Denham/Monkey Mia to Perth

Thursday 29^th October 2009 Murchison River

Stayed at an overnight camp spot at Galena Bridge by the Murchison River about 5-10 km from the turnoff to our next destination which was Kalbarri.

Ian and Roz were there as well as Arthur and Sue who we had met at Carnarvon. It is a nice spot, spoilt for us by the bush flies. You could not go outside without being covered by them. Very annoying. L We vowed to buy some face nets at the next opportunity like the one Ian is modelling in the photo. The site has an old caretaker (he is apparently official) who lives in a lean-to up on the hill and supposedly lives on road kill. We actually saw him as we were leaving, talking to the guy who told us about him, and he confirmed that he did in fact do that. I still find it hard to believe, they were probably pulling my leg, then again????????

Ian with his fly net

Friday 30^th October 2009 Kalbarri

Pulled into Kalbarri caravan park and ended up right next to Ian and Roz and Arthur and Sue again. There was also another couple, Tania and Ray who they knew as well just across from us. We had been recommended by Barry Williams and also another couple that Finlay’s Fish BBQ is a must do place to go so we all went there that night. Not quite what we expected as far as fine dining but the food was great and the owner was a real character. Thanks Barry, we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Our gang

Kalbarri's ruggard coast line

Kalbarri National Park

On the Sunday (1^st Nov) we did an 8 km loop walk in Kalbarri National Park which was great except for the heat. The trail started at Natures Window (a rock formation) and wound around the top of the river canyon for about 4 klm then descended down to the river bank and continued along the very sandy bank before a steep climb back to where we started. It must have been nearly 50 degrees down along the river and although we had plenty of water and proper sun protection it was like hell’s furnace there. Bev was really stressing and we were glad to get back to the top. Spent the next day recovering.

Nature's Window

Got my fly net too

The track just above the river

This is where it was the hottest

Tuesday 3^rd November 2009 Geraldton

Left for Geraldton and booked into the Big4 at Sunset Beach for 1 week, which is on the outskirts of the town. In hindsight it was too long as there is not much to do or see there. They did have a very good museum though with exhibits from the Dutch ship Batavia which sank off the coast in the 1600’s. Also a beautiful memorial for the HMAS Sydney which was sunk off Steep Point, not far from Geraldton and last year it’s resting place was finally discovered.

The HMAS Sydney memorial

Wind farm at Walkaway near Geraldton

Trees bent over by the prevailing winds

We also checked out the wind farm at Walkaway, not far from Geraldton, which is the 2^nd largest in Australia and located in the windiest part of Australia as well. (in fact the wind has not stopped blowing almost a gale since we arrived in Denham and down as far as here).

Tuesday 10^th November 2009 Jurian Bay

Stayed at Jurien Bay Tourist Park and from there we went to Nambung National Park to see the Pinnacles.

The Pinacles

It's big

More of the same

These are rock formations that the scientists still cannot explain exactly how they were formed and have only theorized. Very surreal driving through them. The wildflowers are a disappointment as we have arrived too late in the season but there is still remnants of them. It must be beautiful to see at the right time. Maybe next time. Met up with Arthur and Sue again who were in the same caravan park as us so we joined them for happy hour that evening then we all went and listened to a country music singer who was performing in the caravan park (in the camp kitchen!).  He wasn’t the best singer in the world but quite a character and we all had a good time.

Thursday 12^th November  2009 Willowbrook Farm, Gin Gin

Stayed overnight at Willowbrook Farm which is a 40 acre property at Gin Gin.  As well as running a caravan park on their farm they also have tearooms.   We had anticipated staying the weekend for the Friday night BBQ and the free fresh scones Sunday morning, however it rained overnight and the facilities were very basic so we decided to head to Perth which was only 80 km  away.  On they way we checked out Guilderton, Yanchep and Wanneroo before arriving at Forestfield in Perth.

Exmouth to Monkey Mia

Coral Bay 24^th October 2009

Coral Bay

Coral Bay is a very pretty place with coral formations close to the shore and easy to get to for snorkeling. They feed the fish at 3pm each day which attracts quite large ones there. Not as good as Cape Range national Park at Exmouth but still worth it. The caravan park had no fresh water to hook the van up to, only very hot bore water which they used to water the grass and also for the showers so we decided to leave for Carnarvon the next day.

Carnarvon 25 and 26^th October 2009

Carnarvon jetty

Joined the other caravanners for a BBQ that evening at the Carnarvon caravan park and met some of our fellow travellers, most of whom are heading south as we are. It rained heavily overnight and early the next morning which was a novelty for us as we had not seen rain since arriving in Townsville about 6 months ago. Not much to see in Carnarvon except for the 1 Mile Jetty which mysteriously caught fire 2 years ago and has not been repaired to date. There is a small train that runs out on the jetty but due to the rain was not operating that day. It was a refreshing walk out along the jetty and back again. Even saw a small shark.

Denham/Monkey Mia 27 and 28^th October 2009

Denham foreshore

From Carnarvon we drove to Denham and booked into the caravan park there. Met up with Ian and Roz who we first met at Carnarvon and had a very happy hour with them that night.

Shark feeding near Monkey Mia

Monkey Mia

Karratha to Exmouth 23rd October 2009

Stayed only 1 night at Karratha as it was the most expensive caravan park so far at $44.00 per night and a large proportion of the inmates were workers as normal accommodation is horrendously expensive. An average rent for a 3 bedroom house costs $1200.00 per week with house prices well over the $600,000 due to the shortage of accommodation for the mine workers. We even contemplated trying to sell our caravan as we had been told much earlier on our trip that you could get what you paid for it originally but decided that we may have to stay too long there which would have been like purgatory with the heat and dust!

Karratha caravan park

On the way out from Karratha we went to Dampier where iron ore is shipped from a huge terminal. Very impressive.

Red Dog's statue

Ore loading facility

We overnighted at a free camp at Robe River which was very pleasant however we watched in horror early the next morning as 2 European girls washed themselves in the river. Having just come from the top end and been assailed everywhere about the danger of crocs in most rivers or water holes it was a relief that they were not taken.

Robe River

More sunsets

Booked into the caravan park at Exmouth for 1 night. Barry and Cherrie William’s daughter, Sharlene and her partner Barry, called around to the van and they helped us with what to do and see here. Barry even lent us his snorkeling gear to use at the Cape Range National Park where we spent 3 days and thoroughly enjoyed the  snorkeling experience. I am hooked on it now and will check out getting some snorkeling gear for Bev and I to use when we get to Coral Bay which is our next destination from here.

Being greeted at Exmouth caravan park

Camp at Yardie Creek in Cape Range Nat. Park

Sandy Bay

Look Bev, a fish!!!! (there were heaps of beautiful ones right there)

Sharlene, Barry and Flo on their putting green?

Broome to Karratha Sunday 18th October 2009

Left Broome last Wednesday 14^th after about 3 hours waiting for an auto electrician to sort out a battery charging problem in the van.We had intended to overnight at Eighty Mile Beach  caravan park but due to the delay we opted to stay at a free road side camp not far from there and check in at the caravan park early the next morning. This turned out to be a good move as we had all day to check out the beach (beautiful) and caravan park and just relax. We will try to do that in future instead of getting there late in the day and leaving early the next day.

Eighty Mile Caravan Park

Onto Cape Keraudren which is in a National Park. Very basic facilities, no water or power, just a drop toilet but the view from the site on top of the cliff overlooking the bay was just gorgeous. It all changed around 3 am the next morning when we were buffeted by very strong winds which we endured until first light, had a quick breakfast and moved on.

Cape Keraudren

Our view from the van

Another sunset over the water - just love them

Stopped briefly at Port Headland, having driven over 100 klm through a dust storm whipped up by the very strong winds, took photos of the bulk iron ore carriers being loaded and arriving, and checked the very long trains that haul the ore from the mines to the port. The outside temperature, according to the car thermometer was 44 degrees and as it was not very pleasant in the wind and dust we decided to keep going as it was better in the car aircon than outside.

There are 4 tugs berthing this carrier

Main street Port Headland

The free camp we chose was the Herbert Parker Rest Area 62 klms past Port Headland and we had it all to ourselves (except for the cows, cockatoos,sandflies and heat ). It was down a short dirt road and through a gate into a cattle station beside a nearly dry river bank lined with lovely gums. Very picturesque and the cows kept their distance.

Under shade thankfully

Next day, the wind had died down and as we had run out of water after 2 or more showers per day, mainly to cool down, we headed off early and booked into the Karratha Big 4 caravan park, needing to wash all our clothes and sheets etc to get the red dust out of them. It gets everywhere!!!  Here for 1 or 2 nights.

Had to give way to these monsters