Flying The East Kimberley, WA.

We weren't idle while staying in Kununurra. We also decided to take an air tour, with Kingfisher Tours, over many of the locations we experienced on land and also some that we have yet to visit.

Tomorrow morning we will be leaving Kununurra and Western Australia heading into Northern Territory and on to Katherine.

The spillway for Lake Argyle is a natural creek system that returns the overflow back into The Ord downstream of the wall.

Lake Argyle and the dam wall.

There are many islands formed in Lake Argyle and are known to be ideal breeding habitat for The Johnson Crocodile. Estimated population of 35000.

Bungle Bungle Range from the air.

Beehive structures of the Bungle Bungle Range.

Piccaninny Gorge at The Bungle Bungle Range.

The Western Escarpment of The Bungle Bungle Range.

Another view of The Western Escarpment of The Bungle Bungle Range.

An overview of The Argyle Diamond Mine.

The Open Pit of The Argyle Diamond Mine. The mine now descends below the pit floor as an underground operation.

The extremely high priced El Questro Station Stay. Not much there to see!

The Gibb River Road with The Cockburn Range in the background.

This range was used as some of the setting in the Film 'Australia'.

Home Valley, another super expensive resort station stay.

The King River flood plain and tidal flats approaching Wyndham.

Wyndham from the air.

The Wyndham Port area and to the right side 5 Rivers Lookout.

Ivanhoe Crossing just outside of Kununurra. This river crossing is no longer maintained by the local council.

Irrigation branch channels and the beginning of farmed land.

This is part of the 30,000 hectares of irrigated land in Stage 1 of the Ord Scheme. another 15,000 hectares is being released in Stage 2.

The Ord River beside irrigated farms.

The Diversion Dam as we approach the airport.

Inside the plane mid flight. I am the fill in co-pilot today.

Jude outside our plane for the day.

Our Pilot, Bunzel, I think that was his name, in the process of tying down the plane.

Derby, WA.

There is only a short and leisurely drive between Broome and Derby but we still split the drive by staying one night at Nillibubbica RA. Nillibubbica RA is roughly midway between the two towns and therefore automatically becomes a natural stop for many travellers, including us. Of course you still see the 'rush and tear' brigade who barrel past without a pause in their quest for distance in the least amount of time. Certainly, some people are travelling within the constraints of 'Annual Leave Time' but most are not in that category. Nillibubbica RA is typical of the many excellent RA provided for travellers in Northern West Australia, a large gravelled area, picnic shelters, toilets and a dump point.

We initially booked into Kimberley Entrance Caravan Park for three days but very soon extended this to seven days as we experienced the sublime climate here this time of year. Mid to high teens overnight warming to low 30's during the afternoons with a slight breeze to moderate the sun's heat. Further more, after the first week, we then extended for another week. I could get used to this idea. I am calling it a holiday from our travelling holiday, I can feel myself slowing down!

Derby is a slow, quiet town. Everything seems to take place with a minimum of movement, probably due to the fact that the population normally has to contend with a hot and oppressive summer climate. Strangely, Derby is not prone to experiencing Cyclones during the Wet Season. I was told that the last Cyclone recorded in Derby was back in the 1960's. Apparently the huge body of water that is King Sound influences the weather in this area to Derby's advantage.

The Western end of The Gibb River Road is on the outskirts of Derby therefore we see many very red and dusty "Rigs" that have come across 'The Gibb' from the Eastern end near Wyndham. We are not attempting that adventure this trip but will return in the near future and 'give it a go'.

This is Clarendon Street, the area hosting most of the towns businesses.

Boab Trees feature along the wide thoroughfare that is Loch Street. As you arrive in Derby you enter by Loch Street and if you follow this road to it's end you will be at The Derby Wharf area.

The Tourist Information Centre is on Loch Street.

One of the larger Boab Trees in Derby, also along Loch Street.

The Derby Wharf is a popular fishing platform but is also used for the loading of shipping with Lead and Zinc Ore.

The old disused Derby Prison is located beside the current Police Station. This Prison was mainly used to detain the early Indigenous Population.

A 'Close-Up' of the Western end of the Prison. Facilities consisted of an open cold water shower and the toilet was a bucket in the corner behind a blanket suspended from the ceiling.

The Infamous Boab Prison Tree, estimated to be over 1200 years old. Once used to detain arrested Indigenous People charged with Cattle Stealing or Killing.

A 'Close-Up' of the Boab Prison Tree. The exterior appears artificial, it has a 'metallic sheen' that seems to look unnatural.

Adjacent to The Prison Boab Tree is Myall Bore. This bore has been utilised to water cattle but was also essential in supplying water to the Defence Base that was in this area during WW2.

The Cattle Watering Trough is still fed with water from the Windmill above Myall Bore.