Marlgu Billabong and a whinge

Hello all,
Last weekend I went out to Marlgu Billabong near Wyndham.

Wandering Whistling Ducks

 Marlgu is a RAMSAR listed birdwatching site of the floodplains of the Ord River.

Marlgu Billabong

 The last time I was here there were several 2-3 metre Saltwater Crocodiles basking on the opposite bank.

Pied Cormorant

 Sitting in the Hide watching the Birdlife was an enjoyable way to spend the afternoon.

Marlgu Billabong

 Until the next car load of people arrive..........

Corellas

 I was even visited by a large flock of Corellas.

Pied Cormorant

 Nearby is Telegraph Hill with the Ruins of the old Wyndham Telegraph Repeater Station.

Ord River Flood Plain

 Late afternoon looking across the flood plain towards House Roof Hill (features in the movie Australia) was pretty special.

Marlgu Billabong from Telegraph Hill

 There is a good collection of magnificent Boab trees spread around the chimneys and ruins of the old Telegraph Station.

Beautiful Boabs

 I am loving revisiting these places I have been before and eagerly await to see and experience the changing Seasons of this timeless magical landscape.

This leads me to the next issue.......


Having travelled extensively through the Kimberley and Top End regions, I have seen my fair share of Dramas people have inflicted upon themselves.
Let me explain that................
I would conservatively say, that the MAJORITY of problems travellers encounter are self inflicted and could have been easily avoided.
Working in the motor industry I see 4 or 5 instances every day of travellers needing to spend hundreds of dollars, and even thousands to fix things, that shouldn't need fixing. 

Number 1 cause of these problems are caused by speed.
If you need to travel at warp speed to complete your HOLIDAY (I emphasise the word holiday) you have chosen the wrong destination.
You should be holidaying in the Flinders Ranges or the Blue Mountains, not the Kimberley.
At the speeds I see people driving on the Gibb River Road, if you have a blowout or tyre failure,  
YOU HAVE NO CHANCE OF SAVING YOURSELF OR TRYING TO RECOVER FROM DANGER

You are on a HOLIDAY not on an ENDURANCE TORTURE TEST.

Slow down, smell the roses and enjoy, it will surprise you how much you will save in repairs.

A mate from Derby told me a story a few weeks ago of a guy arriving at his work last season with a list of vehicle issues. my mate asked.....have you come off "the Gibb?"
The response floored my mate.............Yes I left Kununurra this Morning...........my response was.....What a waste of time and what a bloody idiot. Sadly this sort of story is not uncommon. That is 640km of gravel road.....

Number 2 would be overloading............I see so many people now, who feel the need to have their Outback and Kimberley wilderness experience in a 4 bedroom two storey apartment (complete with lap pool) swinging off the back of their Landcruiser completely overloaded and driving at a speed well in excess of their ability and experience.

I see examples of this each and every day without exception. 
There is no need for Canoes and Bicycles for the majority as they never seem to get removed from their racks.
The purpose of this rant is to try to make YOUR experience more enjoyable and less expensive.

Just remember current recovery cost by flat top recovery truck from near the Kalumburu turn off on the Gibb is around $5000.00 

Keep in mind the locals drive this road all the time with minimal problems, with most complaining of the speed visitors travel on unmade roads.  

Kununurra is over 3500km from Perth and over 800km from Darwin, so when you arrive in town don't expect us to have every part your require, or to get your Volkswagen Toureg serviced, or have replacement 20" low profile tyres for your pride and joy all waiting for you to drive into town. The population doubles this time of year and our service bookings are booked out close to 2 weeks in advance. 

Prepare your gear and do preventative maintenance before you leave home, and remember, what works in Tasmania may not necessarily be the best option up here. 

Just ask the guy who came into work the other day trying to charge four deep cycle batteries and a start Battery (5 x batteries) off his alternator unsuccessfully, and blaming faulty batteries.
It is a different ball game up here. The days are hot and the evenings are mild so trying to run 2 or 3 fridges off solar and vehicle is not an easy task. Many try and most fail miserably........

The majority of people plan a night or two at El Questro for example, I spent a week there last time and that wasn't anywhere near long enough......... and that was my 5th visit!

One last gripe, which I see all the time.............do yourself a favour and refuse to start the engine until your passenger removes their feet from on top of the dash. Airbags go off with great force and while probably saving your life can leave you with broken noses. broken ribs and multiple injuries. with your feet on the dash, if this happens, trying to enjoy the rest of your holiday with your shattered broken legs jammed tightly up you clacker will not be pleasant!!

Over time I will try to post common issues and tips to try to help you have a relaxed and trouble free visit to the Best place in Australia.

Bye for Now......


 

Up the River without a Paddle

Hello All
With the Ord Valley Muster in full swing, the Town has filled up. And with that comes some benefits.
I have flown over Lake Argyle and the Bungles, and enjoyed the sunset Cruise on the Lake on previous visits, but never got around to doing the Lake to Lake Triple J cruise.
To celebrate the 30 year anniversary they were doing the Tour at 30 year old prices, so instead of $185, I got the tour for $80 too good to miss.

Powering up the Ord River

 It is a 55 kilometre trip to the Argyle Dam Wall and another 55 kilometres back again via the River.

Ord River

 Lake Kununurra Diversion Dam backs the water up for some considerable distance before you reach the river proper.

along the Ord River

 Once the River is reached things get a bit more exciting.

the rapids begin

 Now, ripping along at over 50kph in a 50 seater boat in a river not much wider than the boat, and in less than a metre of water gets the blood pumping.

Lake Argyle Dam wall from below

 The boat was quite impressive with 3 x 350hp outboard motors pushing it from zero to hero in no time.

the beast

 At the base of the wall is a 30 Megawatt Hydro Power station built in 1996 and powers Kununurra, Wyndham and the majority of power to Argyle Diamond mine.

Argyle Hydro Power Station

 On the way up we were on a Schedule to meet the bus with more passengers, so the down river trip was more informative.

Fruit Bat having a strech

 

big boat, narrow river

The Skipper, Jeff, was very knowledgeable and informative.

Jacana and chicks

 Late afternoon cruising down the river was displaying the colours of the Kimberley.
 

Late afternoon in the kimberley

 

afternoon colours

As the afternoon drew to a close we made out way back towards Kununurra.

We sat and watched the sun go down over Lake Kununurra before docking for the day.

Bye for now
 

Loving life in the East Kimberley

Hello all, 
I'm all settled in, and loving being back in the Kimberley.
The scenery and sunsets here has to be seen to be believed.

Ivanhoe Crossing

 With the start of the Gibb River Road a mere 25 minutes away I plan to spend a lot of time out chasing photos.

Bindoola Falls

 Today I went for a cruise out to Bindoola Falls hoping there was still water coming over the falls. The East Kimberley unfortunately had a fairly dry Wet Season unlike the West Kimberley. My friends in Derby copped a drenching.

Stunning Boab with the Cockburn Range as a backdrop

 While the Town here is starting to fill up it is still relatively quiet out on the Gibb, but with Mitchell Falls Track opening last Thursday that will soon change.

Boab and Cockburn Range

 I think the weather is holding a few people back, as the hot weather doesn't seem to want to leave, with 36-38c daytime temperatures and 19-23c at night.
Next Saturday I am booked on the 55k boat cruise up the Ord River to the Argyle Dam Wall and 55k back during sunset. so I am looking forward to getting some good pictures.

Cockburn Range

 Now working in Town i am also looking forward to getting some hot tips from the locals about those hidden gems that only the locals know about.
Bye for now until an update next weekend after the cruise.