Heading West - Kununurra (Day 33 -39)

Day 33 (18/6) - Kakadu (Gunlom) to Victoria River

In the morning we spent 2 hours listening to a Ranger talk at the lower waterfall at Gunlom. She was so interesting and passionate about the local aboriginal area (Mary River region) and taught us about some bush medicine and food. We said goodbye to Nana and Pa before we left Kakadu and drove back to Katherine. We restocked then headed west and arrived at Victoria River on sunset (stunning scenery).

Finally the kids go back to school - bush school with the ranger !

Making fire, the hard way

Yet another beautiful evening, this time the Victoria River

Day 34 (19/6) - Near Timber Creek
It was a lovely spot to camp at the Victoria River roadhouse so we took our time in the morning before leaving. We watched a snake slither by just a few metres past our camper which was exciting for the kids! After yet another bush walk to a scenic lookout we drove on to Timber Creek. We explored a 4WD track south and found a nice campground to stay at along the Bullita stock route next to the East Baines River. Mikayla had prepared a well thought out quiz for the whole family to do around the campfire that night (Amy won!).

Victoria River ranges

Another fun walk

Who knew toasting marshmellows was this much fun !

Day 35 (20/6) – Keep River National Park
I talked Chris and Ryan out of driving across the crocodile infested river at the stock route crossing and we all went for a walk along the rocks instead! Packed up camp and drove back to Timber Creek then on to the Keep River National Park where we found a picturesque campground. The kids had fun making the camp fire and Mikayla even cooked all of our tea on the fire. Was a great family bonding night doing a quiz organised by Amy then watching falling stars.

Love the shape of the Boab trees

Picturesque camp site in Keep River National Park

Great dinner Mikayla, always tastes better cooked on the fire

Day 36 (21/6) - Into WA and on to Kununurra
Chris and I enjoyed a sleep in while the kids got the camp fire going again and cooked us bacon and eggs -what a life! We did one of the many spectacular bush walks around some sandstone formations within the National Park before continuing our drive through the quarantine checkpoint and into Western Australia. We set up in the Ivanhoe caravan park in Kununurra, washed some of the red dust off of everything, then treated ourselves to a night out for tea at the pub.

Yum,

Keep River National Park

Photos don't quite capture the beautiful colours and atmosphere

Day 37(22/6) – Kununurra – First look around
We will have to get used to the time change being 1.5 hours behind SA and NT, and sunset now around 5pm. The Grey Nomads are all up and about super early in the mornings - I might need to go to bed when the kids do to cope with the early starts! The kids enjoyed playing around the caravan park all morning (swimming in the pool and making friends) while Chris and I did jobs. We spent the afternoon looking around the Kununurra area, visiting attractions and trying the fresh local produce (love the mango smoothies!)

Our twins at the pool yet again

View of Kununurra

Tawny Mouth Owl - almost tame at the caravan park

Day 38 (23/6) – Wyndham
Our excursion today was to Wyndham – the most northern town in Western Australia. We took the 4WD back road there, which started with an exciting drive across the Ivanhoe crossing, through the flowing Lower Ord River with a crocodile just out my window! Along the way we did some bird watching at the Marlgu billabong, and saw a water monitor at Parry Creek. We visited all of the attractions around the area including the Five Rivers Lookout (towards the Cambridge Gulf), the Port, museum, and another 4WD track to a massive Boab tree – hollowed for a prison. The orange glow on the ranges was stunning as we drove back to Kununurra. Tea then the kids played with their caravan park friends and collected green tree frogs.

Ivanhoe crossing on the Ord River - fun to drive accross !

Lots of birds - hard to pick only one picture

Water monitor

The famous prison Boab tree - actually used in 1800's

Miky and friend !

Day 39 (24/6) – Kununurra and Argyle Dam

We spent the morning at the caravan park pottering on jobs while the kids played and swam with friends (between trying to catch up on writing in their journals). In the afternoon we drove out to the massive Lake Argyle which was a brilliant blue surrounded by glowing orange ranges. Also had a look at the Argyle Downs homestead from the early pioneering Durack family. It seems that sightseeing, swimming, eating, and planning our next route fills our days!

The boys getting a few jobs done and inventing camper gadjets

The Ord River Dam that produced Lake Argyle

The Ord River (crocs in here)

Many thanks again to everyone for the comments and emails.

Have a god Holiday everyone , if travelling take care and stay warm, XXxxx

See you soon Mexicans !