The day started full of expectation as the National Geographic Orion sailed into the Wyndham River docking at the wharf, after journeying two days at sea. Exciting activities were scheduled for the day. For some, it was a spectacular scenic flight over the Bungles Bungles, located at Purnululu National Park National Park. These important geological formations and adjacent areas were declared UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. They are a remarkable sight from the Cessna planes, where the multicolored alternated layers of orange oxidized iron and gray cyanobacteria can be observed at cone-karst geology, formed over 320 million years ago. The scenic flight also took us over the Argyle mine, the world’s largest diamond supplier and over Lake Argyle, the largest artificial lake in Australia, created by the damming of the Ord River.
This is where the second group of avid adventurers headed for the day, a river trip on a fast boat covering 55 km. The scenic river tour takes place on a section of the Ord River, located between Kununurra and the Argyle Dam. This area is considered a very special ecosystem, characterized by a perennial watercourse, always flowing despite the dry season. This beautiful river is home to 4 species of turtles, 6000-8000 resident freshwater crocodiles and over 300 species of birds.
We were lucky enough to sight many species, including the White Bellied Sea Eagle, Australasian Darters and Pelicans, Cormorants, Little Corellas, Comb-crested Jacanas, Green Pygmy Gooses, Crimson Flinches, Egrets, Ospreys, Sacred Kingfisher, to name a few.
We also seen many different specimens of Freshwater crocodiles – from young juveniles to fully grown adults – a Short Eared Rock Wallaby, Black Flying Foxes colonies and the iconic endemic specie Kimberley Rose (Brachychiton viscidulus).
After quick stop at the historical Durack homestead; where we learned about the life and pioneer colonisation of this region, we returned to the National Geographic Orion. We were delightfully surprised by a Seafood buffet and vividly shared our first impressions of this stunning Kimberley region.
