Sat, 18th June, 2022 Bush camp below Ivanhoe Crossing, Kununurra to Cockburn Rest Area, corner Great Northern and Victoria Highways, west of Kununurra, WA (Ord River Diversion Dam and Molly Springs)

Another cold morning which will be the norm for a while. It doesn’t take long though for the sun to warm us up. Back to Ivanhoe Crossing where we decided to take a video of ‘Smokey’ going across. I took one for the last bit of the crossing then Steve let me out and he headed back over so I took a video on the phone and some photos on the camera.

Then he came back so I took a video on the camera too. Sent the videos to the boys but I can't upload them on here.

Chatted with a couple who said they remember seeing our rig in Katherine. We do stand out a bit.

Topped up the water tanks, fuel and checked if any beans had arrived in - no. We went around to the Info Centre but there were too many people in there so we went across to the IGA - no beans there either. Shame I didn’t buy more the other day because they were the best beans we have had. The markets were on so we had a wander around.

Back to Celebrity Park for a cuppa then I started uploading my blog.

Thankfully the internet was good today so I got most of it uploaded as well as an update on Facebook as we won’t have phone reception for the next few weeks while we do the Gibb.

Had lunch then headed off. Drove down Lakeside Drive to the old Pumphouse (now a restaurant that is up for sale).

Nice sign. Glass info panels along the boardwalk. Bit hard to photograph!

The golf course comes down to here.

Water flows through and down the main channel from Lake Kununurra (Ord River). We drove along the dirt track beside the channel and back to the main road.

Further along we stopped at a park to check out the old gantry and crane/digger.

Down the track to Swim Beach. View of the Diversion Dam from here. Good map too.

Cruise boats, sea plane etc have their moorings here. Further along is the Ski Club which hosts the Dam to Dam Ski Race each year.

Followed the track out then up to another park with info about the Diversion Dam. Nice paving.

Across the wall to the park on the other side. More info about the gantry we saw on the other side. Great view too.

Back to the main road - there is a burn off in the distance.

Across the Dunham River. Upstream photo this time.

Found where they are burning.

Along the road to Valentine Springs Road so it was closed so we will have to check out Valentine Springs next time.

Continued on and turned off down a rocky track for 3km to Molly Springs. Short walk over some wet areas to a lovely little falls and pool. Kids were having fun jumping in. It was cold water.

We scrambled up the hill. Great view down and around.

Went down the other side where the water was coming through the grasses down the valley to the falls. Not sure where the springs starts as it is rugged country to explore.

Back down for a few more photos - another family arrived for a swim so my skinny-dip is out!

Chatted with the couples and kids travelling together. Big truck and van had Wandering Walshs on the side. They are all heading to the Gibb too.

Back out then down the road to the intersection of the Victoria and Great Northern Highway where the Cockburn Rest Area is. Chose our spot and set up.

Chatted with two ladies about Emma Gorge etc while we had our drinks and the sun set.

Not too much traffic as night fell.