Day 26 – Lake Argyle to Kununurra

Our body clocks are out of whack with the 1 ½ hour time difference, so we were awake at 5.30am this morning, in the bright daylight. Its not often we have had breakfast, been for a long walk down to the lake and back, a drive down across the dam wall, and then returned and had a swim in the pool by 8.00am!

 

As you can see from the photos below there is a lot of water coming out the pipe and flowing from Lake Argyle down the Ord River, down the 50km to the Kunununurra area, where it is pumped through a series of irrigation channels to feed the lush crops of melons, corn, rice, chia, mangos, tropical fruits, and many others.

 

The infinity pool at the Lake Argyle Resort is absolutely world class. Stunning views over the lake, making you feel part of the beautiful landscape around you.

 

So after a swim, we headed into Kununurra, about 30 mins west, and to the information centre where we gathered up some information for the next few days, including booking our three nights at the famous El Questro  Station (a cattle  station and wilderness park). This is one place that has been on my bucket list for years, so I can’t wait. Access is via the Gibb River Road, so after two days in Kununurra, we will head off there.

After checking in at the Ivanhoe Village Caravan Park (another stunning pool), and some lunch, we headed out in the car again to check out the local area. Firstly we headed out past all the verdant pastures of various crops, fruit trees and farm houses to the Zebra Rock Gallery, about 8km out of town.  It is here they turn the beautifully patterned zebra rock into sculptures and jewellery. Very interesting, and it is one of the only places in the world that it is mined.

 

Next up we visited the Hoochery, a rum, and other fruit liqueur distillery. A quick visit here to look at all the vats brewing/fermenting various things. We didn’t do a taste test though – not really our thing.

 

Next door was a very impressive Sandalwood Factory, which extracts sandalwood essence from these beautiful trees, and turns it into incense (biggest selling incense mainly for religious purposes in the world), perfumes (they sell it to Chanel and many other famous brands), and many other beauty products. The documentary was fascinating explaining how it is extracted from the heart of the tree, and it is affectionately known as ‘liquid gold’ (for good reason – it is the most expensive tree in the world!). A tiny piece of the beautiful wood was selling for $300 today.

On our list to visit next was the beautiful Celebrity Gardens. A lovely parkland area, overlooking the lake, boasting many beautiful species of trees (and beautiful birds to be found in them). The trees have been planted by famous celebrities of all kinds over the years (including Baz Lurhman, Ernie Dingo, Princess Margaret, etc). Once again we spotted that gloriously colored bird the rainbow bee eater. Sorry, as you can see I have a bit of thing for photographing boab trees! Can you see how big this one is with Sam walking nearby.

 

Last on the agenda for today was a sunset visit to nearby Kellys Knob. This is a strange rock formation right in town, which has a lookout boasting 360 degree views over the town and surrounding farmlands. A lovely place to watch the sunset.

 

Back to the van for tea (curried mince & vege, and rice tonight), then two loads of washing, then bed!