Shark Bay World Heritage Area

July 3, 2017

 We drove to Hamelin Pool via Kalbarri
did a little shopping & picked up $100+ tatslotto winnings

checked into our camp & went down the road to Hamelin Pool.  The living microbes that build Stromatolites in the highly saline waters are similar to the earliest forms of life dating back 3000 million years. Colonies of marine Stromatolites have helped science gain a better understanding of the evolution of life on earth over the millennia. These are the oldest, largest display anywhere in the world.


odometer reading 57,456
kms travelled today 356
kms travelled so far 7,625
campsite Hamelin Outback Station Stay

July 4, 2017

We drove along World Heritage Drive to Nanga Bay Resort and on to Shell Beach which is comprised of countless millions of tiny shells. Scientists now know that a lack of predators due to the high local salinity cause the animals to grow so rapidly & profusely in the area. The shell build up is 25-30 feet deep (8-9 metres).

We then visited Whalebone & Fowlers Camp (free campsites) & checked for wildlife from Eagle Bluff - no luck today.

Onto Denham (once a pearler's camp) for lunch.

We were a bit late to Monkey Mia :)

Here's what Monkey Mia looks like without the dolphins.

We drove in to Francois Peron National Park.  Les had to let the tyres down for us to continue driving. We ended up  at Big Lagoon.










odometer reading 57,783
kms travelled today 327
kms travelled so far 7,952
campsite Hamelin Outback Station Stay

July 5, 2017

Yesterday we had wanted to travel to Steep Point but Google told us it would take us 6 hours 1 way so that's why we went to Denham etc. We asked @ the Information Centre there & they assured us that only the last 30kms were sand. So, today we set out for Steep Point.  Francois Peron NP was just a little practice for today. Tyre pressure down again & off we set.  Sometimes we couldn't see the road for the bonnet we were climbing at such an angle & of course we met many vehicles on the crest of a hill or just around a corner - very sandy in many places. Very corrugated in others.

We registered that we were in the park and checked in with the ranger. She told us that there were many rocks on the western side that were ripping tyre walls so we knew what section of the road to avoid. We did drive to Nor 6 - this is the site of a shipwreck in the 60s where miraculously the captain survived to be rescued 2 weeks later - maybe Tom Hanks should make a movie about this?

& we made it to Steep Point! (in 3 - 4 hours - lots of sightseeing on the way) We drove over long white sandy beaches with fabulous blue waters apart from the 4WD adventure tracks.

We saw a pod of whales out to sea frolicking around & having a great time - perhaps they were on the Australia ByPass Route?

On October 1616, Dirk Hartog, Captain of a Dutch trading ship, landed at Cape Inscription on what is now known as Dirk Hartog Island and was the first recorded white man to set foot on Australian soil.

Dirk Hartog Island is just to the north of Steep Point.

We passed lots of sand hills - could have been in the Sahara!

A great Day! - we really prefer this side of Shark Bay to what we saw yesterday.








odometer reading 58,114
kms travelled today 331
kms travelled so far 8,283
campsite Hamelin Outback Station Stay

July 6, 2017

We drove to Hamelin Pool to check out the Telegraph Station, museum & the Shell Block Quarry.
Many of the old station homesteads were built from shell block as the shell block is a wonderful insulator. These days blocks are only taken to repair historic buildings.


Then Les drove on to Nanga Bay Resort for fuel & fishing & I walked the 4.5km back to camp.

Hamelin Station has provided great wood for our fires & we've had great company to share it with.

We've decided the giant marshmallows aren't as tasty as the regular ones.








odometer reading 58,243
kms travelled today 129
kms travelled so far 8,412
campsite Hamelin Outback Station Stay

Geraldton & Port Gregory

June 27, 2017

Buffeted by prevailing southerly winds, the leaning trees of Greenough  are Eucalyptus Camaldulensis or Red River gums. Though the tree is found throughout southern Australia along watercourses and on flood plains, it is only on the windswept Greenough Flats that the tree develops its distinctive leaning shape.

We parked in an RV friendly 24hr stop in Geraldton and walked to the HMAS Sydney II Memorial. HMAS Sydney II was lost with all 645 hands in November 1941, just off the coast of Shark Bay whilst engaging the German Raider Cormorant. This memorial is located at Mt Scott overlooking the same ocean where HMAS Sydney II fought its last battle.

Just a few steps away stands a bronze figure of a woman looking out to sea, grieving for her lost loved one. She is called The Waiting Woman.













odometer reading 56,661
kms travelled today 118
kms travelled so far 6,830
campsite Belair Gardens Caravan Park (by the time we got back to the 24hr stop we were so parked in we could hardly open the van door so off to a caravan park we went.

June 28, 2017
Julie checked out the old gaol/craft centre, art gallery & tried the museum (but it shut @ 3) also tried the cathedral (but it's closed for renovations) while Les pottered around @ Bunnings & the van.

Every Weds night the Park hosts a hot roll night in aid of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
A bush poet/storyteller had some yarns to spin
the caravan poems were pretty spot on!








odometer reading 56,698
kms travelled today 37
kms travelled so far 6,867
campsite Belair Gardens Caravan Park

June 29, 2017

We made a short stop in Northampton then rejected a farm stay @ Linga Longa and travelled on to Port Gregory.

We met up with an Irishman on the jetty & he taught Les how to prepare a squid.
He gave us one for dinner tonight.

The view of a rubber tree outside our door is a change from the ocean.












odometer reading 56,814
kms travelled today 116
kms travelled so far 6,983
campsite Port Gregory Caravan Park

June 30, 2017

I walked out of town to the pink lake. The colour of the lake is due to a bacteria (Dunaliella salina) trapped in the salt granules; this provides a rich source of Beta Carotene, which is harvested from small ponds.
3rd time lucky for me - we missed the first pink lake while still in Victoria & then again whilst doing the Great Ocean Drive near Esperance.

I thought I found Les @ his fishing spot but on closer inspection I was mistaken :)















odometer reading 56,826
kms travelled today 12
kms travelled so far 6,995
campsite Port Gregory Caravan Park

July 1, 2017

We drove to Kalbarri & explored the coastline of the National Park.

Natural Bridge.

We drove in & out to the coast - Island Rock, Eagle Gorge, Red Bluff & Pot Alley.

We saw a large school of dolphins (12 - 15 or so) swimming & surfing in the waves below.

Les braved the cold & the wind a little longer & saw a whale breaching a few times.

We also visited the Rainbow Jungle - a parrot breeding centre - seriously out of date - needs dragging into the 21st century.

We drove back to Port Gregory through the National Park. All seemed flat & stunted then we followed a road to the Murchison Gorge - stunning (no photo sorry)

This is the Murchison River further downstream from the Ross Graham Lookout - named after the first school teacher in Kalbarri who was a devoted conservationist.










odometer reading 57,087
kms travelled today 261
kms travelled so far 7,256
campsite Port Gregory Caravan Park

July 2, 2017

The real Les showing his 'squidding' style

Proof!!!


YUM!









odometer reading 57,100
kms travelled today 13
kms travelled so far 7,269
campsite Port Gregory Caravan Park

Sandy Cape, Cliff Head South

June 22, 2017

We left Perth behind & continued north
Along the Turquoise Coast the foredune and sandblows continue to accumulate white lime-rich sand. Hardy plants struggle to stabilise the shifting sands with deep binding roots.
Here, where fire and wind have removed the stabilising vegetation, these older dunes of golden quartz sand reveal their secret. The Pinnacles Desert!
The Pinnacles originate from windblown beach sands and rotting plants.
They have been sculptured by acidic ground water beneath the dunes. Once the Pinnacles are exposed by shifting sands they are further sculpted by wind, rain and sun.

Is this the Pinnacle of our trip???????









odometer reading 56,335
kms travelled today 293
kms travelled so far 6,504
campsite Sandy Cape Rec Park

June 23, 2017

Sandy Cape was WINDY & wet with barely any reception & cost $15 per night, so we packed up shop & headed further north.

we have a waterfront position, with phone & tv reception & it's free to camp here

Good Call






odometer reading 56,464
kms travelled today 129
kms travelled so far 6,633
campsite Cliff Head South

June 24, 2017

Les tried his luck fishing . . . .

sunset over the Indian Ocean










odometer reading 56,543
kms travelled today 79 (Les did a bait run)
kms travelled so far 6,712
campsite Cliff Head South

June 25, 2017

It was a bit windy so the reception was in & out.
a couple of West Aussies joined us for the match
exciting last minute!
Go Cats!!! (bad luck Freo)








odometer reading 56,543
kms travelled today 0
kms travelled so far 6,712
campsite Cliff Head South

June 26, 2017

a modern day swagman gave us some macadamia nuts when we were in Greenbushes.
they were all green like the top picture



we had to toast them in the webber to dry them out
second picture


easy to remove outer husk to get to the inner shell



getting the nuts out wasn't easy .....

Les had to use his socket set to crack the nuts



they tasted yummy!!









odometer reading 56,543
kms travelled today 0
kms travelled so far 6,712
campsite Cliff Head South

Fremantle, Rottnest Is & Perth

June 17, 2017

We drove north for the first time.  Settled into a campsite in Baldivis.
The photo looks relaxing but we were really close to a paint ball park - many battles won & lost this afternoon!








odometer reading 55,749
kms travelled today 258
kms travelled so far 5,918
campsite Bonney's Water Ski Park

June 18, 2017

We travelled into Fremantle & checked out the markets.
(over the road from a footy oval)

an interesting surprise was the WA Maritime Museum which housed amongst many interesting things a model of the successful America's Cup winning yacht with a John Bertram look alike at the wheel!
(complete with winged keel of course)
& Bob Hawkes 'Australia' jacket was on display also - what a collection

after Freo we travelled south to check out Mandurah - a beautiful area











odometer reading 55,906
kms travelled today 157
kms travelled so far 6,075
campsite Bonney's Water Ski Park

June 19, 2017

We drove into Freo again & caught the ferry out to Rottnest Island
Had to see the Quokkas!
We also saw a dolphin, seals, & osprey eagles - courtesy of a HoHo bus (hop on, hop off) -
as well as the most western point of the Island.
A peacock strutted around town with the Quokkas while we had lunch & checked out the Salt Store, Lomas Cottage, Museum, Pilot Boathouse and hilltop monument.
A worthwhile trip.




odometer reading 55,988
kms travelled today 82
kms travelled so far 6,157
campsite Bonney's Water Ski Park

June 20, 2017

We travelled into Perth from Wellard Station & caught the ferry to South Perth - this is the view of Perth from there.
A great public transport system $5 for an all day pass on train, ferry & bus.

We caught a bus to King's Park and got another view of the city plus these beautiful gums. Nearby here is the Bali memorial for the bombing victims - the sun rises through the gap in the stone on Oct 12 - the anniversary.

then it was on to the Perth Mint.
this coin is the world's largest coin - 1 tonne gold
actual weight 1,012 kilos - 1 tonne
diameter 80 cms
thickness 12 cms
face value $1,000,000
actual value about $58mill on today's prices

so I stepped on some scales & found out that I'm worth more than $4mill :)
Les worth considerably more!!















odometer reading 56,003
kms travelled today 15
kms travelled so far 6,172
campsite Bonney's Water Ski Park

June 21, 2017

I travelled back into Perth by myself while Les pottered around the campsite

I looked long & hard to find out how to get into the Museum only to find out eventually that it's closed until 2020 - guess I'll pass on waiting

I then found the Art Centre & came across the original 'Droving into the light' by Hans Heysen - a print that hung on our family wall for decades

good to have a wander around Perth


odometer reading 56,042
kms travelled today 39
kms travelled so far 6,211
campsite Bonney's Water Ski Park

Margaret River

June 13, 2017
We drove to Margaret River in the rain.  The first campsite we had considered was too far out of town on a farm - no good in the wet. The second campsite didn't allow power for heating (an eco camp) but we had been cold for days. The third campsite was small & out of town so we settled for a 3 star park near town.

odometer reading 55,155
kms travelled today 165
kms travelled so far 5,324
campsite Margaret River Tourist Park

June 14, 2017

We drove to where Margaret River meets the sea and then followed Cave Road south.  We checked out Contos campsite in the Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park - it would be a beautiful place to stay in warm sunny weather.
We drove through Boranup Karri Forest and then went to check out Hamelin Bay - a Ray sanctuary - but all the stingrays were MIA.

There are many caves in this area but we picked out the Jewel Cave to be our underground experience.
The chambers of Jewel Cave were once an ancient sand dune about 90km long and 3km wide stretching from Dunsborough to Augusta.

We walked up to the top of Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse - the tallest mainland lighthouse at the most south west point.

This photo is taken from the base of the lighthouse. It was a bit too cold to put a foot in each ocean!!


Just around the corner there was a wooden water wheel which has been turned to stone/rock
The water wheel used to provide the water for the lighthouse keepers. Then back through Augusta and home.




odometer reading 55,309
kms travelled today 154
kms travelled so far 5,478
campsite Margaret River Tourist Park

June 15, 2017

Today we headed north on Cave Road. First stop Canal Rocks - ancient banks of granitic gneiss which have eroded along a dead straight line running north - south, forming the striking 'canal' feature. Several smaller canals cross perpendicular to the main canal.
We travelled out to Cape Naturaliste to visit another lighthouse then back through Dunsborough to Busselton.

We walked out 1.841km on the Busselton Jetty to visit the underwater observatory (decided not to take the train)
This is the longest timber piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere.

we could have done without the guided tour here - not interested in facts & figures - just wanted to observe the fish

We're only about 2,600kms from home as the crow flies.

When in Rome .......
we visited 1 winery in the Margaret River Region so it had to be special
Vasse Felix was the first vineyard planted in the area & this year celebrates its 50th year
We sent a couple of boxes winging their way east.

In Albany I didn't taste the BEST whisky in Australia 2016 so when I saw a Limeburner's Distillery in Margaret River I had to go in & give it a go ($700 a bottle)
tasted great!




We came home to watch the footy - both glad we hadn't made the effort to get to Perth to watch the match.







odometer reading 55,491
kms travelled today 182
kms travelled so far 5,660
campsite Margaret River Tourist Park

June 16, 2017

laid back day in Margaret River today

walking tours only!

this cow was spotted on our way to the shops

we'd seen this cow at Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
seems lots of cows were decorated a couple of years back

I wonder how many more cows we will see?














odometer reading 55,491
kms travelled today 0
kms travelled so far 5,660
campsite Margaret River Tourist Park