a hidden spot to ourselves. It was near a dry creek and bulls were roaming around the other side! Packed the shopping away, got the car ready for the next day out to the Bungles and made a lovely curry lamb for dinner. So early night to bed..... lucky we were tired and didn’t hear many of the generators going! Gee they really disturb the peace and quiet don’t they! Dave even asked one bloke nearby when was his going to be on until!

Tuesday 20 July
What an early start. Had the lunches for the day done, and packed up the van , in the car by 7am!!! Opened up the gate ( as you have to go thru property to get to the national park ), and on our 53km, 1 hour 40 minute hobble along the road to the Visitor Centre. From here the roads were better.The road in was a great 4WD road! 2 creek crossings, lots of blind rises that rolled into a rollercoaster-like track! Was heaps of fun! Lot of corrugation too, which, if travelling a good speed consistently , doesn’t seem so bad.
Once at the Visitors Centre to register, we headed to the Domes and Cathedral Gorge. What stunning scenery. Nothing like we had seen before. Backpacks on with water bottles and snacks and camera ( of course!) we hiked into the link of the Domes walk first. Seeing all the beehive colored domes was fab at this time of morning and with the clear blue sky as a backdrop and beautiful green in the fore ground made this a photographers paradise! Liam did really well too, walking most of the way. The Domes Walk linked into the Cathedral Gorge. This was quite spectacular. Could just seen an opera in here! The acoustics would sound great! Then off to the Picanniny Creek Lookout for another perspective of the Bungles.
After walking this 6 km through the rocks and over boulders etc, we headed for the northern section of the park, had our lunch and started on another walk to Echidna Chasm. This was amazing as the big rocks had split going to deep into the hill about 500m in. All big and little rocks – the whole area was just a big conglomerate of rock embedded in the sandstone. Was quite amazing. Liam loved this part where he could jump the rocks. Jack powered ahead all the time. He loved the walking. Once inside the Chasm, there were 4 boulders to traverse, and 2 sets of ladders to climb until the end. Was quite amazing. Back out again and then headed back to camp on our bumpy ride, getting back at 5pm! Was a big day and we covered a total of 9 kms . Liam probably did 6 of these!!!
Swapped stories with some people near us, had leftovers from last night and then , as we were all pooped we had another early night!

Wednesday 21 July
Early to bed! Early up! Breakfast, tidy, packed up and on the road at 830. Not much to see between this camp site and Halls Creek. Had some pies at the bakery here, as recommended by other travellers!! Then kept going until we came to a rest stop called Mary River ( actually on the Margaret River ( 180kms W of Halls Creek ). We had spoken to heaps of people from Argyle , Wyndham and last night all saying you must go there and stay. When we drove in Dave said ‘ yep can see a couple of nights here for sure! ‘ . The river is flowing , we have the best spot on the bank of the river ( high enough and far enough from the water to annoy any crocs ) and Dave already gone off to fish. Ho Hum otherwise steak tonight. Well we do have leftovers too from the bus tour that stopped next to us for lunch! Lolol Funny too , the tour guide ( Gaylene ) is from Murwillumbah and worked at the council 13 years ago as receptionist and rates ( thought Ken and Maureen might know her! )
Anyway, the boys are playing nicely, we have firewood for the campfire tonight and about 200 Correlles in the tree above us chirping and screeching away. !!! Wont need an alarm clock in the morning thats for sure!but better sound than those bloody generators!
A bonus we had from 5pm a guy named Roger, did some bush poetry for everyone in the campsite! Was soooo cool. Jack had a great laugh. He made all the poems up himself from his own experiences. Really country outback out here.

Thursday 22 July
CHILL OUT DAY AT MARYS POOL!!! Hehehehehehe