Kakadu to Kununurra

750kms drive thru amazing scenery and variety. Left Kakadu early Friday morning, stopping a couple of hours later at Katherine to load up on water, fuel and some basic food plus updated our passes to get into western Australia. Left the Stuart Highway and headed west along the Victoria Highway towards WA. Noticeably way less traffic on particular less road trains and Caravans which is always good. Pretty flat for the first hour but then we came to the northern edge of judbarra (or Gregory) national Park which we had decided not to do much in as it's a lot of 4wd so not fair on the kids. The scenery is stunning thou. Huge deep red/Brown sandstone cliffs with big cracks in which livistona palms grow and then Spinifex, Ghost gums, grevillea and the ever present yellow flowers of the kapok providing an immense contrast of colour and vibrancy despite the temperature being between 35-40c. Victoria River Roadhouse had green grass campsites so we were tempted to stop but it was only lunch so since on and stopped at Joe Creeks picnic area which was just beautiful. There's a 1.7km walk but it was so hot that Laura has a red face from the effort of eating lunch so we didn't attempt to kill her with heat exhaustion. Next time we'll do it in the early morning or late afternoon. 

From there headed to timber creek where we fuelled up on diesel and icecreams. Our fuel consumption is gone to hell .. 130km speed limit, air con on max but also suspect higher profile if roof rack. Doh.

It's 200km to Kununurra from there with no stop really till the border and there's a national Park called keep rubber just before the border at we decided to head for there. Bizarrely just as you leave timber creek the boabs start growing. They are such an amazing tree. Huge girth, such character and colours and stand out so much in the landscape. Drive thru the Patterson gap I think it's called which is where they used to run beef cattle to Kununurra for export overseas. Seriously good scenery again. Headed into keep River around 5.30 and it is just beautiful. Camped at the jarnem which was just stunning with a huge boab tree and red Hills backdrop. Let's ignore the stinking very short long deep toilet. Did the 8km walk early next morning into an area known as the mini bungle bungles for it's sandstone formations. Brilliant walk despite the heat. Would love to have spent longer but WA is calling us. Packed down the campsite, sweating so much we had to change clothes again and lunchex at the very peaceful cockatoo Lagoon at the entrance to the park under a lovely cool tree. 

Crossing the border was easy and the road into Kununurra is all sealed and easy going. Camping at the very large but good vibes and scenic backdrop Park near Mirima national Park called hidden valley. Strange being back surrounded by 10m Caravans again but There are a few backpackers around which is good to keep it young. Nice to shower too 😜 

So the drive across has been a wonder of nature and scenery. Highly recommend!!

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