The Rest of it!!

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Hi everyone. If you haven't already guessed it by now, we are back home. It took so long to do the blogs and time was limited in Internet Cafe's that we are completing it here from Home. And besides, who wants to spend all there spare time in these places when your on holiday??

So this is the balance of our Trip. It is long and there are loads of photos. We have HUNDREDS more and may rationalise them one day and put them on the web somewhere, we'll see. We had a great time and really want to do it again with more places to visit over there. We're keeping the Krooza for the time being as Sara says she want to "have a go" as well and we may also use it again in a year or two. In the meantime, if anyone else wants to use it - mates rates and all that. It needs to be turned over from time to time and as long as you pay something to Jim towards serviceing and suchlike, it's there to be used. You will need pay for any punctures and repairs that occur or are needed. It is currently fully comprehensively insured, taxed and has memberships for Big 4, Acclaim Campsites, All Parks Permit for the National Parks of WA (ie no admission charges).

Look out for us on Aussie Telly!!

6/08/06
Up at 6-30 and on the road by 7-20am to try and find the track to Pardoo Creek, which we did. Back onto the Highway and across to Marble Bar - the hottest town in Australia. Very quiet and dozy town, got fuel and a hot sausage roll and eventually found the 4WD track towards Tom Price via Glen Herring Gorge. Stopped at the Auski Roadhouse for the night. Sat down and read for a couple of hours after getting an icecream, park filled up as the afternoon went on. Had dinner in roadhouse and bed at 8-30. Compressor firing up every few minutes made a very noisy night.

7/08/06
Lots of noise in the night and early risers up just after 6-00am. Left at 7-30 after doing a repair job on headlight with sellotape. Into Karijini National Park and walked to Fortescue Falls and Fern Pool, several people swimming. Went over to Joffre and Oxer Lookout and Junction Pool. Onto Mount Bruce 2nd tallest peak in WA which also looked out on an iron mine where a train was leaving with approx 250 carriages on, huge. Drove onto Tom Price, a pleasant little town straight onto visitor centre to get permit for drive to Karratha. Picked up supplies and booked into caravan park. Bim cooked tea and bed around 8-30pm.

8/08/06
Up at 6-45 and left at 8-00am, had to wait for office to open to get key deposit back. Up to Mount Nameless highest peak in WA 4WD track very steep, amazing views over Tom Price and mines and other mountains. One other couple up there as well had a chat. Down to earth and out of town heading for Karratha on the private road with our permit. Well-maintained gravel track with another mountain to go up which we did of course, Mt Louis I think. Then we went into Millstream National Park, into Crossing Pool for lunch then drove round the park on snappy gum drive. I drove across a water crossing my 1st 4WD attempt. Stopped at cliff lookout and deep reach pool. Onto Mt Herbert, python pool and snake creek. Decided against camping a bit too basic for me. On drive back to main road, a German lady flagged us down at Mt Herbert; their Britz Landcruiser had broken down. Bim tried to fix the jammed steering lock with no joy, so we took the Britz phone number, as did an Aussie bloke who had also stopped, and headed for Karratha and a phone. We got to phone box just outside Karratha at the roadhouse, then had to wait 20 mins in a “call queue” to get through! That completed went onto Big 4 Caravan Park at 6-30 luckily they were still in the office, as they should have been closed at 6.00. Lovely site, already dark, so had a quick walk round filled in our census form and into shower to try and get rid of the red dust!

9/08/06
Up a bit later today, 6-45 Left park at 8-45 and into town. Spent all morning in a shopping centre, got a table and some clothes. Had lunch at chicken treat after looking forward to a buffet lunch advertised turned out to be closed. Back to park to do some washing and then out to Point Samson, a lovely small place by the sea, we had thought of staying here but tourist info put us off. Back to Wickham to buy some supplies and then back to park before the sun went down. Had a sandwich for tea, nice quiet site, bit chilly so bed at 8-00 after shower to warm up.

10/08/06
Early leavers just after light again woke us up so we got up at 7-00 and left park at 8-00am. Drove around Dampier and saw views of the port, some nice coves but not a lot there so back across the salt flats to rejoin the highway before 9-00am. Stopped at the Fortescue Roadhouse for an iced coffee and then Nanutarra Roadhouse for a
sausage roll. The campsite the boys stayed at in 98 was all washed out! Carried onto Exmouth, what a difference lots of building, looks like Mandurah all the new waterways being constructed. Saw Waddy, Liam’s mate and he told us where to get tyre. Booked into Big 4 again, really busy everywhere. Had a BBQ for tea and rang home. Walked round the park before bed.

11/08/06
Up later gone 7-00 warmer night and didn’t hurry. Booked in for another night and went to see Brian for a new tyre for the spare. Headed out to the national park, lots of people around all the campsites full. Looked at Yardie Creek visitor centre and ranger warned against crossing, bit boggy, a young guy came across just as we were leaving said it was fine. Back to Sandy Bay for a couple of hours, just as nice as Turquoise Bay and not crowded, the odd couple came in and out for a short while. Back to look at Yardie Creek again, Bim spoke to ranger about crossing at the campsite and someone was heading over tomorrow at 8-30am so we will too. Into town for fish and chips at a café. Early to bed, not 100% sure about tomorrow.

12/08/06.
Up before 6-00am the crossing is on! Left park at 6-30 arriving at Yardie Creek an hour later to find the people from the camp had already gone over.
Bim took a look and we lowered the tyre pressures and went through no problems. Stopped at some coves as we trundled along, a few people in each. Stopped on the beach and could see 3 or 4 camps to the left about ¾ mile away and 1 to the right but way in the distance so no probs, will camp here. Had a cuppa and sat on the beach all day, reading, watching the sea. Quite hot but there was a breeze down by the sea, which was where we sat with our feet in the water. Not a cloud in the sky again. Had a small fire and bed about 8-00pm.

13/08/06
Lay in ‘til after 8-00, fairly noisy night with the wind and the waves crashing onto the beach. Didn’t get dressed ‘til after 11-00 after “bath” in the sea. Moved on about midday guessing we were probably camped in North Lefroy Bay. Carried on down the tracks branching off at most tracks down to the sea unless someone was parked there. Saw goats, emus, sheep and roos. Finally came out at 4-00 after stopping at the homestead to pay our $5 camping fees. Into Coral Bay filled up with diesel and pumped up the tyres Booked into Bayview Caravan Park and the first one we tried was full. Had a drink and then walked round, nothing changed really. Back to Krooza for tea, packet pasta and chicken, washed up and welcome shower. Text from Sara she got to Bude ok. Texted Sara, Lisa and then Jim and Karen to confirm latest position. 7500 kms now & $2000 on diesel.

14/08/06
Lay in, and up before 7-00 left park just after 8-00, nothing to stay for really. Stopped at Minilya Roadhouse for an iced coffee at 9-00am and see if Kennedy Range NP was on , nope no info available so drove onto Carnarvon. Looked ok stopped in visitor centre and town centre for wander and supplies. Drove by Munros, seems up and running as a plantation but not open to public any more. Stopped for a sandwich just outside Carnarvon and then sidetracked round to Unedoo Creek, Bush Bay and Town Beach. The latter 2 were crowded with fishermen so didn’t stop and headed onto Overlander Roadhouse for Diesel. Pushed onto Nanga and parked up by 4-30 pm. had a walk round and down to the beach. Had a drink with 2 Australian couples one on a motorbike and sidecar from Adelaide. Had late tea on BBQ and bed at 9-00am.

15/08/06
Noisy night listening to the generator. Up at 7-20 and into Denham by 9-00. Hairdressers closed today, badly need a haircut. A bit cloudy and then a few spots of rain. Had a scone and drink in café and when we were in the supermarket the heavens opened. Bim went into the Fisheries for weather report, should be ok tomorrow. Went onto Tourist Info for accommodation details, chose Shark Bay Caravan Park and booked a cabin for the night. Unpacked and washing on the line by 12-15. Bim made a few adjustments under the bonnet and had lunch. Lazy afternoon watched TV and did ironing Bim washed cruiser and we watched the occasional shower fall out of the sky. Talked to guy next-door from Staffordshire with his family came from Mandurah and heading to Coral Bay. Watched TV in the evening great to relax and do nothing.

16/08/06
Awoke to the sun left cabin at 9-15 and into the Peron National Park at 9-35am. Up to the Point first after letting pressures down no one there and we were the first today. Very peaceful, windy but no flies. Went on round to lighthouse and into every other spot on way back out stopping at Big Lagoon about 4-00pm to camp. One other tent with vehicle (no one there as they were fishing). One other vehicle parked on beach, which went before dark. Bit windy but sunny and warm. Bim cooked tea on hot ring on BBQ. Bed early, cold and dark.

17/08/06
Awake about 6-00am but led there ‘til about 8-00 and a bit warmer. Nice and sunny, packed up and away by 9-00am, Results day (AS) have to wait ‘til this evening. I drove on a bit of the track on the way out of the Peron but wouldn’t go above 20kph….. Looked around visitor centre and back into Denham for fuel and air. Called in hairdressers no appointments ‘til Monday. On to Kalbarri via Billabong Roadhouse for iced coffee. Booked into B4 campsite and back into town for look around, not a lot changed, hairdressers closed. Back to site for a sit down and a cold drink. Then the text came through. B’s for phys, German and Gen Studies. C’s for Drama and French. Bim phoned her straight away after I cried. Well done of course so relieved. Lisa seems a bit down. Put on jeans as it was chilly. Went to phonebox and phoned Sara and mum and dad. Couldn’t get Lisa. Got takeaway from café round the back of Beach Resort, bit smarter than it used to be. Went into kitchen to make a drink and talked to a older lady from Bassindean. Then a couple from Melbourne who emigrated 36 years ago. Bed about 9-00.

18/08/06
Awake early and up just before 8-00am. Over to hairdressers to make appointment for 4-15, got fuel and went on 4WD tracks along the river. Went through mud, sand puddles, some narrow tracks overhanging trees and bushes, very rugged. Chased a herd (or flock?) of emus for a few hundred yards they don’t have the sense to change direction. Started off with one and ended up with about 14! Drove on to the National Park looking at The Loop, Natures Window and Z Bend. Talked to a couple from Melbourne as we kept bumping into them. Back into town and the best thick shake ever. Had a look round the shops before my haircut. Bim went back to park and I walked back - not far. Hairdresser was from Aberdeen only been there 9 months. Had a cold drink and cooked tea in camper’s kitchen. Saw lady from last night, couldn’t get away for ages. Got cups for a coffee and talked to a couple from Brisbane 2 pitches away from us. Sat in TV room for a bit to get warm before bed about 9-30pm. Bit noisy as 2 guys from Stoke next door and not very thoughtful, people complained and made it worse. Went out and not too noisy when they came back.

19/08/06
Up fairly early and left before the trouble broke out as there was going to be complaints about last night. Out to Lucky Bay, found it ok but could not get to beach, only the dunes. Got bogged and then couldn’t see a way over apart from a razorback so gave up and drove onto port Gregory. Not a lot there apart from a pink lake caused by algae, the beta carotene in it is harvested and exported all over the world. Bim explored the rubbish tip, didn’t find anything apart from a fire and an exploding paint can! Drove on down country to Horrocks not a lot there so onto Northampton for fuel and air. Decided to have lunch as well before heading on down to Geraldton when it started to rain. Found visitor centre for list of accommodation and booked into motel we called into on way into town. Did laundry (free) went into town but shutting early as Saturday even supermarkets shut by 5-30pm! Back to room and used tumble dryer to dry washing (free) and iron it before bed. Watched 2 films very good, heartless and rookie so bed about midnight.

20/08/06
Got up about 8-30am and left Geraldton 9-45 out to Alinta Wind Farm 54 of worlds largest wind turbines. Onto Mingenew Coalseam National Park, a few views and picnic places, not very spectacular so onto Dongra for the night. Booked into Big 4 site right on the beach. Drove up to town and had a cream tea in The Fig Tree café and texted Paul, Coralie, Jim and Karen, Sara and Lisa to guess where we were. Back to park and went for a walk. Found a garage sale so bought a couple of books and a box to put the maps in. Didn’t want any tea so sat in camper’s kitchen watching TV for a bit and bed at 9-00pm.

21/08/06
Very noisy night. Windy and sea crashing on beach. Up at 7-00 and away by 8-30am. Jeans on now I guess that’s it for shorts. Went down to visitor centre and onto Leeman, Greenhead and Jurien Bay. Not a lot going on anywhere so onto Cervantes for the night. Stopped at Sandy Point on the way down lots of bush camping but too windy, loads of 4WD and saw a sea lion in the sea. Had tea in the camper’s kitchen and bed at 9-00pm after reading.

22/08/06
Very noisy night again didn’t get up ‘til gone 8-00 and left at 9-30am. Called into visitor centre chap very helpful. Onto The Pinnacles, cloudy and windy, they looked smaller than last time. Found 4WD track and tried to drive to Lancelin. We saw rocks, puddles sand dunes narrow tracks overhanging hedges, bushes and trees and couldn’t find our way at all. Saw a ranger with some voluntary workers who were in the camp kitchen last night. After 6 hours came out the way we come in and drove onto Brand Highway, passing Emu Wind Farm and stopped at Waddi Bush Resort, well off main road lovely. We were the only campers until a camper van pulled in an hour or so later. Sat under veranda around toilets to have tea rather cold. Bed at 8-00am and read by torch.

23/08/06
Birds woke us up early but really quiet apart from that. Rained in the night. Left about 9-30 and drove to Lancelin across country through Badgingara. Saw a fox stood in the middle of a field just looking at us. Had a sandwich watching the sea and then onto Ledge Point. Inland to Gingin didn’t quite go to plan as followed a 4WD track and ended up on a private road just being laid and a great big grader coming straight for us as we rounded a corner. Saw herds of Kangaroos burrowing under a kangaroo proof fence.
Passed Gravity Discovery Centre which looked very interesting but got there too late to look round properly. Went to Bindoon and back to Gingin Roadhouse to camp for the night. Had fish and chips for tea in the Roadhouse and then sat in the car and read.

24/08/06
Bit of traffic noise last night but not too bad. Away by 8-30am and off to New Norcia the only monastic town in WA. Decided against a tour and set off to look at the buildings in the town. As we walked by the monastery a woman can out and asked us if we would like to meet a monk and a TV crew would be filming. We said yes and went in. Bim sat next to the monk and I sat next to the TV presenter from “The Great Outdoors”. There were about 12 of us altogether and the monk talked about his life and answered any questions after asking Bim who he was and why he was there! Very interesting, stood outside talking to a couple from over East who said we really should do the tour, look at the museum and look round the hotel. We ended up staying at the hotel that night taking the tour and looking round the museum, absolutely brilliant. It was so interesting hearing the history of the place and seeing part of the monastery. We even had an electric blanket on the bed although we did have to share the toilet facilities. Bumped into the film crew a couple of times during the rest of the day and finally had dinner in the hotel. Phoned home and Perth again and went to our room and lovely warm bed about 9-00pm.

25/08/06
Awoke early although it was a quiet night. Shower before 7-00am and down to breakfast, lovely. Left New Norcia about 9-00 after looking round the cemetery and headed for Wongin Hills and Goomalling, quite big towns as was Toodyay where we stopped for lunch by the river Avon with the Newcastle Bridge above it. Drove through Northam and onto York for a wander round the shops and it started to rain, so texted Perth to see if it was ok to go back for the weekend. Cherie came over in the evening, late night went to bed at midnight!

26/08/06
Lazy start, what a nice change. Bim and Jim sorted out the chain saw and cut down a tree over by the barn after a lot of discussion. Karen and I popped to Carousal. Did some washing and got it dried really nice day. Headed off to Northbridge about 5-00 to get something to eat before going to the cinema to see “49up” a documentary following a group of children growing up from 7. 14. 21 28 etc. Very good, Jim fell asleep stopped for a coffee and watched the world go by. Bed latish.

27/08/06
Up 8-00ish Bim and Jim carried on clearing the tree. Gemma popped round and after tea started planning tomorrow heading out to Kalgoorie. Earlyish night.

28/08/06
Up to find the sunshine again packed up and went into Kalamunda about 10-00ish. Picked up some supplies and headed off stopping at Cunderdin for a sandwich stopping at Merredin for the night. Young girl in visitor centre very helpful. Bought some cheap clothes in Target and booked into motel for night. Watched TV for a bit and then looked for somewhere to eat. Not a lot of luck so went to chicken treat. Back to motel to watch TV.

29/08/06
Text from Lisa at 20 to 6 woke me up, didn’t answer it though. Up at 8-00 and off to Kalgoorie via Coolgardie arriving just before 1-00. Stopped at visitor centre and up to Super Pit just missed the blast at 1-00pm. Back into town to get our bearings, drove past the brothels and went into Coles and K Mart. Drove out of town to Big 4 Caravan Park. Booked in for 1 night to see how cold it was at night. Was very warm 29c and should be 31 tomorrow. Had a BBQ for dinner in camper’s kitchen and got texts from both girls. Drove into Kalgoorie and went for a walk and a thick shake. Very quiet, lots of bars, quiet on the brothel street.

30/08/06
Really warm night, bit of traffic noisier. Booked in for another night and off to the Miners Hall of Fame. Very interesting, gold panning, gold pouring, tour of a mineshaft as well as the museum. Rushed back to the brothel for the 2-00pm tour. In there for over 2 hours. Again very interesting, a bit tacky but so hot! Up the road to a clothes shop called Rivers and bought a couple of tops before they closed. Drove up to Mt Charlotte lookout point to see the sun go down and see the point that the water pipe ends which comes from Mundaring Weir. Could also see the Super pit in the distance. Got back to the park about 6-30 and Bim cooked pasta after sinking a cold one. Sat with a couple from Melbourne who had done similar trip to us so exchanged thoughts and experiences. They had also seen Ray and Marg on the motorbike. Bed at 10-00pm went kitchen lights went out.

31/08/06
Noisy night, traffic and people, ok though nice and warm. Went into Boulder for a look round after putting some washing out. Called into WA Salvage for new bulb for torch and bought new torch as cheaper. Back to park to fold up washing and have lunch. Back into Kalgoorie for a final wander and a thick shake, then out to 2 up shack and pioneer cemetery, which had been completely vandalised. Looked a bit cloudy hope it’s not going to rain. Back to park to change and went to Star and Garter for dinner. Very busy but lovely, help yourselves to salad and veggies, huge portions. Had a last drive down the brothel street and saw a few girls. Texted Paul and Coralie and Coralie texted back and told us her car was a write off!!!!! At least she wasn’t badly hurt.

1/09/06
Our wedding anniversary 27 years!
Left Kalgoorie just before 9-00am, cloudy and cooler. Stopped at Dundas Rocks for lunch, a deserted town with just the street signs left. Bit of rain here and seemed cold. Arrived in Esperance mid afternoon and went straight to visitor centre, helpful for a change. Drove round a picked a motel but no one answered the door so drove along the front and saw a unit with a phone number and phoned that. Belonged to the CWA (Country Wives Association) $66 a night for 3 bed-roomed unit. Booked it for 2 nights and popped into town. Nothing has changed. Picked up some donuts for tea in woollies and had a couple of drinks to celebrate our anniversary. Quite a lot of noise from next door.

2/09/06
Bim up at 7-00am, bit cloudy but some sunshine. Out to Cape Le Grand National Park, into Rossiter Bay first and then Lucky Bay, drove along the beach no one else there. Back to Thistle Cove and then Hellfire Bay. Round to Cape Le Grand and onto the beach to drive 23kms to Wylie Bay reaching 70kmh in some places. Then hit some soft stuff and slowed right down. Stopped for lunch and drove out in one piece. Then across town to The Ocean Drive to see the beaches in the sunshine and yet another wind farm. Found a 4WD track down to the beach but very rugged and sandy and so had to turn back defeated. Back into town and went for a walk along the front and up through the town. Bim cooked pasta again.

3/09/06
Sunny day again. Left Esperance at 9-30am and off to Albany stopping just for a sausage roll and iced coffee. Straight into tourist info for map and list of accommodation. Headed out to Middleton Beach passing the Whale spotters and booked into Rose Gardens Beach Caravan Park in a cabin for the night, Big 4 was too expensive. Dumped our stuff had a quick look at the beach and headed up the hill to see the whales. Could see 3 or 4 one with a calf, fascination but chilly. Back to cabin Bim got changed and then into town to eat after phoning Tinglewood Cabins to book next 2 nights. Had a good look round town and had dinner in Dylan’s very busy as it fathers day here. Bought a phone card and back to cabin, tried to phone girls but they were out.

4/09/06
Lots of rain in the night, cloudy and windy this morning. Stopped briefly to see a couple of whales on way into town to get supplies before heading to Walpole. Called into visitor centre and out to Tinglewood. Still Syd and Betty and had one of the old cabins. Lit a fire and had late lunch. Syd came up with some cake and stopped for a cuppa. Washed sleeping bags and other washing in the twin tub, Bim chopped some wood and brought loads in. Had fillet steak for tea after going into Walpole to phone girls. Lisa off to France tomorrow, 4 kangaroos in the field and loads of sheep, no TV signal so read by the fire.

5/09/06
Sheep very noisy under the cabin but slept reasonably well, fire stayed alight all night so nice and warm. Sun was out but soon went cloudy, sheep all around us as we drove out. Went to Peaceful Bay. Loads of 4WD tracks down to coves and beaches. Went to see The Gap, Freddies Beach and Rame Head, sea was very rough.. Went on to Conspicuous Cliff and had lunch. More 4WD out to Blue Hole and got bogged, had to dig out and lower pressures to 20psi. No problem, onto circular pool (been here before) and into Walpole to blow up tyres and get a bit of fuel. Back to Tinglewood to our fire and pork fillet for tea. Quiet evening reading again.

6/09/06
Up before 8-00, lamb just been born outside. Sat and read for a bit they packed up and left just before 10-00am. Stopped for an iced coffee on the way back to Perth and then a blow out so another tyre change. Quick sandwich and arrived back at Jim and Karen’s about 4-30pm. Claire and Rob came for tea, had a look at photos on TV, cold and windy.

7/09/06
Jim and Karen had day off so lazy morning, walked down to the deli for a Quokka and then went to Rose Farm Gardens for lunch. Down to Welshpool to buy 2 second hand tyres for cruiser. Cherie picked us up and went to Burswood for dinner. Lots to choose from and very reasonable. Had a coffee and a wander round the casino before coming home, early bed, as Karen and Cherie have to work tomorrow.

8/09/06
Up to rain and wind. Packed up stuff and stayed close to fire, hope its warmer when we get home. Bim and Jim took cruiser down to workshop to change oil and put new tyres on and give it a quick clean. Liam, Gemma and Ian came round and Cherie and we had takeaway pizza. Sara rang and spoke to nearly everyone. Bed at 10-00pm.

9/09/06
Time to go home, up by 3-00am and left for airport at 3-30pm, checked in and Cherie joined us for coffee. Went through to departures at 6-00am and said goodbye to Sara before boarding. 2 empty seats by us to Dubai so very pleasant, watched Aquamarine, CV and Things to do before you are 30, listened to music and had 3 meals. Stopped at Dubai for nearly 4 hours so time for shopping. Full flight to Heathrow, no problems though, picked up luggage and had 15 mins to wait for coach. Arrived in Ringwood 5 mins early at 11.35 so home just about midnight…………..

So there it is! Hope you enjoyed reading it. Sorry if you've got bored (not that I give a toss coz I loved it!). If your heading that way and you think we can give advice etc, give us a call.

Copya!

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Photos

Dumper Truck at Tom Price
And Sandra thinks the Krooza is big!

View From Top of Mount Nameless, Tom Price
Highest point in WA (and I git higher by standing on the roof of the Krooza). Jeez it was windy!

Millstream National Park
Time to sit and contemplate. STUFF IT ALL!! Leave me here if you want!

Yardie Creek Crossing
Had to wait for low tide to get through here. Tyre pressures down to 15 PSI

Sandy Bay, Exmouth area
Sandy Bay was recommended by Lisa and Feeg as better than Torquoise Bay! They were right. Torquoise Bay now becoming too commercial and was very busy. Only saw a couple of other people at this beach.

Lefroy Bay, Ningaloo
I was reluctant to put the name of this place. It was so remote and peaceful. I don't want too many people going there. For me, it was probably the best place in WA. Nearest tourist must have been a mile away - and that was too close! Could have stayed there for a month.

Nature's Window
It's about time someone double glazed that!

Nanga
Lovely spot! Near Denham and Monkey Mia.

Lucky? Bay
This was what we encountered on our way to Lucky Bay. Not quite so lucky for us.

Second Attempt at Lucky Bay
Nasty razor-back that we could have got down - no problem - BUT we didn't know the way back and there was no-one else around.

Peron Peninsular
Takes a while to get there over the soft red sands but phew! it's bloody good!

Peron Peninsular
Nice and quiet here. Peaceful night with only one other couple in the area. Not close enough to have a yarn with.

Dongra
Lovely outlook from the campsite but hellish noisey when there is a storm brewing!!

Pinacles to Lancelin
Tricky area this! All roads lead to your destination --- EVENTUALLY!! But we kept coming against problems. Meant to be a 4 hour 4WD journey. We took 6 and ended up where we started! BUT it was GREEAAATTTT!!!!

Pinacles to Lancelin 2
Sometimes rough and hard ..... sometimes soft sand.

New Norcia Hotel
Look out for us on Aussie TV programme "The Great Outdoors". UK equivalent of "Wish you were here".

Water Pipeline Perth to Kalgoorie
Tremendous piece of engineering by C Y O'Connor. Named the Golden Pipeline and runs for 557 kms Mundaring Reservoir to the Goldfields. BUT the poor bugger got so much stick because the water didn't arrive on the day he said (or the next day, or the next day......) that he topped himself.
The next day...... the water arrived! He never knew what a great acheivment he had done and died thinking he had failed. RESPECT!!

Superpit, Kalgoorie
Now it may not look much in this photo, but if you can zoom in, you may notice that the little white specks are dumper trucks that carry 225 Tonnes of ore and even further, the smaller specks are Toyota Landruisers.

Underground Mine Tour Kalgoorie
There's some pretty good stuff to see in Kalgoorie, not just Hay Street Brothels!! You can pan for Gold at this venue and a whole day would be advisable to set aside.

Paddy Hannon Statue, Kalgoorie
Paddy Hannon Statue, Kalgoorie is just outside the Tourist Info Bureau.

Lucky Bay, Esperance 1
Don't think I could ever get fed up with these views. Yet again, we were the only one's who had driven out there onto the beach.

Driving on the Beach for 14 miles!
Driving on the Beach for 14 miles! Again this was Esperance. Only met one vehicle that was parked up fishing.
Can't think of anywhere in the UK where you could do this. Except perhaps...... Weston Super Mare to actually get to the water's edge? :o)

Esperance 1
Tourist drive.

Esperance 2
We tried to drive down to the beach but nature beat us back up the cliff.

Karri Tree near Walpole
He's a biggun eh?

Tinglewood Cabins
Aaaahhhhh!! Bliss!!! The photo doesn't do it justice and even though it was cold and we had to have the wood burner going, this place is the dog's bits!! If you ever get there, give my regards to Betty and Syd, two of the best in WA.

Comments

[Vivienne]

Aus trip
Loved reading it - what a great trip .... seeing everything as it is, and not just tourist areas.. absolutely fantastic - what a great country!!!! I am surprised you came home !