Travellers Tales – Northern Territory – Kununurra To Darwin
ByHugh McInnes
Travel and Leisure RSS Feed
Many moons ago I met a couple from Kununurra who promised to show me the best of the area if I ever made it that way, possibly doubting I would, but true to their word they ensured that our Kununurra experience was one of the highlights of our trip so far.
We spent our first day out in a tinnie fishing for "Barra" on the lower Ord River. Barra is Barramundi by the way, not Barracuda. I caught two 50cm 'babies', which were released, and a slightly bigger legal one which we took home. Apparently one isn't supposed to crow about a catch unless it's nearer 80cm+ and you certainly don't mention all the cat fish we caught if you're to retain any credibility as a fisherman, so I won't.
We then experienced the famous Bungle Bungles in style with a full day tour by fixed wing flight, 4 wheel drive, and helicopter! It's the only official tour I've been on since coming to Australia, because usually you can DIY, but the Bungles are so inaccessible they only became renowned in the 1980's when a Channel 9 cameraman went on a heli-joyride with a musterer. A 4WD campervan could have made the journey but ours wasn’t up to the task. We flew over Lake Argyle (technically an inland sea) and the Argyle Diamond Mine (largest in the world by production volume apparently). A truly memorable couple of days!
We then headed west along the tail end of the Gibb River Road to El Questro, where we enjoyed hot springs, and Emma Gorge, where we also swam, this time accompanied by a waterfall. We ended the day in Wyndham where I caught up with an old friend from London and enjoyed yet more Aussie hospitality.
Heading east again we camped at Victoria River Roadhouse before reaching Katherine and its Gorge. We had 3 options here; walk, canoe or cruise the gorge. Goodness knows why I didn't do the latter but instead we hired a couple of canoes, two in each. We paddled up river until the rapids where we dragged the canoe over rocks before more paddling. Not having seen any crocs (again) we enjoyed a swim at the next set of rapids before heading back downstream. My canoe rode the rapids first, fending off the rocks with our paddles while steering the best course we could, no worries. Then came our mates; on the first section of rapids they grounded the boat so we belly laughed while taking photos. They then decided that their paddles were surplus to requirements and threw them overboard. The rapids then released them, minus paddles for steering, only for them to hit the very next boulder and roll the boat. The timing of it all couldn't have been any better for the dozens of cruise takers who all seemed to have video cameras, so watch out for the girls on You've Been Framed or the like.
A most enjoyable day was then spent in Litchfield National Park where we visited three more gorges and their waterfalls, all spectacular in their own way, before arriving in Darwin. Here we rest and recuperate before beginning the prep work for the trip south to Alice Springs.
Click here for information on campervan rental in Brisbane or motorhome hire in Melbourne.
Related Articles, Information, Products And Links
Related Articles on Travel and Leisure
- What to start with at the Big Apple
- Cable Cars of San Francisco. A living history
- Why choose Zakopane for your winter holidays?
- St.-Petersburg, Russia in brief
- Luxurious Saint-Tropez and its attractions
- A tour around St.-Petersburg. Days 4 and 5
- Nashville: Finding the Right Tunes in Music City
- Split, the heart of Dalmatia
- Welcome to Mauritius and its beaches
- ReservationRewards Delayed, Lost and Damaged Baggage Protection
- Taj Mahal and its story
- Mini-hotels – mini-homes in Saint-Petersburg
- The Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu
- Things to see and to do at Riviera Maya and Playa del Carmen
- Hagia Sophia – basilica, mosque, museum...
- Trondheim — an earthly heaven
- Shuttle Service in London Luton Airport Renders an Economical Option
- Ease Your Journey through Booking Online for Minicab in London
- Chauffeur Driven Cars in London Claim Safe and Tireless Journey
- Enjoy The Real Luxury In Luxuryhotels
- Cheap Hotels In Chorley
- 10 Most Favorite Tourist Attractions In California
- Holidays In Greece With Hellasclub
- Best hotels in Dublin
- Some Words About South Africa
- How to Get Best Hotel Deals in Prague
- Char Dham Yatra, Religious tours of India.
- Rothay Garden is Located in Grasmere: Home to William Wordsworth
- Orlando Limo – Hire A Limousine From Paris Limousine Orlando
- Aircraft Carriers
Latest Articles on Travel and Leisure
-
Finding Places To Play Golf During The UK’s Winter Months
Golf is one of the most popular sports in the UK but has the misfortune, due to it being played outside, of being almost abandoned during the winter months, unless you are the die-hard player who is willing to play in any kind of weather. However, it’s not only down to the stamina and determination of the player that decides whether you will manage to get a golf break over the winter months... -
Enjoying Golf Breaks Even In Colder Months
During the colder months of the year Golfers wouldn’t expect to be able to take golf breaks in the UK, and perhaps would prefer to play in warmer climes, however, for the dedicated few there a number of courses throughout the UK that are open for the die-hard golfers that can’t wait to get out on the course for a round or two of their favourite sport.... -
Plains Indians And Museum Of Natural History
The public museum of natural history is well known. It acquired its modern form between late eighteenth century and early nineteenth centuries. Its formation process was protracted and also very complex. The museum of natural history is known to stock many artifacts of plains Indians and these have been the objects of gaze by visitors to the museum. (Bennet, 1995)... -
4 Best Attractions in Auckland
Auckland is a wonderful city and is home to a third of the population of New Zealand. It is a great place to experience city life. There are many interesting places to visit in Auckland. Four of the popular highlights, the Sky Tower, Auckland Museum, Auckland Art Gallery and Viaduct Harbour are described below.... -
Tourist Attractions in and Around Mumbai
Holidaymakers and vacationers from afar come to Mumbai to visit and experience the tourist attractions in Mumbai. Various cultures exist in harmony in Mumbai, giving the city the status of being a multi-cultural state in the country.Ganesh Chaturthi is observed as the main festival of the state of Maharasthra. Mumbai takes up a different look altogether.... -
Sydney Australia - Travel Tips
Sydney is renowned for its beach-side suburbs, which include Manly, Bondi and Cronulla plus plenty more. During summer, these beaches are packed full of swimmers, who flock to enjoy the city's beautiful sandy beaches. Like Rio de Janiero and Los Angeles, Sydney is somewhat unique in that it's a major metropolis surrounded by beautiful beaches, making it an ideal holiday spot.... -
Austrian Holiday Ideas
Here some ideas of things to do whilst visting Austria.2. Consider white water rafting in the Salzburg Alps. Salzburg has some of the most picturesque lakes and rivers in the world and the waters of the Salzburg Alps are powerful and majestic and will take you on the ride of a lifetime.... -
Czech Republic Holidays
With its memorable historical landscapes, spas and variety of activities, it is little wonder that the Czech Republic is fast becoming a tourist hotspot. Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic boasts of many well preserved historical sites and is also the historic centre of Prague is named in the UNESCO world heritage sites.... -
Holidaying In Belgium
If you are interested in diamonds visit Antwerp, located towards northern Belgium closer to Dutch border. Antwerp is nicknamed the world’s diamond trading centre and you will be delighted with the different qualities of precious gems you can discover. Antwerp also has other tourist attraction such as a host of museums and galleries waiting to be explored.... -
The History Of Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit
The Brooklands motor racing circuit and aerodrome was opened in 1907. It made history as it was the first ever purpose built motor race circuit that was banked in the world. In Britain motorists were restricted to a 20mph speed limit and Brooklands was so popular due to the high speeds that could be reached....
