Saturday 2nd July 2005
The dawning of the day saw us up (well almost) and getting organized
for our last 270 kilometres driving through the Northern Territory before
we reached the Western Australian border. When we stepped out of the
caravan we were surrounded by about a dozen or so small kangaroos or
wallabies grazing on the grass. The correllas were also making their
presence known with a loud chorus from the branches of the numerous
nearin itby trees. It was said that even crocodiles have been known
to take a stroll through the park but we didn't see any, but they are
known for their ability to disguise themselves very well.
Before departing we took a walk down to the river near the caravan
park. To get there we had to walk along a narrow path through an area
of bush and reeds that could have hidden anything, including crocodiles,
so 'One of Us' made the 'Other One' go first. She said it was because
she walks slower but he somehow doubted the accuracy of that statement.
The river may not have been full, however the water in it was as still
as a millpond and made a very pretty sight with the sun just rising
over the hills. It could have been inviting if it hadn't been for the
sign that said 'no swimming -crocodiles'. 'One of Us' could not be convinced
it was safe to swim, even whilst the 'Other One' was standing in front
of the sign so she couldn't see it, she said it was too cold because
it was only about 4 degrees at 7 a.m.
We pulled out of the caravan park by about 8:50 a.m. but stopped while
we were still on the entry to the roadhouse so we could take some photographs
of the red breakaway hills that were glowing in the morning sunlight.
We then continued several kilometres through similar country before
the road leveled out a little and the kilometres started to wind down.
We hadn't gone a long way when we had cause to slow right down and
stop to watch half a dozen 'wild' horses grazing on the verge of the
highway. They seemed to be enjoying the small patches of greener grass
just off the sealed section of the highway. We took a couple of photographs
of these horses before moving off again and although they stepped back
to watch us drive bye, they remained on the edge of the highway after
we had gone.
About eighty kilometres down the road we pulled over at the Durack
Monument near the turn off to Bulita Station. This monument is a vary
large rock standing on it's end, with a plaque and a moulding of a cattle
transport road train attached. We then continued a further ten kilometres
before passing through Timber Creek without stopping as we did that
last time through here.
Not long after leaving Timber Creek we had to slow again, this time
to ensure a very large black bull didn't run across the road in front
of us as although he may have been damaged, we would have come off pretty
badly if we hit him. As this was still in the Gregory National Park
we could only assume that he was either wild or had strayed quite a
distance from his home.
At about 12:50 p.m. NT time or more correctly 11:10 a.m. WA time we
reached the border into Western Australia and the Quarantine Station
where we had to stop and declare any fruit, vegetables and honey that
we may have been carrying with us. The woman on the check point was
very friendly whilst at the same time completing her job efficiently.
After asking necessary questions, inspecting our fridges and having
a bit of a chat about caravanning, we were able to continue on our way.
The last forty kilometres into Kununurra were pretty uneventful with
the exception of 'One of Us' yelling with glee because she was back
in Western Australia. We pulled into the Town Caravan Park just before
midday WA time and were set up on our site within half an hour. Shortly
after we met up with Ron Chapman (a friend of ours and married to cousin
Dawn) and spent quite a while standing chatting to him. We then drove
to the Coles Store where we replenished our vegetables along with some
steak, chops and sausages.
Around 5:30 p.m. (7 p.m. to us as we were up using NT time) Ron and
Dawn visited us and we sat around with a drink in our hands chatting
about all things interesting before we finished off the night with a
BBQ before settling in for a good long nights sleep.