Kunnanurra

Moans of "I'm starving" were coming from the back seats as we headed into Kunnanurra. Admittedly we'd had an early breakfast before packing up the van and then walked to Emma Gorge, which with a swim took about 2 hours, then drove to Kunnanurra with only an orange and drink of water as a snack, and it was now 2pm. Nick surprised us all and announced we'd get "chicken treat" (A cross between KFC and red rooster). We walked across the road to what looked like a prison. All the windows and doors were covered in security bars, and once inside we felt like caged animals. Funnily enough the excitement of having fast food is more appealing than actually eating the stuff even the kids admitted this.

Our caravan park, Hidden Valley, backed onto the Mirima National Park, and as sunset approached the rocks became an iridescent orange, quite a spectacular sight.

We are having a whirlwind day tour of Kunnanurra today. After breakfast we went for a walk through the Mirima National Park from the caravan Park to Demboong (means Gap) Banan (means trail) and were treated to some magnificent views over the town, irrigation scheme and mountain ranges. After returning back we packed a picnic lunch before heading into town for a wander around the market, then drove out to Ivanhoe Crossing. The crossing is currently closed, and with water gushing across it Nick and I said simultaneously I think this would be pushing Tory past her limits. The information centre had told Josh that this was the best spot to catch Barramundi, although the water was a bit cold now. We watched a couple of guys fishing for about 1/2 hour, without catching a thing.

Driving "the loop" around the Ord Irrigation Scheme was interesting. We saw numerous tropical fruit trees and sandalwood plantations. We stopped to buy some farm fresh veggies (no fruit as it wasn't the right season), and spent more time than it should of getting the boys to work out how much money we needed to put in the honesty tin.

At the Sandalwood factory we learnt about the difference between Indian and Australian sandalwood, how it's processed, it's uses, and that it needs a host plant to attach its roots to in order to grow. We watched a DVD and tried every tester of lotions, potions and perfumes. Leaving with some newly learnt facts, and smelling beautiful.

Nick and I enjoyed a taster at the Hoochery, Nick trying 2 rums and a aniseed liqueur while I tried 3 liqueurs - mango, chocolate and aniseed.

At The Zebra Rock gallery we saw many beautiful rock carvings. Zebra rock is only found in a small area of the Kimberly on the banks of Lake Argyle. The mine can only be accessed 4-6 weeks a year due to water levels covering the area and is mined with a pick and shovel. We purchased a small bag of unpolished rock, with an instruction sheet on how to finish and polish them. Matt in particular is looking forward to doing this activity. The gallery is on the banks of a lake and for a gold coin donation we fed hundreds of catfish and a few turtles some bread.

Kunnanurra was a good place to do a big food shop as there is a Coles in town. As I wandered the aisles filling my trolley, my eyes caught sight of something long in the bottom shelf of the freezer section where the meat pies, sausage rolls and fish fingers were. I immediately thought that was a strange place to find long french bread sticks, but when I opened the door I found that they were infact whole kangaroo tails. I wish I'd taken a photo of them.

Heading closer to the Northern Territory border, we drove down to see Lake Argyle - Australia's largest man made lake. I was certainly large and impressive. We walked around the caravan park there and saw the infinity pool which looked over the lake. The kids weren't tempted in the slightest to have a swim in it as it was quite windy and only 21*c - bit of cold morning.

Time to hit the road and leave Western Australia remembering the wonderful places we've seen, people we've met and memories made as we enter the
Northern Territory.