![\"DSC03357\"](\"http:\/\/www.walkerfamilytravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/DSC03357-300x225.jpg\")
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Crossing the border from the Northern Territory into Western Australia<\/em> meant we were now in The<\/em> Kimberley <\/em>region, regarded as the last remaining wilderness in Australia, with vast swathes of red sandy desert, deep gorges and geological wonders we just had to visit. On our list were the world-renowned Horizontal Falls<\/em>, and the oddly named Bungle Bungles<\/em>. \u00a0Don’t let the understated sign fool you – this is so much more than ‘a great place’!<\/p>\n Beautiful Boab Trees of WA<\/p><\/div>\n A couple of nights stop at Lake Kununurra<\/em> recharged our weary batteries, and gave us a chance to watch the nightly migration of millions of bats to their northern feeding grounds, from our lake-front pitch camping site \u2013 an extraordinary sight even if you don\u2019t like bats.<\/p>\n Best view from a caravan park ever! Lake Kununurra and the Sleeping Buddha.<\/p><\/div>\n Ben in the Bungles!<\/p><\/div>\n A couple of hours south are the Bungle Bungles,<\/em> in the Purnululu National Park.\u00a0\u00a0 The Bungles are an unusual geological feature of striped sandstone domes, and remarkably were not known to the Australian public until 1983 as it was located in the centre of a large, privately owned, cattle station – making it one of the less-visited \u2018must-dos\u2019.\u00a0\u00a0 The track in was too much for our Ford Territory, so we booked a 4wd tour \u2018bus\u2019 instead and were pleased we did, it was a bumpy old ride. The Bungles were impressive though, and even in the 30+ heat, worth the effort, and the Cathedral and Echidna Gorges got a \u2018whoa\u2019 from the boys.<\/p>\n Cathedral Gorge<\/p><\/div>\n A drive west and we arrived at Derby,<\/em> for our Horizontal Falls journey. Ben and I had first seen this on an Attenborough programme a couple of years ago, and was something we\u2019ve been looking forward to, as they occur nowhere else in the world. They are called Horizontal Falls because they are two narrow channels in gorges that the huge tides (up to 11 metres!) are squeezed though creating their own sideways waterfall effect.<\/p>\n Horizontal Falls<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n We met another lovely Aussie family, the Taylors, who instantly made friends with the boys and had amazing experience swimming in a shark cage, feeding chunks of fish to half a dozen large, hungry Tawny Nurse Sharks. Ollie was beside himself with excitement, as was Ben when they served grilled barramundi for lunch, and Cameron thought the whole day was just \u2018amaaazing\u2019 in his best Aussie accent.<\/p>\n Boab-Nut art.<\/p><\/div>\n Before leaving Derby<\/em> we did a bit of \u2018art\u2019 by visiting the Norval Art Gallery, run by a lovely family who promote their own art and that of local aboriginal artists in their fascinating shop\/museum. \u00a0After being made very welcome by Mary, one of the owners who spent time discussing art appreciation with the kids, the boys decided to invest their birthday money from their Nan & Pop and bought a piece of Aboriginal Art each. \u00a0It\u2019s never too early to start your own art collection we think!<\/p>\n Derby Jetty.<\/p><\/div>\n Driving out of Derby<\/em> we came across this impressive sight, kites and other birds of prey taking advantage of a small bushfire to prey on the animals fleeing the fire. \u00a0Some of these birds have even learned how to carry smouldering sticks from fires, dropping them into dry bush to create new fires and new hunting grounds. \u00a0Ingenious survival technique!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Crossing the border from the Northern Territory into Western Australia meant we were now in The Kimberley region, regarded as the last remaining wilderness in Australia, with vast swathes of red sandy desert, deep gorges and geological wonders we just … Continue reading ![\"DSC03372\"](\"http:\/\/www.walkerfamilytravels.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/DSC03372.jpg\")
<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>We flew in by seaplane because they are located right the top of the Kimberley (where there is nothing for a long way but spectacular azure sea, islands and empty beaches) landing at a pontoon in Talbot Bay and transferring to a luxury houseboat. From here, we were taken through the falls on a 900 hp boat, giving us not only a great view but a thrilling ride too!<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>
\n<\/a>For both Ollie and I it was a \u2018first\u2019 as we took a helicopter ride over the falls, although I
\nhave to admit to being a bit scared as the helicopter had no doors and nothing to hold on to. The pilot assured me we couldn\u2019t fall out then seemed to do his best to test this theory with some impressive, but terrifying turns. \u00a0It was an incredible day though, and was worth the cost and effort. \u00a0This part of the WA coastline is just spectacular.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n