Boabs, Fitzroy, Wyndham "n" Kununurra we go! - May 29th...

See photo - Boab vs Car & Caravan.

We left Broome and steadily made our way east towards Fitzroy Crossing and up to Kununurra, it wasn't to long before we could hear the faint "are we there yet" closely followed by the "how many minutes is that" and "can i have some sandwiches". So we pulled in 100km up the road and fed the troops! Following the turnoff to Derby / Kununurra (yes we took the right one!) we found the biggest Boab tree ever..... and proceeded to make it flash blind! We continued across the Willere Bridge and pulled into the Willere Roadhouse for the boys to look at what we all think was the biggest Dozer ever built!, it was huge and the crowd was amused by it also. Continuing along we found .......yes, another huge Boab tree (you can see a pattern emerging cant you!), we then stopped 80km outside Fitzroy Crossing for our last Boab photo opportunity, a grove of 5 to 10 of them, very nice indeed!.


We headed to the Fitzroy River and its crossing, the caravan park was just over the river and out of town, fantastic spot as evident by the HUGE line of caravans behind us only minutes after we arrived (good timing!), we got our pick of the sites and setup, the boys then proceeded to ride their bikes thru every puddle as fast as they could and get dirty as quickly as possible, to which i give them credit...... they did a great job!.

See photo - One of 11 fresh water crocs we saw
on the Geikie Gorge tour.

Dinner was marinated chicken thighs grilled on the Webber (something different) with mash and corn, then it was shower and an early bed ready for another 430km trip to the Warman (Turkey Creek) and on to Wyndham. First thing it was up and out to the Geikie George tour along the mighty Fitzroy River ( per volume flow the largest river in Australia ) every 75 minutes it flows Perth's total combined water stock) and the volume of Sydney Harbour every 24 hours!

Well enough stats, we set off for the Bungle Bungles and an overnight stop at the Bungle Bungle Caravan park which is inside the park itself, it should be signposted, the advert said, but we have no communication apart from email........? so off we went, well 4 1/2  hours later with 2 ragged kids there was nothing at the entry point about a caravan park, and barely enough space to turn around at the entrance so what to do?, well off we went to Warmun, 58km down the road....a very bad one!, and after nearly getting killed by a Truck driver with a road train who's last trailer ran us half off the road we arrived. 7 sites at the roadside with the roadhouse, great people, 20 stray dogs and 4 stray horses from the 'local' community round the corner, the boys got on their bikes and cut the place up..... dust everywhere and heaps of laughs, until Riley stacked it! Then it was dinner and then bed without a word, you beauty!.

See photo - Family by the Boab tree Near Marlgu Billabong.

Well after a good sleep we were up at the crack of dawn and on the road to Wyndham and the Parry Farm Caravan Park, what a great place, perfect location off the road, huge Boabs a pool, bird watching of the feathered variety, and a 2 meter saltwater crock......... somewhere in the park (you got the prize if you find it!). And the boys were on their bikes ..... again and this time no stacks. After lunch it was in the car, again, and off to the Marlgu Billabong via the old Telegraph Homestead, what a fantastic view of the wetlands (the bird life was amazing and to date this is the best Billabong we have ever seen - will update if anything changes) Bell did some bird-watching then it was off across the10km wetland plain  to Wyndham (fantastic open plain once the wet season water level drops!). Wyndham.......... well what a DUMP!, there is nothing there so we got a photo with the concrete croc, Bell saw someone wearing an ECU Sports T-shirt, got some fuel $1.65 / Lt (nice not to get "done over" for it just once) and up to the 5 Rivers Lookout up the hill, great view and then off back to the caravan park.

See photo - A late night for the boys,
but why wouldn't you for this view!

On the way back we saw the turnoff for the "Boab Prison Tree", it was 4pm but we had a stash of lollies to bribe the boys when the going got tough, so off we went!. The track was pretty good, we had 4 water crossings and a crock sighting, on the way back we got some amazing sunset images of the Boabs across to the Western Ranges , and almost ran over a python (our first so far) also some photos of the wetlands.

See photo - Kununurra Diversion Dam.

The next day we packed up and headed to Kununurra staying at the Hidden Valley Tourist Park. As the gateway to the East Kimberley, the town was established in the 1960's to service the Ord River Irrigation Scheme. As we arrived we drove over the Diversion Dam, seeing the rushing water going under the bridge brought excitement to the passengers after a bumpy stretch of road. After settling in and checking out the freezing cold swimming pool we took an after walk through part of the Hidden Valley National Park. We made a mistake with Aiden letting him wear sandals and every minute he was stopping to empty his shoes after a whinge! At the end of our lovely walk we found some soft rocks that someone had collected from the park and left near the entrance. So with a hammer the boys let loose, made some paint and did some Aboriginal painting, and . We did learn that water does not work as well as spit!

See photo - Boys trying their hand at Aboriginal art.

The next morning we headed out to finish our National Park walk, along with the sighting of a stink bug, goanna and numerous birds there was plenty of entertainment as we climbed on rocks along the tracks. On our return we headed for a more detailed exploration of town which included trying to buy local fruit (unfortunately the floods this year took longer to recede and we were about 2 weeks too early), Kelly's Knob Lookout and window shopped at the Argyle Diamond store!

See photo - Lake Argyle - damming of Ord river in 1972.

For our last day we decided to take a day trip (70km) to Lake Argyle. It was an impressive sight, of 1000 square kms of water. We saw a croc as we crossed the main bridge and stopped for a chat with the fisherman and admired the dozens of pike fish taking advantage of the fast flowing water that diverted into the side streams. After taking in the views we stopped for a picnic lunch and were joined by a dozen birds including one very dirty white/brown Corella who looked like he had been playing the muddy puddle. After a nice steady ride home we then enjoyed a leftover Teriyaki pork dinner and it was off to bed for and early departure ...... and our journey to the Top End!

Here are our East Kimberley photos