Tuesday 29th July

Still in the Bungle Bungle. However, this is the day we moved out of here.

The morning was not quite as cold and only down to about 10 degrees, In this area by about 0700 the sun is so warm any jumper or jacket is off and the day just gets warmer seemingly by the minute. It is nice to feel the rapid change.

After breakfast, I set up the massage table as one of the Park staff had asked for a massage. Poor fellow really needed it too. He told me he felt so much better following the massage I gave him. Just neck, shoulders and back was all he needed.

After packing the massage gear up, I went for a short ride into the Park as we really had seen so little of it. After doing this ride, on only rough gravel road, confirmed to me that I will not be a participant on the Westpac “Hell on Wheels Ride”. It was hard and hot work which is not my type of riding. The short rip was for just over an hour and would equal any 1 ½ hour ride on the road bike.

As I returned to the Ranger Station, I noticed a recovery truck in the parking area. Ours was not meant to be there until around 1400 but this was it. So panic happened for a short time. As we had thought we would have lots of time to pack up, it suddenly was only ½ hour. We packed all necessary into the Mazda Bravo as it was to be winched onto a tilt tray first. Once it was ready, I then had a little bit of time to pack a small bag to take on the Cessna 210 later in the day. So, I had a shower in the Karavan and then packed it up for travel behind the recovery truck. In a short time the whole lot was gone and we became homeless!!

So into the Visitor Centre of the Ranger Station as it was in the shade and cool. We stayed there until about 1430. During this wait time, we did speak with lots of visitors to the Park either arriving or departing. Eventually, we were given a lift to the Purnululu airfield in the Park by Barry and his wife Barbara who are looking after the camp near Bellburn as volunteers.

On the way there, Prue mentioned that she knew one of the Pharmacists, Rachael, at Lennox Head Pharmacy. Barry then said he knew her parents and they had their tent beside his caravan but they had gone for a walk. As we drove to the airfield, we came across them. They were amazed and were lovely people. They were looking after a camp near Turkey Creek.

Soon we arrived at the airfield. This is where the helicopters and fixed wing aircraft arrive and depart on the various tours. The helicopters do short flights around the Bungle Bungle area while the fixed wing aircraft do longer flights mainly to and from Kununurra on scenic flights. It is a very busy area during the day. A short time later our Cessna 210 arrived from Kununurra with passengers for an overnight stay and tour. We boarded with another couple. The flight was fantastic. We flew past the various gorges and walks in the Purnululu (Bungle Bungle) National Park seeing so much. Not very long later, we departed Purnululu for the Argyle Diamond Mine.

We arrived overhead the Mine and did and orbit of this massive operation which is owned by Rio Tinto. We learnt that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth owns 48% of the mine and so making her one extremely wealthy person. This mine even has its own airport which is the biggest private airport in the Southern Hemisphere and is over a $250 million deposit of diamonds. It is also built in the wrong direction for the prevailing wind. A Boeing 767 can land on this airport run way. The staff mainly work 10 days on and 4 days off doing both day and night shifts. It is a continuous operation.

After Argyle Diamond mine we tracked for the western shore of possibly the biggest manmade lake in the world, Lake Argyle. After having cruised on it last week, we did see the extent of the lake and it is massive. About 60 kms long and not much narrower.

Finally, we then tracked for Kununurra airport. It is a very busy airport in the late afternoon. Having headsets on, we were able to hear the traffic inbound for the airport. Not only the tour aircraft, which are numerous, but also the Commuter aircraft arriving and/or departing for either Darwin or Perth or Broome. Just looking out the windows enabled us to spot aircraft in the circuit area preparing to land. As we lined up for the landing, we could see another touchdown and hurry off the runway for us. This was also the case for our aircraft, too. We parked and then made our way to the Slingair terminal where we paid for our flight and caught the bus into town.

Our night was booked and paid for by NRMA Premium Care in the All Seasons Motel Kununurra, a part of the Accor Group. A nice room to sleep in and also a nice but expensive meal. So that was our day.