Domblegabby – Koonalda Homestead Turnoff Day 59

 Sunday 30^th September  

Today we have to turn our clocks forward ¾ hr so we wanted to get away before 7:00am WA time and we did just.

Just off the road was the blowhole signage not real good very interesting hole in the ground a long way from the ocean.

We had a short break at Caguna for fuel then onto Eyre Bird Observatory it was about 20ks on  rough dirt not really worth the visit and we could not take the trailers the rest of the way past one of lookouts.  Back at the main road we had some morning tea and Stan had to put some air in his tyres.

We stopped at Eucla for lunch and Bryan & Kim decided to go on while we had a look at the Old Telegraph Station.  We continued on and looked at all the photo opportunities.  Now it was time to find Bryan & Kim as the day was getting late.  He said he would be at Koonalda Caves as there is not a lot of signs on this road we could not find the turnoff so Paul entered the H.S into his GPS and we had to turn back 20ks found the turn off but no Bryan.  So we drove in a short way set up camp in the bush and stayed there the night good spot.

Will have to find the Rigg’s in the morning on the way to Ceduna if we can.

Kalgoorlie –Domblegabby (Nullarbor) Day 58

 Saturday 29^th September  

Beautiful morning for the start of our trip home and we left right on 7:00am good trip to Norseman everyone toped up with fuel ready for the Nullabor trip.  Not far out of Norseman Pete found his first treasure (1 Camel).  Morning tea Ten Mile Rocks rest area (nice spot) Pete packed his treasures away so he could get more.  Today is Robyn’s birthday.

Heading further treasure finding continues (2 camel) this one a bit on the nose and the find was just before we stopped for lunch break at Woorlba Homestead rest area good spot.  Robyn was not feeling very well when she emerged from the car so no lunch for her.  What  lovely birthday presents Pete is collecting for her.

Where is Pete

We found Domblegabby rest area and decided it was good for the night it was only 2:30pm when we pulled in so we had a bit of time to collect some fire wood and get organised for tea while Pete attended to his treasures.  We all sat down to happy hr and Pete decided to pack up his ten and go back to see if he could find the treasure he missed out on.  He was gone for a good 1 & ½ hrs we were starting to get a bit worried as he did not answer calls on the radio.  When he did come back he had gone back 75ks one way he even said he was silly.

The wind has now died down and we sat around the fire and had pancakes for Robyn’s birthday cake.

Kalgoorlie Day 57

Friday 28^th September 

Kerry & Nev left camp early,  I did some washing before Robin & I did some shopping (clothes) and looked around the shops until it was time to visit woollies to get some groceries before heading back home.  The boy’s went to the museum and got back to the park at around 1:00pm.

We went out to Coolgardie for the afternoon as it was on 49ks away and walked around the town for awhile.  Pete found some treasures in one of the shops so he rang the lady and she came and opened up for him he made a lot of purchases.

We visited a couple of shops before we went back to camp to get organised to move on tomorrow.   Cooked tea early had happy hr as the park was very busy tonight.

Kalgoorlie/Lake Ballard Day 56

Thursday 27^th September  

The trip to the Lake is only 2hrs so we decided to leave at 7:00am and we got out there before 9:00 and before the rain.  Had a walk on the lake looking at the statues, walked up the hill to see the view.

On the way home we took the discovery track home and went to Ora Banda had lunch at the pub (hamburgers were really nice).  Next pub on the list was broken arrow and everyone could write there name on the wall (so we did).

We called into see where they used to play 2up took some photos.  Heading back to camp we called into the lookout.

Tonight was very windy and it even started to rain very heavy while we were having dinner.  This is Kerry & Nev’s last night with us until we might meet up with them again. 

Kalgoorlie Day 55

Wednesday 26^th September  

We had a free day to do anything so first we all met at the visitor centre to book into the brothel tour at 3:00pm.  We looked around the shops after that.

Up to Super Pit to look at the gold mine it was really big the biggest we have seen on our trip so far.  Back to camp for lunch met up with Pam & Jack they said the blast at the mine was for 2:00pm so back up to the super pit to watch it great sight.

Now it is the brothel tour at the brothel house Pete wore his lovely pants and the madam thought it was really great. 

We went to the Exchange hotel for dinner for Jack and Robins birthday very nice meal.

Esperance – Kalgoorlie Day 54

Tuesday 25^th September  

After the adventure the night before we decided not to leave very early as we wanted to see if Sammy the seal was at the jetty.  Yes he was and I took some good photos of him.

The others headed off to see the stone henge and we wanted to continue on incise our car played up.  We had arranged to meet them in Norseman for lunch and they arrived about 12:30.  Before they arrived we had a look around so after lunch we headed out and they did the sightseeing bit before they left there.

We arrived in Kalgoorlie and made our way to the Nissan dealer but they could not look at the car for a week so that is not good to us.  We found the park and Kerry had arrived before us and arranged sites for us as we are a day earlier that I had booked in for.

It was very blowing and we were put on a site for the night and we will have to move tomorrow.  By the time we set up it was time to go to woollies to get some milk and a few other things before it got dark.

Pam & Jack are staying in the same park which was a bit of a fluke as we had not planned it that way.  We all had dinner with them in the camp kitchen before making out way to bed.

Esperance Day 53

Monday 24^th September  

Today we decided to go to Arid National Park as this is the place the guy was telling Paul about the whales.  We arrived at  Tagon Bay around 9:00am and the wind was up and the water had lots of white caps.   We sat for awhile and Pete decided to bang rocks together to see if this would bring in the whales he gave up so I took over.  We wandered over to some other rocks and did the same there and after awhile we did see a couple of whales making their way towards us.

Took lots of photos and every time we turned away to head back to the other rocks they would leap out of the water and we would miss the best shots.  Back on the first lot of rocks we started out on we started banging the rocks again and the whales came in closer and just floated onto which was really strange. It was not 12:00 and we made our way back to the cars and found somewhere to have lunch.

We drove around to Cape LeGrand National Park and had a look at the beaches there really nice.  This is where Kerry & Nev decided to stay the night and meet us the next day.  We called into another beach and they boys decided to take a short cut back to camp along the beach.  

Instead of taking ½ hr it took 3hrs as we had to get off the beach as the sand was very soft and make our way through a very narrow track and swamp.  It was getting dark and I thought we would never get out and have to sleep the night, but finally we did and back to town to find some dinner.  What an adventure for the afternoon I think the boys were having fun Stan did get bogged at one water crossing.

Ravensthorpe – Esperance Day 52

Sunday 23^rd September  

Left the motel at 7:00am not far to go this morning 200Ks so we will be there very early not sure we will be able to check into park.  When we arrived in Esperance it was raining so rang park and could book in even though it was only 9:00am.

After setting up it is now time to do the loop road and see the sights, before doing that we stopped in at a market just out of town to see what was there.  Now on the loop road we dropped in at several lookouts and very nice beaches Eleven Mile Beach, Ten Mile Lagoon, Twilight Beach.

Time was getting on so we had lunch at Twilight Beach Moved onto the lookout in town and then we ended up at the fish tannery which was very good and bought some fish leather.  Before heading back to camp dropped in to the jetty to see if we could find Sammy the seal no luck today.

Back to camp for happy hour and dinner before crawling into bed after another long day filled with lots of sightseeing.

Ravensthorpe/Wave Rock Day 51

Saturday 22^nd September 

Got away from the motel early and decided we would have another night there to be on the safe side as the weather reports were not good for today.  No packing up yepee yepee.

Hyden was 200ks and we did it in a couple of hours so there at 9:00am ready to see the rock.  Walked in a little way and found it Pete decided he should go and get is mankini and snorkel and do some real surfing very funny he entertained some other travellers at the same time.

Still blowing a gale we walked up on top of the rock and a small walk on the ground to see hippo rock.  We spent some time looking around the shop near the rock as it was nice and warm as they had a fire going.

Mulkas Cave was 19ks out so we decided to visit that and does the Gnamma Trail walk which was very pretty with some wildflowers on the way.

Now into Hyden for lunch the wind seems to be dying down a little so hopefully by the time we get back to the motel it will be nearly gone and yes it was a lot calmer.

Back at the motel Paul got talking to one of the other guess there and he was from Esperance and told us a few things we should see while we are there.  To the pub for dinner again as there was not where else to eat, and the pub was very busy tonight, good food though.  The weather is now getting very cold in the early mornings and nights now so the winter clothes will have to come out.

Albany - Ravensthorpe Day 50

Friday 21^st September

A lot to see today so we left camp at 7:00m headed through town.  We arrived in Bremer Bay the sun was out but the wind was picking up as there was a bad storm following us today.  Pretty little place Bremer Bay will come back and spend a few days here, morning tea in the park beside the beach Kerry & Nev met up with us there.

Now onto a homestead in Fitzgerald National Park, next stop was Pt Ann as this is the spot to see whales.  The wind was really picking up now and we walked down to a viewing point and saw two whales swimming close to the beach.

We were on a very good dirt road but the wind kept blowing the sand around and at times we could not see much in front of us.  We had some lunch when we made it to the main road and the wind was very strong and we had to find a place that was sheltered.

The weather reports were predicting 100ks winds so the decision was made when we got into Ravensthorpe we would get a cabin as sit was too dangerous to put up campers.  When we did arrive there were no cabins to be had so we tried the motel across the road and she was closed as she said she had a big group coming in on the Saturday night and could not accommodate us so Pete went to the pub and they had rooms so we ended up there.

Tea at the pub and we were all safe as the wind and the rain got worse, it would have been an interesting night in the campers.

Albany Day 49

Thursday 20^th September  Day

We decided to stay another night here as there were still a few things to see.  First on the list is the wind farm which had great views over Albany.   The Gap and Natural Bridge was next, fantastic natural formations.  A short drive to the blowholes and then a bit of a walk to find them, the water did not come up through them today but the noise as very ear blowing.

Whale world was next after having a cup of tea in the car park as the sign said allow three hours to see this.  We entered Whale World at around 11:30 are looked around until a tour started at 12:00 which we wanted to be on.  Now it is time to look around the place and watch some of the movies that were playing in the tanks they were very good.  Had a bit more of a look around before it was time to leave now 2:30pm and we had not had any lunch.

We decided to visit the visitors centre again to find out if we could go from Breamer Bay to the National Park and back to the hwy.   After that we went back to do some shopping and back to the park.

We decided to go out for dinner so we ended up at the Premier Pub very nice meal near a lovely fire place.  Before heading off to bed we had a cup of tea back at the park.

Walpole – Albany Day 48

Wednesday 19^th September

Treetop walk today and as it rained all night and was not looking good we all packed up and left the park before 8:00am we made our way 18ks out of town and waited at the gates to the treetops.  Now in we were the first ones there we had a good walk up the suspension bridge and around the walk through the trees.  Paul & I had to leave the others there as we had to get into Albany by lunch time as our car was overheating and we had to have it looked at by Nissan.

We arrived at 11:30am booked into the caravan park Middleton Beach (nice park) by the beach.  Dropped the camper off and made our way into town left the car with them and walked around the main street had lunch at McDonald then walked down to the Visitors centre to see what was in town to look at.  We visited the Brig Amity and the Museum and that filled in a bit of time until the car was ready to be picked up.   They could not find any problems with it so hopefully it will be alright now.

On our way back to camp we called into Woolworths for a few things and then visited the Mt Clarence Anzac Memorial) this is where the first Anzac march was held in Australia great views from heard.

Back to camp to find the others and cook dinner as time was getting on and the park had a great camp kitchen so we all sat in there for a talk after dinner.

Walpole Day 47

Tuesday 18^th September

We did hope to go on a cruise today but the guy that does it cut his fingers off and was out of action for a few weeks.  So we will do a tourist drive around the forest and see the sights.

As usual we left camp early 7:45am and first call was Hilltop lookout, now it is onto Tingle tree and a short walk in the forest.  Circular pool was next it had a lot of throve on top as this is from the trees growing along the sides of the water way.

Swarbrick art Trail now and it had some unusual art on this walk.  Mt Frankland was next and a bit of a climb up stairs to the very top but worth it as the view was fantastic, morning tea in the car park.

A very pretty drive to Fernhook falls did the short walk to see them and a short board walk.  So now onto Mandalay Beach for a look great coastline beautiful beaches.

Lunch in a little park on the way back to town before stopping at a small lookout.   Called into the shops for fuel and a few things at IGA before heading back to camp.

It started to sprinkle as we were getting tea and the boys had a small fire going.  During the evening the rain got heavier until we could not sit near the fire anymore so we all went to bed. 

Pemberton - Walpole Day 46

Monday 17^th September

Heading out to Gloucester tree after Pete decided to give the late night people an early wake up knock on their door.  This is another climbing tee and up went Paul again all the way to the top.

We had to fill in a couple of hrs until we went on the tram ride so we took a drive to the Cascades we took a walk down to see them and back in the car to Dave Evans Bicentennial Tree.  Paul climbed this one as well and Pete had another go but could not do it.  We then drove around Heartbreak Trail, down to Maiden Bush, Warren lookout and to town ready to board the tram.

Now on the tram as it left at 10:45am and took 2hrs to go through the forest and to the cascades and back again.  We called into the visitor centre before heading out to the Lavender & Berry farm for pancakes ice cream & Berry sauce delicious.

We arrived in Northcliff at 2:00pm and met Kerry & Nev at the visitors centre to find out what is in the area before heading to Walpole.  After doing a tourist drive on the way we arrived in Walpole at around 4:30pm booked into the camp ground set up and had happy hr.

Sat around relaxing this afternoon and after tea before heading to bed.

Busselton - Pemberton Day 45

Sunday 16^th September Day

The Jetty is the thing to see as it was 1.8ks long so we decided to walk to the end, there is a train that runs out to the end from 10:00am every day we were too early for that.

We met Kerry & Nev at Nannup and decided to take a tourist drive to Balingup for morning tea.  Walked around town had a look at the shops and to see if we could find more scarecrows.

Boyup Brook was another little town and we tried to find murals and other things.  Not many so we did not spend much time and it was getting very late and everyone was getting hungry.  

Bridgetown for lunch at is now 2:00pm down near the river.  Before heading out of town we did a drive down the main street.

On the way to Pemberton we came across Diamond tree (this is a tree to climb) so up went Paul all the way to the top.  Nev climbed to the first platform and no one else had a go.

We drove on the edge of Manjup which looks like a big town so worth a visit next time we are in WA.  Pulled into Pemberton around 4:00pm set up camp, had a walk around to a small brook where we found some trout so Pete ran back to get his fishing rod to see if he could catch one he no luck even when he tried to catch it with his hands.

Some other campers kept us a wake most of the night singing and yelling until late into the night.

Busselton Day 44

Saturday 15^th September

Today we decided to do the loop down to August through Margaret River and back along the coast.  Headed out about 8:00 after a leisurely breaky of bacon and eggs headed for Margaret River first and once there went to the visitor centre to find out what to do and what to see.

Now onto August to see the lighthouse, while we were there the boys recovered a boat out from shore looking at something (dead whale) so we watched that for awhile.  Went to a few lookouts and found a nice spot for morning tea.

We took a drive out to Hamelin Bay very nice and then a tourist drive through a forest and then on to Mammoth Cave where we had a bit of lunch before we lost Pete.  He thought we had gone into the cave and he raced off went into the cave through the back door and out the front door without paying and we had decide not to do the cave so Robin had to wait for him to return.

We then went to a cheese factory, onto a chocolate factory; a couple of wineries then onto Cape Naturaliste lighthouse and the day were fading as it was now 5:00pm.  We took a walk out to the end of the cape there we saw some whales playing a little way off the coast.  When we walked around a bit further we found some seals on the rocks below have a play.

It was getting quite late now so back to the car and heading for the park back at Busselton which was about 25ks away.

Perth - Busselton Day 43

Friday 14^th September

Kerry & Neville left us as they wanted to go to some markets and look around Fremantle and they would catch up with us later.  We left at 8:00am drove through Fremantle for the others to have a look to busy to park anywhere with trailers on.

We followed the coast down which was very pretty and it was nice not to have to rush and we could check out the places on the way down.  We had some morning tea at Peel Inlet looking over the water.

Lunch was at Bumbury overlooking the water trying to see if we could see any dolphins as it was the place they see them all the time.  Nice town will have to visit it again; we found a lookout so went up and had a look, found a lighthouse took some photos not a lot of places to park.

Arrived in Busselton early so we could do some washing and shopping very relaxing day.

Kerry & Neville caught us up in the night as they got everything done they wanted to do.  Great camp kitchen in the park so we all had dinner in it.

Perth Day 42

Thursday 13^th September 

Today is our lunch cruise on the Swan River and our car had to have a service and we had to be at the dealer in Osborne Park by 7:00am, the courtesy bus took us into town and we were there by 8:30am.  We had just started to look around and most of the others had arrived so we decided to hop on the red double Decker bus which did a tour around Perth city.  This took 2hrs and was really good worth doing as it pointed out a lot of things we will have to come back and see.  Kings Park was really good could not hop off as the day was getting on.

By the time we got back to wharf it was after 11:00am and we had to meet the others at 12:30pm so we went for a quick walk through some of the streets looking at the shops.

Now everyone is here ready for the cruise and we got our boarding tickets to board at 1:15.  Once on the buffet lunch was very nice and plenty of it.  Pete was a bit rowdy as was into the red wine; the scenery changed all the time and we arrived at a winery for tasting.  Once back on the boat we headed home with some nice cake and cup of tea & coffee.

As we pulled into the wharf our courtesy bus was leaving so we missed it and had to catch the train to the nearest station and lucky the Nissan service people sent the courtesy bus there to meet us or we had a long walk to the dealer and time was now after 5:00pm.

Collected the car and all was well, fixed all our little problems we had like our driver’s side window since we got the new one it when you put the window up it came back down automatically.

We had a lovely cake for Rhonda’s birthday and we gave her a present.

Perth Day 41

Wednesday 12^th September

We had to be at Hillary’s boat harbour at 7:00am as we are heading for Rottnest Island and the ferry left at 7:15am. As we were all waiting out the front of the park a call came over the radio from Stan as he had to head back through the park as he had forgotten something.  He arrived at the boom gate and let us knows he could not find his number to get out so I helped him out with our number I had to register in and then out all good now we are on our way.

We had to get bikes from the pickup area and walk or ride them to the ferry which was at the end of the wharf.   Carl & Coleen are not with us today as he had to visit the dentist during the day.

We had a good ride over to the island and once we were there our bikes came off the ferry and off we went.  We had to get a map from the visitor centre so we could work out where to ride first.  Riding was not easy especially when you have not done it since a young girl.  Our kids will be proud of us as we spent a good part of the morning on them before stopping off at the bakery for a well earned cup of tea & coffee.  The boys went for another ride and left us to look around the few shops that were there.

We had a quick lunch at subway before we purchased a ticket for the hop on hop off bus around the island.  Pete & little Ian decided they had not had enough of the bikes and went all the way around the island (crazy).  Our ride on the bus was good we alighted at the lighthouse which was a walk up a very steep hill and when we arrived there the volunteer must of felt sorry for us and we managed to pay half price for the tour of the lighthouse we told him we were one big family.

  Now back on the bus and heading back to collect the bikes ready to get back on the ferry home.  It is now 5:00pm and back at Hillary’s boat harbour and the bikes back to where they came from, and back to the park for no dinner as everyone was very tired and wanted to go to bed after a big day of a lot of exercise and fresh air.

Stan received the shackle to night for losing his gate number.

Cervanties - Perth Day 40

 Tuesday 11^th September

Today we woke up to some rain the first for the trip, quickly packed up camper before we got to wet.

Cooler this morning and very cloudy as we get on the road,  Judy rang while we were heading out of Cervanties and arranged to meet at Hillary’s boat harbour in the morning.  We are calling into Two rocks to see some carvings, when we arrived we decided to leave the others as we had to be at Hillary’s by 10:30am.

We arrived at the caravan park on the north side of Perth and set up camp, jumped back into the car to find Hillary’s boat harbour.  Once there hung around to find Marc & Judy.  Found them and sat at the Dome for tea and cake for 2hrs James was with them (eldest child).

When we left them called into caravan park to see who was there only Fitzy’s, Carl & Coleen. 

We decided to go and have a look at Freemantle as the others were all out at the Swan valley.  While we were at Freemantle we had fish & chips because that is what you do there even though it was 3:00pm.

On the way back we followed the coast calling into a shopping centre (Kurrinyup) to order a cake for Rhonda’s birthday.

Now back to the caravan park to find Bryan & Kim and have happy hr.

Geraldton – Cervanties Day 39

Monday 10^th September 

Ian McKinley’s birthday today so we all had to do some shopping at IGA before we left so everyone met in the car park at 7:30am departure.

Now on the road and heading for Greenbourgh to see the leaning treas.  We stopped off at a historic town but was not open I think we were too early.

As we went through Dongara we decided it was a good place to have some morning tea and found a good bakery and ate in the park beside the water for 1hr.

After there we took a detour along a dirt road then sand road to see Stockyard Gully Tunnel which was a short walk from the car park, nice drive and even some 4x4 driving.

We made Cervanties in time for some to have a Lobster lunch and some to set up camp.  After setting up we checked out some of the sights around the area, like Lake Thetis and a lookout over looking cervanties.  Now it is time for the Pinnacles Desert Centre very interesting and could spend a bit of time out there.

We had a birthday dinner for Ian great salads and BBQ.  Shackle was awarded to Shelley.

Geraldton Day 38

Sunday 9^th September

Today we decided to take a trip out to Mullewa and on the way we followed the wildflower trail visiting a chapel, and other things on the way.

Now in at Mullewa we had morning tea in a park before visiting a church and some of our group got stuck with a tour.

We then headed out to Coalseam Conservation Park to check out the wildflowers, and have some lunch.  It was very hot in this park today and very dry.

On our way back to Geraldton we stopped in at Ellendale Pool Pete & Ian had a quick swim.

When we arrived back at the caravan park some of us went down to the beach for a swim today was really good and the waves were fantastic.   I even caught some waves and my kids would be proud of me.

Kalbarri – Geraldton Day 37

Saturday 8^th September

Early start 7:00 meeting everyone outside the park.  Called into Red Bluff and walked the board walk.  Mushroom rock was next not much there so back in the car. Natural Bridge was very good as we overlooked the coast line from a lookout

Along the way we found some convict ruins and then we had a look at the homestead then took a detour to Port Gregory to have morning tea and have a look at the beach.

Now it is onto Geraldton and arrived at Sunset Beach Caravan Park set up camper and went into the Visitors centre to see what was there.  Had lunch beside the lighthouse.

We had a look at a church then onto the Museum, then HMS Memorial all very nice and it filled in the afternoon.  Did a quick shop at IGA back to park.

We had a swim in the surf and it was good a bit cold when we first ventured in but after awhile it was ok.

This park has a great Camp kitchen with a television and we lost a couple of boys to that room.

Kalbarri Day 36

Friday 7^th September

Today was we decided to do the loop walk from Natures window which was 8Ks so we started off at 8:00am from the car park.

An interesting walk climbing up and down rocks,  the scenery changing all the time.  We had to walk through deep sand through some wildflowers and then back up some more rocks.

We were exhausted by the time we got back to the car and some of us could not even take a short walk to look at the z-bend lookout.

Before making our way out to see more of the sights we went back to the park for a quick lunch.  Still very windy and we are getting a bit sick of the windy weather.

All very tired in the evening so we all made our way to bed early.