Cruisin' Aussies: Cruising on Lake Argyle

Approx. 71km from Kununurra is Lake Argyle. Lake Argyle is classed as an inland sea covering over 1000 square km's and is within the Carr Boyd Ranges. Approx. length of the Lake is 70km and width is approx. 50km. The lake was formed by the damming of the Ord River in 1971 and is Australia's largest body of fresh water and acts as a reservoir for the irrigation scheme in Kununurra (water for sandalwood, chia, cotton, sorghum seed, mango, lime, pawpaw, banana and sugarcane plantations).
'Argyle Downs', a one million acre cattle station owned by the Durack family was flooded to create the vast and beautiful Lake Argyle. All the original buildings built by Patsy Durack are now covered by water except for the 'homestead' which was pulled down stone by stone (and each stone numbered) and reconstructed to it's original design which now is used as a museum. It is a beautiful old building.
It was the dream and persistence of pioneer Kimberley Durack that led to the research and development of the lake and irrigation scheme for the growing of crops in the Kununurra area.
We both really enjoyed the sunset cruise on the lake - from 2.30p.m. to 6.30p.m. on Friday 9th September. Unfortunately because of the thick smoke the sunset was a bit dull. It was a very windy day so the lake in the larger areas of water was quite choppy. Our guide and captain for the cruise really knew the history of the area ( he has been in the cruise business for 12 years). We only saw a few fresh water crocodiles.