Kununurra

We took off for Kununurra our next stop.  We were waiting for mail to arrive so we had to stick around for a couple of days.  Also getting the caravan service while we are here.  We dropped van off to be service first thing so we were now officially homeless.  Well at least for a couple of hours.  LOL

We did a day trip to Wyndam to take a look at the Five Rivers Lookout first.  We drove up a steep climb that then took in the view of the port of Wyndam.  It was quite awesome to see the area below.  The visablity was a little down at this point as many fires were burning out of control in the area.  The Murray's (The name the aboriginals called themselves) had been setting them continuously for the last couple of weeks.  While up their the kids got to watch several road trains dump their loads onto the ground.  This made Austin's day.  We continued our look around the town of Wyndam and visited the bronzed Dreamtime Statues, the big Croc and took in the Sobering up clinic.  Just what we need in Geelong on a Friday and Saturday night.

Once we left Wyndam we head for Parry's Lagoon and in particular Marlgu Billabong.  What an spectacular place.  We saw amazing bird life and the wetlands were truly special.  While there we even saw a salt water crocodile take down a large bird or mammal from the banks of the river and thrash it around until it was dead.  Then it continued to work on devouring it.  It was really awesome to see it in real life.

We lunched at the Grotto then headed down the Gibb River Road to El Questro's Emma Gorge.  On the way to Emma Gorge a large fire had gotten out of control.  It was burning quite fiercely on the opposite side of the road.  We didn't think much of it as the burn off's have become so common.  We later found out that several marathon runners had being badly burnt that we competing in a extreme marathon through the gorges of El Questro.  It was a very sad day for such super fit people.

The walk into Emma Gorge was 1.6km's.  It was not the easiest of tracks but it certainly was an enjoyable one.  The kids were great.  They walked the entire distance in an out without one complaint.  We swam at the waterfall and enjoyed a freezing dip in the ice cold water.  A water monitor also came down for a look while we were in the water.  It was really pretty and a very nice way to end the day.

We visited Ivanhoe Crossing.   It was the original crossing of the Ord River but has since become a favourite spot for fishermen and the avid four wheel drive maniacs....oops sorry enthusiasts.   It had been closed all year due to the huge wet season they had last year and they do not expect it to open again before the next wet comes.  It had such a huge volume of water flow it was quiet stunning to see.  I must say though the aboriginal members of the community obviously do not care for their lives as two of them climbed into the water hanging onto branches and trunks of trees to cool down.  This area is also know to have many crocodiles in it due to the large number of fish in the area.  The rest of the afternoon was taken up with a visit to the sandalwood factory and a swim in the pool.

Kaleb end up in the Emergency Department with a suspected case of Slap Cheek (Pavo Virus) but in the end it was an allergic reaction to the sandalwood products.  There goes his aftershave wearing days.  Nigel got to celebrate Father's Day at Kununurra so we took him to the Pumphouse restaurant for pizzas and live music.  It was an enjoyable night.

Off to the Bungle Bungles tomorrow.  Can't wait.  It has two amazing features and I am so looking forward to see them.

DUE TO A DATA LOSS ISSUE WITH ME STEPPING ON MY HARD DRIVE I DO NOT HAVE ANY PHOTOS OF THIS PARTICULAR STOP.  :(