Part 5
18th of June 2021
To Lake Argyle
We left East Baines free camp around 7am Northern Territory time to get into the line up at the caravan park at Lake Argyle early.
After a very nervous couple of days (due to being a Victorian and the covid situation) filling out the G2 form to get into Western Australia, within minutes we where checked into WA! Yay 😀 Onwards to the Lake Argyle lucky site draw! We arrived in WA time at 7:30am, got our name on the list for a site at the caravan park. We where told they would maybe call us at around 11:30am. So we went and parked the van, went to the cafe to order breakfast. In the line up I bumped into Wendy Davey, randomly! So we ended up having breakfast with Wendy and Rob, with their friends Dawn and Terry, Di and Peter, lots of travel tips and stories a good way to spend a few hours! Then off to the Insta famous pool for the first photo shoot!
By about 12pm we started to wonder if we would be lucky enough to score a site, so we had to go and ask the poor guys run off their feet. One of the guys jumped on his bike to find us about the lucky last spots. So off we went very excited, until we tried to start the car, a flat battery. So off to find some help, and onto a great site overlooking the valley below-very happy campers! Got set up, and more exploring the lake.
Tonight we had dinner with the Eildon crew at the caravan park cafe, watching the football. Girls up one end, boys the other. Great night lots of fun stories, really nice catch up.
19th of June 2021
Up early as we are still on Victoria time, of Fomo time, don’t know but it’s driving me crazy 😝 I need some more sleep. Cups of tea outside watching the sun come up and the birds play. Helen,Kev,Marg and Richard arrived early to line up for a site. So we met them at the pool, and entertained the others by the pool, by our silly 😜 pool poses. Lots of laughs from around the pool, Helen doing handstands!
Later at 1pm I had booked a bbq boat, so Peter and I set off with fishing rods ect, for a really nice afternoon. We picked up Helen and Kev at the caravan park pontoon.
We had a great afternoon cruising around Lake Argyle fishing, 🐊 hunting, looking for wallabies and enjoying the sunset colours on the rocks.
20th of June 2021
This morning we where picked up by our guide Josh, for a bush tucker morning tea tour. Josh stopped along the way and showed us a few plants and trees that are edible, or good for insect repellent ect. He stopped by a Boab tree, and talked about the way they may of come from Africa, by their seeds many thousands of years ago. And opened a seed to taste the inside, which tastes a little sweet, can be used dusted like icing sugar.
We also stopped at the lookout and Josh explained history of the area and the building of the Dam wall.
Now I’m writing about this tour, which was only an hour and a half, we actually learnt a lot in a short amount of time. My favourite thing, after watching the Netflix show on birds mating riches, he showed us this Bower birds mating little place. Love his choice of colours for the decoration, very on point!
The morning tea was served at the park by the Ord river, it was absolutely perfect! Lovely morning!
After morning tea we headed out exploring, first stop was the Durack’s homestead which was really interesting. As the family spent months travelling from Queensland in the 1800’s to settle in Lake Argyle, and designing later the actual Lake. Very clever, tough family.
After we did a bit of a 4×4 track.
21st of June 2021
Unfortunately not enough time allowed at Lake Argyle, so next stop Kununurra today for two nights at The Kimberleyland water front caravan park.
We arrived in Kununurra early, so we had breakfast at a cafe in town. Walked down towards the supermarket and ran into randomly, our neighbours from Mount Martha, the Williams’s. A quick chat about their travels and tips. Then into the diamond shop!!! Fantasise about the big pink Argyle diamond one day!
A big Cole’s shop for the following two weeks away from a big town. It was like Christmas Day here in Kununurra, the supermarket can not cope at this time of year with the crazy amount of travellers, on the road. We then checked into Kimberleyland lakeside caravan park, and had a great spot by the lake,happy day’s!
With no time to waste, off we went to see as many sites as possible, first stop was the Waringarri art gallery, where some of the local artists where working. Followed by the Kelly’s Knob lookout, for a view over Kununurra.
Then the Zebra Rock studio called Kimberley Ornamental Stonecraft and bought two necklaces. (Helen went following day and bought a beautiful stone vase) Next was Peters dream, the Ivanhoe river crossing! Thankfully I didn’t see any crocodiles, just a lovely pelican chilling out watching the cars go by.
A quick stop at the Sandalwood factory, where they make products out of the locally grown Sandlewood oil. Then stopping at the Hoocheey Rum distillery for a tasting paddle, Peter Rum, me the three cocktails of the day, very nice!
Back at the caravan park we sat with Helen and Kev for happy hour by the river. Then pizzas cooked at Helen’s caravan.
22nd of June 2021
Waking a little shabby today,Peter and I headed off to Wyndham for the day, which is about an hours drive from Kununurra. A quick first stop at the Ord river dam diversion wall for Peter. Second stop today was The Grotto, Peter made it down into the Grotto 140 very steep stairs clinging onto the rock wall, and no handrails. It is a large deep rock pool enclosed by huge vertical cliffs. The waterfall runs during the wet season when it would be stunning! My head was not up to this today.
Morning tea at the Parry Creek farm tourist park. Here there are some really nice cabins high up, with a connecting walk way overlooking a pretty creek.
Next the old Telegraph Hill station walk through the ruins of the old coastal wireless station used from 1914-1920, with amazing views from the remote hilltop to across the billabongs and ranges.
My absolute favourite stop today was the Marlgu Billabong, we had it to ourselves for over an hour. It is so beautiful, on a par with Kakadu so so pretty. More gorgeous water lilies and all sorts of bird life, different ducks in their hundreds and other beautiful birds. No crocodiles which was good as we where out in the middle of nowhere!
Wyndham drive through first to the port and old town.
At the Wyndham caravan park there is a huge Boab tree to visit.
Wyndham is famous for the Croc cafe Bakery, for their delicious Barra and Croc pie’s. So of course we tried the Barra pie, as the croc one was sold out. And have to say the Barra pie was as good as they say, yum 😋 The lady that owns the Bakery is lovely too, prides herself on how clean her shop is, as up this way you don’t see that to often! Rating 5 star ⭐️ bakery!
Onto the very famous view spot for the Five Rivers Lookout, is the highest point of the Bastion Range (330m) which once was a hive of activity back in the day. From the top you can see the five surrounding rivers, the Durack, Pentecost, King, Forrest and Ord rivers.
We got back to Kununurra in time for a visit from Tamara Gale, Tina’s daughter. So we had a quick catch up and I’m sure she was happy to see some old familiar faces. Then afterwards we had a booking, (thanks to the Eildon crew catch up) at The Pumphouse restaurant, very quirky as all the old machinery is still there. We met a mother and daughter from Perth, who we’ve met up again with at El Questro. Lovely meal here tonight, I had the barramundi and Peter had a really nice slow cooked lamb dish. Another 5 ⭐️star must go to restaurant if you happen to be in Kununurra!
23rd of June 2021
Kununurra to El Questro station
Up early and off for a walk around the lake to the celebrity tree park, really lovely morning weather wise and very picturesque part of the world!
We arrived here after two river crossings with the caravan around 10am, very busy place to check in. After booking this place two years ago for Peters 60th, a powered site today. He didn’t like it as it was close to the road and the action, Peter went off to find a better option. Down by the river, unpowered in a quiet spot, I happen to agree, so much nicer.
We set up looked around a bit, Peter had a swim.
Then off for a 4×4 river crossing , steep hill for happy hour at Pigeon Hill. With Helen and Kev for a really lovely night, for sunset.
24th of June 2021
Today was really fantastic! First stop on our El Questro self guided tour, Zebedee springs for a soak in the thermal spring pools. We lucked out, for a small spot on our own up from the bottom pools. It was so nice, so warm and clean, the best bath I’ve had for six weeks!
Next stop The El Questro Gorge walk, but before a much deeper, longer river crossing, fun! We made it to the halfway pool, as climbing up across the water to the next stage was to challenging for us. Peter actually helped a young girl up, by lifting her on his shoulder. She later found us at the bar and thanked him very much, a young Irish nurse who works at the Epworth hospital. Peter had a swim here, I didn’t but loved the challenge of the rock climb. Again stunning scenery all the way into the gorge with palms and ferns growing up the walls of the gorge. Top day!
Happy hour back at the station with Helen and Kev. The four nurses we met on the walk offered Peter a beer for helping them, funny girls! Dinner back at our camp spot.
25th of June 2021
This morning we started a little slower, with a few calls to make home. Our walk for today the most popular Emma Gorge, so off we drove out to the resort to the start of the walk. This walk again challenging full on rocks, rock pools on the way to the top pool with a huge 35m droplet waterfall.
Very pretty again ferns growing on the sides of the gorge. We carried our trusty noodles all the way, with snide remarks along the way, boy did we love them when we got there! Another great afternoon followed by lunch at the resort, really nice barramundi ceviche!
Sitting by our van some kids rode down by the river. I couldn’t help myself by taking a photo of them studying the crocodile sign, it was priceless! The girl in the pink the leader scaring the xxxx of the boys!
Tonight back at the station we caught up with Helen and Kev for dinner by the station guitarist. Nice night, early to bed as Peters birthday present is a fishing trip leaving at 5am tomorrow morning! And another surprise!
26th of June 2021
Today is all about Peter day, as it’s his 61st birthday 🥳! So his fishing trip began at 5am this morning. First a 4×4 drive to a Cumberland river for a boat trip down the river fishing. No luck for him but someone else on the trip caught a 58cm Barramundi, so he was very envious! A flat tyre on the way back to the station held him up for a bit. I spent a lazy morning cleaning up the van, catching up on a few chores! Went to the cafe at the station for breakfast and coffees with Helen and Kev. waiting for Peter to return, for the next birthday surprise. A helicopter ride, to Miri Miri Falls for a private hour at the falls and lunch. This was such a fantastic experience, flying across the station. We had an hour at the waterfall to ourselves, with a picnic lunch. This will be very hard to top as a birthday present, we both absolutely loved every minute of the helicopter flight, and the waterfall was picture postcard perfect, best day ever! Rate this as a 10 ⭐️ Bucket list item ✅
After such an amazing experience we celebrated by our van down by the river with a bottle of Baillieu bubbles with Helen and Kev. They where both great by filming our helicopter landing! Thank you 🙏 both xx 😘 Also had a few phone calls from our three kids, with a face time to our special little miss Leah! Happy days!
We had a dinner reservation at 7:15pm at the riverside El Questro restaurant, really nice Barramundi meal and another fun night!
27th of June 2021
Recovery day! Cooked our breakfast in the van and had by the river, very tranquil. Packed up bits and pieces ready to leave early the next morning. As we are both Fomo now, just a couple more things to do on the station before we leave! We rounded up Helen and Kev for a four wheel drive adventure afternoon!
First track the Pigeon Hole, our worst so far! Big rocks, big drop off’s, our poor car 🥲!
Next the best, to Branco’s lookout for the sunset, crossing a big river and views over to the really flash El Questro accomodation. We truly had the best last night happy hour watching the sun go down, with magnificent view’s across the station rivers.
Tonight’s dinner I cooked a roast with lots of veggies, as we where all craving a home cooked roast! Shared with Helen and Kev, once again by our special little riverside spot, lovely and much appreciated by all.
Review of El Questro 5 ⭐️ Our stay here was everything and more than expected! Loved every moment, and every walk we did.
28th of June 2021
El Questro to The Bungles Bungles caravan park
Packed up early, last coffees at the cafe, and goodbyes to some of the lovely people we have met at the station. And on our way by 9am to the Bungle Bungles caravan park. Our one stop for the day was at the Warmun-Turkey creek road house fuel stop. We arrived mid afternoon and quickly packed the car to stay the night out at the Bungle Bungles in our swag at the National park camp ground. The drive out to Bungle Bungles is long and extremely tedious, due to the Corrugations, river crossing’s, twisting, turning corners, dust and oncoming traffic, with a few animals along the way. It takes 2 hours, a road we vow, to never drive again until it’s made!
We had a fun night setting up our swag for the first time, and cooked dinner. And very early to bed, ready for another huge day in the morning.
29th of June 2021
Bungle Bungle’s day! We had the best day here, cooked breakfast wraps and packed up our little camp spot. And out on our way to the first walk for the day, The mini palms walk. It really was so cool, with gorgeous palms though out the gorge, high up on the list of beautiful walks.
We timed our next walk perfectly for the sunlight into the Echidna Chasm walk. In the middle of this chasm I bumped into an old friend Kate Collins, a midwife who looked after me many moons ago!
We then headed down the south end to see the real Bungle Bungles, it was pretty surreal as they are very unique! We sat down on a picnic table for lunch just looking at the Bungle Bungles in front of us, pretty dam special!
Our first walk down this end was the Window walk, it was like walking along the beach beside the Bungle Bungles, without the sea. Which you clearly can see that once upon a time it was the sea, by the sand and empty rock pools.
Last on the list today, after all the bus tours have gone is The Cathedral walk, all to ourselves! Beautiful!
Leaving around 4pm for the long trip back to The Bungle Bungle’s caravan park, not happy little campers on this fffffff road again! Two hours return of dust, corrugations, dodging yonnies all the way back.
A quick dinner and a double effort catching up on our washing before we leave in the morning.
Review on Bungle Bungles caravan park Nice overnight stay, loved the outdoor showers, rustic with views of the stars while showering, my highlight there!
30th of June 2021
This morning we’re on the road before 9am. With stops along the way firstly at Halls Creek. We checked out the towns Aboriginal art community project, painted old car bonnets,around the towns oval.
Then a look through this fantastic community art centre, where the indigenous community come to paint and sell their artworks, great project! Super nice guy running this art centre too, met one of the artists while we visited.
We stopped for lunch along the way at Mary Pool free camp, and it’s a very popular stopover spot, in the middle of no where. Peter liked it, as it was beside a nice river you could spend a couple of nights by. I drove for a while and went past Ngumban cliff’s roadside stop, with many caravan’s stopped for the night, it looked really picturesque looking towards the cliffs. (For future reference)
We made it to Fitzroy Crossing tonight, at the Fitzroy river lodge. We went to the lodge bar, and boy did we get entertained by the locals who, obviously got paid today! Ernie Dingo called into the bar and was happy to pose for many selfies in the crowd! We sat with the most interesting nurse, Kelly who is a midwife, child welfare nurse that visits indigenous communities in remote area’s. She had many stories to tell and could drink too.
Review of Fitzroy River Lodge – learning most people who review on WikiCamps give you the negative feedback, we had a positive stay, everything was clean, the bar was in total control of the locals, good coffee, and restaurant. Would definitely stay here again.
As I post this I have lots more photos to load of the Bungle bungles , when I can load them from my GoPro.
