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The ULTIMATE Safari - the best Lake Argyle cruise ever.
This is twelve packed hours of fun with Kim and Max at a really affordable price.
We gathered at the Zebra Rock Mine shop and thirteen of us (I think just about everyone camped the night before) boarded the bus to head off on the short journey to the creek where the boats are kept. This was the first cruise of the season (after the wet) and everyone was keen as mustard. The passenger mix was approximately 50% local and 50% visitors. Included in the visitors were Pam and Ivan (from Tasmania) - previous next door neighbours from many years ago! It's a very small world. We touched base and remembered the days when the Walkers kids and Lenny's boys were at school together (in Launceston).
Our boat, The Silver Cobbler (named after the local fish) is about a 25 to 30 foot aluminium catamaran with twin 250 hp Honda motors. Plenty of power to make a big boat get up and run. You need it because Lake Argyle is about 60 kms long.
We travelled out to Lake Argyle proper and you get the perspective -
it's a huge lake and sometimes you can't see the other side. It's about 1,500 square kilometres in total and is Australia's largest artificial lake. After an hour or so cruising, we came to an island where we had morning tea (Ruth had made fresh scones and rock cakes too). This island had some zebra rock and some of us had a fossick. More fast cruising (Kim drives and Max does the commentary) and we had reached the Ord River where we did some exploring (crocs and birds) before we made a stop for lunch. There's not a lot of commentary (as Kim wants this to be an individual experience) but Max is always helpful with answering questions (especially about birds). It was BYO lunch and we had brought a sandwich each, but Kim made sure everyone was fed by catching a huge Silver Cobbler and throwing it on the BBQ with some sausages. Beer, wine and soft drinks were provided.
After lunch, we did some more wetland cruising and then we cruised back up along the north western end of the Lake to check out the rock wallabies on one of the islands. Then it was time to
have a swim (or a walk on one of the islands). Later in the afternoon we travelled up a local river and had pre-sunset nibblies (and more drinks) before slowly heading back towards "our" creek. There had been a lot of burning off in recent weeks and, unfortunately, this made the atmosphere a little hazy (and smudged the sunset) but the sunset on the water was still wonderful and it became cooler as we headed home in the dark.
A bunch of tired campers made it back to Zebra Rock Mine shop (and cafe) where Ruth had the Fish n Chips ready for us. There was a communal campfire, but everyone hit the sack early. A full day on the water is very tiring.
Many thanks to Kim, Max and Ruth for putting on this unique cruise.
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Mel
non-member comment
Great pics - again
Thanks for the great commentary and pics - just like being there (except missed out on trying the Cobblers!). :-) Love to you both. xx