We have had 2 separate stays in Kununarra so rather than separate the photos we have put them together.
We arrived in Kununarra on 30th July and Geoff and Sofia arrived a couple of days later. We spent a day reorganizing the car and packing it with everything we’d need for 3 weeks camping. Geoff and Sofia hired a camper-trailer from Broome. We decided not to take the caravan on the Gibb River Road but to leave it in storage in Kununarra for 3 weeks and pick it up on our way back through to Darwin. We bought a new tent before we left which pops up in seconds. It turned out to be a very good buy. I think the novelty would have worn off pretty quickly if we’d had to pitch the dome tent every time.
We had a free day to explore the
area before heading off on 3rd August. Geoff said he wasn’t
going to leave until he’d been up to Ivanhoe Crossing which is a well
known 4x4 water crossing. It is one of those things you just have to
do. Both vehicles crossed unscathed. You can only cross it in a 4x4 in
the dry season. We also saw our first freshwater crocodile which was to
be the first of many. We had a drive through the agricultural area of
the Ord River Valley. A large variety of crops are grown here including
mangoes, melons, sugarcane and sandalwood. We stopped at one of the
farms and bought some fresh produce. We also came across the Hoochery
Distillery where they make several types of rum. Not our cup of tea but
it was a very interesting place to visit. The highlight of these few
days was the Sunset BBQ Cruise on the Ord River. We had a lovely BBQ
dinner on the calm tranquil waters watching the sun set over the Ord
River Diversion Dam.
Paj and I were back in Kununarra on 20th August and after 3 weeks in the tent we were really keen to get the caravan back and sleep in a proper bed! We decided to stay for a week and catch up on washing, clean all the dust and dirt from the car and gear and relax before moving on to Darwin. There were a couple of things we wanted to see but didn’t have time last time we were here.
We went up to Wyndham and up the Five Rivers Lookout. The lookout overlooks an area of the gulf where 5 rivers open into it. The view would have been fantastic but there had been a lot of bushfires round so it was very hazy. We then went to the Marlgu Billabong which is a breeding area for hundreds of species of water birds. We actually went here twice because we enjoyed it so much. It was an amazing place and we could have spent hours there. They have a bird hide and walkways set up and places you can sit and watch the birds. Nearby was Parry Creek Farm Resort, another spot for bird watching with billabongs, walkways and accommodation. I think we will camp out there next time we are up this way, rather than in town. We drove back on the back road via Ivanhoe Crossing so had another go at crossing it. The water was deeper and faster than the first time and our friend the crocodile was sunning himself on the same rock as last time.
I think the highlight of our
stay in Kununarra was the trip to the Argyle Diamond Mine. Slingair are
the only company with permission to enter the site so the only access by
the public is through them. We were picked up at the caravan park at
10am and transported to the airport where we boarded the plane and set
off for the mine. We flew over Lake Argyle and landed about half an
hour later at the largest privately owned airport in the country. Once
we landed it was onto a minibus and off to the staff village for a talk
about diamonds and a buffet lunch in the staff canteen. Once lunch was
finished we were on the bus again and up to the pit lookout. What a
huge place. We then toured the processing area and the gallery before
heading back to the plane. Security once you hit the actual mining and
processing area was incredible. Our guide had to check in and out and
everywhere he went he had to radio through and ask permission so that
they knew exactly where he was. If we dropped anything on the ground we
were not to pick it up, our guide had to radio security who would come
and pick it up and hand it to you ( just in case it was a stray diamond
you were picking up off the floor! ). We flew over the pit a couple of
times then down to the Bungle Bungles and flew over the park before
heading back to Kununarra. It was a very interesting day. The mine has
the highest output of diamonds in the world and specializes in the rare
pink diamonds. It was fascinating learning about the mining process,
types of diamonds and how the industry works.
Paj and Heather's Big Adventure 2008
Part Two - Kununarra
