We spent three nights at Kununurra and day tripped to Lake Argyle and the Durack Homestead. We didn't realise just how big Lake Argyle was until we got there, it's just awesome. We had a picnic lunch down past the spillway where there was green grass and plenty of shade – a rare sight in these parts.
We gave in to Telstra and bought a prepaid Next G phone as Optus just doesn't exist anywhere near where we go and I don't like to be out of contact for too long.
On Friday we arrived at the turnoff to the Bungle Bungles at around 2.30pm and were almost put off by the sign that said to allow 3 hours to drive the 53km in to the park if towing, it was rough going but it only took 1 ½ hours, thankfully as we didn't want to set up in the dark. When we got to the visitor carpark, a couple asked if we happened to have any spare bolts, as their roof rack had lost one and caused a bit of damage on the way in, Geoff, ever the Spares Parts Guy, found one that fit and saved the day. The roof rack was part of their roof top camper so there would've been a problem with accommodation for them if it wasn't fixed. They were so grateful that they gave us a bottle of wine and a bag of lollies for Erin. They weren't the only casualty of the road into the park, a camper trailer had problems with their leaf springs and had to have it picked up by a tilt slide tow truck and another guy was seen holding onto his roof rack while driving out. The only problem we had was a blown fuse on the fridge, thankfully Mr Spares had a few more.
We got up at dawn on Saturday morning and completed the Cathedral Gorge walk before the sun got too hot, it was a bit overcast so we were spared the heat a little longer. When we got back to camp Erin sat on the ground and did some of her schoolwork only to be spooked by a rather large snake cutting between her and the tent, a space of only centimetres. We are hoping it was only a python as we didn't see it, we were sitting further away at the table. Erin was very good and stayed very still until it moved away, it was only when she started crying and we heard the snake in the dry grass that Geoff and I realised something had happened. We went up to the visitor centre to look at their snake book and see if she could identify it but nothing stuck out to her.
We were told that the best time to do the Echidna Chasm walk was around noon when the sun was high and gave the best light. They weren't wrong, we took a picnic lunch and enjoyed the temperature drop within, a nice change from the heat outside.
I can only imagine what the Bungle Bungles would be like during peak season, you wouldn't be able to take a photo without someone being in your shot, we were again very lucky that it was quiet and we had our pick of campsites and carparks. Well worth the effort getting in, it's such a pity that access is restricted to 4wds and camper trailers only. Apparently a guy drove his Commodore and caravan in a few weeks ago and was immediately turned around and sent out again by the rangers, absolutely no 2wds or caravans allowed, no exceptions.
Happy first birthday to James for Saturday, we hope he had a great day.
