Kununurra 7/7/15

After leaving the main station at El Questro this morning, we turned off to Emma Gorge which is still part of the station to venture up the walking trail to the gorge and waterfall. This is also exclusive accommodation with restaurant/ coffee and shop. The trail follows the creek and many rock pools whilst climbing over large tidal patterned rocks, remnants of the sea floor millions of years ago. It's very refreshing once at the waterfall with a real cathedral atmosphere.

Tyre pressure up, we're off the dusty trail and heading for Kununurra to literally dust everything off a bit and prepare for the next dose! We've inhaled the dust, been covered with dust, soaked up the alcohol and now ready to dust off and dry out!!

Staying at the Lakeside Resort Caravan Park and life just seems to get better with prime camping spots. A lake view to the mountains this time. We're camped right on the edge of Lily Creek Lagoon, such a beautiful scene all day, oozes with bird life, Red Headed Honey Eater, Comb Crested Jacana ( lily leaf hoppers), Crimson Finch, Sacred Kingfisher, Egrets and Brown Honey Eaters large and small, pelicans and a Barking Owl .Morning sunrise over the mountains and beautiful sunsets across the lily covered lake complete the perfect spot.

An informative tour of Hidden Valley(Mirima) with a DPaW guide on flora, fauna and history was worthwhile. These little formations are like mini Bungle Bungles and close to the edge of town.

Sunday was spent travelling to and checking out Wyndham on the Cambridge Gulf with spectacular views from the Five Rivers Lookout over the mouths of the Ord, Durack , King, Pentecost and Forrest rivers. There are large tidal mud flat areas surrounding Wyndham also. Live cattle are still being exported from the port but not
iron ore at all since the downturn in price. The local mine Ridges owned by Chinese company KMG has temporarily closed down. Savannah nickel mine also Chinese owned has increased it's export capacity, however a Chinese company has purchased the Sandalwood farm at Kununurra and has logged 6000 mahogany trees from the property to be shipped to China. He is also endeavouring to purchase freehold the next adjoining property in the stage 2 Ord release to grow sugarcane and build his own mill. We enjoyed lunch and great coffee at the trendy Rusty Shed before setting off to Moochalabra Dam along the rocky corrugated road, worse than sections of the Gibb. Steve was keen to check over the dam again as he was Construction Manager for JJ McDonald when they were contracted to build stage 2 of the dam.

Bike riding has been a big part of our stay, many tracks around town and out along the highway. Other than that, the week has and was meant to be restful and we have caught up with odd jobs, emails, bills etc.