Denise and Barry's Caravan Travels: Lake Argyle

WOW! Finally have mobile phone cover and internet! Will not even mention that we have not had TV! Mobile phones went crazy today when we came into range a few Klm’s west of Kununurra, especially as Tania had been worried as she had not had contact for four days, even checking on our savings account for activity.

Monday we retraced our steps back down the Stuart Hwy to Katherine then onto the Victoria Hwy finally pulling in for the night at Limestone Creek rest area, along with 18 other travellers. Bazz had to drag out the generator so we could run the air conditioner for an hour to bring the temp down in the van, then we had to resort to the little 12volt fan that only has one speed flat out.

Tuesday found us in the Victoria River Region & the Gregory National Park with its rugged scenery and land forms. We stopped for a break at the Victoria River Roadhouse the next stop being Timber Creek to fill up with diesel at $2.05 a litre. We pulled into the roadhouse and were waiting for a vehicle to move out of the way, when some moron thought he would jump the queue and pushing past us and performing a U turn in front of the bowsers, then even taking a toilet break while filling his vehicle, then once inside taking forever before returning to move his car. In the mean time about a dozen other vehicles had pulled in with another car and van pulling in behind the moron, it was really getting close to bowser rage as we were then nose to nose with that vehicle!! Eventually it was onto to our stop for the night at Big Horse Creek Campground, where we were lucky enough that it was the night the ranger came into the campground to give a talk on the Victoria River & the Gregory National Park. We were shown pictures of a Croc that had been caught in the river only two weeks previously measuring 4.85 metres.

Wednesday we crossed the NT/WA Border after passing through the Quarantine checkpoint and given the all clear after a thorough check of the car & van to make sure we were not taking any fruit, veggies, nuts or honey into WA. Just a few klms on from the border we turned off heading into spectacular Lake Argyle, which is the highlight of our trip so far. This magnificent lake, Australia’s largest body of fresh water, is classed as an inland sea covering over 1000 square klms. The lake is the reservoir for the irrigation scheme in Kununurra and has spectacular views from the lookouts and cruise boats. We decided to take the Sunset Cruise which incorporates a swim at sunset and drinks and nibbles it was truly magical, just the best. I managed to perform a great Belly Smacker when diving into the lake, I just had a little hesitation when looking down into the dark water that is also home for an estimated 30,000 freshwater crocodiles. While swimming around a man grabbed my leg and scared the life out of me, he thought it was a good joke, ha ha! Thursday morning we visited the Durack Homestead Museum, the home dated back to 1880’s relocated to it’s present site before the area was flooded to create the lake. After checking out the lookout’s it was back to the park to relax in the spectacular “Infinity Pool” which is surrounded by the stunning Carr Boyd ranges, and overlooks Lake Argyle. So many photo opportunities I will probably bore you with them.

We had an early start this morning leaving the park by 7.45am, we needed to be in Kununurra to find someone who would be able to check out the brake controller for the caravan. We found out on our way into Lake Argyle that we did not have any brakes happening on the caravan, luckily it was only a loose wire. It was then off to Wyndham to the Five Rivers Lookout, it is the vantage point to view the Ord, Forrest, King, Durack and Pentecost Rivers entering the Cambridge Gulf, spectacular views. We enjoyed lunch at the Wyndham Town Hotel along with a couple of cold beers, the publican came and sat at our table for a chat while we ate our lunch.

Big Horse Creek Campground