El Questro - Emma Gorge

We have been loving our stay at El Questro. The gounds are lush and the swimming good. We started our adventures here by walking into Emma Gorge (undoubtedly named after Emma O'Neill). The walk consists of walking up the creek bed and clambering over boulders in places to reach the gorge. Once you reach the gorge you are rewarded with a cool swim (not as cool as the infinity pool though). The falls here are different as the water isn't falling as such, they are more like rain droplets. On the way down we also had a swim in Turquoise Pool.

Wyndham

On our way to El Questro we decided to call into Wyndham to have a look. Here 5 major rivers of the Kimberelys meet. These rivers are the Pentecost, Kings, Ord, Forrest and Durack and all enter the Cambridge Gulf . The view was impressive, however, it would have been more spectacular if it wasn't for the haze from a burnoff.

Purnululu North End

Our second day say us off again early - it gets to hot to walk too late in the day.  We went to the northern end of the park and did the Mini Palms walk which took us right up a gorge to see some Livistonia Palms.  It was a bit cooler and shadier than our walks yesterday. The boys enjoyed climbing over and squeezing past the boulders to get into the end of the gorge. 

After lunch in the airconditioning of the car we went to Echidna Chasm.  This walk saw us walk right to the end a chasm that most times was no wider than your outstretched arrms.  The sun only every reaches into the bottom of the chasm during the middle of the day, so narrow is the cleft and the colour changes are spectacular.

We spent the afternoon at camp with the boys doing some much needed journal writing and school work.  We have been pretty slack on this front but promise Mrs Jacobs and Miss Keong that we will be better in May.

Purnululu National Park (aka Bungle Bungles)

ANZAC day saw us arrive in Purnululu. The 53km from the highway to the ranger's station took us just over 1.5 hours.  The road was a bit corrugated and rocky but all in all was in good nick.  I was impressed at Pokey's ability to let his tyres down a bit and drive slowly to avoid damage.

The funny thing about being where we are in WA is that we are only just over the border from NT but the time difference is 1.5 hours.  This means that the sun rises at 5am or thereabouts but is sets at 5.30.  Early dinners and early to bet for everyone! This was also the fiirst time that we really needed the blankets during the night.

We decided to do the Southern Walks first. This entailed going to Picaninney Creek to view Cathedral Gorge and the domes.

Some interesting facts.
1. Purnululu was first bought to the world's attention in 1983 and was placed on the World Heritage List in 2003.
2.It was heritage listed due to its geological features, the recognisable domes oare conical karsts that only occur here in the Bungle Bungles.
3. All of the domes are mage of sandstone and conglomerate. However, the black stripes on the domes are cuased by cyanobacteria which live in the moist clay particles. The orange stripes of the rock occur due to oxidation of iron within the sandstone. All rock is white underneath. The different layers occur due to the layering of sedimentary deposits millions of year ago from the Osmond Ranges (which was once higher than Mount Everest).
4.  The run off from the range contributes to 6% of the capacity of Lake Argyle.
5.  Access to most of the range is limited due to its cultural significance.
6.  The sandstone domes are about 200metres in height.

To end our walk we went for a helicopter ride over Purnululu. Mitch was a little scared of going on the flight and asked for a door to be put on his side of the helicopter. The flight was spectacular and gave you an appreciation for the size and natural features of Purnululu. At the end of the flight Ethan was glad Mtich had asked for a door, as the boys and Chris seemed to get the side of the helicoptor it banked towards. Chrsi was holding on tightly as he did not ask for a door and had to rely on his seatbelt.

Lake Argyle

After briefly stopping at Kununarra for the restocking of supplies we headed onto Lake Argyle. Lake Argyle is a great spot to have a rest. the caravan park is lush and boasts an infinity pool with magnificent views of the lake. What they do not tell you is that the temperature of the pool is similiar to an ice bath. Both nights we were here we watched the rocks change colour over the infinity pool as the sunset. Unfornately, you cannot swim in the lake as you cannot access it due to the steep cliff like edges.

Some interesting points
1. Lake Argle is Australia's largest lake and was created for irrigation for agriculture.
2. 18 times larger than Sydney Harbour
3. 40 km long
4. For boating purposes it is classed as an inland sea.
5. Construction took place from 1969-1972, but construction stopped for every wet season.
6. the dam wall is 100m high and 334 m long. To gain the rocks to build the dam wall required the two largest non-nuclear explosions in Australia's history.
7.  The town of Kununarra only came into existence due the buliding of the dam as it was used to help ferry people and supplies from Perth to the remote worksite.
8.  The pipes through the dam that allow water to flow for the purposes of hydroelectric power are 4.2 metres in diameter.

WA Border

The Pocock's crossing the border between the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

Keep River National Park

3km from the WA border is Keep River National Park. The kids loved the campsite here as you could climb the rock in the middle of the grounds; we also had our firsr fire. The campground is called Gurrandalng and has a walk associated with it. The

rock formations are similiar to the Bungle Bungles. Just as Ethan for the Aboriginal story about Gurraandalng.

Kids climbing rock. Can you see them?

Victoria River Roadhouse

We have now left Darwin and are on our way west towards Kununarra in Western Australia. To break up the drive we decided to stop at Victoria River Roadhouse. Upon pulling in we discovered the Holden's and Schwartz's staying here as well. Although this is a small stop there are plenty of things to do. We went for a walk along the escarpment of Gregory National Park. Beautiful views, just ask Ethan how the escarpment was formed, as I am sure he appreciates the talks from mum regarding weathering and erosion. In the afternoon we went fishing and swimming in the rapids of the Victoira River. Mitch caught a tiny Sooty Grunter on a lure while Ethan and mum lolled in the rapids.

Darwin - Crocosaurus Cove

Our adventures took us to Crocosaurus Cove today. Crocosaurus Cove is cool. Conveniently, there are alot of crocodiles here so Mtich was in heaven. First up the boys were able to hold a baby croc named Fluffy (a bit like the three headed dog from Harry Potter) and have their photo with it. Other croc activites included feeding the crocs (which was like fishing) and swimming with crocodiles. So yes Grandma and Nana the boys went swimming with the crocs today, you can see them in the background.

The Reptile Centre had many different reptiles from the Northern Territory within it. Her we saw them feed an Eastern King Brown and they boys got to hold a Carpet Python and Bearded Dragon.

Litchfield National Park

We spent the day at Litchfield with the Holdens and Schwartz's. Another baetiful day with great swimming. Buley's Waterholes was a flowing creek with a few waterholes along it. Here we swam with a Mertens Water Monitor, it was not bothered by us and joined in with the swimming.

We then moved alomg to Florence Falls and swam in the plunge pool at the bottom. The boys we particularly excited as there was a school of Sooty Grunter in the shallows which enjoyed swimming amonst people.

Florence Falls

Darwin - Markets

Darwin has many markets to choose from. On Saturday we went to the Parap Village Markets. At the markets you can buy honemade goods, local produce and other bits and pieces. However, the best bit about this market is food. There are may different stores with many different types of cruisines. Chris and had alot of trouble deciding what to have for lunch and we going back this Saturday to try out more foods. A lucky find as the Mindal Beach Markets are closed at this time of year. The boys favourite stall was the crocodile goodies.

Instead of going to the Mindal Beach Markets (due to them being closed) we had a BBQ at sunset on the beach with friends instead. The kids had fun making a shelter for hermit crabs.

Darwin Fishing

Chris and Mitch went fishing on a charter out of Darwin today. An item on the top of Mitch's bucket list. Mitch cleaned up by catching the two largest fish caught on the boat. He caught a 115cm Jew Fish and a 70cm Coral Trout. Ethan had a movie day with mum.

Travelling to Darwin

We are on our way to Darwin. Decided to stop at the Bark Hut Inn for a wee stop. A very fortuitous find. After using the facilities the boys discoverd that one of the workers had their pet Children's Python out and was letting visitors have a hold. As you can see the snake is very adventurous; it has gone through Ethan's sleeve and out the back of his shirt. After holding the snake the boys then got to feed the Water Buffalo.

Kakadu - Yurmikmik

Decided to the Yurmikmik walks, a 7.4 km walk. The walk involves walking out to Motor Car Falls. The only falls open at the moment. It was a hot day, therefore a bit of whinging by the kids, but it was worth it. The falls were great and we had the place to ourselves. At the end of the walk we had another swim at Boulder Creek, another beautiful spot.

Kakadu Ant hills

Travelling along the Kakadu Highway and came across this giant ant hill.

Kakadu - Yellow Waters

An early start today.  We got up at 5 am so we could do the Yellow Waters sunrise cruise. We saw many crocs to Mitch's delight. The family fave is the comb-crested Jacnana, who can walk on the lillies.  The males are very tricky.  They hide the chicks in their plume. You can see all these legs hanging out the front.  Then all of a sudden the chicks are released and they start walking around him. If you look hard in the photo you can count 4 chicks.

Kakadu - Nourlangie /Ubirr

Today we visited Nourlangie and the Anabangbang gallery. Here we could see Aboriginal Rock Paintings dating back thousands of years. One was painted as early as 1969. we joined the ranger talk and listened to the creation and ancestral stories of the area.

In the afternoon we visited Ubirr and and Nodob Lookout. Here we saw more Aboriginal Rock Art and and viewed a painting of a Thylocine. The lookout provided 360 views of Kakadu, including views over the wetlands and Arnhem land.