Wednesday, 12 June 2019

JUNE 2019 : KIMBERLEY, WA : DAY 8 : Durack Homestead - Kununurra - Lake Argyle



Leaving El Questro over swollen creeks


Leaving the Gibb River Road



A mangy dingo on the highway



A brief stopover in Kununurra. A neat modern town, established in the 1960s as a centre for the Ord Irrigation Scheme, capitalising on the constant waters of the mighty Ord River.


A little diamond shopping for some. The Argyle diamond mine is near here.



Time to pop into the Durack Homestead. Patsy Durack left his Goulburn property in the 1850s and travelled for about 7 years droving his cattle via Queensland to the Kimberley, losing much stock en route. He is heralded as one of the champions of the Kimberley cattle industry. The homestead was moved stone by stone when the Ord was dammed to create Lake Argyle.


Patsy Durack’s grave. The property has remained in the family until recently


An immaculate bower, created by a male blower bird to attract a mate


One side Lake Argyle and on the lower side the Ord River



Lunch in a park nearby


Our camp tonight at the Lake Argyle Resort. Mark and I have opted to sleep under the stars in our swags where we can. No mosquitoes or other annoying insects have bothered us so far.


Busy campsite with good facilities


With a rather chilly infinity pool overlooking Lake Argyle


The company had organised an opportunity to take a two- hour sunset cruise on Lake Argyle


The lake is 70 km x 45 km. The maximum depth 40 m. It is the largest man-made lake in the Southern Hemisphere. 18 times more water than in Sydney Harbour.


Some of the rocky outcrops are home to black-footed rock wallabies and Euros.



Crocodiles have to bury their eggs in rocky surfaces, exposing them to danger


And there was an opportunity to swim


Excellent dinner at the Resort restaurant


We kept the energy up on the dance floor.


M&M

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