Thurs 14th: Emma Gorge - Kununurra
Our first stop was at the Hoochery Distillery which produces the Ord River Run, the only rum made in Western Australia. Our guide for that tour appeared to be an integral member of the Spike Dessert family who founded and runs this enterprise.  She was an authority on every step of the process, and after serving us the most heavenly rum and mango home-made cake was out there at the counter serving the many visitors wanting to buy their products.
From there we floated happily to the historic Durack Homestead which was built originally in 1895 but needed to be relocated before the flooding of Lake Argyle,  Australia' s largest Man-made lake.
It was so interesting looking at the living conditions and implements in the 19th century. We were lucky enough to see a Bower Bird which had built his nest on the fence line of the property. This bird favored white pebbles and green glass for decoration to lure a female.
Later we were treated to a 3 hour, 55 km cruise on the Ord River which was built in 1972 in order to irrigate Kununurra, Wyndham and provide all the water for the Argyle Diamond Mine.  The Ord River provides the habitat for 60 - 70,000 fresh water croc as well as a wide range of flora and fauna. The Ord River is in the top 10% of the world's greatest rivers and flows out of Lake Argyle which covers 1,000 square kilometers.  The trip ended at 5.00 with a magical sunset.
We just had time to get in to our hotel in order to get out to the Sandlewood Factory - another family enterprise capturing overseas markets.