Wyndham to Kununurra
Wyndham is geographically the northernmost town of Western Australia and the port services the huge cattle industry, the Ord River Irrigation Project and the many mining companies. Five huge rivers flow into the Cambridge Gulf, the Durack, King, Pentecost,
Ord and Forrest. These can be seen from the Five Rivers Lookout, very close to the town. The gulf is home to some very large salt water crocodiles so going down to the mud flats is not encouraged! We also learnt from the information board that Charles Kingsford Smith, the pioneer aviator crashed in the area in 1929 and was missing for a time. It is very inhospitable country so can only imagine how serious it would have been. However he went on to fly again and then used Wyndham as a stopping off point on his trip from England in 1933. Some old photos at the hotel-motel showed camel trains arriving there in the 1920’s and there is a cemetery dedicated to the Afghan people who lived and worked in the area. With a population of only 1000 people, Wyndham is a very small place, but interesting for its historical and port facilities. It was also a place where I could ice my toes and have a bit of a rest.
Wyndham is geographically the northernmost town of Western Australia and the port services the huge cattle industry, the Ord River Irrigation Project and the many mining companies. Five huge rivers flow into the Cambridge Gulf, the Durack, King, Pentecost,
Ord and Forrest. These can be seen from the Five Rivers Lookout, very close to the town. The gulf is home to some very large salt water crocodiles so going down to the mud flats is not encouraged! We also learnt from the information board that Charles Kingsford Smith, the pioneer aviator crashed in the area in 1929 and was missing for a time. It is very inhospitable country so can only imagine how serious it would have been. However he went on to fly again and then used Wyndham as a stopping off point on his trip from England in 1933. Some old photos at the hotel-motel showed camel trains arriving there in the 1920’s and there is a cemetery dedicated to the Afghan people who lived and worked in the area. With a population of only 1000 people, Wyndham is a very small place, but interesting for its historical and port facilities. It was also a place where I could ice my toes and have a bit of a rest.
The original plan was to drive down the Purnululu National Park and the Bungle Bungle Range and do the walks into the gorges, but that wasn’t going to be an option as walks through the park are not for broken toes, so we headed south east to Kununurra. Kununurra is the youngest town in the Kimberleys and is fast becoming a stopping off point for people wishing to explore the vast surrounding areas, some still untouched. We managed to get a cabin for three nights – we were now encountering accommodation problems with so many tourists visiting the area, school holidays and many carnivals etc. Firstly a trip to the medical and information centres and then booked a scenic flight and bbq sunset cruise for the next day.
The scenic flight took us up over the Ord Irrigation scheme, Lake Argyle, The Packsaddle and Carr Boyd Ranges, Lissadell and Texas Downs (cattle stations of 1,000,000 acreas with approx. 10,000 head of cattle on each) and then over the Bungle Bungle Range before heading back over the Arglye Diamond Mine before landing at Kununurra Airport.
The scenic flight took us up over the Ord Irrigation scheme, Lake Argyle, The Packsaddle and Carr Boyd Ranges, Lissadell and Texas Downs (cattle stations of 1,000,000 acreas with approx. 10,000 head of cattle on each) and then over the Bungle Bungle Range before heading back over the Arglye Diamond Mine before landing at Kununurra Airport.
Lake Argyle is a very large man made lake, and holds on average 9 times the amount of water of Sydney Harbour. Together with the year round flow of the Ord River released from the reservoir, not only irrigates the agricultural land but provides a major tourist attraction. Phase 1 of the Ord Irrigation Project is huge and Phase 2 is being planned.
The Argyle Diamond mine is where the famous pink diamond is mined and Australia’s only diamond mine. Other diamonds include fine whites, champagne and cognac diamonds.
The Bungle Bungle Range is an inspiring tribute to nature. From the air the black and orange beehive domes are really an impressive site rising 200 metres about the plain and giving way to reveal hidden gorges and pools. The striped formations have thin outer skins of black lichen and orange silica, which, if broken will expose the soft sandstone beneath to the torrential rains of the green season and erosion will occur. Although we missed out on the walks to the gorges and chasms, from the air the range was a stunning sight. Many people who stay out in the park take a helicopter flight to really appreciate both aspects. The park has only been available to the public since mid 1980’s and has a World Heritage Site listing.
In the evening we were picked up to go on the sunset cruise, the second part of the tour.
This took place on Lilypad Lagoon, very aptly named with many large water lilies and lots of bird life. We cruised slowly along trying to see if we could see any of the freshwater crocodiles and observing the plant and birdlife in the lagoon. Went up as far as the Diversion Dam which we reached just as the sun set. There were many interesting people on board and it is a popular cruise for families so on the way back the crew actually sighted and picked up a baby crocodile so the children could pat it, before it was returned to its mother. It was a beautiful end to a great day.
This took place on Lilypad Lagoon, very aptly named with many large water lilies and lots of bird life. We cruised slowly along trying to see if we could see any of the freshwater crocodiles and observing the plant and birdlife in the lagoon. Went up as far as the Diversion Dam which we reached just as the sun set. There were many interesting people on board and it is a popular cruise for families so on the way back the crew actually sighted and picked up a baby crocodile so the children could pat it, before it was returned to its mother. It was a beautiful end to a great day.
Kununurra has some nice galleries and I particularly enjoyed the Lovell Gallery where there is a mural of the Bungle Bungle Range measuring 7 panels of 2 sq. m each.
We also took the opportunity to go out to the Ivanhoe Crossing which is part of the old road up to Wyndham. The crossing is on top of a weir and at times the water flows quite quickly. Heinz decided to drive across and I elected to take the photos. We also went up to another lookout called Kelly’s Knob for another view of the town and then out to Zebra Rock Gallery where they show the unique Zebra rock being made into jewellery and artifacts.
We also took the opportunity to go out to the Ivanhoe Crossing which is part of the old road up to Wyndham. The crossing is on top of a weir and at times the water flows quite quickly. Heinz decided to drive across and I elected to take the photos. We also went up to another lookout called Kelly’s Knob for another view of the town and then out to Zebra Rock Gallery where they show the unique Zebra rock being made into jewellery and artifacts.
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