Day 23 Wyndham

Day 23 Wyndham (why not?)

It was hard to turn around after having such a fabulous experience at the Bungle Bungles and head for home, but we finally concluded that there really wasn't time this trip to get to Broome and do it justice. That will have to be another time.

Afghan Cameleers memorial

Downtown Wyndham looks boarded up

Even the hotel looks desserted

The drive back up the Great Northern Highway was just as pretty as the way down, but not the same.  We were, of course driving in the opposite direction and we saw hills and escarpments which had been behind us on the way out.  It was reminiscent of Paris when we just could not find the Eiffel Tower as we drove around the city. Turned out it was behind us all the time, in the rear view mirror!

We once again called in at Doon Doon Roadhouse, this time served by a sweet Chinese girl. There are foreign backpackers manning roadhouses and campsites all over the outback. They regard it as a fun experience and don't seem to mind the deprivations of the distance from city nightlife and amenities. Aussie youth just don't know what they're missing!

John wanted (actually I insisted - if only I'd known ...) to go to Wyndham and see the port. We thought we might stay a couple of nights there too. Luckily we didn't book and pay before we saw it. Wyndham was once the bustling main town of the Kimberley, being the major export point for live cattle and mining. Times have changed very sadly and so much was boarded up, even allowing for the fact of it being Sunday afternoon. It was a very depressing sight to see.

Barb on the pier

Wyndham port

Not a whole lot to see but salt pans

Wyndham museum

We briefly walked out along a wharf to see from a distance a large container ship being loaded. Then we walked back into town and found The Rusty Shed café which appeared to be the only thing open in Wyndham on a Sunday. It was doing a roaring trade and the staff were rushed off their feet with orders. The food turned out to be very good, and the rusted shed ambience very quaint. The rest of the town was full of real rust. We couldn't even go to visit any of the local sights with the trailer in tow the road would've been too difficult.

The Rusty Shed cafe

At least the food was good

Not much reason to stay

We did stop to take a photo of the Big Crocodile, a local landmark, but quickly got back in our car and hurried away when approached by an aboriginal woman whom we suspected was after grog or money from us.

Big croc

Yep, it's BIG!

We called ahead to the Discovery park in Kununurra. At least we knew what to expect here and this time we weren't allocated a campsite beside the toilets.
Yay! We can wash clothes. We can use the phone and internet again. The luxury. It is still hot here, despite the palm trees and shade.....36 degrees as we set up camp. Winter doesn't exist here.