Posts Tagged With: dunham river

Dunham River Rest Area to Kununurra

We needed the doona again last night but by 7.30 am it was starting to warm up considerably.

One advantage of yesterday’s long drive was that we didn’t have too far to go this morning to Kununurra.

Dunham Creek Rest Area at Sunrise

Dunham Creek Rest Area at Sunrise

Decisions, decisions, decisions

Decisions, decisions, decisions

Fantastic Scenery

Fantastic Scenery

 

There was only one minor snag – we didn’t actually have anywhere confirmed to stay.  Ann had made calls to several caravan parks from Broome and most had said that they would fit us in somewhere, but the story had changed when we actually arrived today and there was apparently nowhere for us to stay.  One factor is probably that next week is the Kununurra Show – something we hadn’t anticipated.

However, a phone call to the Kununurra Tourist Information Centre was answered by a very helpful person who did a ring around and called back in a few minutes with a place for us at the Discovery Big 4 Caravan Park on the lake.  What fantastic service and what a fantastic spot it turned out to be!!!  We would recommend this place to anyone as the staff could not have been more helpful!

Bridge Works Entering Kununurra

Bridge Works Entering Kununurra

Just Unhitched at Big4 Kununurra

Just Unhitched at Big4 Kununurra

 

After 3 nights free camping, which features quick showers in the fiver, we took the opportunity to treat ourselves to long (normal) hot showers on arrival – and Ann could use her hair dryer!

After this we headed off into town for a good look around.  It’s an interesting place and a bit bigger than we thought, with some great looking schools and community and sporting facilities.  Ann drooled window shopping in the Argyle Champagne Diamond shop.

For lunch we headed off to the Pumphouse Café which is in walking distance from the caravan park.  The building was the original water pumping station for Kununurra but was decommissioned in 1972 when the Ord River Scheme was expanded.  We were amazed at the hundreds of fish to be seen from the balcony – not to mention the breath-taking views over Lake Kununurra.  This really is a tough life.

Hundreds of Fish at Pumphouse Cafe

Hundreds of Fish at Pumphouse Cafe

Views from Pumphouse Cafe Balcony

Views from Pumphouse Cafe Balcony

Pumphouse Cafe

Pumphouse Cafe

 

Back at the caravan park we joined other travellers by the lake for Happy Hour which seems to start at about 4.00 o’clock here.  We enjoyed drinks and nibbles by the water and were joined by George, the resident fresh water crocodile.  Boy were the cameras snapping then!!  No-one was game to even consider a swim after meeting George.

Don't Swim Here - Crocodiles in the Water

Don’t Swim Here – Crocodiles in the Water

George the Crocodile

George the Crocodile

Ann and George

Ann and George

Closeup of George the Freshwater Crocodile

Closeup of George the Freshwater Crocodile

 

It is just after 9.00 pm as I write this and we still have all the windows open as it is still a very pleasant 25 degrees.  Oh what a life!

Categories: 2013 Big Adventure | Tags: ,

Mary’s Pool Rest Area to Dunham River Rest Area

After another cold night we awoke to a glorious morning at Mary’s Pool.  While we were packing up to leave, a 4 wheel drive Kimberly Wild tour bus arrived as part of their authentic early morning activities.  Unfortunately they chose the wrong place to park today as while drinking their billy tea the tourists had a great view of a large fifth-wheeler (not ours) pumping out their black-water tank into the dump point.  Very authentic!

Packing Up at Mary's Pool Rest Area

Packing Up at Mary’s Pool Rest Area

Leaving Mary's Pool

Leaving Mary’s Pool

First stop for the day was for coffee and to refuel at Halls Creek, where we took the opportunity to visit the Tourist Info Centre and also have a bit of a look around town.  I was partly interested because one of my nieces (with her father) had lived and worked here for several years not too long ago.

On the Way to Halls Creek

On the Way to Halls Creek

Cattle

Cattle

Cattle Yards

Cattle Yards

 

From Halls Creek our next intended destination was the Spring Creek Rest Area which we thought might be a potential overnight stop.  No way José, so we continued on.

The next potential free camp was the Muluk Rest Area, where we actually stopped for lunch.  However there was really only one decent spot, which was already taken, so we somewhat reluctantly hit the road again.

Driving today has been pretty much the same as previous days, with more single lane bridges, plenty of ant hills of all sorts if shapes and sizes, cattle (some in yards today), some horses roaming free, and, as always, beautiful mountainous scenery.

It was, however, somewhat disconcerting today to see smoke directly ahead of us on the highway, and eventually to be on both sides of us, with the roadsides still smouldering.  Speaking to a fellow traveller, he wasn’t at all concerned and just said it was the locals burning off!  The big thing is that there never seems to anyone actually looking after the fires.  In Turkey Creek they were even burning off their nature strips, again with no-one in attendance.

Smoke Ahead

Smoke Ahead

Burning Off

Burning Off

Mountain After Burning Off

Mountain After Burning Off

 

Our next possible overnight stop was the Doon Doon Roadhouse and Caravan Park, but as we arrived the signs indicated that the caravan park had closed.

By now it was getting quite late to be driving, although the scenery was still amazing.  Places to stop are rather spread out around here.

Fantastic Scenery

Fantastic Scenery

Fantastic Scenery

Fantastic Scenery

Fantastic Scenery

Fantastic Scenery

 

So we headed on up the highway and finally stopped at the Dunham River Rest Area in the Bungle Bungles, where we simply slotted into a great spot and had a chance for a quick sit outside before it got too dark.

Today was the furthest distance we have driven in a single day so far this trip, but all’s well that ends well.

Categories: 2013 Big Adventure, Free Camping | Tags: ,

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