Saturday 17th August - we left Timber Creek and our grassy campsite, stopping just out of town at the lookout back along the ranges.
We then continued west towards the WA border, where we started seeing lots of "BOB" trees (boab).
The intention was to divert to Keep River National Park just 3km's from the NT/WA border. Along a fairly corrugated road for 33km's into the campsite at Jarnem.
Again, another very hot day, and it was too hot to do anything other than change the tyre that got a small hole in it as we drove into camp. Back to a dirt campground again - we had been spoilt the last night.
Sunday - woke up early to go for a walk, but after we had breakfast and tidied up, we didn't start off until 7.30am. Chose to do the Nigli walk which was 5.2km's along the edge of the mountain range and along the rock gorges. Very similar to what the Bungles looks like, but a lot smaller.
Made it to the end, and then turned back towards camp, this time facing into the sun - by the time we had got back at 10am it was already 32 degrees and sure to get hotter. Packed the camper up, and decided to make our way back to the other campsite - Garrandalng - to do another walk before it got too hot. While this was only 2km's in a loop, the views were amazing, with the scenery changing every few hundred metres.
Just spectacular. Back to the Triton, and we crossed the border into WA, after handing over all of our fruit and veges at the quarantine station.
Another 9km's up the road, and we turn left towards Lake Argyle, which is 35km's into the ranges.
A great caravan park, again with lovely grass, some shade, and the best pool you could imagine - an infiniti pool overlooking the lake with the mountains in the background - absolutely lovely.
Had dinner at the resort - roast night - and a couple of drinks before the entertainers come on later.
Monday - another early morning as the sun rises at about 5.30am. After breakfast, we drive down to the Durack homestead,
which has been relocated piece-by-piece from where it once stood in the centre of the lake - rather than simply flood it when the lake was created, they decided to move it and preserve the history. Had a chat to the caretakers and got some great photos of the birds who came in for some water and food under the trees.
From here we went to the dam wall and lookout, and then down the road below the dam to have a look at the picnic area. Back to the park for another swim and lunch, before joining the bus for the sunset cruise on the lake. The lake is 15 times the size of Sydney Harbour, and at some points you cannot see land around the entire 360 degrees. There is supposed to be up to 30,000 freshwater crocs in the lake - we only saw a couple.
The water temp was very warm - about 26 degrees - and we went for a swim at about 3.30pm and then again after the sun had set, with the captain letting us jump off the roof of the boat into the water - lots of fun.
The view over the mountains from the water when the sun was going down was majestic. Then there was some nibblies and a few drinks before making our way back to shore for the short trip back to the park.
Very highly recommended, and if ever you are in this part of WA, make sure you visit this area and take the sunset cruise.
Tuesday - left the lake after an early morning swim in the pool, and drove to Kununurra for a major re-stock of supplies. Stopped at the info centre, getting brochures etc for the Bungles and the helicopter flights, as well as our parks pass for 12 months. The last 5 months had taken their toll on the springs under the camper, so I decided to replace them to give us a bit more lift and clearance. Found some that looked like they would do the job, and then went shopping - a big shop it was, with the bill nearly $400 without alcohol!!!! Too hot in the afternoon to fit the springs, so sat in the shade until the sun set.
Wednesday - up early to try to beat the heat and get the springs fitted. After a couple of hours, job all done, and it was time to explore the town. First up was the Artopia gallery to see some local artists work, and also the 16 x 2 metre Bungles artwork that spanned an entire wall - inspiring piece. Then across the diversion dam, a quick stop at swim beach, and then the Kellys Knob lookout for a view over the town. An early dinner, and then back to the gallery for a light and sound show, with the backdrop being the massive Bungles painting - went thru all seasons, showing the impact of fire, rain, floods, and the dry simply by changing the lights accompanied by sounds of the area - very impressive. Spent some time chatting to the gallery owner, and then back to camp.
Thursday - up early and packed ready to head to the Bungles. After a quick fuel refill, I poked my head under the trailer for a quick look to make sure all OK - it wasn't!!!! The springs had sagged even more than the old ones, and were now resting on the chassis - no departure for us today. The guy at the trailer spares place booked us in for tomorrow morning at 7.00am to fix it all up. I spent the day trying to work out how best to fix it and also trying to re-shuffle our gear so that the trailer was a bit lighter. The fuel tank that I fitted under the trailer has been junked to save some weight - will see if that makes a difference.
More updates to come soon - hopefully no more dramas - this trailer is creating some issues for us. But once all fixed, we have 4 nights booked at the Bungle Bungle ranges, and will then head to Halls Creek, a quick trip down to Wolfe Creek meteorite crater, and then back north to Kununurra along Duncan Road.
Stay tuned
Di and Hammo
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