After leaving Katherine we drove over 2 days to Zebra Rock Mine camp ground, near the border between Northern Territory and Western Australia. This was the beginning of the Gibb River Road leg of our trip. We will probably spend 4 or 5 weeks traveling 1500 km to Broome WA so there will be lots of 2- or 3-day stops and short driving distances.

Zebra Rock mine is apparently the only place in the world mining Zebra rock, a fascinating brown and white striped rock. Once mined and cut it can be fashioned into a range of ornamental products as large as table tops and statues and as small as earrings. Once polished it looks beautiful. The mine, operated by a nice couple, their 6 year old daughter and their 3 employees, is not allowed to make money from tourism so visitors are there to learn about mining and to assist in production by polishing a few rocks. Sitting in the middle of a large pastoral lease the owners are constantly fighting the grazing company over their right to be there. We took an interesting 15 km 4WD trip to a Lake Argyle then a 2 hour sunset cruise. It was surprising to see that the lake is lower than it has been for the past 25 years or more. We drove across mudflats before cruising in creeks that would normally be several metres under water. We saw freshwater crocodiles and swam in 26 deg fresh water in Lake Argyle before having sunset nibbles and drinks and returning after dark – a good tour with only 7 passengers and 3 crew.

Keep River National Park was only 40 km away, along a very dusty road, our first for this trip but certainly not our last. Although a small (730 sq km) Park, it is very interesting. This year has been very dry so we couldn’t see it at its best. The park ranger told us that water levels in the river and creeks and the condition of the vegetation are currently as they would normally be in August. Sandstone formations are spectacular, similar to those in the Bungle Bungles, just not as big. We were pleased that we spent 3 nights here.

Only 40 km further and we arrived at Lake Argyle Resort. Yes, it’s called a resort but it’s really a caravan park, a few glam tents and cabins and a bush restaurant, with an infinity pool. The view over the lake is great. The lake is actually a man-made reservoir, built in the late 1960’s to provide reliable water for the Ord River irrigation system and the town of Kununurra that was built to support fruit, vegetable and sandalwood production. It was an amazing project, resulting in a lake 19 times the size of Sydney Harbour. Cruising on this vast waterway, with mountains around it’s edge and between other mountains that are now islands, is an unforgettable experience.

Then to Kununurra which we visited several years ago. This time we did a couple of long 4WD trips, one on a back road to Wyndham and one to the lower reaches of the Keep River where we saw several large saltwater crocodiles. Unusually the weather has been quite cool, with maximum temperatures in the mid-20’s and a strong south easterly breeze. It’s comfortable for tourists but the locals are feeling the “cold”.

We drove across the Ord River here, at Ivanhoe Crossing, north of Kununurra

Tomorrow we start the Gibb River Road. Everyone tells us that the region virtually missed out on its annual wet season so this is not an ideal year to be doing the Gibb, but we are still looking forward to it.

Hope everyone keeps well and safe. We do enjoy your comments but we prefer to reply individually rather than publicising them.

Love to all.

Ted and Jo