Tuesday, 20 July
The alarm went off at 4.30 this morning, half an hour after the blue faced honeyeater wakes up! We stood out the front of the caravan park in the dark, waiting to be picked up for our flight over the Bungle Bungles – we had been assured that this was the least bumpy time of the day to fly. With only one spare seat in the 14 seater plane, we took off just as the sun rose over the horizon and headed south along Lake Kununurra and the Carboy Ranges to Lake Argyle. I’m glad we were on the least bumpy flight – the stomach wouldn’t handle an afternoon flight over the thermals! The scenery was stunning – this is such harsh country. The flight along Lake Argyle wasn’t any smoother but there was plenty to see and photograph. The two hour flight continued over a couple of largish cattle stations until we reached the Bungle Bungles. These beehive shaped rocks were glowing in the early morning sunshine – their stripes very apparent. We flew in a pattern over this area for 20 minutes – very rugged and seemingly impenetrable. The corrugations in the gravel road were clearly visible from the air. Flying did seem the best (and only, perhaps) way of really taking in the splendour of these rocks. The return journey took us over the Argyle Diamond Mine – the large airstrip has been constructed over a diamond field and will be the last piece of land to be mined. Before we landed, we were able to see the extent of the agriculture in this region.
Back in town, one of us decided to stay at the caravan and rest while the other decided to check out the diamond shop in the town centre. Wow!!! If only the credit card didn’t have a limit, I could have done some serious damage. One could buy a pink diamond half the size of a small pin head for $3000, unset of course. Sorry, no souvenirs for anyone, either!
This afternoon we decided to have a walk in the Hidden Valley National Park, which is very close to town. Then discovered we were expected to pay $5 into a machine for a ticket to park. Decided we didn’t need a walk and headed west to visit Valentine Springs. This was a lovely little waterhole, with a campervan parked under the “No Camping: sign, about 5 kms off the highway.
We have decided that March would be a good time to fly to Kununurra for a visit – with scenery would be absolutely remarkable in the wet season.
The alarm went off at 4.30 this morning, half an hour after the blue faced honeyeater wakes up! We stood out the front of the caravan park in the dark, waiting to be picked up for our flight over the Bungle Bungles – we had been assured that this was the least bumpy time of the day to fly. With only one spare seat in the 14 seater plane, we took off just as the sun rose over the horizon and headed south along Lake Kununurra and the Carboy Ranges to Lake Argyle. I’m glad we were on the least bumpy flight – the stomach wouldn’t handle an afternoon flight over the thermals! The scenery was stunning – this is such harsh country. The flight along Lake Argyle wasn’t any smoother but there was plenty to see and photograph. The two hour flight continued over a couple of largish cattle stations until we reached the Bungle Bungles. These beehive shaped rocks were glowing in the early morning sunshine – their stripes very apparent. We flew in a pattern over this area for 20 minutes – very rugged and seemingly impenetrable. The corrugations in the gravel road were clearly visible from the air. Flying did seem the best (and only, perhaps) way of really taking in the splendour of these rocks. The return journey took us over the Argyle Diamond Mine – the large airstrip has been constructed over a diamond field and will be the last piece of land to be mined. Before we landed, we were able to see the extent of the agriculture in this region.
Back in town, one of us decided to stay at the caravan and rest while the other decided to check out the diamond shop in the town centre. Wow!!! If only the credit card didn’t have a limit, I could have done some serious damage. One could buy a pink diamond half the size of a small pin head for $3000, unset of course. Sorry, no souvenirs for anyone, either!
This afternoon we decided to have a walk in the Hidden Valley National Park, which is very close to town. Then discovered we were expected to pay $5 into a machine for a ticket to park. Decided we didn’t need a walk and headed west to visit Valentine Springs. This was a lovely little waterhole, with a campervan parked under the “No Camping: sign, about 5 kms off the highway.
We have decided that March would be a good time to fly to Kununurra for a visit – with scenery would be absolutely remarkable in the wet season.
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