HUNKERED DOWN IN LAKE
ARGYLE
Lake Argyle was pretty much deserted except
for a few international travellers in campers
and three or four caravans. Most were families
on a 12 or 24-month adventure. Others were
full-timers like us.
Everyone was dealing with the crisis
according to their unique circumstances. Most
were from New South Wales, Queensland and
Victoria, and were facing very long journeys
home, uncertain if they were able to get home
in the first place.
The international travellers were in very difficult
positions. All the camper hire companies had
closed their offices in the Top End over the wet
season. Their countries of origin were locking
down international travel. Flights were being
cancelled on an hourly basis. They had limited
funds and limited options. Many faced a long
drive to Perth to return their vehicles and
hopefully get a flight home.
Marty's van setup in Broome. The amber
light keeps the mozzies away.
The information we were receiving was
confusing, to say the least. There was official
advice from the federal and state governments
but none of it seemed appropriate or helpful to
our circumstances. The internet was abuzz
with all sorts of stories.
Locals in rural towns told travellers they were
not welcome, with visitors to towns
supposedly hoarding groceries and leaving
locals with nothing. There was a real sense of
hostility towards people in our situation.
We made phone calls to the caravan parks
and tourist attractions we had bookings with.
They told us that we were still welcome and
that everything was still going ahead as
planned. It was very difficult to know what
was the right thing to do.
Every day brought new advice, new stories,
new opinions, new worries. We were
comfortable in Lake Argyle, although the
170km round trip into Kununurra to do our
shopping was becoming a chore.