Zebra Rock Mine Caravan Park. 28/7/15

This is the only working Zebra Rock mine in the world. The small family business not only offer mine tours but since the property borders onto a section of the huge Lake Argyle, they incorporate croc safaris, fishing, bird watching and morning and evening sunset safaris on the lake to supplement operations of the mine. We had heard good reports about the wetlands sunset tour which we took and we were certainly not disappointed.At first thinking 4 hrs would be too long on tour but Max the skipper made sure we were fully occupied. We started with a half hour bus trip to the lake then boarded an aluminium boat to explore the wetlands of the upper reaches of the lake. We encountered much bird life, magpie geese, Burdekin Duck, heron, egrets, plover, jacanas, sea eagles and the shy Jabiru and too many other varieties to name. Even though there was no commentary, Max was very knowledgable on bird life. However, the elderly couple sitting in front of us were avid birdwatchers and gave their own running commentary, so we struck up a conversation. They had were based in Kununurra 100 km approx to Zebra mine due to a refrigeration problem in the van. As people started to have a few more drinks and move about the boat, it came to our surprise that we recognised these old folk and low and behold- It was 'The cat lady' with hubby still in tow!!( see previous day entry) Max feeds a particular sea eagle each trip by throwing a cat fish into the water in front of the boat, the eagle retrieves the fish on the fly- quite spectacular viewing. We pulled into a landing spot on a creek bank for drinks and nibbles then continued out onto the water dodging dead trees in the lake in preparation for the magnificent Kimberley sunset and it didn't disappoint. Max does have a great appreciation for the lake and its inhabitants but he does enjoy scaring the life out of his passengers on the return trip, especially after a few drinks!