Darwin to Lake Argyle

25th July - 28th July

After leaving Darwin we had a long day on the road travelling over 600 kms taking 8 and a half hours. First stop was Adelaide River for brekkie and then pushed onto Victoria River where we made lunch over looking large Lucerne Farms.

                                                  Lunch stop at Victoria River

   On the long journey to Timber Creek we were stopped in the middle of nowhere, twice, for some time till we got a green light. Mind you there was no one else around and no cars. 

We arrived at Timber Creek in the middle of Gregory National Park. We were only here for the night as a stop over on the way to Lake Argyle.

Up early for the short trip of approx 200 kms.

Stopped a short way down the road next to Victoria River for a scenic brekkie. The bridge we stopped at has restricted access only for the military- you can walk on it but no driving without permission. There are large gates at the far end of the bridge which lead onto Bradshaw Field Training Area, an enormous expanse of land to the north of Timber Creek covering thousands of square kilometres.

            Overlooking the Victoria River, southern view.

                 Looking north at brekkie

    Along the way we passed lots and lots of these very unusual but at the same quite majestic Boab Trees

Approx 10kms before the turn off to Lake Argyle is the Western Australian Border 

and the quarantine station. Every car is pulled up and searched. They take all fruit, most vegetables and honey. You can keep carrots but have to top and tail them and that's about it. They looked in all the draws of the van and even in the freezer. We knew that it was coming but there are only so many pieces of fruit you can eat in a day. So we were left with no fresh fruit and veg and nowhere to buy it. Lake Argyle has a captive audience and they only sell very limited groceries and no fresh fruit or veg. A drive through van selling fresh produce would make a killing there. In hindsight frozen veg would have been ideal. 

      We had to resort to cheese and bikkies for lunch, very yummie but not good for the waistline.

Besides all that Lake Argyle is a beautiful place.

Lake Argyle is classed as an inland sea over 1000 square kms. It is Australia's largest body of fresh water and was formed by the damming of the Ord River in 1971.

There is a lovely infinity pool overlooking the lake which is spectacular. A little crowded in the afternoon so we sat looking over the lake and relaxing. At one stage Mez said the view looking back at the pool was like a scene from a famous movie, yep you guessed it - Cocoon. We shared the view with lots of other greys who like us were taking lots of late afternoon pics.

       Afternoon relaxing taking in the view

    Sunset over the lake from our fab viewing spot.

     Different view from same spot.

Very windy night, you could hear the wind roaring up from the lake and then it would hit us. This was apparently unusual for this time of year normally happens in early June.

When we crossed the WA border we also gained another hour and a half and so we are now waking up  to the sunrise at 6 instead of 7.30 in NT. We are presently 2 hours behind you guys back home.

Seeing we were up early went for an early morning swim and were not supposed to go into the pool area till 7.30 but the guy cleaning it said we were ok. Just magic being the only ones there and being able to get some beautiful pics.

               Just gorgeous

          Mez had the pool to herself.

       Finally worked the camera for a selfie

Thought we would go for a bush walk to try and stop the kilos from marching back on. Boy was it hot and dry and probably not such a good idea but we made it.

      Hot and dry but still had the view for some of the walk

Spent the arvo washing the van, enjoying the surrounds and getting ready for our departure the next day to Kununurra a short 60 km drive away.

If you ever get to visit the lake they say that the cruises are well worth it.