Page 4 of australianidyll Travel Blog Posts



Monday June 11th We woke early and packed up camp. This time the rain was light as we packed up, becoming heavy just as we filled our water tank prior to leaving. We left Tom Price in a soft misty grey morning at 7am and drove out to Karijini National Park. The mist was heavy during the drive out. We arrived at about 8:30, secured a campsite in the Dingo Loop for the bargain price of $42 for three nights, and set up camp again. Luckily the skies were clearing so we hung all the wet washing and linen and got everything dried out. We then headed off mid-morning to Dales Gorge. We walked down into the gorge, and clambered along to Circular Pool. Alex, Mike and I had a swim, just a short one as ... read more
Fern Pool
Dales Gorge
Dales Gorge

Oceania » Australia » Western Australia » Tom Price June 10th 2012

Sunday June 10th It was a windy night and with the dawn came heavy, soaking rain. Just in time for us to pack up for the long drive to Tom Price. This situation is when one of the "cons" of camper trailers vs caravans beomes apparent - the camper trailer has a lot of openings during the packing process and rain can get in. Anyway Mike and I trudged around in the mud, in dripping raincoats, and packed it all up. A short stop in Exmouth for some shopping and we headed off. The rain varied from torrential to drizzling. Stopped for lunch at Nanutarra roadhouse, in torrential rain. Red slippery mud everywhere! Paid $20 for four drinks (two of them little juice boxes) and a pack of lifesavers... no prices marked, guess if you have ... read more


Friday June 8th 2012 We woke at 5:45am and left Exmouth at 7am after buying fuel, to get in the line for a campsite at Cape Range National Park. We arrived 5th in line at 7:30am. The office opened at 8am and we got the last campsite available in the park tonight! It’s at Ned’s campground, right near the beach. There are good composting toilets and a few trees. The other campsites don’t appear to have trees. We set up the camper and then went for a snorkel at Turquoise Bay. It certainly lived up to it’s name, being a lovely turquoise colour. We snorkelled the Drift section, where you can drift parallel to shore then walk back to the start. There are lots of colourful fish. The water was very comfortable after the first plunge. ... read more
Termite mound outside Exmouth
Turquoise Bay
Turquoise Bay

Oceania » Australia » Western Australia » Exmouth June 7th 2012

We left the blowholes campsite at about 8:45 am and headed towards Exmouth. We followed a mob of wild sheep with long tails along the road until they eventually decided to leave the road. We had morning tea at Minilya river and roadhouse. Workers were just installing new toilets at the parking/camping area just south of the Minilya bridge, and it looks like it will now be a good free campsite. The roadhouse is just the other side of the bridge and has paid campsites. The river was dry sand with nice trees along the edges, the boys had a nice run. We stopped for lunch further towards Exmouth. A wild bull wandered by. We also stopped to look at a massive termite mound. There are lots around here. The country has low grasses and much ... read more

Oceania » Australia » Western Australia » Carnarvon June 6th 2012

June 5th2012 We left Figtree Crossing at about 8:45 am and stopped in historic Northampton for fuel. There are some lovely old buildings there, like the old convent. We drove on, stopping at the Overlander roadhouse for lunch. It was pretty busy there, lots of caravans and campers stopping for fuel and food. The shrubs became shorter and scrubbier as we kept heading north, and the terrain was flatter. We stopped at a lookout about 100 km south of Carnarvon, where you can look across plains to the ocean. Again the big sky and glowing clouds were a feature of the drive. We arrived at Carnarvon in the afternoon, passing lots of plantations such as bananas, tomatoes, pumpkins and corn. There was some water visible in the Gascoyne river however most of the river apparently runs ... read more
Lookout south of Carnarvon
The Blowholes near Carnarvon
The Blowholes - coastal rock

Oceania » Australia » Western Australia » Geraldton June 4th 2012

Day one! Woke early to an apricot Perth sunrise and finished packing and organising, which took a while. We left at about 8:45, traffic was great as it is a public holiday today (happy WA day!). First stop was New Norcia, the Benedictine monastry an hour and a bit from Perth. We've never been there before. We didn't do the organised tour this time as it is 2 hours and we didn't have quite that long, but we had a look at the museum and walked around the historic buildings. Also bought some monastery bakehouse bread which was very nice with dinner. From New Norcia we drove through Moora and then along the Brand Highway, past Greenough to the outskirts of Geraldton. We had lovely weather for the drive, enjoying the deep blue skies and glowing ... read more
New Norcia

Oceania » Australia » Western Australia » Perth May 25th 2012

"You're so lucky" "Do you worry about, you know, only having family to talk to?" "Can you take me with you?" "You won't want to come back!" "Do you think you will still be married by the end?" "It will change you" (said in an upbeat way - one wonders what changes they hope for) "It will change you" (said in a depressed way) Just a few of the reactions from people when I tell them we are soon to take four months' leave and head off around much of Australia in a Patrol, towing a camper trailer. My husband Mike has done masses of things to the car. It's been to all the car servicing or accessories businesses in the local area and some further afield. I think it's likely doubled in value since we ... read more
Inside the camper




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