Week 9 – Edith Falls – Free Camps – Lake Argyle
We left Litchfield and headed south for Edith Falls. Edith
Falls is 40km north of Katherine and is a National Park campground with no
power or water. The site was a good one with plenty of morning sun for the
solar panels and a private grassy lawn for sitting on.
The falls are about 150m away from the van so we changed and
headed down for a swim. The pool at the base of the falls is very large, a good
100m swim to the falls themselves. The water was cool and refreshing,
especially as it was the usual 32 degrees.
We had a chat with the ranger at the bridge near the falls. He
told us how they trap the saltwater crocodiles that come in during the wet
season and relocate them for the dry season. He also told us the names of the
fish swimming under the bridge, including barramundi and archer fish.
In the arvo we went for another swim in the bottom pool and
Pa flew the drone straight up from our campsite. You could see the upper and
lower falls from the sky.
It was sad to leave Edith falls as it was quiet, full of
nature and we could swim and get cool. However, we headed off towards Katherine
to fill up with water and head west towards Western Australia. We spent that
night at a free camp outside of Timber Creek. We were the only ones there and
it was a nice spot.
The road here passes through some inspiring country with
the road following river valleys between very high, rugged ranges. The ranges
were significant in that you could clearly see the layers of rock laid down
over time for miles and miles, exactly level. This made it seem like they were
banded mountains.
We crossed the border into Western Australia and they took
all our fruit and vegies at the border. They do this to protect the WA fruit
and veggie industry from diseases in the Eastern states.
We finally arrived at Lake Argyle and set up camp. The park
is the only place to stay as it is so rugged here. They have an infinity pool
here which overlooks the lake, but it is freezing. We had a swim though.
We went on a lunch cruise aboard the Kimberley Durack named
after the man who devised the scheme for the dam. Unfortunately he died 2 years before the dam was finished.
We learnt a lot about the lake and the
neighbouring diamond mine while we were on the cruise. The diamond mine at one stage produced over 80% of the world's pink diamonds, the most sought after and rarest of diamonds. We pulled in to a small
bay and fed the fish. Large catfish and sooty grunters came up to feed on the
bread. Fishing here is great.
We then drove around the lake before stopping at a secluded
beach for lunch. Before lunch we had a swim off the back of the boat. The water
was fantastic. As was lunch, barbecued fish with cold meats and salads
accompanied by beer and wine – heaven!
The next day we drove out to the Durack Museum. The original
homestead was flooded by the lake and had to be moved, stone by stone, to
higher ground.
We drove further to a lookout down a dirt track with
spectacular views over the lake and mountains around it. They use this area as
background in many ads on tv and even overseas.
We then drove up to the creek which is fed by the spillway
from the dam. We found ourselves a deep spot and had a swim, with an eye out
for crocs as we did so.
We went back and had another swim in the infinity pool as it
was going to be the last swim for a while.
We head off for Kununurra tomorrow, then westward towards
the surf!
Great photos again. That drone is doing such a top job. Totally different perspective on the surrounds.
ReplyDeleteThe water always seems so clean and clear.
What do you mean, " We found ourselves a deep spot and had a swim, with an eye out for crocs as we did so." Tell me you had up to date info that there were no crocs around.
They can never guarantee it’s croc free. They cover themselves with signs saying “low risk of crocs”. At the river it was pretty clear with individual waterholes separated by rapids.
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