18-Jun-2007

Heading West from Darwin

Monday - 26th July 

Left Darwin after much leave taking and set off for Litchfield National Park.  Stopped along the way to get a photo of Abraham, the maker of my Didgeridoo.  Checked into the Wangi Falls CP, fairly basic but grassed sites and shade.  Bit of a sing-a-long going on over the road, might go and have a look.  Spent the afternoon at Wangi Falls, we did a nice strenuous walk up the escarpment and round the back of the falls.  Came back down and went for a swim in the pool at the base of the falls.  There is a hidden pool a short way up the cliff  which is fed by a hot spring that was very pleasant to soak in but we then had to go back in the cold water to swim back to our clothes.  Very refreshing.  Then back to camp for a few beers and a bit more didgy practice.

Friday - 30th July 

Set off for the west, stopped at Katherine to stock up on food and the last of the “cheap” petrol ($1.01/litre) before heading off down the Victoria Highway,  amazing variation in scenery as we travelled through the Gregory National Park.  Stopped late afternoon to overnight at a rest stop at Sullivans Creek.  Used the generator in anger.   It did a great job, ran the microwave and when it got hot we ran the air conditioner, talk about roughing it.  Bruce and Elaine pulled in behind us and we had the usual boozy sundown.  I cooked a pretty spicy spaghetti marinara, very tasty. 

Saturday - 31st July 

Back on the road, we drove through some rugged country side to the quarantine checkpoint at the WA border, which we got through OK, (we’d cooked all our vegetables and ate all our fruit).  Arrived at Kununurra early, after setting our clocks back 90 minutes and set up in Kimberleyland CP.  Nice spot with a view across the lake.   Set up, washed the blood and dust off the van and veged out for the afternoon.  Had left over spag. marinara for lunch.  Sundown at the lake side was delightful.  Barbequed tandoori chicken for dinner, yum.

Thursday  5th August 

Packed up the van and left it in the storage area while we drove out to Lake Argyle.  Stopped in at the relocated Durack Homestead then motored on to the lake shore.  It’s a massive lake and the ground based viewing doesn’t do it justice.  I’m told you need a fly-over to appreciate its full size.   Drove across the dam and down to the Ord River,  a rather large freshwater croc was sunning itself on the opposite bank.   Came back to town and bought a tent in anticipation of talking Jude into camping overnight in the Bungle Bungles.  Hitched up the van and set off for Turkey Creek Roadhouse.   Wonderful Kimberley scenery along the way.    Arrived at the roadhouse and was accommodated on the overflow area (petrol station forecourt) but at least had power.

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This site was last updated 18-06-07