Blogs from Kununurra, Western Australia, Australia, Oceania - page 9

Saturday 2nd – despite the long and tiring day we had yesterday, we were up and about bright and early and in fact were there to wave off today’s tour party. Graham spotted the elderly couple we had been camped next to in Hall’s Creek on the coach so we gave them an extra wave. Looking back on our day in the Bungle Bungles we were beginning to realise just how lucky we were to have the chance to go in and that it was really ‘a trip of a lifetime’ for us. It is indeed a spectacular and unique area and we hope that the ever increasing number of visitors does nothing to spoil this wondrous place. As PIE and Sweetie were still attached to each other, Graham had less packing up to do than ... read more

Broome to Kununurra We started off this segment of our trip at the fuel bowser again – Broome Caltex – 85.8L @ 161.9c/L. It didn’t seem far down the bitumen and we had already reached Derby, where we discovered a boab prison tree used prior to 1887 to hold captive Aboriginal people until a boat could be arranged for slavery in the pearling industry. Nearby we found Myall’s bore and cattle trough with a fully functional windmill to supply drinking water. After having a chat with the tourist information centre, we found out that Derby has the largest fluctuating tidal waters in Australia – on that particular day varying from 2 to 12 meters. As we arrived at the jetty, it appeared to be on the change of tides, with the current coming in at ... read more

“Welcome Abroad” (well that’s what it feels like at the border crossing) to “Western Australia” the state “Without Alcohol” (well cask wines) but “What Alternative” “Was Available” to two “Wandering Abnormals”? The very nice man at checkpoint Charlie confiscates all our precious celery but doesn’t notice Kathy, Vicky and Wendy on the back seat (3 lovely QLD cane toads we had befriended). Western Australia - how long did it take the boffins to come up with that name??? Anyway, this little blog is going to cover the very pretty Lake Argyle, the spectacular Bungle Bungles, and contrary to what we said in the last blog, is going to contain some technical info on both. Lake Argyle turnoff is just 6km over the border and is the largest man made lake in Australia. It is very long ... read more

Tues. 27th July We drove from Katherine to Victoria River (200km), located in the Gregory National Park and stayed two nights at the rear of the Road House, which has power and water. The site is set next to the Victoria River in a huge gorge with towering red coloured cliffs above. We found it to be quite a surprise considering we expected the next special scenery would be the Kimberly region. Rose kindly gave me a haircut after we arrived and to our surprise a lady came over and asked if Rose could cut her 10 yr old son’s hair. She even offered $10.00. Rose explained that she wasn’t a hairdresser but was more than happy to do his hair for free. We’re considering putting a sign up at our next stop!! Wed. 28th July ... read more

These were the words shrieked at us as I tentatively backed into our spot on the campsite. A pint-sized pensioner had launched herself out of her camping chair and was hurtling towards us at break-hip speed. 'You can't park there. its a bladdy driveway. Bladdy cars need to get through there!'. Birds have taken to the sky. Some bats have woken up. Kids a few hundred yards away stop playing and run to their parents. "Its a bladdy roadway, STOP!" I get out and make the international gesture for its OK I mean no harm, please calm down. "Ah I was only saying like. Bladdy driveway people have to get in there. Bladdy poms. Flaming galahs." (that last bit was made up). The woman retreats. Birds stop their exodus and return to the branches of the ... read more