The Grotto Rock Pool

There was one place we knew we’d have to visit while we were in Kununurra.  The Grotto, about 70km north of town.  We stopped in on our way back from Wyndham. The creek was looking pretty dry so we weren’t sure what we’d find at the waterhole. See those big boulders?  Thank goodness they are there or you might drive right over the edge! I really think it would be more accurate to call it a pit than a grotto. Had to have a picture with the sign.  🙂 There are a gazillion steps that wind their way down into the pit/grotto.  From above it looks quite intimidating but the steps are quite large and level. It’s just that those steps wind around and around and look quite steep from above, especially if you are a parent watching your children go down them.  Not so bad when you’re actually on them yourself. We got down to the waterhole and were a bit disappointed.  The water did not look clear enough for a swim.  It was pretty stagnant, we couldn’t see where any water was flowing out or in.  I know that looks like a waterfall at the back but that was just markings on the rock where the water must flow after a rain.  If we’d been a bit earlier in the season maybe the creek would have been flowing but it was all dried up at this point.  We were there late in the tourist season but not late enough for the rains to have started. Unfortunately us parents were lagging behind and one of the kids had jumped in before we could tell them all not to.  We were glad that child didn’t end up with any illness from the water, we’ve had that happen before with one of the other kids who fell in to some stagnant water last year.  We didn’t stay long, just watched some of the birds for a little while and then climbed all those steps back to the top. See the yuck floating on the water?  Not too inviting.  I’ve read it is great after a rain, and those rope swings probably get a work out.  The water is supposed to be very deep, estimated at 100m if I remember correctly. It was hot.  So, so hot.  One of those days where the sun feels scorching on your skin.  After climbing those steps we were very glad to get back in our air-conditioned car to cool off.  One of the kids started feeling sick and had a headache, fortunately some slow sips of water took care of it before it turned into anything more serious.  Then it was back to the caravan park for a swim in a proper pool!