Adventuristnow

Travel, Adventure, Stories, Pictures. Australia and New Zealand.

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Travelling with dogs

Travelling with dogs is like travelling with kids, they both have accidents in the car, they both slobber everywhere and they both give you the look of “Are we there yet!?”

There are a lot of things to take into considering both before and during when taking your dogs on an adventure.  Here are some tips before you go to make that adventure easier on both you and your furry friends.

1.      The number one thing to check before you travel is to ensure where you are travelling to is pet friendly. Many places, especially in Australia and New Zealand, have national parks which you cannot take pets to. Accommodation is not always pet friendly either. The following websites are great for finding pet friendly accommodation:

a.      www.escape.com.au

b.      www.holidayingwithdogs.com.au

c.       www.stayz.com.au

d.      www.dogzonline.com.au

e.      www.big4.com.au

f.        www.dogsonholidays.com.au

g.      www.bringfido.com

h.      www.homeaway.com

 2.      Vet check-ups before you go are essential to doggy heath, depending on where you are going they may need some vaccinations.

 3.      Pet ID tags are always a good idea just in case your furry friends decided to chase a kangaroo or wonder off somewhere new and exciting. In a new environment your pooch may not be able to find his/her way back so it’s good to have your number and the dogs name on their ID tag so if found someone can contact you.

 4.      Feed your dog serval hours before leaving to avoid motion sickness or toilet accidents.

 5.      Take poop bags. Clean up after your dog no matter where they may have laid their breakfast. No one likes fresh poop stuck to the bottom of their shoes.

 6.      Exercise your pooch before leaving and take periodical breaks for exercise and toilet stops where you can.

 7.      Prepare a first aid kit. You never know what your furry friend will get up to on their adventure. For small injuries a normal first aid kit will be suffice. For larger injuries or snake bites its always best to go to the nearest vet or if you’re not close to a vet give them a call for some advice.

 8.      Always make sure they have access to water. Dogs will dehydrate quickly during travel, even more so if they are nervous.

 9.      Take the doggy essentials. Leashes, food, bottle water, toys, treats and food bowls. Doggy medication if required.

DOG TRAVEL CHECKLIST

Medications

Travel food and water bowls

Toys

Bed or blanket

Poop collection bags or pooper scooper

Enough food for the duration of the trip

Vet certificates if needed

First Aid Kit

Leash

Harness

Towel

Brush

Shampoo (In case they roll in something horrible)

Calming and stress relief products if needed

Glow sticks or light for at night/early morning walks/toilet stops.

Dogs can be very unpredictable. They poop when they want, talk when they want, roll in something disgusting before you have a chance to yell NO! So, it is always good to be prepared for the unexpected.

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Boab Trees

BOAB TREES

This amazing bulb looking tree with its (more often than not) leafless branches is called the Australia Adansoina Gregorii aka the Boab Tree.

The boab can be found in the Kimberley Region of Western Australia and east into the Northern Territory. 

They can grow from 5-15m in height and 1-5m in width.

Its name is a shortened form of its more common name “Boabab” Boab is the now common name for this tree, However, there are many others; 

Australian Baobab

Boabab

Baob

Bottle Tree

Dead Rat Tree

Monkey Bread Tree

Cream of Tartar Tree

Gourd “Gourd Tree”

Upside Down Tree

Gouty Stem Tree

Illy

Tree of Romance

Names used by the Indigenous Australians

Gadawon

Larrgadi or Larrgadiy 

The Boab has been used for many different reason, hence why it has so many names.

In the dry season, Indigenous Australians obtained water from the hollows in the tree. These trees have the ability to store water in their giant bulb like figures. They also used the white powder that fills the seed pods as a food source. The leaves of the tree have been known to be used medicinally and the leaves also carry a high Iron content.

Back in the 1890′s a large hollow boab south of Derby was known to be used as a lockup for Aboriginal prisoners who were on their way to Derby for sentencing. This is now known as the Boab Prison Tree and is a tourist attraction.

There is another hollow boab tree near Wyndham known as the Hillgrove Lockup or Wyndham Prison Tree and was also used as a prison. There is a news article that dates back to the 1940′s that states when there was not enough room inside the tree for all prisoners they were chained to the outside of the tree. One prisoner, who has been described as over six foot and rather masculine, escaped the chains. Well he escaped and took the chains with him!

 If you ever get the chance to spot one of these bulby trees its defiantly worth pulling over for.

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Valentine Springs - Kununurra

Valentine Springs is a short 10km drive out of Kununurra. To get there you follow the Victoria Vitoria Highway out of Kununurra, over the Diversion Dam and from there it will be signed posted as Valentine Springs/Black Rock and Middle Springs. The road is unsealed, bumpy but accessible for 2wd. There are a few sandy spots along the road but after the wet season you should have no problems getting down to the springs.

The springs itself is a set of warm pools with a sandy beach you can relax away the day in. There is one big water hole just in front of the parking area “unsealed oval”, and if you walk around the side of this big water hole and over the small rocks there are many more smaller holes which are warmer and more private.

Valentine springs would be a sight to see just after the wet season as the springs would be flowing rapidly. The best time for swimming we found was around the start of May as the springs were separated into slow moving rock pools. Depending on the wet season the Kimberly area has, would all depend on how the springs would look and if the roads were fully accessible.

If you do get to go to Valentine Springs one day I highly recommend the stop and I hope you have as much fun as I did! 

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Lake Argyle - Kununurra

Lake Argyle is Australia's second largest freshwater manmade reservoir by volume. The lake is part of the Ord River Irrigation Scheme.

Lake Argyle was named after Argyle Downs, the name given to the property established by Patsy Durack and his sons.

Its primary inflow is from the Ord River and many other smaller creeks also flow into the dam.

 Lake Argyle has a surface area of 1,000 square km’s. Its storage capacity is 10,763 gigalitres of water. (WOW)

The lake is home to 26 species of native fish and a good population of freshwater crocodiles. The fish species that are known in the lake include, Barramundi, Southern Saratoga, Archer Fish, Cat Fish, Long Tom, Bony Bream and Sleep Cod.

Lake Argyle supports around 150,000 waterbirds. My favourite were the Wandering Whistling Ducks and the Black Necked Storks.

Lake Argyle is one of the most amazing, peaceful paradises to visit.

Lake Argyle Activities

Bushwalking

Splash in the Infinity Pool at the Lake Argyle Resort

Take a Kimberley Sunset Cruise

Go on a Boat Cruise

Do a full Day Tour

Fly above Lake Argyle with Kimberly Air Tours

Visit the Durack Homestead for a history experience

Visit the amazing Lake Argyle Dam Wall

Spend the day with Lake Argyle Adventures

Take Scenic Tour or a Scenic Flight

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The Grotto - Kununurra

The Grotto is a small canyon located about 70kms out of Kununurra. To get there you follow the Victoria Highway out of Kununurra and turn onto the Great Northern Highway heading towards Wyndham. The Grotto is sign posted and is located on Grotto Road. The road is accessible for both 4wd and 2wd vehicles. If you do decide to go during the wet take caution in lower vehicles as the roads may be flooded.

Here you will find a small natural water hole surrounded by 120m cliff face that drops into the water and becomes a magnificent waterfall during the wet season. Because Because of its location inside the 120m cliff face everything echoes.

There are 140 steps that take you down into the Grotto, it may sound daunting but the steps are placed so that anyone of any level can make it down and back up.

The waterfall would be a site to see during the wet season but caution is advised during this time due to the high flow of water surrounding the canyon and flooding on the roads.

Make sure you take your camera or even pack a picnic, just don't leave it in the car or you will have to face the 140 steps more than once!

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Ivanhoe Crossing - Kununurra

Ivanhoe Crossing is a concrete causeway over the Ord River.

The crossing is just outside of Kununurra township. Head west along the Victoria Highway until you reach Ivanhoe Road. Carry on along Ivanhoe Road until you reach the Ivanhoe Crossing sign. The drive is approx. 10mins from Kununurra.

The crossing was originally pat of the main road to Wyndham. The crossing is now impassable during and just after the wet season due to the flow of water. Along with all the rain the water flows through here all year round from the Ord River Irrigation Project.

Ivanhoe Crossing is home to Saltwater Crocodiles. No swimming or passing over the crossing is allowed.

You can fish here for Barramundi, just watch out for the crocodiles as they might want your catch more than you do!

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Kelly’s Knob - Kununurra

Kelly’s Knob is a two-minute drive outside of Kununurra Town. To get there drive down the Victoria Highway and onto Weaber Plain Road, follow Weaber Plain Road till you reach a left turn onto Ironwood Drive. Follow Ironwood drive until you get to a right turn onto Speargrass Road. Follow Speargrass road until you reach the Kelly’s Knob sign for a left turn onto Kelly Road.  Kelly Road is a sealed road which takes you to the bottom of the walking tracks, or if you are ambitious enough you can walk from Kelly’s Knob sign at the entry of Kelly Road.

The walk to the top of the highest point is a 1.2km round trip and is steep all the way to the top. The walk does not have hand rails in all places and may be challenging for some people.

The lookout from the top of Kelly’s Knob will give you magnific views of Kununurra, the Ord Irrigation areas, Lake Kununurra and The Sleeping Buddha.

Don’t forget to take plenty of water, your camera, or even a few coldies to enjoy the sunset.

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Kununurra - Western Australia 

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Kununurra

Kununurra is a small relaxed town just across the Western Australia Border coming from the Northern Territory. The town is located 3,214km from Perth and 829 kms south-west of Darwin

It is surrounded by farm land, sandalwood plantations and lots of tropical fruits.

Kununurra itself has been around since the early 1960s and is the construction centre for the Ord River Scheme and creation of the amazing Lake Argyle.

It is the eastern gateway to the Kimberley's and an outback adventures dream.

Kununurra houses around 6000 people, hundreds of wildlife and is everyone's stop over before exploring the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

One of the best features of the town are its extensive waterways which form the basis of the Ord Irrigation Scheme. Ord River was once a series of water holes during the dry season and is now a giant permanent waterway. The Ord River, has, over time, developed into an amazing ecosystem of rivers, wetlands and lakes.

The Ord Irrigation Scheme was built in stages and began in 1960 with the establishment of Kununurra which was names a town in 1961.

The Diversion Dam was opened in 1963. The dam holds back Lake Kununurra which feed the Ord River Irrigation area.

Work started on the second dam known as the “Top Dam” in 1969 and was completed before it was officially opened in 1972. The “Top Dam” holds back the waters of Lake Argyle.

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Blue tongue lizard #bluetongue #lizard #iveseenthemeatdogfood #friendly #makegoodpets #northernterritory #nt

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Just come to say hello

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Introducing Australia

Australia is the sixth biggest country in the world.

In terms of land area Australia’s huge… it is around 7,692,024 sq. kms.

Australia is also known around the world as, Aussie, Straya or Aus.

Australia’s Calling code is +61.

Currency – AUD dollar.

The main language spoken here is English.

Australia’s capital city is Canberra.

There are over 1million camels in Australia.

There is a naturally pink lake called lake Hillier.

There are more Kangaroos than people.

Sydney is the biggest city in Australia.

Australia has 14 x more sheep than people.

Australia has six states:

- NSW (New South Wales)

- QLD (Queensland)

- SA (South Australia)

- VIC (Victoria)

- WA (Western Australia)

- Tasmania

Australia has two major territories:

**

- NT (Northern Territory)

- ACT (Australian Capital Territory)

Australia’s land varies widely from deserts, flat lands, rain forests and snow fields.

There is a lake called Lake Disappointment which was named by an explorer who followed creeks to find freshwater and all he found was saltwater.

For those wishing to visit or jump ship and move here there is plenty to see and experience, in fact there is so much to see and do you will never run out of places to visit. The people are friendly and welcoming. Each State and Territory have so much to offer, each is so different to the next and they all have their own lingo. The weather differs A LOT depending on the time of year you visit so don’t forget to check before you pop over! 

Australia, there’s nothing like it!

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Introducing New Zealand

New Zealand is part of Oceania and is in the Southwest Pacific Ocean

New Zealand is also known as the “Land of the long white cloud” or “Aotearoa” in Maori

The main languages spoken here are English and Te Reo Maori,

Currency in New Zealand is NZ Dollars

The population is approx. 4.4 million people

New Zealand has a North and South Island

North Island Regions are:

- Auckland - Wellington - Eastland - Hawkes Bay - Taranaki - Manawatu - Wairarapa - Whanganui - Bay of Plenty - The Coromandel - Ruapehu - Lake Taupo - Hamilton – Waikato -  Rotorua - Northland

South Island Regions are:

- Queenstown - Christchurch - Central Otago - Dunedin – Coastal Otago - Fiordland - Nelson - Southland Wanaka  - Marlborough - West coast - Clutha - Kaikoura

New Zealand contains active volcanoes

The South Island is the largest of the two islands

Blue Lake, in Nelson Lakes National Park, has the clearest water in the world

New Zealand is home to more species of Penguins than any other country

In 1893, New Zealand became the first country to give women the right to vote

Lake Taupo was formed by a super volcanic eruption 26,000 years ago

Kiwifruit were originally called Chinese Gooseberries

New Zealand’s national sport is Rugby Union

Statistics show that three quarters of New Zealanders are now living in Australia

New Zealand has 7 x as many sheep and 3 x as many cows as people

New Zealanders are referred to as Kiwi’s

 I was born and grew up in New Zealand and it will forever hold a place in my heart and be the country I will always call home.

I miss the frosty winter nights by the fire place and the beautiful sunny crisp mornings, the friendly people and the accent you don’t realise you have until you leave.

I am always excited to plan my next trip home to see friends and family, day dream over the green and vibrant landscapes, the snow-covered mountains and breath in the crisp air that reminds me of my childhood.

New Zealand is photogenic, beautiful, green and lushes, has active volcanos you can walk over, ski and snowboard down, is a natural playground for adventure, and it has the longest place name in the world…..Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateapokaiwhenuakitanatahu (A hill in Hawkes Bay)… you try saying that!

Could this be your next amazing experience? 

100% Pure NZ

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Victoria River

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Victoria River

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Victoria River