Lake Argyle

We had heard so much from fellow travellers about Lake Argyle.  Some said there was nothing to do and some said the park was not too good, but one thing they all had in common to say was that the swimming pool was magnificent. Well they were not kidding.  You could imagine you were at a really expensive resort somewhere. Although the weather was not hot we could not resist the lure of the crystal clear water and swam each day. The gorge was just over the ledge and the view stunning. The owners have big plans and this is just the start. Soon there will be a new shop and restaurant complex next to the pool. The park itself was quite nice but the best feeling was the sense of serenity and relaxation. It was much more than we had expected thats for sure.

What a view!



Apparently 2 million dollars




The view at least





Theres a gorge over here somewhere



Who's this you ask?

We had heard that there was not too much to do but we needed to stay another night to fit it all in. We took the boat cruise on Lake Argyle with a very knowledgeable guide and I must admit that prior to this we didnt know an awful lot about this lake except there was a diamond mine not ioo far from it. The lake is approx 9 times bigger than Sydney harbour and would need a full day to get from one end to the other.  (With some exploration in between).

Part of the dam wall

Cat fish feeding frenzy



Can you see the Rock Wallaby?





Freshwater Croc (just a little one).



Some locals

Coffee on board



Huge

We finished up the cruise with a swim in the lake despite the threat of the many thousands of freshwater crocs in place.  It was very refreshing and the water is a constant warm temperature so I was the first one in.  (Not like me I know)




After the swim





 Anyone can do what they like on there, (within reason of course)  ie fishing, swimming, water skiing, boating or even live on there. There is a houseboat there and many people go off fishing and exploring and do Bar B Qs on some of the little islands. There is even a group that go diving on the old Durack homestead that was left fully intact when they dammed it all up. Only the original house was removed stone by stone and placed at the new site not far from the caravan park. This is now a museum and has a lot of the gear that belonged at the original homestead, mostly belonging to the Durack family. 

Can you spot the Hinesies?



There were only 6 out of the 11 on the tour that swam and I am pleased to say both Lizzy and John were in there too. We had champagne and nibblies as we watched the sun go down on board then headed back just as it became dark.

 We thoroughly enjoyed this cruise and recommend it to everyone. The park's motto is "Come for a day and stay for a week" and that is exactly what we wanted to do. It is such a peaceful, green and shady place and a real sense of relaxation. Beth and Rob you would love it here!  Lizzy cast in her line but no luck except for the odd nibble.




Just a couple of nibbles




The fishing spot


 We did hear a "snap" or 2 though and both Lizzy and I are convinced it was a croc. There is a marvellous picnic ground that would rival any park in Perth with its green lawns and trees.

Picnic area



View of the dam wall. It has no cement, only clay and local rock holding it together..

 It was a bit scary going accross the dam wall but after a few times I was getting a bit more used to it.


View from the wall





Dead Horse Billabong





The original Durack Homestead house



Now a museum

But removed and resited stone by stone..



Some of the old gravestones were also brought with it



 
We thoroughly enjoyed Lake Argyle and have promised ourselves to come back again for at least a week or so to just relax and enjoy everything this wonderful place has to offer. I would like to have stayed a bit longer this trip but time is marching on.  We had a huge meal the night before we left at the restaurant and enjoyed the company of some fellow travellers. Everywhere you go there are people who enjoy a chat and its great to talk with them and see where they are from.

Goodnight for now to everyone. 
 Love to all
 Sonia John n Lizzy
 Goodnight little Summer and Connor. Big hugs and kisses
love from nana, grandad and Lizzy xxxxx
We are off to the border to cross into the Northern Territory.

Kunnunurra

We enjoyed the Bungles so much but soon it was time to leave Turkey Creek heading for Kunnunurra. We were not sorry to leave the roadhouse but the area is quite lovely. Very green and with such contrasting colors. There were just a few puddles in the creeks/rivers after some small rains in the past few days. We left quite early in the morning with just one of the locals saying farewell in a quiet sort of way.

The weather was mostly sunny with just an odd looking cloud here and there.

Kunnunurra greeted us via a large bridge crossing the diversion area over the Ord River. Still not 100% sure what that all means exactly but a lot of water is involved.
We soon found the Ivanhoe Caravan Park which is pristine and very well maintained. It was nice to have a bit of luxury and we booked into an en suite site. You come to appreciate your own Loo and shower that's for sure. 

 After settling into the site (which Lizzy and John now have down Pat) we took off for a tour of the town. 

Over the next two days we enjoyed looking at as many sights and places as we could fit in. Plenty of pictures to tell the story but we spotted a large croc at the Crossing but too scared to get too close for a decent close up picture. We could clearly see his outlines though as he waited patiently for the barramundi to swim upstream (or just some poor unsuspecting tourist to fall in). 



Ivanhoe Crossing




Cant quite see him but he IS there just waiting



This is as far as we go

This crossing is still in use and whilst there a couple of cars went across. The water was just under the door level and the road is just one car width wide. Very scary for me but they did get across OK.
The area has a lot of agriculture and one of the biggest things now is growing sandalwood on farms. There's quite a bit involved in growing sandalwood but it seems to have taken off. They must plant two host trees for each plant as sandalwood is actually a parasite.  We visited one of the farms and I did buy some lovely sandalwood products but funnily enough none of the shop products were from their crops. They still have another 3 years to go before the first crops are ready to be harvested. None the less we still enjoyed the visit and indulged in what was the best cappuccino and foccacia roll thing on this trip. It was Delicious! 
 Apparently they have decreased the mango crops too but everywhere we went there were mango trees either in orchard set ups or just growing on the side of the road. The trees were just DRIPPING in fruit but unfortunately it is too early for them to be picked much to my dismay.
There is a certain area that has a stone called ZEBRA rock and one of the local stone makers cuts and polishes in town (Longy). It is a most beautiful rock but I did not have my camera with me when we visited so if you would like to see pics it would be worthwhile clicking images in google as it is truly lovely rock.
There is also a distillery on the outskirts of town called the Hoocherie. They make their own rum there and I am told is a very good drop.
We visited a national park known as hidden valley. A smaller park but still very pretty and some good lookouts.

Another great lookout is Kelly's Knob. There is a memorial plaque at top of this point for the 3 young girls and pilot who died tragically over the Bungles a couple of years ago.




2 knobs at the lookout  ha ha





View from Kellys Knob





Memorial plaque. Very sad

 Just in town there is a park that has a plaque for every celebrity or person of note that has been there. They are invited to plant a tree next to the plaque and there were quite a few, about 50 or so. Some included Peter Brock, Baz Lurman and Rolf Harris. It was under Rolf's lovely tree that Lizzy asked me to investigate what the little nestlike structures were. When I reached up I soon found myself covered in large green and red ants who were not happy that I had disturbed them.



Just a few of the plaques




The huge boab



There is also the BIGGEST boab tree that I have seen on my travels and had to take a pic to show everyone just how large it was. The park itself is lovely, large and green and has a large lagoon to one side. The day was glorious and we really enjoyed the walk and looking
through the many plaques. 

We had a few rests in between taking in the sights and Lizzy was keen to get a coconut down but just a little too high....




How to retrieve a coconut?



Having a break. Notice the short haircut??

We visited the museum and looked at some local history. There was a great volunteer there who was only too happy to chat about things and tell us a couple of things to see on our travels, in particular "Gregory's tree" located on the track somewhere before Lake Argyle..

The day we left they had Paddy's markets on in town. We bought a few fruit and veg and some delicious sun dried tomato chutney thing.  I should have asked for the recipe. (Before coming in to Kunnunurra we had to chuck out all of our fruit and veg at the checkpoint. It was a bit heartbreaking as we had some full bags but I suppose better safe than sorry).  Lizzy found a sarong and me another book to read as I had almost finished reading "Honeymoon Dive". (A fascinating read). There were local arts and crafts too but a little pricey with one lady wanting $6,000.00  for a handmade quilt.




This dog was as comfortable as he could be.



Lizzy found the perfect sarong

 Kunnunurra is a great place and I would definitely visit and stay longer next time. It is a nice clean tidy place with its fair share of infrastructure and of course the mangoes. Thankfully for us the highest temp was 36 degrees while we were there as the few days prior to us getting there it was at the 40 mark and quite muggy. We seemed to have the best of the weather.
Next time we will visit Wyndham and John and I have already decided we will do the old Wyndham to Halls Creek road which was built in the 1890s or so and still has some of the original paving. We would also do the Gibb River Rd too.
I think that's all for now. I have probably forgotten a thing or 2 but will put in later if I do.
Hope everyone is doing well and bye bye from the Hinesies  for now xx
Love Son John n Lizzy xx