Posts Tagged With: kununurra

Kununurra to Lake Argyle

Posted on Monday, July 8, 2013 by shorty

After another glorious warm starry night, on Friday morning we packed up and were ready to hit the road early.

We turned off the Victoria Highway about 35 km from Kununurra for Lake Argyle.  The scenery for the next 40 km or so was spectacular, and being behind a slower vehicle meant that we could get a decent look at our surroundings.

By 10.30 am we were booked in at Lake Argyle Resort and Caravan Park, unhitched and having a cuppa under the awning.

And that’s pretty much all we did all day except go for a walk around the caravan park!  When you’re in paradise, doing nothing much is a great thing to do.

The Lake Argyle Resort is quite large and offers waterfront sites, luxury cabins, eco-tents, plus standard cabins and other powered and un-powered sites.  It has great facilities and serves as the base for many of the cruises and flights around the Lake.  Fishing is a popular pastime and quite a number of caravans and motorhomes in the caravan park have come equipped with boats of all sizes.  The caravan park is actually the site of the work camp built for the construction of the Ord River Dam, and is now being further developed for tourism.

We really do have a fantastic site here but most sites are great and there has been a lot of planning and infrastructure invested in this Resort.  All of this complimented by temperatures in the high 20s, clear deep blue skies, tropical gardens, sensational views and good friendly company. The only down side is that there is no mobile, internet or TV reception.

We have promised ourselves that we will come back here again!

Interesting Facts:

  • Lake Argyle is classed as an inland sea, covering over 1,000 square kilometres, and up to 2,000 square kilometres at flood capacity!
  • Lake Argyle is the largest body of fresh water in Australia and the largest man-made lake in the Southern hemisphere.
  • It was formed by the damming of the Ord River in 1971 and acts as a reservoir for the irrigation scheme in Kununurra.
  • Its hydro-electric plant supplies power for Kununurra, Wyndham and the Argyle Diamond Mine.
  • It is estimated to contain 25,000 crocodiles, 26 species of native fish, and one third of Australia’s bird species.
Turn Off Victoria Highway

Turn Off Victoria Highway

Magnificent Scenery

Magnificent Scenery

Magnificent Scenery

Magnificent Scenery

Magnificent Scenery

Magnificent Scenery

Set Up at Lake Argyle Resort

Set Up at Lake Argyle Resort

Bar & Beer Garden at Lake Argyle Resort

Bar & Beer Garden at Lake Argyle Resort

Infinity Swimming Pool at Lake Argyle Resort

Infinity Swimming Pool at Lake Argyle Resort

 

 

Categories: 2013 Big Adventure | Tags: ,

Dunham River Rest Area to Kununurra

Posted on Thursday, July 4, 2013 by shorty

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: ,

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