Monthly Archives: September 2019

We got up early and loaded up the car, with much excitement we headed for Lake Argyle for our full day out on the lake in our own hired pontoon. Our pontoon was there ready for us with an esky full of ice, all we had to do was transfer our things from the car and get the dogs on board. There were plenty of places to store things so we did not have everything everywhere. A little instruction from the staff and we were on our way out into this huge lake, we did not have to be back until around 5.30pm.

We were soon out in the open water, the scenery was fantastic and the bird life prolific. It was not long before Jock was itching to do some fishing so we found a nice sheltered spot and Jock sorted himself and Emma out with fishing rods. Well, I don’t even think Jock could have anticipated what came next! Emma squealed with delight as her rod was bending and bobbing, Jock ran across to help her and as he did his rod was bending. Fish everywhere as soon as the rods were put in to the water there was a fish to be pulled in, Emma was so excited but was so funny as she could not bring herself to touch the fish. Mind you just as well as we soon found out, well Jock found out, that these fish have a very long sharp barb.

As the fishing was so good Trevor Michelle and I decided we too should have a go, it was good fun but I just couldn’t handle the fact I was hooking a fish in the mouth just for fun so I caught the one then left it alone. Trevor was the only one that caught a different fish, we are not sure what it was but the ones we were catching were cat fish but up here called Silver cobbler.

We had a really good explore of the lake and enjoyed every minute, fishing was given up after about 110 fish!! Ruby had had the job of kissing the fish before they were put back, Phoebe just enjoyed lazing about and Chloe watched Jock fishing most of the time, all three dogs were loving their day out. We spotted one fresh water crocodile on our travels their would have been plenty more about but we did not see them. At lunch time had some pattis that Michelle had made and some burger rolls, there was a bbq onboard so all we had to do was cook the pattis. Mmm that is if the gas would work!! The men had a look at it and decided it was actually the wrong fitting so there was no way we were getting it to work. Luckily we had our satelite phone with us and we contacted the staff. They were very good and told us to stay put and they would bring another out to us. So lunch was delayed about half an hour whilst we waited and of course we could not move from our position.

Once we had our fitting fixed it was burgers all around. We then headed off into some lovely little coves and decided to head out a bit further. We had to keep our eye on the time to be sure we had plenty of time to get back to base before dark but at the same time we had decided we may aswell stay on the water to watch the sunset. As we tootled about we saw so many birds, trying to get photos of them proved hard because as we approached close enough for a photo they would scatter. The pelicans were the best ones to photograph as they took longer to take off, I got some good ones of those. Wish my camera was set on a faster exposure they would have been excellent.

It was a real shame when we realised we had to start back to the shore, we had time to get there and watch the sunset. We all pondered on our great day, cheaper option to us all going on a morning or afternoon tour of the lake and we had had all day. Something we would never forget, the sunset did not give us the best show but we were very happy with our whole day on Lake Argyle.

We did a pit stop in Kununura before heading to Lake Argyle. We rang the same camp site we stayed in before at Lakeside caravan park to ask if they had room, we were told just rock up it’s all good. When we got there, no sites?? So Jock sorted us another campsite, Hidden Valley caravan park and although it does not have the view of the lake like the other one we actually preferred it. On route to Kununura we stopped off at a place of interest called The Grotto It is a gorge tucked away in the trees, there were steps down to it but none of us were game to go down them. Health and safety is none existent in these parts, some other people braved it.

We stayed a couple of nights in Kununura so we could get up to date with the washing and supplies and any of our own admin we had to do. It was an early morning start the day we left, we had been told that Lake Argyle campsite does not take bookings it is a case of rock up take a number and line up! We arrived pretty early and there was already a line up for todays bookings, we got our number and waited. Oh look they have a café, so coffee all around, well we had to do something.

As we drove around into our ‘slot’ we noticed just how packed in everyone was, not our idea of a nice campsite but the case of the only campsite. We had seen people free camping just up the road, I think they may be the sensible ones. Oh well, it suits our purposes as we were going to have a full day on Lake Argyle and need to know the caravans were safe. Once we had all had a bit of a rest and we were all set up we decided we would go out later this afternoon to confirm our booking for a pontoon for the next day and see if the dogs could come with us. Also there was a lookout over Lake Argyle. This campsite we were on was the very same one Jock and I stayed at many years ago with the boys although now it was at least twice the size.

About 4.30pm we headed to the booking office and confirmed our booking and yes we can take the dogs with us, that makes things easier. Then up to the lookout…..OMG! I think the photos speak for themselves, the lake is HUGE!

We took a drive over the dam wall and down to where we would pick up our pontoon the next day but we made sure we were back up at the lookout for sunset.

We all agreed that tonight was an early night as we wanted as much time on the lake tomorrow as possible. We got everything ready for the morning, Michelle made home made burgers and we chopped up lots of onions and got some lovely fresh rolls, the pontoon has a bbq so no worries about lunch I don’t think we will be roughing it somehow.

After a much needed rest day after the Bungles we headed for Wyndham where the 5 rivers meet. The Pentecost river, Durack river, Ord river, Forest river and the King river. As soon as we arrived we refuelled at the local garage and asked the lady there if there was somewhere safe we could leave the caravans because we were not able to take them up the lookout. She was very kind and said we could leave them behind the garage, so we unhitched and headed up the hill. The scenery was magnificent we could see for miles.

Funny thing happened on the way up, Michelle radioed us and said, “Watch out there is a dick head coming down towing a caravan”. Keeping in mind that there are big signs No Caravans and small winding road to the top of the lookout. Jock replied to Michelle, “you wanna hope he doesn’t have a radio too”. Then we heard a voice say, “I do”. Well we were all in stitches.

Whilst up at the lookout we bumped into the man who had been fishing with Jock and Trevor at Willie Creek, the one I had a great sunset picture of him fishing. Brilliant, I got his wives mobile number and sent her the photo of him. We do bump in to a lot of people we have already seen on these roads with us all taking in the great tourist spots. When we came down the hill we went for a little drive around, the Historic Wharf, the community Jetty where we saw some kids fishing after school. There is certainly some old machinery hanging about here and it is a shame to see there are closed shops in what must have been the main town once upon a time.

We returned to the garage and hooked up the vans then it was a sneaky coffee from the most northern bakery in Western Australia called the Croc Bakery. Time now to find a camp site for the night, we headed for the salt flats and very nice it was too. We set up camp and then took the dogs over on to the flats to have a run, their last freedom was way back at Cable beach they went absolutely nuts.

Wood was gathered ready for our fire and we took in our fantastic view for the night. We do have some brilliant free camps here in Australia and I have to say this one is in the top 3 so far this trip.

Our new neighbours Joan and Neal joined us by the fire, Joan was a little concerned being there on their own and was quite relieved we came along. We had a good night with them, lots of laughs. The sunset was fantastic and no photo is really going to do it justice.

We made our way to Cathedral Gorge, now we were amongst the iconic bee hive shaped hills of the Bungle Bungles, this is what I wanted to see, this is what we see in all advertising photos of the Bungle Bungles.

Both Michelle and I took so many photos of these bee hive looking rocks, they had stripes all through them. They are made up of sandstones and conglomerates (rocks composed mainly of pebbles and boulders cemented together by finer material). Twenty million years of weathering eroded the bee hive structures and some kind of bacteria form the dark rings around them. We drove through heaps of them bigger ones, smaller ones, really rounded ones, all sorts. When we got out of the car we got to look at them closer, some lined the track towards Cathedral Gorge.

The signs said 500 meters to the Gorge, wow easier than we had thought!! Until we had walked 500 meters and another and another, who ever measured this track must have been drunk or stupid or both. First of all it was a smoothish dry creek bed, that was fine, then we got into sand then deeper sand and the sun was starting to get to us. We then had ‘steps’ chipped from the rock to climb, luckily it had a good hand rail. As we got off that raised area we had rocks to clamber over but nothing too bad but in the distance we could see a ladder!! Well, this was going to give me an insight as to whether I would be able to climb a ladder into a roof top tent, thinking ahead to our next planned adventure. Sorted, easy as. By now though I was absolutely buggered and wondering if I should continue. Jock encouraged me to stop but I kept saying I would go a little further see how I go. Someone came out and said it was well worth the trek in and also commented about the extended 500 meter track, more like 2ks they reckoned, I reckoned more. Anyway I continued, luckily Michelle had loaned me her back pack that was also a stool so I could take regular breaks. Both Trevor and I had to just plod at our own pace I did wonder if we were going to get out before dark! After yet another ladder and rocks we were finally there………OH WOW! Well worth the walk in just stunning.

We stayed in there for some time. I had a young bloke come up to me, we had bumped into him and his young family during the day , he said he just had to come and say to me that he really admired me for my grit and determination. Michelle had told him at Echidna chasm that I was determined even with the new knees/hips and other health issues. He said he has one knee replacement and he found it difficult so had a small understanding of my efforts. Yes it gave me a boost until my thoughts turned to going back!! Omg how the hell was I going to get back? It was very slow going and time was getting on. I sat many times, looked like I would pass out many times and many times Jock was working out rescue procedures he really was becoming very worried, secretly so was I. Omg it was tough, what a bloody idiot! I kept telling myself, “oh well, won’t ever have to do it again, I’ve seen it now”. What a relief it was when I could finally see the car park. I flopped into the car with air conditioner full blast just happy I could now stop. We were all just blown away by what we had seen today, Bungle bungles really needs to be on everyone’s bucket list and we did not see it all. We had to pick what was most important to us and I think we chose well what an amazing day.

Before we broke camp at Caroline pool I wanted to go and see what the Stone house was all about, we had seen signs for it but could not find any information on it. Michelle and Emma came with us and Trevor stayed back to watch the vans and dogs. It was not far up the track but once there I could only look from afar as you had to climb across a dry creek full of boulders to get there. I stayed back with the car and checked out the slate laying about everywhere, no need to guess what would have been used for this old stone house.

Story of the stone house

I found this information on the stone house online.

‘At the time of the Halls Creek old rush the nearest port for supplies and export of gold from Halls Creek was Wyndham. Originally by necessity the horse track from Wyndham to Old Halls Creek closely followed the important watering points. From Wyndham the track wound south through Turkey Creek and Mabel Downs. The Stone hut on Sophie Downs (now there is another name close to me) was the last stop to rest before heading into Old Halls Creek. The ruins of this hut have historic significance’.

No sooner were we back from the Stone House and we were hitched up and on the road. Today we head for Purnululu National Park better known to us as The Bungle Bungles, something I have wanted to see for many years. When we did a trip back in 2000 in this area we were all set to visit the Bungles but they had bush fires in there and closed it off to the public. We were all very excited about going to see the gorges within the park. We arrived at the Bungle Bungles caravan park and set up, then our next job was to organise a dog sitter for the next day as no dogs allowed in National park. We had been told there was a young girl on the site that did dog sitting. Once that was sorted Michelle and I were thinking of taking a Helicopter trip over the bungles but on enquiry we were told that there had to be groups of 3 and no more than a certain weight!!! Well, probably only for the tiny Asian tourists because I cant imagine how many people in a group of 3 could average 80kg? So no helicopter flight for us unless we wanted to pay for the third seat and not occupy it……..get lost! Lots of discrimination on this trip especially with weight and Dogs.

Echidna Chasm

We got up early and headed in to the Purnululu National Park, all of us very excited. First stop Echidna Chasm it was fantastic, not too bad a walk in but very taxing for both Trevor and I. There were rocks to clamber over and ladders to climb, sand to walk through and heat to contend with. But, if you want to see these things you just have to keep putting that one foot in front of the other. It was absolutely worth it, the photos do not do it justice.

When we got out of there I was knackered it had been a challenge and I knew I had yet another walk to go to get into Cathedral Gorge. As we drove away from Echidna Chasm we came across a lookout and apparently 360 degree views. Kungkalanayi lookout, up a steep hill and as it was I could see fantastic scenery so what would it be like from up there? It had to be done, Trevor just couldn’t and Jock was telling me I shouldn’t!!!!! So up I went, with lots of help from my lovely husband who pushed me up with both hands on my backside, I did start to doubt myself half way up but took small steps and kept going. Oh wow, so glad I made it the scenery was stunning, the Bungle bungles were certainly turning out to be all I thought it would be but where are those hills that look like bee hives, the ones that are so iconic of the Bungle Bungles?

to be continued….