Darwin Probus members went on a bus trip to Kununurra, Western Australia. Day 1 and Day 5 were spent travelling to and from Kununurra, with three delightful days in between exploring the town and the beauty of the surrounding region.
A special thank you goes to those who organised the trip: the Travel Committee (Bronwyn, Trish, Nancy, Janet, Bev Luke and Tony). A lot of hard work went into making the trip such a success.
The Treasurer, Di, also received a huge thank you for doing a wonderful job looking after the finances and leading the group, keeping everyone organised and on time. Sincere appreciation also goes to Judy, who made sure no one went hungry during the trip. The group enjoyed her salads on the way to and from Kununurra, as well as tasty slices, cakes, muffins and more, cooked by some of the members.
The group was most fortunate to have a wonderful driver and guide, Mel. Nothing was ever too much trouble, and she was always happy to assist. Her commentary and anecdotes were interesting and varied, and her driving skills were first-class.
Day 2: Exploring the Region
Day 2 started early for Mary, Robyn and Karin. They had a 6 am pick-up to be driven to the airport, where they took a light plane flight over the Bungle Bungles. They said their flight was fabulous and were amazed at the vastness of Lake Argyle and the layers of varying colours within the Bungle Bungles.
For the rest of the group, it was a chance for a good sleep-in after the previous day’s travel.
The first stop of the day was a visit to the Argyle Homestead Museum, which was completed in 1895 by the Durack family, early settlers in the Kimberley. It is now a museum showcasing the Durack family and the lives of the early pioneers.
The group then drove along Lake Argyle Road and stopped at a lookout, which gave stunning panoramic views of the lake and surrounding landscapes.
The group boarded a fast boat at the base of the Ord River Dam for a spectacular 55 km trip down the Ord River to Kununurra. The fast boat, which at times travelled at 55–65 km per hour, was exhilarating and fun.
Their skipper, Jeff, was a wealth of information and most interesting. The scenery was spectacular, and the group enjoyed spotting local wildlife, including crocodiles and birds. They also enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea along the way at a riverside camp before arriving back in Kununurra at sunset.
This was a fantastic boat trip, thoroughly enjoyed by everyone and considered the highlight of the Kununurra trip by many in the group.
Day 3: Wyndham and the Five Rivers Lookout
On the way to Wyndham on Day 3, the group stopped at The Grotto, where steep steps lead down the chasm.
Maggie’s Valley was the next stop. This vantage point gave great views of the surrounding ranges. It was named after the first woman to drive a motor vehicle into the valley.
A very steep, winding road with three extremely sharp hairpin bends took the group to the Five Rivers Lookout, 360 metres above Wyndham. It gave a panoramic view of the five rivers that flow into the Cambridge Gulf.
In the afternoon, the group drove along the Gibb River Road as far as the Pentecost River Crossing, which is accessible only by 4WD. It was a stunning drive.
Day 4: Discovering Kununurra
On Day 4, the group visited the Diversion Dam, which was built as Stage 1 of the Ord River Project, and Ivanhoe Crossing, which spans the Ord River and is accessible to 4WDs only in the Dry Season.
The thriving cotton industry in Kununurra has a state-of-the-art cotton gin as a processing facility, built to save long-distance transport costs. The group went on an interesting tour of this facility.
The group also enjoyed lunch at and toured the Hoochery Distillery, WA’s oldest continuously operating legal pot distillery.
Mirima National Park, known as the Mini Bungle Bungles, was another highlight, with its striking sandstone ranges, narrow valleys and layered cliffs. As the sun dips, the change in colour is striking.
A Special Thank You
The members of Darwin Probus extend their sincere thanks to the Department of the Attorney General and Justice for the Community Benefit Fund Grant. This grant assisted with making the trip to Kununurra a highly successful and very enjoyable experience for many Probus members.
