Bungle Bungles (Purnululu National Park)

This was a two night stop over but full of lots to see.  We stayed at the Bungle Bungle Caravan Park that only just recently opened up.  It was an extremely hot the day we arrived and the relief came later in the day in large cumulus clouds.  They made a huge difference.  Mind you the owners had not seen clouds like theses since April this year.  Maybe it was a sign of rain.  Lets hope not.  We are hoping for a perfect day for tomorrow.  That night we sat around the camp fire.  We met some lovely people along the way and chatted to them.  They even gave the kids chips and marshmallows to toast over the fire.

The bus journey into the Bungles took just over 2 hours.  We had to go up and down many goat tracks and cross many rivers.  It was a great trip and even better because Jordan and I got to travel in the front seat.  Pete our guide was a funny man but was also very informative.

River crossing no. ?? I don't know they all look the same.

Behind this range is the Argyle Diamond Mine.  Rare Pink
Diamonds for me please.

This is know as Mother and Baby Elephant

We visited the beehive domes firstly which are located on the southern end of the Bungles.  Here we did a 7km walk via the Piccaninny Creek Lookout, the Cathedral and the Dome Walk.  It was an extremely hot day and the kids found it very difficult.  Kaleb ended up on my back more often than not.  But the reward at each spot was just fabulous and well worth the carrying of children, the constant whinging and the crying.   The lookout was really pretty.  We could see the beehive domes clearly from here and they were very special.  The next part of the walk took us back to the Catheral Gorge.  It was a fantastic amphitheatre.  Pete even bought along a tape of very ocker music and it resonated around the area beautifully.  The last part was a little more difficult as the kids had really run out of steam at this point so Nigel and I needed to push them the whole way.  Gosh we were glad to get back...the cold drinking water was devine...lunch was a task as none of us had the energy to eat.

Piccaninny Creek

Beehive Domes in rear

Piccaninny Creek.  Just an amazing place.
The rocks have been carved out by the rushing waters in the wet.

The walk into the Cathedral Gorge

Aaahhh we've made it.

Looking from the back wall of the
Cathedral Gorge

All a little red from the exhausting walk

Kaleb getting a piggy back.

Austin getting a shoulder ride.

The next part of our journey was another drive around 1.5 hours long.  This gave the kids and us plenty of time to rest and recoup as we still had the Echidna Chasm to walk.  This walk did not take that long but the reward of this very breezy chasm was amazing.  The temperature nearly dropped 5oC when we cross the shaded line.  It was such an superb place.  The sheer walls and the height it towers above you is just special.  We look so little in these places.  Nature really is amazing and she does some spectacular things around this country.

All tuckered out.

 A little closed in

The end of the line

 

What a relief.  This place was so cool and inviting
it was hard to leave.

The journey home was made more eventful due to the number of times we had to stop for the kids to go to the toilet.  We nearly missed the sunset because we stopped so many times.  Pretty funny really.  The other travellers were terrific about it also which made it easier.  Jordan even learned to squat.  Something she has never been able to manage.  On arriving back at camp we then had our bush tucker served to us.  This just perfectly finished our day off.

The flood level from last year can be easily seen
by the debris caught in the tree limbs.

Sun going down quickly.  This is between toilet breaks.

Sunset over Mabel Downs

 Bush Tucker!

Sunrise at Mabel Downs

Leaving.  Typical farm, open and shut the gates.

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.  :(

Lake Argyle

It was a long drive to get to Lake Argyle and we need to go through the Quarantine Check point on the border before entering into WA.  We had heard some horror stories so we were expecting a large delay.  When we arrived the lady we got to check our caravan was great.  We explained what we had done and she did a quick check of the fridge and the pantry cupboard and off we went.  Quick and painless.   We arrived at Lake Argyle a short time later.  When I went inside to start unpacking we had a slight spill.  We had not shut the pantry door and the coffee pot had dropped out and opened up and spilled all over the floor.  Bloody heck.  That's all I needed.


We set up and cleaned up then went for a quick dip in the amazing infinity pool.  What a great view it has.  Most probably the best of any pool I have ever been in.  The water was a little chilly but still perfect after being on the road for over 7 hours.  Don't forget we had to wind our clocks back so it was still early in WA when we arrived.

 

Quiet contemplation as the sun begins to set!

The next morning was Austin's Birthday.  4am rise for Jordan and exclaiming....'Look at the streamers and balloons for Austin!'   I grumpily told her to shoosh up and go back to sleep as it was too early for anyone to be awake.  Bad luck!  I was awake and not getting to sleep now.  So up I got for the sunrise which was lovely and then to the cheerful smile of Austin awake for his 7th Birthday.

THE BIRTHDAY BOY 4.45am!

It was a special day for Austin.  We did practically nothing but did enjoy breakfast and dinner at the diner at the caravan park.  They even made him a cake.  That was a bonus as it would have been a 70km drive into Kununurra to get one.  He was spoilt rotten which was nice.  The only hiccup was that the phones did not work which meant that no one could wish him a happy birthday.

Yum Yum breakfast in my tum!

This is how it works Dad!

It was an enjoyable couple of days at Lake Argyle and we made the most of the spectacular pool.  Well worth the stop over.

How's the serenity!

Hydro electricity plant on the Ord River.

Dam wall at Lake Argyle

Lake Arygle from top of lookout

Durack homestead.  The writer Mary Durack lived here.

What a gorgeous family!

Just enjoying the view

SURPRISE!!!!

Austin in his new snorkel gear.

Sunrise over the mountains.