Krazy Kents on the Road Again

Week Eight: Kununurra.

Aptly named Elephant Rock on Lake Kununurra

After we left Broome we were looking forward to a week of R & R and that is just what we have had this week. We slowed down and took our time getting to Kununurra stopping at free camps along the way. It is a great way to meet fellow travellers and swap yarns about places to stay and things to do. We have picked up lots of great ideas and are really looking forward to some of the free camps people have recommended.

GK and Bron with the Big Rig minus the Chevvie that tows it.

It is 1049 kms from Broome to Kununurra and our first stop was a comfortable 263kms to Ellendale Rest Stop. The next day we called in to Fitzroy Crossing to have coffee with GK’s cousin’s daughter Bronwyn who lives out on Go Go Station. She works in Fitzroy at Kimberley Country Outback Department Store and also drives their monstrous rig out to all the local rodeos and camp drafts where they sell outback clothing, boots and hats to all the cowboys in the area. They are flat out this time of the year as all the shows are on as well. They can make a killing as there is nowhere else to shop and people really appreciate being able to have ‘the shop’ come to them.

Despite being flat out Bron had time to have coffee with us and we caught up with all the family news. She is going to be a bridesmaid in Broome in August and the wedding party is arriving in four helicopters. The bride is even piloting one, as she and her fiancé own Fitzroy Helicopters. The ceremony is on a station and the reception is at the Mangrove Hotel in Broome. They sure know how to do things ‘big’ up here and they will party hard. I think it will be spectacular and I would just love to see it. Only in the Kimberley!

Photo taken from the safety of the steps of the Cubby de Wheels MK II
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From Fitzroy we pushed on and stayed at the very popular Mary Pool. We arrived mid afternoon and there were already about fifty caravans parked haphazardly around the campground. It swelled to over eighty by nightfall. Cattle from the nearby station strolled through the grounds and it was hilarious to see a busload of Chinese tourists stop to use the drop toilets and have to weave their way nervously through the cows. I was a bit nervous too as they walked casually past our door. They are so tame they take food out of your hands. Not that we were offering any!

We camped on the banks of Spring Creek.

The following day was another free camp opposite the Bungle Bungle campground at Spring Creek. That night we met up with a great group of travellers and shared their campfire. As we had visited the Bungle Bungles last year we were happy to push off the next day and head for Kununurra. After booking in to our caravan park on the banks of Lake Kununurra I tried to make a doctor's appointment to sort out my nagging cough. It was Friday afternoon and I was advised that the next available appointment was Tuesday at 3.15pm. I explained that I really needed to see a doctor as I thought I needed an antibiotic to fix my cough. The only alternative was to go to the Emergency Department and wait to see a doctor. Luck was on my side, as I only had to wait 45 minutes before seeing a great doctor who ordered an x-ray. I have bronchitis caused by allergies to all the red dust I have been inhaling and am now on a course of antibiotics as I predicted. “Thank God!” says GK who has been an absolute saint for putting up with me as I have been barking like a seal for the last four weeks. Fingers crossed things will settle down soon.

Great mates from Moora - Sue (Pocket Rocket) and Peter Stubbs

While in Kununurra we caught up with great mates from Moora, Peter and Sue Stubbs, who now live here. Together with two mates, Pete has built a barge to paddle up and down the river. They invited us to go out on Lake Kununurra on Sunday for a BBQ lunch with their friends, daughter Rachael and baby grandson Jay who were visiting from Perth. It was a magic day as the weather was perfect and the company fantastic. An absolute bonus was stopping off at a little known cave up a creek off the main waterway filled with ancient Aboriginal artwork. We were blown away and so fortunate we had local knowledge to point out this phenomenon. Thanks again Pete and Sue for your wonderful hospitality. We had a ball.

GK with 10,000 to 40,000 year old Aboriginal artwork. Mind blowing!

We are going to spend the next couple of days doing all the touristy things around Kununurra. We have met lovely neighbours here at our caravan park and spend Happy Hour watching the glorious sunsets over Lake Kununurra before being driven indoors by the mozzies. That is the only downside of living on the banks of the lake. Tomorrow will be 31 degrees so it should be lovely to take a drive up to Lake Argyle for a picnic. Wish you were here! Until next week, lots of love and keep safe.