Sunday 14th July 2013 – Kununurra

Out the front of the Caravan Park this morning to be picked up for our Triple J tour, a boat trip up the Ord River to Lake Argyle and a bus trip back.  That gave us just enough time to clean the fridge out along with doing a bit of a clean up of the car – glass, mirrors, lights etc.  If there was a car wash in Kununurra we might even be brave a wash the car but the only one they have is not operating.

We were picked up by Rob who would be driving us back in the afternoon and delivered to the boat anchored in Kununurra Lake.  Kununurra Lake is the body of water between the two dam walls.  The diversion dam wall is just on the outskirts of Kununurra while the dam wall for Lake Argyle in 55km upstream.  The boat was not crowded today (about 20 people and would probably take double that) It’s quite powerful with 3 350 hp v8 outboards.  It needs the power as we get closer to the Lake Argyle dam wall we have to climb 10 metres in a reasonably short distance.

Jeff was our driver and one of the original Triple Js.  He was very knowledgeable – could tell us anything and everything about the history, geology, bird life etc etc etc.  There were quite a few unique birds and lots of freshwater crocodiles.  The ride up the river was very enjoyable.  Towards the end of the trip we pulled into a picnic spot (only accessible by boat) and had a delicious lunch – 3x meat, salad, red paw paw, cheese and drinks.

At the dam wall we transferred to the bus and Rob took us up to the top of the wall and then on to Argyle Resort where we had ice creams, bought crocodile caps for the boys and looked at the ‘infinity pool’ and the lake itself.

Lake Argyle

On the way back to town we called into the reconstructed Durack Homestead (the Duracks being the pioneering family in the area).  Reconstructed, because the original site of the homestead is now 60 metres under Lake Argyle so the homestead was taken apart rock by rock and recreated in the present site.

The Durack Homestead

Had a bit of a snooze on the way back to town.  Had a swim at the caravan park to wake ourselves up and then off to Coles for a major shop.  Apart from calling back here briefly on our way back from Keep River National Park this will be our last big shop until Alice Springs in about 10 days.

Baked beans, tomato and egg for tea then an early night.