the South West Beaches

·       Albany

·       Point Riche

·       Quaalup Homestead

·       Hamersley Inlet

·       Munglinup Beach

·       Esperance

·       Cape Le Grand

·       Cape Arid

·       Lake Douglas

Our journey continued to the South East of W.A. We have had all sorts of weather and the ever present wind, (which is fairly constant around the coast and the flies).

A real highlight for us was the Banksia Farm at Mt Barker. Here they grow every species of Banksia known, from Hinchinbrook Island, NT to Tasmania and of course the majority which come from this region.   We had a nice presentation and tour from the owner, (the homemade scones and jam were spot on) .

The Banksias are quite stunning and the variety is amazing

On to Albany and its sights. Albany is quite a nice small town on the beach again with a lot of history. A lot of ANZAC crememorative displays etc seen that the fleets left from here.

We then headed along the coast to Point Riche, a rustic camp ground right on the beach.

Middleton Beach behind the caravan park

We went down to Bremer Bay and then into the Fitzgerald River National Park (more dusty gravel roads) and stayed at the Quaalup Homestead which used to run stock in the late 1800’s.  It had some old buildings which have been restored. Very basic camping and the saltiest shower water we have had. No nice lather of soap or shampoo.

Some Royal Hakeas that only grow around this area. The fly head dress is a must around here

Freeloaders!

Fitzgerald River National Park 

We travelled to the other side of the Fitzgerald River N.P. ( Mt Baron).  This area is quite unique in plants and scenery.  We stayed at Hamersley Inlet (Very windy and wet) – the end of the bitumen.  Most gravel roads were shut due to rain events.

Extremely wet and windy day on the beach

A real gem was Munglinup Beach $10 a night and right on the beach. The most magnificent beaches can be found down here.

Our camp at Esperance was in a yabby farm on the outskirts of town which was very unusual (a bit of a let’s start our own Caravan park , the local council aren’t enthusiastic closing down in 4 weeks).

looking over Blue Haven beach, the beaches are brilliant!

Cape Le Grande was a beaut spot to stop and we did some walks, fishing and had a nice swim. It’s a bit spooky though – the thought of the ever present shark that seems to take a liking to surfers a bit too often down here (solar showers excellent!) It was quite hot here.

view from our camp at Cape Le Grand N.P.

We then went on to Cape Arid.  More dusty gravel and as far as our Sante Fe could take us along this eastern coastline.  Lots of 4wd tracks (either deep soft sand or very high clearance needed).  Our camp was in a banksia forest with great views over the ocean and shared with many honeyeaters, goannas dragons and a little olive green snake).

View from our camp at Cape Arid

Lucky Bay Cape Arid

A local beach Hop! Lucky bay

Just us and the Birds! Cape Arid

Our current location as I write this Blog is Lake Douglas (12km out of Kalgoorlie), a freeby.  How do you explain this place – it’s a red dust bowl that could quite easily be mistaken for a rubbish tip but the sky is brilliant blue and a lovely view of the stars at night.  And I forgot to mention the wake up call at 5.00 am of dirt bikes.  The walls on our little box on wheels just aren’t quite thick enough.  The things you do when supermarkets and shops shut at noon on Saturday and aren’t open on Sundays.

Hoo roo

Its what its all about isn't it !

 

  

Working at L.K.G. then off to the South

•      Perth
•      Hotham River
•      In a forest near Tone River
•     Shannon N.P.
•     Parry Beach
•     Moingup Springs Stirling N.P.
•     Lake Nunijup

I had a great experience working in Perth for 6 weeks.  It was a really good opportunity to be involved in a golf club rated in the top three courses in Australia for international tournaments. The staff at the club was a nice mix of people. However I was over cutting fairways twice a day and starting work at 4.00am by the end.

The Man hard at it

Hail storm hits the golf club a week before tournament

Hail at L.K.G club

Wash down at Lake Karrinyup Golf

It was like Best and Fairest, all the staff were congratulated
even me!

The Lake Karrinyup Golf staff

The black boys around the golf course were such a nice touch

Looking out from the annex during the hail storm

Cool mint anyone?  Hail that we got hit with

Hard at it (sweeping out the hail)

I think Di was over being a short term resident in a caravan park as the van was pretty much ready to go by the time I got back from my last shift on Sunday morning.

It’s good to be moving again, via Northam and York our first stop was beside a river in a rural area, nice and quiet compared to city living. (mind you we will miss the hot showers as they were like heaven)

We headed for our next camp spot which was going to be a reserve beside the Tone River, but after much trial and debate we couldn't compromise on locating the van on level ground so we took off, (in a huff). We ended up pulling onto a back road and parked on an unused gravel forest road for the night. (a bit spooky but so quiet)

MMMM...I'm not sure

Not much of a fence to keep these Chickens in. Spotted on the side of the road travelling between towns

Shannon N.P. was a picturesque spot - an old timber village that had been operating in the 50’s and then removed by 1970.  We discovered the old golf course that was reclaimed by the forest. The tees still had the hole and yardage. The showers were a wood fired boiler and were fantastic, wood supplied for your fire as well – bonus.

"the 7th Ah that way"  Shannon Golf Club

Parry Beach was a gem and cheap as well.  Nice location next to the beach, solar showers (afternoon hot shower time). We stopped here for a few days and took in the sights around the district – Denmark etc, ($10 a night too good to leave).

Carnaby's Cockatoo

We seem to come across plenty of Carnaby's in our travels ( threatened species apparently)

The Stirling Rangers N.P. meant we were going to get back into some serious hill climbing – by foot (the highest mountain in W.A. Bluff Knoll) we opted for the second highest, Mt Toolbrunup (40mt short of the highest) for the better view of the rangers and of course harder.  And yes it did turned out to be one of the harder uphill climbs we have done, loose scree (rock of all different sizes and unstable) – 2 hours for 2km.    Once we got to the top all the effort to get up there was forgotten except we had to share our prize view with a resident snake.

A great view of the surrounding countryside.

Di humpin up on the scree on Mt Toolbrunup

Hard climb over the scree up Mt T

Looking over the Stirling Ranges

On top of Mt To (the ripples in the rock are old sea beds)

Not a bad lunch stop. What you have to do to get phone reception in W.A.!

We also climbed up to the granite skywalk at Poronguryup N.P., as a day trip from the Stirling Ranges -  well worth it to see some engineering built around the granite boulders.

Up to the top of the sky walk in the Poronguyrups

The W.A. National Parks went to alot of trouble for this look out

up Sky view at Poronguyrups N.P.

Down we go

Carnaby's finger food

A couple of locals

We are currently sitting beside Lake Nunijup another freebee enjoying the quiet and planning our next leg towards Mt Barker and Albany.

Hooroo

Margaret River area and back to Perth

·         Hamelin Bay

·         Margaret river

·         Busselton

·         Manniyup P.O.W camp

·         Rockingham Ski club

·         Lake Karrinyup

It’s been a little while since I have updated the blog – lack of power and data issues.  As mention in the previous blog we had 2 weeks to fill in prior to me starting work so after Windy Harbour we headed to Hamelin Bay. The weather was not to favourable so our stay was short but managed to see the lighthouse at Cape Leeuwin Naturaliste on the south western corner of WA .  We moved on to the Big Valley Farm stay just out of Margaret River.  Nice rural sheep farm that have set up a C.P., very rustic appeal .  From this spot we did day trips around out the area , nice coast line, very diverse agriculture region with cheese , wine,  breweries , chocolate makers etc.

At Busselton we happened to get a site for just a donation at a Christian Camp that was closed for the season (whilst they were doing renovations).  We did the touristy stuff until the weather turned again.

To keep costs down and also whilst the weather was ordinary, we headed off to a freebie in the state forest at Manniyup.  This turned out to be a WW2 POW camp that held 3500 Italian and German prisoners. The remnants of the camp were slowly being consumed by the bush.  This place was off the grid a bit.  Others camping there were living a very alternative life style.   Living in make shift tepee’s and alike -  and I thought we were living a nomadic life!  They were a happy lot serenading us into the night with the bongos, ah the serenity!

3000 POW's lived here

Heading back to civilisation we stopped at a water ski club that have a few sites for caravans just west of Rockingham.

Here we are at Lake Karrinyup Resort  in the northern suburbs of Perth.  14km from center of Perth.   I have been lucky with a short walk to the golf club. The first week took some adjusting to the 4:30am alarm and lunch at 10:30am but it’s been a great opportunity to see a large crew of 20 staff go about their business.  It’s a very international collection of workers, American, Canadian, Kiwis, South African, Irish and English oh and a Bendigonian.

A bit different than Bendigo Golf Club workshop!

First day cutting fairways, 4 machines cutting fairways. Rainbow! ,yep got wet

Weather during the week has been very nice but on the weekends we seem to have rain, rain and more rain.  We’ve had the hottest day in September for 90 years (32 degrees)  followed by the wettest day ever recorded in September (32.5mm).  We have been to the Kings Park Botanical Gardens – probably one of the best displays in a botanical garden we’ve seen - Canberra and Katoomba would come in second.

Busy Bee at Kings Park

leucadendron 

best display of native yet

Awesome gardens just outside Perth

 We also ventured down to Fremantle to take in the markets and old buildings.

Hooroo

Nice day in Freo

Freo market excellent fruit and veg