Day
53 (Sept 8) Hidden Valley caravan park Kununurra to Wyndham caravan
park.
With
the car back to full health, there was no reason for staying in
Kununurra. We decided last night that we would go to Wyndham, then
come back down and do El Questro before heading to Lake Argyle. Bit
of a stuff up on my part, I thought the turn off to Lake Argyle was
on the western side of Kununurra whereas it's actually on the eastern
side, which means it would be less back tracking if we went there
first. Never mind, I'll have to take more notice of the map next
time.
I
got up early and got the soldering iron out. The dc/dc charger still
wasn't operating right and the last thing I could do was re-solder
the connection on the pc board for the 12v input wire. Only took a
couple of minutes, I'll run the freezer off the car 12v again and try
and charge the battery with the dc/dc without load. If the battery
charges fine we should be back in business!
The
caravan park manager suggested we take the back road to Wyndham.
There's over 20km of road works as you come in to Wyndham apparently
so it means we'd miss most of that. We also wanted to visit the
sandalwood shop and the Hoochery rum distillery and they were both in
that general direction so it made sense. Stopped at the hardware
store to get a couple of things before we left town and I checked in
the back of the Pajero to see how the dc/dc charger was
going............... the short answer was it wasn't! A quick check
showed the 20a fuse for the 12v supply to the back of the car blown.
That didn't auger well........a bit of thought and I realised the
dc/dc charger is 20a and I had the freezer running separately on the
same circuit so it just might be a case of to much current draw. I
put in a 30a fuse, and made a mental note to check it again when we
stopped. The sandalwood shop was OK, quite commercial and several
“miracle” cures. The Hoochery distillery was good, very well set
out. We had a tasting paddle and a commentary about the various rum
from the lady behind the bar. Very passionate about her product
that's for sure. We bought a bottle of liqueur and a bottle of rum,
both for Xmas but they may have to be buried very deep in the back of
the car somewhere to last until then!
The back road was sealed up until a big water crossing at Ivanhoe. It was all concrete an had uprights either side so you knew where the road was but it was a weird feeling when you were driving across surrounded by water!
The gravel road from there was in OK condition, some corrugations but nowhere near as rough as the last part of the Gibb. We got back to the main road, lots of roadworks as we were told but we only had to drive 5km or so of it. Checked in at the camping ground and after setting up and having lunch we relaxed before going for a drive around the original town area and then up to the lookout for the sunset.
Great view and quite amazing to see the 5 rivers all converging. Got to see some rock wallabies close up to as they foraged around on the rocks just in front of us.
Moroccan Lamb for dinner.
The back road was sealed up until a big water crossing at Ivanhoe. It was all concrete an had uprights either side so you knew where the road was but it was a weird feeling when you were driving across surrounded by water!
The gravel road from there was in OK condition, some corrugations but nowhere near as rough as the last part of the Gibb. We got back to the main road, lots of roadworks as we were told but we only had to drive 5km or so of it. Checked in at the camping ground and after setting up and having lunch we relaxed before going for a drive around the original town area and then up to the lookout for the sunset.
Great view and quite amazing to see the 5 rivers all converging. Got to see some rock wallabies close up to as they foraged around on the rocks just in front of us.
Moroccan Lamb for dinner.
158km travelled.
Day 54 (Sept 9) Wyndham caravan park to El Questro
A
bit of a sleep in this morning. Washed up after breakfast in a very
nice camp kitchen. Also got to swap one of my books in the well
stocked book exchange.
On the road by 8:50, too early for the supermarket which wasn't open. The road works weren't too bad, there's certainly a lot of them and it's going to be a great road when it's finished but we didn't get too many hold ups. Maybe because it was Sunday and not much traffic on the roads.
On the road by 8:50, too early for the supermarket which wasn't open. The road works weren't too bad, there's certainly a lot of them and it's going to be a great road when it's finished but we didn't get too many hold ups. Maybe because it was Sunday and not much traffic on the roads.
Got
to Emma Gorge turn off in good time, so we decided to call in and do
the walk before going on to El Questro. It's part of their set up so
we were able to pay the park entry fee, $20 for the week. Emma Gorge
is a great walk, pretty interesting and the pool at the end is great
for a dip. Lots of people doing the walk and having a dip.
A quick bite to eat back at the car and the short drive into El Questro. It is about 16km from the sealed road and the road in was in reasonable condition. A small SUV, I think it was a Mitsubishi Outlander, turned in just ahead of us and by the way they were driving they hadn't been on much in the way of gravel roads. They started off very slowly and when we managed to get passed them, they were on the other side of the road and driving on the shoulder where it was a bit smoother. I hope they weren't thinking of doing the Gibb!
A quick bite to eat back at the car and the short drive into El Questro. It is about 16km from the sealed road and the road in was in reasonable condition. A small SUV, I think it was a Mitsubishi Outlander, turned in just ahead of us and by the way they were driving they hadn't been on much in the way of gravel roads. They started off very slowly and when we managed to get passed them, they were on the other side of the road and driving on the shoulder where it was a bit smoother. I hope they weren't thinking of doing the Gibb!
There
are a couple of water crossings on the way in to El Questro, the
first one was quite short and not deep and the second one was longer
and up near the top of the wheels. Both were pretty easy to get
across and we checked in and set up in the non powered area. The
camping area is pretty big and not very busy, probably about ¼ full.
The battery in the car for the freezer was showing full, so it looks like the bad connections on the dc/dc charger was the problem. Took it easy for the rest of the day and worked out what we would do tomorrow. Spag bol for dinner.
The battery in the car for the freezer was showing full, so it looks like the bad connections on the dc/dc charger was the problem. Took it easy for the rest of the day and worked out what we would do tomorrow. Spag bol for dinner.
105.1 km travelled.
Day
55 & 56 (Sept 10 & 11) El Questro.
Spent
2 days looking around El Questro. Did Zebedee Springs then Moonshine
gorge walk the first day. Zebedee Springs was great, nice to have a
soak in the hot water as it flows passed. There is a short walk in,
then there are a lot of little pools to get in and enjoy the warm
water. The gates are closed at 12 so you have to come here early. Not
sure what would happen if you were here at the time, maybe they'd
just lock you in?
Drove
out to Moonshine gorge and there was no one else there. A deep and
quite long water crossing to get through on the way, up to the bonnet
at one stage where there is a bit of a hole. The walk was quite a
long one, took us about 2 hrs and the first part along the river was
much nicer than the second part which was a bit uninteresting and
very hot with not much shade. Very glad of some cold water when we
got back to the car. There's a nice pool at the start of the walk
which is very close to the car park and although a dip would have
been nice, Carol decided against it based on the sign that was there
asking people not to antagonise the fresh water crocodile that had
taken up residence.
Back at the camp for a late lunch and to make sure the solar panels were getting plenty of sun. It's got hotter the last couple of weeks and the fridge in the camper is running a lot more so we have to make sure the batteries are topped up. The couple we'd met on the horizontal falls trip arrived and set up not far away. They came down for a chat before dinner, they'd had a good time up at Kalumbaru and their camper, which had got a crack in the chassis had held up well. They were also going to Lake Argyle after here so we'll probably see them there too. They told us about a camp oven dinner trip they were doing at lake Argyle which we checked out online. Looked good and there are spots available for Friday night, so we booked it.
Back at the camp for a late lunch and to make sure the solar panels were getting plenty of sun. It's got hotter the last couple of weeks and the fridge in the camper is running a lot more so we have to make sure the batteries are topped up. The couple we'd met on the horizontal falls trip arrived and set up not far away. They came down for a chat before dinner, they'd had a good time up at Kalumbaru and their camper, which had got a crack in the chassis had held up well. They were also going to Lake Argyle after here so we'll probably see them there too. They told us about a camp oven dinner trip they were doing at lake Argyle which we checked out online. Looked good and there are spots available for Friday night, so we booked it.
The
second day we went out to El Questro gorge. We had to cross the water
crossing again and I was quite pleased to have a nice bow wave
happening on the way across.................until we got to the other
side and it bounced back and splashed all over the windscreen! The
gorge walk was good, a bit boring for the first bit but much better
once you turn the corner and head for halfway pool. To carry on you
have wade out in to the pool and climb up and over a big rock. There
was a couple and their 3 young girls climbing up there when we got
there, the 2 older girls were up and waiting with dad but the mum was
carrying the youngest one in a back pack and was having problems. I
waded out and gave them a hand to get the back pack off and then hand
it up to dad so the mum could them climb up. We tried to get up it
but Carol found it too hard so we decided that was as far as we would
go.
Back
to camp for lunch, then we went for a drive to Saddle back look out.
The info that we were given said it was a steep narrow drive to the
lookout and should only be done by experienced 4wders. We drove up
the first bit and decided to park and walk the rest even though the
road, while certainly steep, didn't look too hard. So glad we did,
after the first corner the road deteriorated badly and there were
several very deep holes. A bit beyond our expertise I think and
certainly so on our own. It was a hot walk but not too far a good to
see the river and the camping area from up high.
Had a drink with the 2 couples that were our neighbours after dinner. They were heading west on to the Gibb and were a bit worried about making it after hearing what we had to say about the road conditions. Especially the couple who were travelling in a Mercedes rental van. It was 4wd but it would certainly get a good shaking for a few days. Not sure they were re assured by us saying just drop your tire pressures and drive to the conditions.
Had a drink with the 2 couples that were our neighbours after dinner. They were heading west on to the Gibb and were a bit worried about making it after hearing what we had to say about the road conditions. Especially the couple who were travelling in a Mercedes rental van. It was 4wd but it would certainly get a good shaking for a few days. Not sure they were re assured by us saying just drop your tire pressures and drive to the conditions.
We'd
read a fair bit about El Questro and a lot of people said how it was
very commercial but worth a visit. Have to say that we didn't find it
all that commercial and it was a nice place to stay and explore.
43.1km travelled over the 2 days.
Day
57 (Sept 12) El Questro to Lake Argyle caravan park
Packed
up and headed back out to the Gibb River Road. I hadn't aired
down on the way in but had while we drove around El Questro, so we
aired up at the seal and headed back into Kununurra. Fuelled up at
the 24hr card facility which was still $146.9/ltr and did some
shopping. We parked in the pub car park near the shopping centre and
I stayed with the car while Carol went to the super market. The
family with the Mitchell that we had seen at Pender Bay as well as
Home Valley Station parked beside us and asked if this was the
Mitchell car park.
They are from Victoria and have been on the road for a few months. Had a chat to them and their Mitchell is about the same age as ours and it seems they have had a few of the same issues as we have. Checked emails while in town and it seems that we can't go on the camp oven tour. The site shouldn't have accepted our booking because they are fully booked, right up until Saturday night which will be their last one for the season. They said we could come along in our own car but we decided it wouldn't be as good, so just asked them to let us know if there was a cancellation. Disappointing because it sounded really good. Had a quick lunch on the road to Lake Argyle and checked in about 2. Got shown to our site but it was right down the back and not really very appealing. The guy said we could go on some others that they were watering but to wait ½ an hour so that's what we decided to do. While we were waiting, another guy from the park, who'd been working on a back hoe nearby stopped and showed us another site we could go to which we quickly accepted, nice and big with lots of shade.
We decided we would do a fishing trip on the lake which we tried to organise but reception couldn't get a reply so we'd have to try later. Had a swim in the infinity pool which overlooks the lake, very popular.
Free WiFi at the bar after 4:30 so we went up to check emails etc while we had a nice cold beer. The family with the Mitchell that I'd chatted to earlier in the day were checking in as we walked through. I think that's the 3rd time we have been at the same place as them. Managed to get the fishing trip booked for tomorrow morning so that's good.
They are from Victoria and have been on the road for a few months. Had a chat to them and their Mitchell is about the same age as ours and it seems they have had a few of the same issues as we have. Checked emails while in town and it seems that we can't go on the camp oven tour. The site shouldn't have accepted our booking because they are fully booked, right up until Saturday night which will be their last one for the season. They said we could come along in our own car but we decided it wouldn't be as good, so just asked them to let us know if there was a cancellation. Disappointing because it sounded really good. Had a quick lunch on the road to Lake Argyle and checked in about 2. Got shown to our site but it was right down the back and not really very appealing. The guy said we could go on some others that they were watering but to wait ½ an hour so that's what we decided to do. While we were waiting, another guy from the park, who'd been working on a back hoe nearby stopped and showed us another site we could go to which we quickly accepted, nice and big with lots of shade.
We decided we would do a fishing trip on the lake which we tried to organise but reception couldn't get a reply so we'd have to try later. Had a swim in the infinity pool which overlooks the lake, very popular.
Free WiFi at the bar after 4:30 so we went up to check emails etc while we had a nice cold beer. The family with the Mitchell that I'd chatted to earlier in the day were checking in as we walked through. I think that's the 3rd time we have been at the same place as them. Managed to get the fishing trip booked for tomorrow morning so that's good.
183.1km travelled.
Day
58 & 59 (Sept 13&14) Lake Argyle caravan park
Went
out this morning on
the fishing trip. Parked down near the boat ramp, then once the boat
was launched hopped aboard.
We were the only ones on it which was nice. Our skipper was Mitch, a young guy from Taree in NSW. We caught a few fish, only 2 that were worth keeping but it was great to be out on the lake.
Went for a bit of a drive over the dam wall when we got back, down to the picnic area.
Mitch recommended to half day tour on the lake so we walked down to the company's office and tried to book it when we got back but there wasn't one until Sunday. We booked the sunset tour instead for the same afternoon and it was back to the camp for a quick change of clothes. Got picked up and taken to the boat ramp. There were only 10 people on board plus the skipper and we were the only ones from the camp, so there was plenty of room. Spent the next few hours cruising around the lake and getting info about it. I found it a quite amazing place, the ruggedness of the hills and the expanse of water were amazing. Apparently there are about 30,000 fresh water crocodiles live around the lake. Had a swim while we watched the sunset, a complimentary beer and nibbles. All served while we were in the water, the beer thrown to us and the nibbles floated out to us on an esky lid.
We were the only ones on it which was nice. Our skipper was Mitch, a young guy from Taree in NSW. We caught a few fish, only 2 that were worth keeping but it was great to be out on the lake.
Went for a bit of a drive over the dam wall when we got back, down to the picnic area.
Mitch recommended to half day tour on the lake so we walked down to the company's office and tried to book it when we got back but there wasn't one until Sunday. We booked the sunset tour instead for the same afternoon and it was back to the camp for a quick change of clothes. Got picked up and taken to the boat ramp. There were only 10 people on board plus the skipper and we were the only ones from the camp, so there was plenty of room. Spent the next few hours cruising around the lake and getting info about it. I found it a quite amazing place, the ruggedness of the hills and the expanse of water were amazing. Apparently there are about 30,000 fresh water crocodiles live around the lake. Had a swim while we watched the sunset, a complimentary beer and nibbles. All served while we were in the water, the beer thrown to us and the nibbles floated out to us on an esky lid.
We'd
booked in for 3 nights so the next day was a lazy day. Some catching
up on the blog and a couple of swims in the pool. There was a camera
crew there when we went before lunch. I think they were from a
program called “Hello World” which caused a bit of excitement.
Went up to the bar for another beer and tried the WiFi but it was quite patchy and in the end we gave up and went back to the camper. Had freshly caught fish in a red curry for dinner on Thursday and Moroccan spiced fish for dinner on Friday. 10Km travelled
Went up to the bar for another beer and tried the WiFi but it was quite patchy and in the end we gave up and went back to the camper. Had freshly caught fish in a red curry for dinner on Thursday and Moroccan spiced fish for dinner on Friday. 10Km travelled
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