We think we will, we think we will...............

   

Since crossing the NT/WA border aprox 4 days ago our body clocks have become a bit warped. We find ourselves waking up with the birds, all of us, even Robbie!!!! Our new wake up time is 5.30am. The mornings are really beautiful. The sun is setting at around 5.30pm, so by 6pm it is pitch black, and by 8.30pm there is not a sound to be heard from the camp ground. Well everywhere except our site!!!! I imagine that if we keep this 5.30 thing happening, we will also be silent by 8.30pm!!!!

The morning of leaving Kununurra. This particular day we let the kids have a reprieve from helping to pack up the van. This is where Rob found them when we were ready to go.

On the road to Fitzroy Crossing. First major town will be Halls Creek.

We sure love the ever changing scenery.

Roadworks along the highway. Yes, of course we chatted with this nice man. He and the entire crew are from Perth. They were repairing the road between Kununurra and Halls Creek. He informed us that from here on the road flat, boring and uninteresting.....ohh!

Oh well, we have only one road to take and 447km's to go. We are not bored yet........

.....but we are tired and the sun was starting to set. We are about 150kms short of Fitzroy Crossing. Our travel bible tells us there should be a fabulous free camp called Mary Pool. The bible tells us it has a toilet (drop toilets), a nice vista and it has been given a tick which is a great sign. As per ther book, we drive a few kms off the highway, then cross over what we imagine during the wet and the beginning of the dry season is full of water. There is a little water today, stagnant, but enough for the animals. There are already quite a few other campers, but the space is huge, and we all are able to have our own area. Kids go off exploring on their bikes, and we settle in.

 When we look at this pic, we smile. This is us all unpacked for the night. We have finally got it all down pat. Only the bare essentials come out, so we can continue to improve on our exit times in the morning.

Yet another beautiful sunset....

..but an even more spectacular sunrise. The other added bonus of getting up with the birdies.

On the road bright and early. In this sort of climate it obviously makes a lot of sense. These big red mounds are actually termite mounds. We all decided that the resident architect had retired and the new one was not much chop. Rob describes them as big mounds of poop!!!!!

Quite a common sight around here....untouched on one side of the road and burned to a crisp on the other. As we expected, we have loved the drive between Kununurra and Fitzroy Crossing. The ever changing scenery ( hereafter known as the E.C.S.)  keeps us fascinated.

We make it. Now where is that Visitors Centre????......

There it is!!!!

Kununununurra

 None of us know very much at all about Kununurra, so we arrive with no expectation. Today is the earliest we find ourselves checking into a caravan park. First stop the obligatory visit to the Visitor Centre. Kununurra is the eastern gateway to the Kimberley region. Here we discover that bush fires have closed the Purnululu National Park, the home of the Bungle Bungles. This will have to be added to the list for next time. So with all necessary tourist info in hand, we head off to the caravan park. The park we choose is set right on the banks of  Lake Kununurra ( we do really like saying this word!!!!).

 This is the view from the front of our caravan!!! We decide to have a slow morning and head up to Wyndham after lunch. Wyndham is 100kms north of Kununurra. It is known geographically as the Top Town of the West.

 Linda's favourite tree, for the moment.

First stop The Grotto. In the peak of the dry season this is a popular swimming hole for the locals and tourists. Set in a gorge, it is 140 steps down to the water. For us there was no swimming as the water was stagnant, but an incredible view and a lot of fun had as the kids discovered its echoing acoustics. Weather is hot, 40 degrees plus.  

Going down the steps of the Grotto.

Next stop some 4 x4 along King River Road. Off to see some abriginal rock art, the Moochalabra dam and a prison boab tree. The scenery here is incredible. You will have to trust us on that one, as bumpy roads and some videoing has amounted to no still pictures to post. They say this area is not passable during the wet season. There is still water around at the moment, due to the massive rains earlier this year.  

The prsion boab tree. Thought to be at least 1500 years old. It is naturally hollow inside, with it's cicumference about 14.7 metres. It was used as a prison holding cell by local police back in the 1890's, to lock up Aboriginal prisoners over night as they were travelling towards Wyndham, the closest town. 

Not long after this picture was taken we begin to have some car trouble. It put an immediate halt to the rest of our Wyndham visit. Thanks to the management of Wyndham Caravan Park for being so hospitable to us, thanks to their kids for making the few hours we were there fly by for our kids and thanks to the RACV and the WA state equivalent, for being so helpful in getting us back to Kununurra by taxi, a 100km trip that cost the RACV $350!!!!! Thanks to Brighton Toyota, thanks to our neighbour who provided a replacement fuse, thanks to our other neighbour down the road who offered to take us shopping, and sorry to our other neighbour who was worried about us when we did not get home!!!

Despite not being able to catch the sunset at the five river lookout in Wyndham, another one for the list for next time, we still manage to capture one in the Wyndham Caravan Park whilst waiting for our taxi ride.

The kids never miss an opportunity for a swim!!! Making themselves quite at home!!!

The cute little green tree frog. You find them everywhere. This little friend Timna found when she opened up her chair in the morning!!!

This buddy Benj found when having his shower. He was hiding in the hinge of the shower door! We also found one in the toilet bowl! He, however, missed his photo opportunity!!! We did not mind these little frogs hanging around, as opposed to the cane toad. The cane toad has become prolific in WA and they cannot get rid of it.

A large goanna on the bank of the river in front of our van. A couple of nights later Robbie found a 2 metre freshwater croc in the same place!!

After a couple of quiet days around the caravan park waiting to get all clear for the car, we decide to take a short drive to Mirima (Hidden Valley) National Park. Some call this the mini bungle bungles. This beautiful was spot was aprox 10 minutes from our park.

Note the foot attire, not a very strenuous walk, but the views were fantastic!!!

Yes, we stayed away from the cliff edges......

 ....well, not too close to the edge!!!

Some beautiful wildflowers.

Only a few minutes away from town is Knob's Lookout - it looks out over the township of Kununurra and surrounding sandalwood and melon farms.

A beautiful place to watch the sunset.

I'm king of the world!!

Must always be vigilant for wandering stock!!!!

Just behind our Caravan Park, the local golf club. Robbie still hasn't hit one golf ball!! Too busy!! 

Back at home...our first movie night. We kick back to watch Crocodile Dundee. We thought it quite apt as we have visited so many of the places that were part of the film, and even met some of the stars. Burt, the croc who now lives at Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin and Charlie the bull, whose stuffed carcass stands on the bar in Adelaide River.

We truly met some wonderful people here in Kununurra. Chris & Rod, we loved chatting with you whilst watching the thunder and electrical storm roll in over the Lake. The boys love their new sunnies and Timna loves the clips, did you notice them in the pics??? And thanks for the binoculars....the kids felt so special with all the attention. Happy and safe journeys. We look forward to hearing what it is really like living through the wet season.

Tomorrow as long as we get the all clear for the car, we will continue our journey west. Next stop Fitzroy Crossing, only a mere 700kms from Kununurra!!!!! 

Go west young man!

Heading for Kununurra, Western Australia. Long drive today heading for the west coast.  The destination is Kununurra 500kms away. From here we cross Victoria River. Robbie catches some shut eye, and Linda and the kids check out the Victoria River Roadhouse. Here we get some sound advice - you have now entered croc country....all waters hold crocs, lots and lots of crocs. These ones are the salt water variety!!!! These ones like to eat ANYTHING!!!!

We know you know..........outside scenery constantly changing!!!!

At the lookout over Victoria River we have our first go at setting the self timer on the camera. Not a bad effort if we may say so!!

Timing is everything. Hadn't seen an oncoming vehicle for ages, then we detoured onto dirt for a couple of hundred metres around a bridge being rebuilt and copped 2 road trains and the accompanying dust cloud.  Quick dash to push the recirculating air button before we copped a car full of dust.



Setting up camp at a roadside stop called Saddle Creek. We are aprox 100kms from Kununurra. But with the sun setting earlier, we opt for a free camp. We are parked up against the sandstone escarpments we have had the pleasure of driving towards for the last hour.  It is prob about 40 degrees when we pull in, and as the sun sets, we have set up, have beer in hand and dinner on the barbecue. It is tonight we both notice how efficient we are becoming with the whole set up/pack up process, especially on these overnight stays.




Sun set at Saddle Creek. The clouds not only bring us intermittent relief from the hot sun during the day, but fabulous sunsets as well.

 

Time for some cards before dinner.

A liitle lizard trying to hitch a ride on one of the kids bikes.

Back on the road again in the morning. We were so super excited this morning by how early we were all packed. We weren't even the last to leave the campsite!!!!! WA here we come.

Quarantine check point at the NT/WA border. Quite a quick stop today as only honey to dispose of. We were prepared this time. Although we also had a great laugh at our own expense. We had forgotten that there is 1 1/2 hours time difference between NT & WA. That makes us now 3 hours behind Melbourne time. So...we left Saddle Creek at 8.30am, drove for an hour and arrived at the border at 8am. We were even better than first thought!!!! Little note to anyone that might be planning/thinking about travelling around Australia , we highly recommend having a copy of the Travellers Bible - Camps 5 Australia Wide, or whatever number they are up to. It identifies all the free/cheap roadside camps, and some caravan parks. We have had privilidge to stay at some excellent free camps thanks to the bible.  

Forever changing, even in WA!!!!

We get to see our first Boab tree. Note we have not spelt Boaz's name incorrectly, they are called Boab trees. They are a very special tree to the Kimberley region of WA. It grows on sandy plains, creek beds and stony ridges. It can grow to 15 metres tall. Some are a perfect shape, others can look quite grotesque. Its circumference can be up to 20 metres wide. Currently they are without leaves, but these are soon to start growing as the wet season approaches. We are told they have a really interesting white flower that only blooms during the night. There are Boab trees that are believed to be several thousand years old. Kununurra here we come.