Our Quest to the West...

After leaving Alice Springs we free camped our way up the Stuart Highway and visited places we hadn't seen on our first run.  Our intention was to travel the unsealed Buchanan Highway but  after speaking to the locals and the police, the Stuart Highway was the best option.  We discovered a lovely Oasis just outside Tennant Creek called Mary Ann Lake, visited The Pebbles, swam again at Mataranka and had a great social night at King River Rest area where all the campers got together around a big central camp fire.  We pulled in to Katherine and loaded up with brochures from the visitors centre before heading left onto the Victoria Highway which was new ground for us.  The landscape has been wonderful and we spent time in the Gregory National Park and the Keep National Park before crossing the border into WA and stopping in Kununurra where we are now.  We booked in to the Kununurra Lakeside Tourist Resort because a guy handed us a brochure with a 10% discount at the border and it has been heavenly.  Our camp is right on the lake with soft green grass - and a swimming pool!!  We booked in for two nights but extended to three and tonight extended it for another day.  Yesterday we visited sights in the Kununurra area, today we drove out to Wyndham and tomorrow we are doing a lunch and sunset cruise on Lake Argyle.....then we'll head to the Bungle Bungles.

I was thrilled to find this blast from the past

This Bowmans bus used to take us to town or TTP when I was a kid!

An old Ghan train

The Pebbles in the NT

Mary Ann Lake.  A beautiful Dam just outside Tennant Creek, NT

The Buchannan Highway.  It looks OK but we were advised 

not to drive the 440 ks to Timber Creek with the van

These Peacocks got a good feed as I had to get rid 

of my birdseed before crossing the WA border

The Jones Store built in 1934 at Newcastle Waters

I think this guys has been there since they closed!

A tribute to the Stockmen 

This is the old Gorrie Airstrip from WW2. 

 It's over 1km long and in the middle of nowhere 

We had a great communal fire at a free camp spot with fellow campers.  

We even threw an old chair on that someone had left by the bin!

Gregory's Tree near the Gregory National Park

Thomas Baines carved this Boab tree with the arrival and departure dates of the expedition

October 1885 and July 2nd 1856 

The boat ramp at Big Horse Creek, Gregory National Park

Looking for crocs

Looking for crocs from the bridge

No crocs seen at Policemans Point either

This kite is on the lookout, too

Gurrandalng Camp in the Keep National Park

We talk a scenic walk through this beautiful area

Walk at Keep National Park

A fire had been through which made it easier to spot snakes!

Cockatoo Billabong, Keep National Park 

beautiful Boab Trees

walking...

...walking

fires in the distance 

...walking

...walking

the WA border and quarantine point

Arriving in Kununurra - we have coverage!!

Our little slice of heaven in Kununurra

sunset with the smoke haze of yet another fire

time for a dip before discovering the sights

Ivanhoe Crossing

this important sign is well hidden!

After visiting the Sandalwood factory, the Rum Distillery and Ivanhoe crossing it 

was time to chill out and take in the view of Kununurra

The Big Croc at Wyndham

Watch out Stoppy!

Wyndham Port

2000 year old Boab Tree.  25M circumference!

Giant Aboriginal Dreamtime Statues

The view from Five Rivers Lookout

The Grotto

The Grotto, but not enough water for the waterfall

...good to know