Sunset Cruise

Today we had another swim in the freezing but beautiful Infinity Pool because it was another hot day.  We came back to have lunch and stayed back at the caravan for a little while.  Then we headed over to the restaurant area but mum and dad wouldn't tell us why.  Then a bus came and stopped in front of us and then they surprised us that we were going on a sunset cruise!  We hopped onto the bus that took us down to the boat ramp and hopped off the bus and onto our boat, the Silver Cobbler.  

Our skipper Greg gave us some safety rules and then we got going on the beautiful Lake Argyle.  The water was lovely and flat and the views were beautiful.  We went very fast and we first stopped at the side of an island where some adorable Wallaroos were sitting.  They were all female and the driver threw them some food from the boat.  We then stopped at another island with a baby Wallaroo.  We also saw some Freshwater Crocodiles sitting on the banks of the islands too.  Greg told us some history and facts about the dam wall and Lake Argyle, while we stopped at some more islands with some beautiful Brolgas that were eating and walking around.  There were lots of sea birds including Pelicans, Cormorant, ducks, Osprey and lots of other birds.  Then we stopped to the side of another island and lots of Catfish and Archer Fish came up to us.  We were handed some bread to feed them and the Archer Fish spat at us and made us drop the bread.  The catfish didn't have a very good sight so we had to put big pieces of bread that made a splash so they could get it.  Then we went to a special spot as the sun went down and we jumped off the boat and into the warm water.  The colour after the sun set was really pretty and when the full moon came up it was first pink then orange and as the moon got higher into the sky it turned bright white.  

On the way back in the dark it was really cool and I had a great time.  When we got back it was 6:00pm and the bus took us back to the park where we had nuggets and chips for dinner while we watched the footy on the big screen.   (Richmond beat the Hawks)

Lake Argyle

Today we left the Bungle Bungle Range and drove back through Kununurra to pick up the caravan and then drove on and arrived at Lake Argyle.  

We set up at the park and because it was so hot we then went straight into the pool called the Infinity Pool.  It was called the Infinity Pool because it looked like it had no edge to it, it is the best pool view ever.  It was a crystal clear pool that overlooked the beautiful Lake Argyle.  It was by far the best pool ever.  We swam there for a while though the water was a bit cold and then went back to the van for a while.  

After a bit we went over to the restaurant area.  We then decided we would join the trivia night and went and sat at the table with the team name, Spillway.  There was 4 topics we had to go through, Australia, Music, TV and Movies and General Knowledge.  At the end of the quiz, they told us that it was a draw between our team and one of the other teams.  So we had to do a last little quiz and then we were told who won.  We came 1st!  We were awarded with some prizes and then headed back to the caravan in the dark, very hungry for dinner.

Echidna Chasm

We didn't do as much today after a big day yesterday.  First we did a nice walk called Homestead Valley and saw some beautiful views of amazing rock formations.  

Then a little while later we did a really cool walk called Echidna Chasm.  It was really cool because we had to walk through a long, narrow gap in the rock/cliff which stretched over 200 metres high.  The glow on the walls from the sun was really bright and looked gold from back in the darkness.  There were some boulders stuck half way through up above us that we spotted climbing up a ladder.  When we got to the end of the chasm we stayed there until the sun passed from over head and then we walked back.  

On the way back the colours on the walls had changed.  Where there was a red glow on the way there was a gold glow and where there was a gold glow there was now just bright sunlight.  We also stopped at a beautiful lookout that overlooked the mountain ranges which made us sad that we had to leave tomorrow.

The Domes / Cathedral Gorge

Today we got up and got ready to go to the dome formations of the Bungle Bungles, the part I was really looking forward to.  When we arrived, we got our sunscreen on and were ready to do the beautiful walk.  On the way we saw a rock shaped like an Elephant called Elephant Rock.  We also started to see some of the special domes on the drive in.  Once we were ready, we started the walk around the towering orange and black striped domes. It was amazing how we had really wanted to go there and then we were finally there standing at the base of the giants.  

After we finished the small loop walk, we followed the dry creek bed to the beautiful Cathedral Gorge.  It was a beautiful cave like amphitheatre with a murky pool in the middle and circle smooth hole in the roof.  After we stayed there a for a few minutes and had seen a Cane Toad, we walked further along the dry creek bed to Piccaninny Lookout.  It looked out over some perfect domes and dad spotted an emu crossing a dry creek bed.  Then we moved even further down the dry creek bed to look at a spot called ‘The Window’, then turned back because it was getting hot.  

The rest of the day we spent relaxing and playing games until we drove out to a different lookout to watch the sun go down behind the hills.

The Bungle Bungle Range

Today we left Kununurra and drove down South to the Bungle Bungle Range.  We left our van and took our tents in because the road was too bumpy. On the way we saw some more wild horses, one of them had a little baby too.  We set up and then went to do a walk called Mini Palms Gorge. The start of the pretty walk was through a dry creek bed and the second half was through big rocks made up of smaller rocks.  At the end of the walk we came to a platform and looked through to the gorge below which disappeared around the corner.  After we got back we had a rest and then went up to a lookout near camp to watch the sun set and project a glow on the cliffs. 

Kununurra

Today we visited the Market.  We bought some fresh produce and some yummy fudge and toffee bars.  After that went to look at the Sandel Wood Gallery which is where they make lots of skin care products made of a Sandel Wood oil which is from a kind of tree.  Then we had a look at Ivanhoe Crossing which is through water and was the only way you could get to a town called Wyndham but due to the high water, the crossing is closed.  Now there is a new nice and easy way to get across, the bridge that we used to get into Kununurra.  We spent the rest of the day back at the Holiday Park swimming and playing dodgeball and races in the pool with our friends.  The only other thing we did was go to a lookout at sunset and watched the beautiful sun do down over the mountains.

I would like to thank everyone that has commented on my blog so far.  I read each and every one but can’t always reply.  Thanks to Nanny, Poppy, Nanny, Poppy, Lily, Emma, Holly, Lily’s Grandma, Leni, Brody and Rory Edwards, The Burrows and Mrs Humby.

End of The Gibb

Today we finally finished the Gibb River Road!  There was no damage to the van, but when we were on the sealed road a stone flicked up creating our second stone crack on our windscreen.  

Our stop that night was at a large town called Kununurra and we stayed at Kimberlyland Holiday Park.  After we set up we went and visited the Zebra Rock Gallery.  The place was called Zebra Rock because they sell beautiful rocks with natural patterns on it that looks like Zebra stripes.  The rocks were sold as beautiful carvings, jewellery or just the stone itself.  While we were there we talked to a few cockatoos who would only say hello when you start to leave and loved to bite my hat.  We also went out onto the jetty and fed the fish some bread.  They weren't just ordinary fish there were way oversized catfish!  There was also some ordinary sized Archer Fish out the back but they didn't spit the water to knock the bread out of my hands because the catfish were to fast.  We also spotted a few turtles swimming peacefully around too.  

That night we sat down a couple of metres away from our van and watched some live music in front of Lily Lagoon.  Just as the music ended, millions of Fruit Bats flew over our heads.  They stretched out as far as I could see, both ways and they just kept flying for over 30 minutes.   

El Questro, Zebedee Springs and BIG CROCS

Today we got up a bit early so we could go and swim at Zebedee Springs.  We got up early because the springs are only open from 7am-12pm.  After a little drive we arrived at the springs and got into our bathers.  Though it was in the shade and early in the morning we couldn't wait to hop in, the water is 30 degrees.  The spring water is called thermal water and comes from under ground.  We were one of the first ones there, so we could choose which pool we wanted to go in.  The water was lovely and warm but soon a lot of people started to squeeze in too.  

Later that day we went on a 4 wheel drive track and crossed a very wide river on a very rocky path.   We stopped at a lookout with an amazing view of the river and rolling mountains.  As we looked down at the river we spotted something very dangerous and big.  It was a 5 METRE SALT WATER CROCODILE!  It was not only humungous but it was the type of croc that attacks humans.  It was our first saltwater croc because we had only seen freshwater crocs.  Just before sunset we drove on another 4 wheel drive track up a tall mountain to watch the sun set.  It was really pretty and a bit hazy too.  It was also pretty cool driving back down the mountain in the dark and we went through another creek crossing.  

Home Valley Station, Pentecost River and Emma Gorge

After we got back from Mitchell Falls, we stayed a night back at Drysdale to pick up the van.  While we were there we saw a snake in the tree.  It was long and skinny and called a Golden Tree Snake, its snake skin which it had shed, was also hanging down from the tree. 

We left there and moved on to a place called Home Valley Station.  It was a very nice farm and it had lots of pretty horses I could look at, one was called Timmy.  After we set up we played on the playground with some other kids and had a swim in the pretty, but cold swimming pool.  Later that night we went to listen to some live country music.  While we were there, we watched a whip cracking demonstration by one of the stockman.  He was very talented at whip cracking, he could do lots of tricks with 2 whips at the same time.  After the demonstration, Kade and I were lucky enough to be given a part of the whip, the part that makes the loud CRACK!  We sat around a fire for a little while before heading back to the caravan to go to bed. 

Today we left Home Valley and drove to another station called El Questro.  On the way we went through the main water crossing, it was through a river called the Pentecost River.  It was very bumpy from the rocks at the bottom and the river was very wide, it was also said to have Saltwater Crocodiles.  When we arrived at El Questro, we were welcomed by a donkey.  There was also some horses in the paddock next to the donkey.  We set up and then had a look around, we found an art gallery where a lady was painting.  Then we went to do a walk at Emma Gorge.  It was a beautiful walk that ended with a pretty waterfall and pool.  I stood deep in the water but didn't swim because it was too cold.  As we explored around the sides of the pool, we found a crack in the gorge wall with hot thermal water coming out of it.  We found a spot to sit with the warm water rushing on our backs to warm us up after the cold dip in the pool. 

Mitchell Falls

Today we got up early to do a walk to the famous Mitchell Falls.  We go up early because the sign said it would take around 3 hours to get there and 3 hours to get back.  The first pretty thing we went to on the way was a waterfall called Big Mertens falls, which was pretty because the bottom of the gorge (where the waterfall ended) was really far below.  Past that we saw a pretty pond filled with heaps and heaps of Lily pads and flowers.  Not long after we arrived at the stunning Mitchell Falls.   

We first stood at the top of it and then walked around to get a better view of it.  Mitchell Falls was made of 5 waterfalls on 3 levels, all ending in pools.  We found another path to get halfway into the gorge (with a better view) and sat there to have lunch.  While we were sitting there, we saw 2 small furry animals.  The bodies of them looked like the Quolls we had seen last night without the spots, but the tail looked like a ringtail possums.  After we found our way back up to the top, we found a nice spot to swim.  We swam there for a little while before walking back to camp.  When we did get back we realised we did the walk in only 2 hours, 1 hour each way.  To celebrate that Kade and I got some yummy chocolate milk and some Doritos.  

Drysdale River Station

Yesterday we spent the night at Drysdale River Station.  On the way we saw an adorable baby Dingo and something I had wanted to see for ages, WILD HORSES!  2 wild horses were walking along the bumpy road, one was black and one was the colour of the red dirt and both had a messy mane.  That night we didn't have to cook dinner ourselves,  we had dinner with some others campers prepared for us by the staff working at the station.  At 7:00pm we sat down under the fairy lights at our own fancy table ready to be told our meal was ready.  As soon as they told us to line up,  we served ourselves from the Buffet.  I had some lovely Broccoli, Potato, Rice, Beef Stroganoff, and some pieces of Roast Lamb.  It was all delicious and I was glad that there was no dishes to do.  After a while we had a surprise dessert of lovely ice-cream, it was supposed to be Sticky-Date Pudding with ice-cream but they had run out so we didn't get some.  

Today we left our caravan behind for the second time to drive along the terrible Mitchell Falls Road. On the way we stopped at 2 special locations where you can find ancient Aboriginal Rock Art.  At the first spot we found lots of pretty paintings of stick figure-like people, faces, ceremonies, animals and prints.  Most of the art was painted thousands of years ago and was mostly painted in faint yellow and the colour of red dirt.  We also went though a long creek crossing which was quite cool, but we had to drive carefully.  When we arrived we had lunch because we were really hungry and then set up our 2 small tents.  Once we had that ready we went for a swim at a waterfall called Little Mertens Falls not far from camp.  I didn't actually swim there but I went into a cave behind the waterfalls and sat under them.  When we were having our dinner (in the dark) we heard some rustling noises and saw dark shapes scuttling across the ground.  Once we shined the torch light one them mum told us what they were, Quolls.  They are adorable creatures, they are quite like a Bilby but have white spots.  Every now and then we had to shine the torch around to find the Quolls scuttling away from next to our chairs.