24 August - Kununurra and Lake Argyle

24 August 2016 – 184 378

Kununurra and Lake Argyle

This morning we headed to the supermarket for a restock, and then to the tourist information to find out more about the Gibb River Road. https://www.visitkununurra.com/ The conclusion was that some facilities in the area are starting to close for the season already, due to a combination of a really boom season and the sudden drop in tourist numbers from the early start to the build-up.  We also went to the Department of Parks and Wildlife to buy an annual pass for the National Parks – this covers entry fees but not camping. https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/know/park-passes It appears we will need to have more definite plans here than we have had so far, as national park camping needs to be booked online prior to getting to a park – however the brochures on the local parks are far more detailed than in the territory and hence planning should be more possible.  We were also advised that Purnululu may be closed again as the fire that closed it last week has jumped containment lines.  Our next destination was Kelly’s knob, this was a steep climb that rewarded us with views over both the town and nearby rock formations – kind of like a mini Bungle Bungle area. https://www.visitkununurra.com/accommodation/kellys-knob-lookout

After lunch, we drove to Lake Argyle and had a look at the relocated Argyle Downs Homestead (of Durack family fame – Kings in Grass Castles). https://www.visitkununurra.com/contact-us/argyle-homestead-museum This had been relocated stone by stone before the Ord River was dammed and half of the Argyle Downs pastoral lease flooded.  

The remainder of the afternoon was spent with Lake Argyle Cruises, cruising on Lake Arrgyle – it is massive! https://www.lakeargylecruises.com/ It is many, many times larger than Sydney Harbour.  We got up close to cliffs with small families of short eared rock wallabies and wallaroos that came down to eat pellets. 

After heading into another cove bread was fed to many many fish. One of the types spits water into the air as a strategy to knock insects into the water so this was amusing as various people got hit.  Of course with a large number of fish congregating to eat the bread, some of the fresh water crocodiles came to have their dinner of fish. 

We then went out into the main section of Lake Argyle – in the distance it was just possible to see a sliver of land on the horizon – the lake is just enormous.  We went out into a deep section where we could all have a swim in a seemingly bottomless lake (it is over 40m deep in spots) while having nibblies and watching the sunset.  This was magical!!  Then home for bed.