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Page 3 of drewdle Travel Blog Posts
Roadtrip 2, Day 1: Perth to Gingin
Published: May 23rd 2008Oceania » Australia » Western Australia » Gingin
April 18th 2008
After a very brief stop in Perth (time enough to do our washing and have a Thali at the local curryhouse in honour of our last night all together) it was time to start roadtrip 2 - four weeks of travelling up the west coast. It could have gotten off to a better start. We were meant to pick up our second campervan at 11:30 but ended up leaving with at 3:00! There was a little dispute about the cost. It was always the plan (Del's) to name our second van Dannii. Dannii because it was cheaper. Due to the delayed start we didn't do much other than try to get a bit of distance behind us. We drove to and set up camp in a place called Gingin calling in at Joondalup on the way ... read more
Roadtrip 1, Day 11: Corrigin to Perth
Published: May 23rd 2008Oceania » Australia » Western Australia » Perth » Perth City
April 17th 2008
Our last day with Kylie had arrived and it was time to head back to Perth. On our way out of Corrigin we passed the dog cemetry. There were loads of graves with dog ornaments on them and there was even one where the gravestone was painted like a dalmation. Weird. We continued on our way and, as we were driving, passed a sign for the rabbit-proof fence. It was right by the side of the road so we stopped and had a look. Pretty cool. It was then on to Perth, stopping at York for lunch, to return Kylie after over 1900km of driving and at least two scrapes with death. Less than 24 hours until the start of roadtrip 2...... read more
Roadtrip 1, Day 10: Lake Grace to Corrigin via Hyden
Published: May 23rd 2008Oceania » Australia » Western Australia » Corrigin
April 16th 2008
We survived our night in Lake Grace (although I did have to get up in the middle of the night after Del thought someone was trying to get into the van) and, not wanting to push our luck any further, left early to get to Hyden to see Wave Rock and Hippo's Yawn. We took the obligatory photos of surfing and yawning and left pretty sharpish - the flies were unbearable! What do they want with my face?! We then drove out to Mulka's Cave to see some aboriginal cave paintings. After a look around Hyden it was time to start our drive back to Perth. We drove as far as Corrigin and had snags for tea!... read more
Roadtrip 1, Day 9: Stirling Range to Lake Grace
Published: May 23rd 2008Oceania » Australia » Western Australia » Lake Grace
April 15th 2008
After breakfast we drove up to and climbed Bluff Knoll, the tallest peak in South West Australia. It was pretty hard going, not helped by the heat, but it was well worth it and I found a nice little spot to sit, eat my tuna sandwich and read. I was actually quite some time (engrossed in the tale of Koitick the white sealin The Jungle Book) and by the time I had finished I was the only person at the top; it was beautifully serene and pretty cool. Once back down (and after my legs had stopped shaking) it was time to head off. I decided that we should try to make up some distance and drive up to a place called Lake Grace. Lake Grace is weird. Most people have probably seen a film where ... read more
Roadtrip 1, Day 8: Albany to Stirling Range
Published: May 22nd 2008Oceania » Australia » Western Australia » Stirling Range
April 14th 2008
Today was spent sorting stuff out for roadtrip 2 and beyond so there's very little to report. Del and I got up fairly early and had breakfast on the beach and after most of the day in Albany making various telephone calls we headed up to the Stirling Range, stopping on the way to see the tree in a rock in Porongurup Range National Park.... read more
Roadtrip 1, Day 7: Denmark to Albany
Published: May 22nd 2008Oceania » Australia » Western Australia » Albany
April 13th 2008
We spent the night at Ocean Beach caravan park near Denmark. Kangaroos had been hopping around the park all night so we decided to get up for sunrise to get a good look at them. There were quite a few around, some with joeys! Trying to take a photo of them proved to be pretty difficult though. They'd sit and look at you right up until you went to take the picture when they'd hop off - little buggers! According to the books you can often see dolphins from Ocean Beach early in the morning so, as we were up early anyway, we thought we'd go have a look. We didn't see any. The rest of the day was spent with me fishing. Denmark is supposed to be a great place to catch pink snapper. I ... read more
Roadtrip 1, Day 6: Walpole to Denmark
Published: May 17th 2008Oceania » Australia » Western Australia » Denmark
April 12th 2008
After surviving the night with the Blair witch we started to head towards Denmark. The first stop of the day was at the Tree Top Walk to look at the giant red tingle trees. Now, in Australia there is quite a nasty spider called a red back. I had never seen one (and hoped not to either) but I assume at least some of the spider is red. As we were driving along I happened to look down and there on my leg was a little red and black spider. I can't remember my exact words but I'm sure you can all imagine. Rhod dispensed of the beast and we set to work trying to establish what it was. Our road map has a very limited guide to Australian flora and fauna and I decided that ... read more
Roadtrip 1, Day 5: Pemberton to Walpole
Published: May 17th 2008Oceania » Australia » Western Australia » Walpole
April 11th 2008
First stop today was a cidery. Del and Rhod sampled some of the scrumpy on offer but driver Drew could only taste the alcohol free stuff. Mind, as a hater of cider I didn't mind too much and I do have to admit that I was easily persuaded into trying some of the unoaked chardonnay which was awesome - we left with a bottle. Next was a woodcraft place that makes everything, including the building itself, out of reclaimed native australian wood which can't be grown sustainably so this is pretty much the only way you'll get something made out of karri, marri or jarrah - the three main types of tree in the south-west. Am I sounding a bit geeky yet? Then it was on to the Gloucester Tree, the tallest fire lookout tree in ... read more
Roadtrip 1, Day 4: Margaret River to Pemberton via Augusta
Published: April 18th 2008Oceania » Australia » Western Australia » Pemberton
April 10th 2008
It was time to leave Margaret River. As you head south from Maragaret River you drive past loads of different cave systems. The guidebooks said that Jewel Cave was the best so we headed for that one. I have to admit, it was pretty impressive. A massive place filled with stalagmites, stalagtites and even halectites, which are really weird - they defy gravity. There was even a fossilised possum! From the cave we continued south through Augusta and on to the lighthouse at Cape Leeuwin where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. After a bit of time there we drove across to Pemberton and found ourselves a little campsite in an arboretum. Rhodri lit a fire, we all drank quite a bit of wine and we were joined by a possum - very pleasant indeed.... read more
Roadtrip 1, Day 3: Wine tour!
Published: April 17th 2008Oceania » Australia » Western Australia » Margaret River
April 9th 2008
It turns out it wasn't a good place to spend the night and we found ourselves being confronted by another park ranger. This campervanning lark is not as easy as you'd think. Anyway, we had planned to spend tonight in a proper campsite so we knew we wouldn't upset anyone today at least. Margaret River is right in the middle of the South-west's main wine producing region. As you drive through the area you see a sign for another winery at least every 100 yards. It seemed a shame therefore not to sample some of the region's produce. Del and I booked ourselves on to a wine tour. We got picked up by Silvano at 10:30 and headed off to the first of five wineries. Wine at 11 o'clock is the life for me! By lunchtime ... read more
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