Kununurra WA. June 28-29 2018

After leaving Fitzroy Crossing, we overnighted at Purnululu Camp Ground before making it the extra 250km into Kununurra the next day. We met Muriel and Paul for a chat and to make arrangements for dinner, which Muriel had organised already back at her van, cooking away in the crockpot. We spend a very enjoyable evening starting with Happy Hour and finishing with dinner, all washed down with some rather nice wine. We're not biased; we had red, white and bubbles...

On Thursday we went out on Lake Kununurra for a 6 hour cruise that runs right up the full 56km length of the lake, right up the the Argyle Lake dam wall, and back. On the way we stopped to look at birds, creeks, gorges and crocodiles. We even squeezed in some afternoon tea along the way.

Lake Kununurra, Ord River, Kununurra WA

Snowflake Lily
Lake Kununurra, Ord River, Kununurra WA

Rock Wallaby
Lake Kununurra, Ord River, Kununurra WA

Folded sandstone strata
Lake Kununurra, Ord River, Kununurra WA

Lake Kununurra, Ord River, Kununurra WA

2x baby Jacana, 2x Green Pygmy Geese
Lake Kununurra, Ord River, Kununurra WA

Lake Kununurra, Ord River, Kununurra WA

Lake Argyle is right behind that rock wall on the right
Lake Kununurra, Ord River, Kununurra WA

Sunset out one side of the boat...

Moon rise out the other! How good is that?
Lake Kununurra, Ord River, Kununurra WA

Today we took it easy, going out before lunch time to see some of the more off-beat sights, such as the diversion dam, Molly Springs and Ivanhoe Crossing.

There is a little boat ramp just down from the dam, where we went first looking for interesting things to snap. This bloke, from NSW, decided it would be a good idea to wade in up past his knees and do some fishing. I asked him if he was concerned about the Saltwater Crocodiles that live in the river. He said, 'Oh no, they would be in the lake (other side of dam) if they were up this far.' Followed by this classic, 'There was a big one hanging around Ivanhoe Crossing this morning...' Ivanhoe Crossing is about 3km from this very spot. And does he know that they pull 2 or 3 Salties out of the lake every year? Boofhead.

Ord River diversion dam in the back -lunatic fisho in the front.
Ord River, Kununurra WA

Molly Springs is one of those secrets the locals would rather keep secret. It is a permanent rock pool some 30km out of town and the water was perfect and clear and full of small fish. The locals are not so happy that 'they' have decided to put up a  Tourist sign and spread the word; tour companies are now bringing busloads of people in and it will just destroy it. Such is progress.

Molly Springs. Near Kununurra WA

Yes, that really is water. Check out the fish. Let's hope it stays this way for years to come
Molly Springs. Near Kununurra WA

Judy roaring down yet another dirt / rock road
Molly Springs. Near Kununurra WA

Just down the end of our caravan park road is Ivanhoe Crossing, which used to be the only crossing until they built the diversion dam in he 1970s. Heaps of people have fun with the risky diversion of driving across it - never mind the swift flowing water and the resident saltwater crocodiles!

Ivanhoe Crossing. Ord River. Kununurra WA

Ivanhoe Crossing. Ord River. Kununurra WA

One way to wash the wheels.
Ivanhoe Crossing. Ord River. Kununurra WA