In front of Vlaming Head Lighthouse.

           Week twelve:  Exmouth  

      
 After a long, long drive (640km) we arrived at Exmouth at last.  We can see why people prefer to see the Ningaloo Reef from Coral Bay, as it is a fair drive to get into Exmouth proper, and then there is quite a bit of extra driving to get into the Cape Range National Park, which is where the beautiful, beautiful beaches and snorkelling spots are.  As it was school holidays, we had no hope of staying at any of the lovely camping spots within the National Park, so had booked into the Ningaloo Lighthouse Caravan Park.  This was quite handy to the National Park.  We were also this week in a much quieter spot, well away from the school holiday crowd, surrounded by grey nomads there for the Winter:  a lovely group of friends.  Each year they fundraise for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, doing such things as having a regular craft morning each Friday and holding sausage sizzles.  Their comraderie was again inspiring. 




Emus come every year and have a drink and a wander around the Park.
This is Valma in front of her painting studio, what a lovely way to while away your days. 

 There are many wonderful things to see in this area - gorges, a river cruise, beaches and boat cruises...however, we pretty much focused on the beaches and the snorkelling!  We have seen lots and lots of gorges previously so opted out of doing those drives; and the day long Whale shark boat cruises were out of the question for Matthew (and at around $1100 for a family, frankly quite prohibitive).  We did a 2 and a half hour glass bottom boat on Matthew's birthday and that was more than enough. The beauty of the beaches called us, and we spent a lot of time taking turns snorkelling and marvelling at the beautiful fish to be seen just off the beach.  So, be warned...lots and lots of photos featuring the gorgeous colour blue ahead!!

Heaven!!

Charlie refused to wear the snorkel gear he had asked us to buy him,
preferring instead to use his swimming goggles.

At Torquoise Bay he was able to watch fish, just off the shore.

Our big three year old! The swimming cap is to hold in the ear plugs
 - we want no more ear infections, thank you very much!

Mummy playing shark :)



sorry...we don't have an underwater camera...but this is the smile
 of a person who has just seen many, many beautiful fish swimming around coral!



Tony preparing to snorkel at Lakeside. 
 We also snorkelled a lot at Oyster Stacks. 

Above: two peas in a pod.  And here: Our two cuties on a bit of a colder day...

 We did have a couple of days of overcast and drizzly weather, at Exmouth.  This will become the norm now, as we head south.  We have been blessed to have such great weather while up north.  The boys might actually finally get to use their special raincoats!

Here we have another photo of a Sturt Desert Pea...but look closely:  these ones are unique to Exmouth and are actually pink instead of black! 

Some of you may know that Matthew turned three while we were in Exmouth.  Of course, lots of photos were taken to mark the occasion...so we have put some of them in a collage.  At the bottom is our friend Sue, who with her husband Peter and gorgeous dog Jake, we cross paths with often on the trip.  Here, she is giving Matt a hug in lieu of family back home...it was a BIG hug!!

On our trip down to Carnarvon today, we crossed once more the Tropic of Capricorn (having crossed it already in the Northern Territory).  This was a momentous moment (but the sign was a bit of a let-down) as where we live is on the Tropic of Capricorn in Queensland...this meant we were literally on the opposite side of Australia to home!

Finally, Tony got a bit bored while we were at the beach one day.  He had his beautiful Nikon camera in his hand so...

The most gorgeous photo...just a seagull,
but so sharp and such vibrant colours!!
I LOVE it!

We are in Carnarvon until Thursday, when we will head down to Monkey Mia for a few days, to hopefully fulfil Charlie's dreams of feeding a dolphin. We are getting closer to Perth...and everyone tells us, closer to the cold!!  By the way, Patchy's Corner has been updated at last...he's been resting on the bed a lot lately so there haven't been that many photos of him...we shall have to make sure he gets out a bit more!

Cheers and see you next week!

Week Eleven:  Point Samson

Before we left home, we worked out approximately where we would be come the W.A. school holidays.  We had been recommended Point Samson by experienced caravaners, and so booked a spot here for the first week of the holidays.  We are still in the Pilbara, so there is industry around.  However, it is such a quiet little spot we have been able to have, mostly, a very chilled out week.




The view from the end of our van park at sunset.



Around the other side of the Point:  constant ships out to sea,
waiting to come into Cape Lambert and load.



Here we are in the Concept Blitz, on the left. 
Opposite the laundry and amenaties.  Never again!

The boys have had lots of adventures on the beach, and at the playgrounds.  I also took them one morning to one of the local libraries to read some different books for a change.  The plan had been to exchange on the road, what books we had brought with us, in Thrift shops: this has been surprisingly difficult.  The boys really enjoyed the time in the Library, so I will make an effort to do this more often. 



The boys playing some 'rock music' at Honeymoon Cove.
Matt on trumpet and Charlie on drums! 
At the beach, they can be as loud as they want to be!




Climbing a retired engine.  Very thrilling if you are nearly 3 and nearly 5. 
Daddy was quite interested too!




On Point Samson Beach. 
The tide goes out a looong way...great for Staircase to the Moon.

On Friday, we drove into Millstream/Chichester National Park.  A 450km round trip, but what the hey!!??!!
I have said before that this part of Western Australia is absolutely stunning.  There is a saying around here:  'Pilbara: Living the Dream'.  With the resource boom and the natural beauty around, it is easy to see how they can make this call.  It was a very big day trip, but well worth it.




Tom Price Highway - lucky workers getting to see this scenery every day!



We took lots of photos of the trains; they are fascinating, and sooooo long!

Gorgeous Mulla Mulla - it's everywhere!



As is Sturt's Desert Pea.  An unusual flower...





Python Pool, in the Chichester section of the Park. 



A panoramic shot (new iPhone app!) of Chichester National Park.



Walking around the homestead in Millstream National Park.
Sights in this National Park are a lot more
accessable than in Karajini.

We got chatting to a couple at Deep Crossing, while we had our lunch.  Turned out they had a Concept Caravan as well.  So, back we went to their camp to have a cuppa and compare notes...all good!  The company was great and we know a great camp spot next time we come this way.

Friday was the full moon...and we weren't disappointed that we weren't at the beach to see Staircase to the Moon.  Why would you be, with this backdrop?


Near Point Samson there is a 'ghost town' called Cossack.  This is the venue for the annual Cossack Art Award, a respected event in the art world with a $15 000 prize to the best overall artwork and many other sections also.  The quality was superb.  On Sunday, they held a family fun day.  Scenery was beautiful, the artwork glorious to look at, and there was music, food and fun for the children.  A great day out! 

The icing on the cake for our week in this area, was managing to be able to see the Staircase to the Moon.  Unless you have a really big lense, it is impossible to truly capture what is magnificent to the naked eye:  the glowing moon peeking over the horizon, then slowly growing bigger as the Earth turns.  Slowly, the 'steps' are revealed in the tidal flats.  This really is something everyone needs to put on their 'must see' list!

Tomorrow we will be up early and will drive, our most km's yet, to Exmouth.  Our reward will be the beautiful Cape Range National Park and more gorgeous blue ocean!  Can't wait!

Rugged up at Hearsons Cove

Week Ten:  Karajini National Park and Dampier


This week we found ourselves landing in Dampier...an unplanned visit but nevertheless a lovely one.  We thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful scenery in Karajini National Park, but found that 2 days, rather than the planned 4 days there was enough (challenging walks for the boys and terrible corrugated roads in the Park itself).  Then it was a lot of deliberation to decide on which was the best path to take back to the coast:  towards Port Hedland again, or via Tom Price.  We opted to drive straight back up and were fortunate enough to get 3 nights at the Transit Caravan Park in Dampier.  This part of the Pilbara is very busy due to needing to accomodate all the workers in the area. There are also lots more tourists around as it is 'the season'.  Oh, and it is school holidays as well!!  So, we are very lucky to have got a spot; and I am very pleased I booked Point Samson then Exmouth, for a week each, before we left Rocky!  We are right on the coastline here and have an interesting view of the Port (you can also hear the constant work and trains at night).  There are plenty of areas for families, with playgrounds, and the boys have had a great time.  All the industry is quite interesting to look at, for a change of scenery from gorgeous gorges :)
 The weather hasn't been so great - windy and some rain as well, but this is the first time on this trip we have encountered poor weather, so can't really complain.   This has meant we have spent some nice family time in the van relaxing and playing games rather than the go, go, go of tourist life.  A big morning shopping in Karratha was another good way to pass the time.
We have had some wonderful company in the park, with the 'Lifestylers on the Loose' who are on their 'Organic Odyssey 2011'.  These are four couples from a Lifestyle Village near Perth, and their 3 friends.  What has fascinated me is the comraderie and fun they are experiencing, and it reminds us that Tony and I have so many more years of travelling ahead of us.  This is something we look forward to immensely.  Big cheers to you:  Julia and Mike, Fran and Noel, Estelle and Eric, Ann and Mac; and friends Val, Anne and Kevin.  You are inspiring! 
So, this is the fastest blog ever for me to write, as we are about to head off to Point Samson.  I have been told there are caravans queing at the gates here in Dampier and we need to move on!! 



The beautiful Kalamina Gorge, Karajini National park. 
We walked and had a picnic lunch.





The boys climbing the rocks in Kalamina Gorge.



The view down into Fortescue Falls, Dales Gorge.  Quite a steep walk down.

Fern Pool, behind Fortescue Falls.  Beautiful!

Tony and his beloved tripod at top of Dales Gorge.

East Munjina Gorge.  So amazing!

The spinifex and the red dirt...beautiful combination!

On the way out of Karajini - see the beautiful scenery, the area is so moody; 
and our first comparison shot! 

This is back up at the Coastal Highway - not so nice scenery
but an even bigger road train!!

The boys having a grand time on the beach at Hearsons Cove
 on the Burrup Peninsula, Dampier

Hermit Crab at Hearsons Cove

The boys posing on the statue of Red Dog, just outside Dampier. 
This is soon to be an even more famous dog, with a Hollywood movie
about to be released, loosely based in his exploits. 

I couldn't resist this shot of Pearl - the contrast of the beautiful environment
and the industry in the background is a classic image of this area. 



 
Week Nine:  Broome
Barn Hill Station
Eighty Mile Beach
Port Hedland


We actually did manage to do some touristy things in the second half of our week in Broome.  We had a look at the very unusual lighthouse (steel scaffolding, pretty much) at Gantheaume Point.  At the Point, there are plaster casts of dinosaur footprints found in the area, and Charlie was on high alert for more dinosaur tracks as we wandered around the rocks nervously monitoring Matthew, and enjoying the gorgeous view as best we could. It really is quite beautiful with the red, red rocks and the gorgeous blue sea.   From there we drove round to the Port, where you can walk along the bridge to get closer to the ships.  There were lots of people fishing, and we saw a turtle and a very long white sea snake.  Again, it was so beautiful to gaze out at that beautiful blue ocean.  We got fresh bread and hot chips and sat at Town Beach gazing out to sea while we enjoyed our yummy lunch. 


Charlie and the dinosaur print...let's look for more, Mummy!

 


Standing at Gantheaume Point:  tight grip on Matt!





Tony and the boys enjoying the ships and boats.

That afternoon was our arranged ride on the camels for Charlie and I.  Right up to the last minute Charlie was in doubt, and he certainly wasn't very happy about the camel behind us poking it's head into our legs...but he gained confidence as the ride went on.  Tony and Matt had a little play on the beach.  Next time Matt will be able to come too.  It was great to have done it and seen the view of the ocean from the back of a camel.  I was not too keen on looking the other way:  that part of Cable Beach is also the nudist beach!



yep...i got a bit bored on the ride back!

 After the camel ride we all enjoyed a swim in the water, then we cleaned up and got out our chairs and pre-prepared dinner (kept warm in the Dream Pot!) and sat and watched the sun set over Cable Beach.  Occasionally we surpise ourselves and are organised and it really paid off.  What a lovely time we all had:  yummy dinner and beautiful view.  AND the boys were complimented on their excellent behaviour by some grey nomads...we've been getting a few comments like that and it just goes to show how lovely our boys are when they are not tired/hungry/bored or sick!


The boys at Cable Beach, ready for their sunset dinner.

The next day we took the boys to the local PCYC for a Kindergym.  They had an absolute blast and were pretty much worn out for the rest of the afternoon!  So we had a quiet one while Tony cooked a most delicious roast pork in the Weber.  We sure are eating well on this trip!
On Friday we ran around doing heaps of things around town, as we had suddenly realised that we weren't going to be near any decent shops for quite some time (and Matt's birthday is coming up!).  We managed to spend some more time with Ben and Christine, and the boys enjoyed another swim in the resort pool:  what a truly lucky thing it was that we were all in town at the same time!  That afternoon I enjoyed a quiet cocktail with Ben and Christine as we watched our last sunset over Cable Beach.  Then back at the van, Tony and I enjoyed some wonderful company with our lovely, lovely neighbours at the caravan park, Bruce and Lynne.  We have been truly blessed with meeting some really nice people and forming some wonderful friendships along the way.  



I Love a cocktail and a nice view!

The next morning we headed off to Barn Hill Station. After a bit of a bouncy ride over a 10km dirt road (Tony was not impressed as he had washed the van in Broome!), we found it and set up in an unpowered spot.  Barn Hill Station is essentially a free camp, but on a grander, more organised scale.  It has a terrific beach, where you can fish or enjoy the waves (I kept a very close eye on the boys, though, as the waves were quite powerful).  It was a very social place, too, with Sunday markets in the morning and a great Sunday roast with entertainment.  Tony caught a yellow-tailed bream.  First catch of the trip!   the boys looked very cute carrying their fishing rods down to the beach, but they lasted less than 5 minutes with the waves calling them and a little friend to play with.  I think she was quite sweet on Matt! 

How cute does this boy look???!!!



Boys on a mission.  Note the red dirt. 
The boys love it, I pretty much HATE it. 
It gets in and on everything! 





Catch of the day! 



Pretty good spot to park your caravan, hey?

At our Sunday Roast.  Live entertainment and great company. 
There is Matt's little friend, Romy. 

After our 2 days at Barn Hill we headed down the highway to Eighty Mile Beach Caravan Park.  This is a lovely spot (with less of the red dirt, I was pleased to see).  It was nearly wiped out by a cyclone earlier this year, and it was quite eerie driving in and seeing paddocks of dead fallen trees.  But the Park itself had been prettied up really well and was a really great spot to relax and enjoy.  Tony tried his hand at fishing, along with lots and lots of other people (it is the main attraction at Eighty Mile Beach) and the boys and I enjoyed some beach time.  Oh, and I washed and cleaned.  That darn red dirt!! We really enjoyed our time at both Barn Hill and Eighty Mile Beach and can see why both are very popular spots for those travelling the west coast.

The boys on rock patrol, walking around
Eighty Mile Beach caravan park.



The fisherman in action!




The boys loved playing on the beach.  Lots of shells to be found, too.



The water looks enticing, but I wouldn't swim in it...
there are lots of baby sharks and sea snakes around.

Today, Wednesday, brings us to Port Hedland.  We have stocked up before heading inland to the area around Karajini National Park.  Luck really seems to be running our way and we have met another lovely family here, who were at Karajini just this week, and have given me the low down on parts of the park that will be suitable for the boys.  This is invaluable information (visitor centres can be a bit unreliable to get the cold hard facts from!), and we are very grateful.  Thanks, guys!  Happy travels to you!
A lot of people give Port Hedland a miss, but seeing it through the eyes of two transport mad little boys makes it quite an interesting place!  They found the Port very interesting, and before we leave Port Hedland tomorrow they hope to watch a train come by.  That should take a while, as I believe they can have up to 230 carriages behind them! 


There is beauty around you if you are willing to have an open mind.

Next Tuesday will bring us to Point Samson, where we will be for a week, followed by a week at Exmouth, where Matthew will turn three!  We are looking forward to our inland adventures followed by some time out by the beach once more.  I am not sure of internet availability, so we will see you next when we can.

Cheers,
Tanya, Tony, Charlie and Matthew