It has become quite hard keeping this Blog up-to-date, mainly because there is only limited Internet access in the areas through which we are travelling. Being the people we are, we do prefer the more remote and secluded camping spots and any service available is only in the larger towns. Since our last post we have continued westward on the Victoria Highway, detouring into Keep River N.P. before crossing the border into Western Australia. The detour was a trek along a very dusty, but otherwise reasonably good gravel road to reach the northern most camping area. The camping areas in the park are very good and give you close access to some very good walks. The main walk from the northern campground is an 8.5 Km loop that is generally easy and takes in a great view of a mini “Bungle Bungles” formation.
The border crossing involves passing through a quarantine checkpoint. The restrictions are tight and rigorously enforced. During our crossing vehicles were banked up two lanes wide and six or more vehicles deep, and only two inspectors on duty. Vehicles and vans are thoroughly searched for fresh fruit and vegies as well as honey, all of which are not permitted across the border. Just after the border we turned off the highway to visit Lake Argyle and the Ord Dam. The dam holds back the waters of the Ord River creating the largest man made lake in the southern hemisphere, so large that it is classified as an inland sea. We had a good look at the dam and the relocated Argyle Downs homestead (home of the pioneering Durack family) before enjoying a wine and some nibbles and the sunset view from Pannikin Bay lookout.
From Lake Argyle it was back to the highway and then to Kununurra, the major town in the east Kimberley. We spent 2 days in town re-stocking and collecting mail before head out to Wyndham. Wyndham was much more to our liking, quiet and peaceful. We visited the prison Boab tree as well as the magnificent lookout where you can see the five rivers running into the Cambridge Gulf. Other attractions include the port, a museum and a really good bird watching location at Marlgu Billabong. From the Wyndham/ Kununurra area we travelled southwest along the Great Northern Highway through Warmun (Turkey Creek) to visit the Bungle Bungles (Purnululu N.P.) We hope to have Internet access to give you impressions of this iconic location in the next few days.
The border crossing involves passing through a quarantine checkpoint. The restrictions are tight and rigorously enforced. During our crossing vehicles were banked up two lanes wide and six or more vehicles deep, and only two inspectors on duty. Vehicles and vans are thoroughly searched for fresh fruit and vegies as well as honey, all of which are not permitted across the border. Just after the border we turned off the highway to visit Lake Argyle and the Ord Dam. The dam holds back the waters of the Ord River creating the largest man made lake in the southern hemisphere, so large that it is classified as an inland sea. We had a good look at the dam and the relocated Argyle Downs homestead (home of the pioneering Durack family) before enjoying a wine and some nibbles and the sunset view from Pannikin Bay lookout.
From Lake Argyle it was back to the highway and then to Kununurra, the major town in the east Kimberley. We spent 2 days in town re-stocking and collecting mail before head out to Wyndham. Wyndham was much more to our liking, quiet and peaceful. We visited the prison Boab tree as well as the magnificent lookout where you can see the five rivers running into the Cambridge Gulf. Other attractions include the port, a museum and a really good bird watching location at Marlgu Billabong. From the Wyndham/ Kununurra area we travelled southwest along the Great Northern Highway through Warmun (Turkey Creek) to visit the Bungle Bungles (Purnululu N.P.) We hope to have Internet access to give you impressions of this iconic location in the next few days.
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