Dane and Matt's Great Adventure (Header)

176. Outback Queensland 2 (this upload pages 173 - 176 inclusive)

2011-07-05T02:21:00.000-07:00

MONOPOLY MATT

Matts favourite game would have to be monopoly. Throughout the trip it was agreed that should it rain it would be deemed a “Monopoly Day”. There weren’t a lot of rain days but Matt can be quite pushy & as a result we completed the following Monopoly tournaments;. ‘The Outback Challenge’, ‘The Top End Challenge’, The East Coast Challenge’ & ‘The West Coast Challenge’ each challenge consisting of three or four games. For each challenge Kaz was persuaded to construct a graph that showed the winner of each game & progressive point scores.

WALTZING MATILDA

Winton is the home of Waltzing Matilda. This old sign shows that the actual place where Banjo wrote the iconic poem is 2 Miles from here.

BANJO PATTERSON

The stories of yesteryear are quite interesting & Winton is a great town that is very proud of its heritage past. If you look at a map you will see that Winton is about dead centre of Queensland.

THE SHED

We were told that it was a must do that we stayed at a particular van park whilst in Winton. Every night throughout the tourist season these two women put on a fantastic show. Primarily they are bush poets, but it is not just the poetry that it great ,these two mix it up with terrific stories of the bush & of their travels & humour that literally brings tears to the eyes.

KEEPING UP WITH THE JONES’S

We had covered almost 40,000kms & we had met many people on tour, several of which we caught up with again on the other side of the country. Since our departure we had not however seen anyone that we already knew; that was until we bumped into the Jones’s . Pat & Bill are parents of the Jones girls that myself, my brother & my sister used to play with. They are fabulous people & it was great to catch up with the both of them. Bill once played for the Roosters whilst Pat has always been very much involved in Water Polo & has received several awards for her contribution to the game. The following morning they were to head for the winter warmth of Darwin.

175. Outback Queensland

2011-07-05T02:16:00.000-07:00

EXIT THE NT

LAKESIDE

Just east of Mount Isa we discovered this overnight camp. The overnight temperature was starting to drop as we entered the Queensland outback.

WALKABOUT CREEK

Croc Dundee; yep, this is where it all happened, the famed Walkabout Creek Hotel.

PUBLIC BAR

The owner of the hotel has pretty much kept the place as it appeared in the movie.

FARMSTAY

We were meant to pull up some place else but it didn’t appeal to us so we pulled up on this farm in the middle of no place special. The afternoon was very hot & we hung around playing board games & going for a hunt whilst waiting for the sun to set.

174. King Ash Bay

2011-07-05T02:12:00.000-07:00

FLIGHT CREW

NT STUBBIE

Kaz & I had vowed to down one of the famed stubbies & as we were almost out of the Territory decided that King Ash was the spot. They are 2 litres small & I tell you what; ‘it’s a bloody good drop’

KING ASH ESTUARIES

This was to be our last adventure in the crocodile inhabited waters of the Territory. In our little tinny one has to pretty careful & to be honest I was a little apprehensive when at anchor up this tributary. The boys were instructed to stay in the middle of the boat & not to lean over the sides. This wasn’t to be our day to catch a heap of fish but the waterways up here are an absolute pleasure to explore. The quietness, the warm air, the birdlife & the raw nature is something to be revered.

SUBMERGED

As we moved out of this particular tributary I noticed within the movement of the tide a piece of stick; no its a rock structure; no its an eight foot croc making its way to its roost on a nearby sand bank. It really is amazing how these animals move with such stealth.

MASSIVE JABIRU

This beauty was photographed from within the tinny. Only moments before there was a crane that walked right up to the Jabiru however the movement of the tinny prevented me from getting a decent snap. The reason I mention this is that the crane gave perspective to the true size of the Jabiru. This fella is about four foot tall. In fact, I discussed the bird with a long time local that night. He stated that remembered the first time he saw the bird he thought it was a statue; it’s that big. As we moved a little closer the bird flew off. It was so graceful & took to the air with ease, a spectacle we shall never forget.

173. Borroloola, King Ash Bay

2011-07-05T02:06:00.000-07:00

BORROLOOLA

Before we left on out trip I made certain to arm ourselves with as much safety gear & spares as possible. As we pulled into the BP in Borroloola I conducted my usual walk around inspection to discover that a bearing on the van was shot. Dead set, ten kilometres either way & we were not looking good. Fortunately I carried spare bearings for the trailer otherwise it would have been a long wait as the nearest major town which still wouldn’t have had such a bearing was over 700 kms away. As the mechanic went to work we had a little time to look at this isolated town that you wouldn’t normally hang around in.

BORROLOOLA POOL

This town is primarily a town inhabited by the local indigenous people. Seventy kilometres to the south is the Macarthur River Mine. The operators of the mine built a pool for the locals to enjoy. Dano had a great time playing footy as did all of us hanging out with the kids over a couple of days. I organised a scratch race which the boys loved. They would swim up to me after each race & say “please mister, one more”.

KING ASH BAY

This is as remote a place as you can get. Up here in the north east of the territory not much has changed since creation. The land up here is almost inhospitable, however abounds with a rich diversity of flora & fauna. Whilst making sure everything was AOK with the rig in Borroloola we chartered an old Cessna to check the river system out & see how the place works.

PLAYGROUND

During our reconnaissance flight we found King Ash Bay. Several travellers had advised us not to go due to vast crowds etc but after seeing it from the air we decided to get out there. As it turned out there were no crowds, just a groups of typically friendly travellers some of which stay here for months at a time. It is truly a top spot & one that one day I would love to return too.

BORROLOOLA AIRSTRIP

Final approach into Borroloola

172. Katherine Gorge, Mataranka Hot Springs (this blog pages 168 - 172 incl)

2011-06-22T14:35:00.000-07:00

KATHERINE GORGE

Our trip along the gorge was late afternoon & it became quite cool within the confines of the gorge.

GUIDED TOUR

We normally prefer to do our own thing & explore in the tinny, but the local tribe know runs the show here & we were not permitted to use our own boat; anyway it was nice to kick back & let someone else do all the work. Our guide was great, very informative & truly proud of his land.

MATARANKA

After leaving Katherine we moved south to Mataranka. In this part of the world there are many naturally occurring hot springs that rise up after travelling for sometimes several hundred kilometres through the limestone beneath. It might not look like it from above, but below the water is crystal clear & 32 degrees Celsius. The spring fed water runs into this creek at a rate of 320 million litres per day.

We plunged into the waters & floated downstream looking through our goggles into a very strange world. It is like you filled up the room you are sitting in.

ELSEY NP

ELSEY HOT SPRINGS

This pool was crafted by soldiers in WW2. There is a naturally occurring stream that at this point has been widened to provide a place where the officers were able to cool off after a days work. Again it is crystal clear & 32 degrees Celsius.

171. Katherine

2011-06-22T14:29:00.000-07:00

SAFE WATERHOLE

As we were again within two hundred kilometres of the coast we had to be aware of salties. We were safe in this middle pool as there was a substantial waterfall to the pool below.

LOWER POOL

During the height of the wet, & as the water levels rise, salties will move far upstream as they are able to pass over obstacles that would usually restrict their passage. On this day the rangers declared that this lower pool was now safe as they had not sighted nor captured a croc............ Anyone for a dip?

NITMILUK NP – KATHERINE GORGE

GALLERY

After a while, one gorge can resemble any other, but this one is well worth a look. The paintings are in great condition & are large. These figures are about two metres long.

VERTICAL

170. Lake Argyle, Katherine

2011-06-22T14:24:00.000-07:00

DAM

The dam that has created the headwaters of the Ord River.

POOL PERFECTION

Not a bad way to relax after a day checking out the lake & its surrounds. This place is still only visited by a few grey nomads & the odd tourist but you can feel that this is about to change. The parks owner has big visions for the place & with such beauty on offer it won’t be long before visitors arrive in executive choppers & dine in a flash restaurant before returning to their seven star suites.

THREE MONTHS

We had spent just over three months in WA. So many great memories. Such a great state; with plenty of go forward, such beauty, much diversity & great people. We were back into the territory & excited for some new adventures.

‘BULLO RIVER’ SIGN POST

Does anyone remember a television advertisement for women to come forward & have breast screening. Yeah that’s right, the one where this tuff lady of the outback is leaning on a cattle yard fence a tells you that if you haven’t had a screening “then you bloody well ought too!” I always remember that she was from Bullo River Station in a place far, far away. As we drove along there it was, the sign, & yes it is, far, far away.

KATHERINE

Katherine is a large town that links travellers from the west, the east & the south as they make their way north to Darwin. I recall that upon entering the town we encountered the first traffic light we had seen for about three thousand kms. Katherine has much to offer the traveller but we decided to book into a couple of National Park camps & explore the surrounds.

169. Lake Argyle

2011-06-22T14:19:00.000-07:00

LAKE ARGYLE

Not far to the south east of Kununurra lies Lake Argyle. The area was dammed to form this magnificent lake & to provide water throughout the dry season. The holding capacity is something like eighty times that of Sydney Harbour. The lake is approximately seventy kilometres long.

MANMADE BEAUTY

There is often debate whether or not the construction of a dam is appropriate or not. In this case I think they got it spot on. Not only does it provide water throughout the year , it has created an absolute marvel. Can you imagine the transformation that would have occurred quite rapidly as what was a smallish river meandering along suddenly after the wet began to widen & expand its reaches to manifest into such a lake.

ARGYLE FRESHIES

We got a great tip from a fellow traveller that told us to look to the left as we approached the dam. The view to the right is what really catches your eye & therefore many don’t see these guys which are just meters away.

SWISS NOMADS

This young couple of adventurers had spent the previous night at the same campground as we. They were checking out the rapids & I made them aware of the crocs on the other side of the road. They were travelling around Oz on these bikes that with all their gear you could hardly lift. In the following days I would think of them as they pedalled toward Darwin into headwinds & some long stretches of road. Talk about gutsy, these guys were just about to notch up 20,000 kms & reckoned that they might crack a beer when that happened.

OVERFLOW

Can you believe it ?. This is just an overflow to release some water along a tributary. The photograph does not do justice to the sheer volume of water that is moving here. The amazing thing is that it will run like this not for a few days or a couple of weeks, but throughout the entire dry season. That is so much water.

168. Katherine.

2011-06-22T14:14:00.000-07:00

STILL CLOSED

The Gibb River Rd was still closed as we left & headed east once again. During our travels we had met many that were waiting to complete the crossing. Still they would have to wait.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANE

The boys celebrating Danes 15th in Kununurra.

GYPSIES

As we pulled into the Ivanhoe Caravan Park in Kununurra we were met by a jovial chap who asked; ‘were you guys camping near the cliffs on the Nullabour earlier this year?’. He & his wife had sighted our convoy as we pulled up near them on along the cliff tops. It turned out that they were from South Australia & were travelling north to help out as assistant managers. We spoke & sometime later met the owners. As with many along our journey we were overwhelmed with peoples generosity. The park owners offered us to stay for a couple of nights at no charge. Thanks guys & all the very best.

KUNUNURRA COPS

Matt loves his get-up’s whether it be Police, Security or otherwise, but really enjoys all the different Police uniforms. Along the journey we had met a few Policemen whom had even sent along caps etc. Before we left WA we thought we had better call in to check out the WA gear.

167. El Questro 2 .............. (this blog pages 164 - 167 inclusive)

2011-06-06T04:30:00.000-07:00

EL QUESTRO RIVER

EL QUESTRO LUNCH

EL QUESTRO WATERHOLE

Not a bad way to cool off after lunch.

SADDLEBACK RIDGE

A very steep track climbs to the top of Saddleback Ridge. The view are simply “birds eye”. Not only was the view special but the silence & the great vastness of this property comes to the fore from this vantage point.

SUNSET OVER EL QUESTRO STATION

166. El Questro Station

2011-06-06T04:25:00.000-07:00

EL QUESTRO STATION

Another massive cattle station that has part of its area opened up for tourists to call upon.

ZEBEDEE SPRINGS

A short walk & one finds at the base of a cliff these thermal springs. The water is a constant 32 degrees. From the relative arid landscape that surrounds, within this grove there are ferns, palms & pandanus creating a tropical oasis in the heart of the outback.

JACKEROOS WATERHOLE

SUNSHINE CREEK

I am a pretty keen fisho & will explore all options to catch a fish. Without getting to deep, I think to myself: ‘if I were that species of fish, where would I hangout ?’

This was one of those places.... We drove the cruiser along the river pebbles to pull up at a spot I had eyed earlier. At this point I had probably cast a lure no less than five hundred times over the last few days in search of the elusive barramundi. Matt then said, almost with a taste of disgust in his voice at my failure to hook up, “Dad, here........give me a go”.

BARRA MATT

Two casts was all that it took for Matt to hook a Barra. OK, it wasn’t going to break any records but he really does have a canny knack of catching fish.

165. Home Valley Station

2011-06-06T04:19:00.000-07:00

HOME VALLEY STATION

Amongst the rugged terrain of the East Kimberley, like an oasis, appears Home Valley Station. Originally run by white pastoralists the station is now owned & operated by the Aboriginal Land Council. This joint is a must stay & offers the passing traveller a welcome respite.

THE DUSTY BAR

Dano & I on our way for a chat with the locals & a few cold ones at the ‘Dusty Bar’

NIGHT OWL

These guys come out at night to hang around the lights of the pool area that attracts numerous bugs.

MIDNIGHT BOABS

164. Gibb River Road

2011-06-06T04:15:00.000-07:00

BREAKFAST: GIBB RIVER ROAD STYLE

The Gibb River Road was originally used as a stock route. Today it is a track used by 4WD enthusiasts. The track runs from the West Kimberley starting at Derby, through to the East Kimberley just south of Wyndham. In total it stretches over 700 kliometres. This year there had been a record flood & the road that would usually reopen by the start of May was still closed. We were able to travel the required 66kms to reach our first destination “Home Valley Station”.

PENTECOST RIVER CROSSING

As we reached the crest of another hill we were confronted with this. It might not look to severe but this was the Penetcost River in the late stages of flood. Upon arrival & closer inspection it was discovered that the water level was about 800mm deep. Luckily the tide was on its way out so we decided to wait a little until the level was 600mm. Well, with the water up to our headlights we made it through.

PENTECOST RIVER

On the far side we would be in the remote area of the East Kimberley.

WE MADE IT

EAST KIMBERLEY CANYONS

You should get up here & check this place out.

163.Wyndham (this post pages 153 - 163 inclusive)

2011-05-30T18:33:00.000-07:00

WYNDHAM

One of those places that you either love or hate. I thought it was unreal. Such an untapped spot that you wouldn’t normally go to simply because it is not on the way to anywhere; it is an absolute dead end that leads only to a gulf system that is feed by many rivers & eventually flows north into the Timor Sea via the Buccaneer Archipelago some seventy kilometres away.

FIVE RIVERS LOOKOUT

I do use the word ‘massive’ quite a bit, but as far as this place goes the word is understating the enormity of it all. The view from the Five Rivers Lookout is one to behold & gives a greater perspective on how this whole place works.

This is one of the places that I would love to return too & spend a lot more time exploring. It is one of the last great wilderness areas of mainland Australia.

RED WINGED PARROT

I the Kimberley, particularly the East Kimberley there are tens of thousands of Boab trees. They are covered in fruit that resembles a mango. I had not seen any animals eating the fruit but knew that some must so that the germination process would continue. Finally one afternoon I noticed these beautiful parrots eating away.

KIMBERLEY SUNSET

WYNDHAM AIRPORT

The surrounding landscape was quite undulating so I thought what better place to pull up for a level campsite than the local airfield. We had a nice overnight stay & the first flight of the day was around 7:30 am, not to early a wakeup call.

From here we had decided to take a treck along the famed Gibb River Road to check out a few cattle stations & stay a while in the vastness of the remote East Kimberley.

162. Bungles, Wyndham

2011-05-30T18:28:00.000-07:00

BUNGLE BEAUTY

This is a dry river bed. The rock features are a result of erosion that has taken millions of years to carve into the stone river bed.

CATHEDERAL GORGE

Following a two kilometre walk you enter what is known as The Cathederal. Although it was May, the temperature is still high & quite hot in the open sunshine. To enter The Cathederal is like entering another world in that it is darker & much cooler, it is strangely quiet & there is an ambience that of an ancient place. It was nice to drop the backpack & lie on the cool river stones & stare up into the cathederal walls & the sky above the clifftops.

SLIP

I found this feature of the cavern truly staggering. In lamens terms this is what has happened; there is water that flows below this section of rock. Each year the floodwaters arrive & over time as they flow they have eroded a section beneath this section of the cliff face causing it to collapse or slip under its own massive weight.

DOMES WALK

WYNDHAM ESCARPMENT

Again this is one of those landscapes that you just can’t capture in a photograph. The rock escarpment leading from the south into Wyndham is massive; the savannah below is vast & looks more like something out of Africa; like the Okavango Delta. We even spoke that you could easily imagine zebra, lion & giraffe roaming the plains.

161. Bungle Bungles

2011-05-30T18:24:00.000-07:00

LOOKOUT

After a pretty rugged 70 odd kilometres into the park you are finally here amongst the 320 million year old landscape. From the top of our rig the 360 degree panorama was superb.

BEEHIVES

Truly a geological marvel.

THE BUNGLE BOYS

CREEK BED

The walks are really good in that most are not too difficult and that the natural beauty has been maintained. There are no concrete paths & only a very few handrails & stairs in places where for example you have to climb out of a steep section of creek bed.

Dano is seen here on one of the walks that follows a creek bed up to a massive cavern.

BROTHERS IN ARMS

160. Road to the Bungles

2011-05-30T18:20:00.000-07:00

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

After leaving Fitzroy Crossing we had a considerable distance to travel to our next major destination. This was a lunch stop with a pretty damn good vista.

MARY POOL

Overnighting on our way up to The Bungles we were advised to call into Mary Pool. What a great tip. Great outdoors people, all the fresh water you could ever need & a freebie.

BUNGLE BUNGLES

This was always to be a definite stop off on our tour. As caravans are not permitted in the park we stayed outside for a night, unhitched & took off early to make the most of the day ahead.

159. Fitzroy Crossing

2011-05-30T18:16:00.000-07:00

NIGHTCAP

We dropped into the nearby Lodge for a sunset on the balcony & a quiet drink.

GEIKE COLOURS

158. Geike Gorge, Fitzroy Crossing

2011-05-30T18:14:00.000-07:00

GEIKE

WHITEWASH

The whiting that appears on the rocks is the result of the floodwaters that actually scour the rock face clean.

SERENITY

We travelled the now relatively calm waters for hours. The rock formations were quite interesting particularly where they would be below the water level at time of flooding.

GEIKE

It had been a great day including lunch on a beach & spotting several freshwater crocs.

FITZROY SUNSET

157. Derby, Geike Gorge

2011-05-30T18:09:00.000-07:00

BEAUTIFUL

Three very lovely women.

GEIKE GORGE NP

Not far from Fitzroy Crossing in almost the middle of nowhere is Geike Gorge. The surrounding district is relatively flat floodplains, then abruptly appears this mighty gorge that feeds the Fitzroy River.

WE TAKE TO THE WATER

We couldn’t have a more beautiful day to drop the tinny in & explore the gorge. The flood waters had now eased in their ferocity & the park reopened to the public. The tourist boats were not scheduled to begin work until the following week & so we had ten kilometres of gorge country to ourselves.

156. Derby

2011-05-30T18:05:00.000-07:00

THE BOAB JAIL

In the late 1800’s the police would use this tree as a jail to house aboriginals whilst enroute to Derby. The aboriginals were basically enslaved to work at whatever the white settlers deemed necessary.

CATTLE TROUGH

This trough was constructed to water the horse & bullock teams as they moved towards Derby.

THE ORIGINAL DERBY JAIL

Operating up until 1975, this jail was used to keep aboriginals until their case went to court or simply to keep the enslaved aboriginal workers locked up overnight before being locked into a chain gang the following day to work on duties such as road building etc.

155. Leaving Broome 2

2011-05-30T18:02:00.000-07:00

MALCOLM DOUGLAS REPTILE PARK

Malcolm Douglas was my childhood hero & I was devastated to hear of his untimely death last year. We stopped at his park on the way out of town to check it out.

LACE MONITOR

These animals can at times be shy but this fella was very inquisitive.

CAMO

THE ORIGINAL

This was the Land Rover that Malcolm used on his first trip that was to be named “Across the Top”.

154. Leaving Broome

2011-05-30T17:58:00.000-07:00

THE SNAKE CHARMER

Matt is usually quite timid when it comes to most snakes but today he seemed more than relaxed to handle this beauty.

MATSO’S

This is a micro brewery that specialises in a range of diverse beers. As part of our last night out we dropped in to savour some. In fact we tried all ten varieties on offer. The barman served up two timber racks full of beers in small glasses a little smaller than a middie. Kaz & I shared all but couldn’t decide a winner. There was mango beer, chilli beer, ginger beer a strong one called ‘hit the toad & the list goes on. To be honest; not the best beers we’ve ever tasted but a lot of fun in a very old building with friendly staff on the shores of Roebuck Bay.

153. Back to Broome

2011-05-30T17:55:00.000-07:00

BIKER CHICK

LAST NIGHT OUT

It was our last night in Broome after returning from the Dampier Peninsula & there were a few boxes we hadn’t yet ticked off , so we decided to hit the town. Karen’s sister Lee & hubbie Ian had worked in the local pub many years prior when they were travelling so we thought it fitting that we have a coldie there. I even managed to get the barmaid to allow Kaz to pour a drink.

ZEEBAR

Broome is know a truly international destination & therefore the prices can be rather excessive. The trick is to pick the spots on their half price nights. This place was recommended by some locals & it was F.A.B. Tappas & some great music & a few more cold ones in a chic spot not far from Cable Beach.

153. Beagle Bay, The Hard Road. (this blog pages 147 - 153 inclusive)

2011-05-13T16:40:00.000-07:00

THE HARD ROAD

This was to date the toughest road we had endured. When we left we were 65kms into this track when I pulled to a halt to gather my thoughts. Karen knew exactly what was going through my mind & asked, “are you going to go back?” I was so close to turning around but said ”we’ve come too far”. After over 250kms of tough terrain we had had one of the greatest holiday experiences ever. This photo shows what this track can do to a van. I would probably never do it again, but then again, who knows?

BEAGLE BAY

An Aboriginal community along the Dampier Peninsula. Ninety five percent of Aboriginals in this part of the world are Catholic & although the surrounding areas may be a little shabby at times the church, their place of worship is kept immaculate. The alter & most of the ornamental aspects of this church are made of pearl shell.

152. Middle Lagoon 5

2011-05-13T16:37:00.000-07:00

MAX & THE BOYS

These guys go really hard. They are natural hunters & play hard as well. I had all of them hanging off the Cruiser when we went searching for firewood, pulling the anchor when fishing & always they were hanging around just waiting to see what was happening next. They loved playing with the boys especially with some of their toys which clearly they had never seen the likes of.

Many ask along the way; “which is your favourite spot so far”. This has to be right at the top of the list. One day there will be a sealed road & many things will change, it is for that reason that we were really glad to have visited this place & experienced its raw beauty in an almost untouched environment.

BLUEBONE DANE

These are a colourful reef fish with large blue tusk like teeth. It was another specie that we had not previously caught & when the young boys yelled ”bluebone,” as we boated the fish my initial thought was that the name was due to the blue around the eyes & the blue teeth. The fact is, the main bone within the fish is the same coloured blue as seen around the eye.

THE THREE AMIGOS

These guys loved hanging out with Kaz; it reminded me of Kaz in her preschool teaching days. She really is a natural with young children.

151. Middle Lagoon 4

2011-05-13T16:33:00.000-07:00

BLUE BONE TIME

It was my privilege to take the kids fishing; not that I had much say as they clambered over the tinny begging to go out. The fish they love up here is Blue Bone Groper. They are a definitely a table fish & put up a pretty good battle as well.

KAZZA’S LITTLE GIRL

From the moment we arrived till the moment we left this gorgeous one was in Kazza’s shadow.

150. Middle Lagoon 3

2011-05-13T16:31:00.000-07:00

KOBE, DANE & DINNER

COOKED TO PERFECTION

I had seen my childhood hero Malcolm Douglas eat off the coals many times but I had never tried mud crab this way. When I asked Kobe if he ate the crabs this way he said “no worries” & went to work straight away.

No fancy German appliances needed out here ; the crabs were mouth watering.

149. Middle Lagoon 2

2011-05-13T16:28:00.000-07:00

KOBE

What a nice guy; originally from further south Kobe now lives here with his wife & family. Kobes grandmother actually wrote the novel; “Rabbit Proof Fence”, an account of her family’s life & the struggle in the outback. It was very interesting to sit & talk about this piece of Aboriginal history.

MUD CRAB HUNTING

Kobe, Dane & I took off in the Troopy for a spot of mud crabbing. Usually we would set pots but on this outing we were to spear or hook the crabs in the traditional style.

This was a holiday highlight & Dano whom had not had his best week exploded out of his shell & really got stuck into it. Here was Dane, all but totally blind, chest deep in a creek after muddies. Try that with your eyes closed sometime!

NEW MATES

The boys love it when we pull up some place & there are other children to play with. No worries here, these blokes were flat stick. The locals at Middle Lagoon were super friendly & really made the experience one that we will always treasure.

148. Middle Lagoon

2011-05-13T16:24:00.000-07:00

ROAD TO MIDDLE LAGOON

After 90 kms of the worst road we have travelled we were not far from Middle Lagoon. This road was 33 k’s & pretty good.

MIDDLE LAGOON

Middle Lagoon is situated along the Dampier Peninsula around 120 kms north of Broome. It is situated within Native Title land & is owned & operated by Ricky & his wife whom have lived here forever. It is pristine, it is as nature intended it to be.

CROWDS ?

Karen’s beach chair & a thatched bungalow; if it were readily accessible you’d pay thousands a night.

147. Willie Creek, Quondong

2011-05-13T16:21:00.000-07:00

BACK INTO IT

It’s something you just have to do.

WILLIE CREEK PEARL FARM

Not too far north of Broome is the Willie Creek Pearl Farm. We dropped in on our way to Cape Levique. Here they show you how the pearls are made. It is an arduous task & one where the final result is never guaranteed. You could open a shell to reveal a pearl that is imperfect & worth just a few bucks or a perfect specimen worth tens of thousands.

QUONDONG

Not a bad spot but we wouldn’t hurry back. A great view from our bedroom but came with a price; still scratching the dreaded sand fly bites.

146. Broome Fish Charter 5

2011-05-11T08:08:00.000-07:00

DANE & ANOTHER TREVALLY

Chris spent the entire day talking with the boys, helping them attach baits & catch these massive fish.

MATTY WITH A BEAUTY

145. Broome Fish Charter 4

2011-05-11T08:04:00.000-07:00

THE GIRL’S ALWAYS DO THIS:

Often it seems, the blokes are gobsmacked, when after years of trying to catch that one elusive fish, a woman will lobb up & catch the prized specimen. Today was one of those days. Kaz landed the famed Coral Trout. ‘Good on you Karen’

NATHANS CATCH OF THE DAY

Chris’ mate of many years persisted all day & landed many large snapper but this Trevally was the largest boated.

144. Broome Fish Charter 3

2011-05-11T08:01:00.000-07:00

SAVE IT FOR THE GIRLS MATE

Dano loves his fish; literally. Nice Trev Dano

GC WITH A NICE TREV

BRONZY Versus LOCK FORWARD

After several hook ups & subsequent bust ups Chris finally landed this 6ft Bronze Whaler. By the time we returned to shore it was nearly double that size.

143. Broome Fish Charter 2

2011-05-11T07:57:00.000-07:00

SPANIARD

As soon as the lures hit the water we were hooked up. The day was absolutely perfect; no swell, a slight breeze, sunshine & heaps of Spanish Mackerel.

DANO WITH A NICE SPANIARD

DANO WITH A BLUE SPOT EMPERER

142. Broome Fish Charter 1

2011-05-11T07:52:00.000-07:00

ONE GREAT SHARK

After a write up in the local paper back home, a bloke by the name of Chris Slacksmith (ex Shark forward) volunteered a day out fishing with the boys when we arrived in Broome. Chris now works up here most of the time & as it worked out he was in town with his dad & a couple of old mates. Chris is a country boy & it really showed with his warmth & gentle nature with the boys.

Chris is seen here with his dad Tony & some fine trevally; not a bad double hook up fellas.

It was definitely one of, if not the best charters ever. A great bunch of blokes, a great skipper & deckie, & fish that only dreams are made of.

Thanks Chris; it was a very generous offer, & you really made an impression on the boys. They idolise their Shark players & you provided a day they will never forget.

Well done mate!

ANOTHER ONE

141. Broome 2 ........This upload pages 134 - 141 inclusive

2011-05-07T16:28:00.000-07:00

RED SUN CAMEL TOUR

This is a great tour. The current owner purchased the business from the guy that built this into one of Broome’s famed attractions. It is an informative, relaxed & fun tour.

CABLE BEACH NORTH

At the north end of the beach and a little away from the crowds you can drive onto the beach, cross the rocky area & pick out your own slice of heaven.

I spotted this little beauty on the way in.

140. Broome

2011-05-07T16:25:00.000-07:00

FRONT ROW SEATS

It really is something special to sit out under the stars & watch a movie on a balmy tropical evening.

CABLE BEACH

Matt & one of the locals enjoying a wave at Cable Beach

CAMEL SAFARI

A must do when in Broome is the camel ride along Cable Beach

139. Anzac Day - Broome

2011-05-07T16:22:00.000-07:00

ANZAC DAY – 80 MILE BEACH

The owner of the parks grandfather served in WW1. The story that followed was that his grandfather never really recovered from his wartime experience & died a virtual recluse overcome with an addiction to the bottle. He did however value this part of the world & so a few years ago the parks now owner along with a few other vets decided to construct this memorial. It is a memorial not just to remember the great war but all wars. It was built not to glorify war, simply to remember. The dawn service was attended by about 100 park inhabitants. It was a simple heartfelt service, one that I will always feel privileged to have attended.

VIETNAM VET

This vet was a speaker during the service. He served on the front line during the Vietnam campaign

BROOME OUTDOOR CINEMA

We finally made it to Broome. The open air cinema is iconic & we had a great time watching the evening flick.

138. 80 Mile Beach 3

2011-05-07T16:18:00.000-07:00

DANO

THE CARTY BOYS

OLD MATE

People just continue to be so friendly.

137. 80 Mile Beach 2

2011-05-07T16:14:00.000-07:00

ON YA KAZ

Kaz reeled in this little threadfin salmon. Just before we landed another & one real gooden.

GO THE SHARKS

The bloke fishing next to us got hooked up whilst attending to other duties. Matt was quick to pick up the rod a land this school shark. The guy then filleted & skinned the shark for us to eat. Cut up into bite size pieces & crumbed with some lemon they make a great feed. .... Thanks mate.

136. 80 Mile Beach

2011-05-07T16:11:00.000-07:00

NO WHERE IN PARTICULAR

ONE WHEEL DRIVE – ‘KISS’

Frank Wood (father of TJM Southside proprietor Dave : valued supporter of “The Carty Boys Tour”) is the bloke who was instrumental with our travel plans, mainly with respect to car modifications & caravan knowledge, along with other snippets of advice. Franks most advocated principle is what we came to know as the “KISS PRINCIPLE” – Keep It Simple Stupid.

On 80 Mile beach there would be literally hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of four wheel drives & quad bikes (crickey, do the west ozzies love their quads). Not this bloke. As soon as I spotted this I thought of Frank & the KISS Principle.

80 MILE BEACH CARAVAN PARK

Top spot. Can you believe that at our previous camp this bloke had me talked out of stopping here. Whilst we’re onto Frank another of his pieces of advice for our trip was this; “if they tell you not to go there........Go”

135. Hammersley Range, Pt Headland, Cape Keraudren

2011-05-07T16:05:00.000-07:00

HAMMERSLEY RANGE

This is a vast & beautiful landscape. Unfortunately you cannot see it all & we didn’t get to the heart of this part of Oz. It was nice to get a glimpse & the driving was enjoyable with some great music & this as an outlook.

PORT HEADLAND

Probably Australia’s busiest port at the moment courtesy of the unprecedented minerals & resources boom. Just north of the town a few miners have begun what has become a bit of a fad whereby they dress the termite mounds with their hard hats.

ROAD TO CAPE KERAUDREN

134. Exmouth Lighthouse

2011-05-07T16:02:00.000-07:00

WW2 RADAR TOWER

This is what remains of the structure that supported a radar tracking device that would advise of Japanese attack. There were three attacks on this coastline. The radar was destroyed during a cyclone in 1943.

LIGHTHOUSE

Not the most westerly point of Australia, but this is as far as one can get from Sydney in Australia.

133. Exmouth

2011-04-28T22:23:00.000-07:00

PILGRAMURRA MOONRISE

SPOT THE BRONZY

Middle right & you can just see the shadow of a Bronze Whaler Shark. Moment earlier a couple snorkelling had got into a bit of trouble in a very nasty rip. The girl was getting a bit panicky as she tried to get back to shore, willing her boyfriend to help her. He had a camera and his own gear & was struggling to be able to get to her. I jumped in & yelled him to throw me his gear & get her out of the water quickly. Neither of them at this point new of the shark only metres away. He had trouble getting her fins off as she wailed in the fast running water;” just rip her fins off & get out quickly” I yelled. As she passed me in the water on her return to the shore I pointed out the bronzy. She was pretty happy to be out of there.

CAPE RANGE NP

This beautiful area provides some welcome shade as well as some great paintings & stories of the coastline & inhabitants of these waters.

PILGRAMUNNA SUNSET

BIG TIDES – TIME TO MOVE ON

As the moon rose we made final preparations for the next days departure. Normally this would not be an issue but tomorrow the tides would be at their highest in the last 50 years. The result of the full moon & the fact that the moon was at its closest to planet earth in fifty years. The entire camp area would be inundated with water so there would be no time for any late hitch ups or any unusual problems that may occur.

132. Coral Bay - Exmouth

2011-04-28T22:18:00.000-07:00

THE HUNTERS

Phil & the boys. The previous evening Phil & I shot a few roo’s. Simo (a mate of Phils) is an expert with game & kindly butchered the meat. The roast & the fillet steaks were great.

Thanks guys for giving up your time & hangin out with the boys; they loved it.

EXMOUTH

Reluctantly we left Coral Bay & headed to Exmouth.

PILGRAMUNNA CAMPGROUND

A further 75 kms around the cape of Exmouth took us into the National Park & our next camp. We were now at the point furthest from our hometown of Sydney.

131. Coral Bay 2

2011-04-28T22:16:00.000-07:00

CORAL BAY – PICTURE PERFECT

GETTING BIGGER

Definitely one of the most memorable fishing days. Again, what to catch & how to catch it. Matt & I took off on another perfect day & I mean perfect. The trip today took us out through the North Passage, a trip of about seven kms. Along the way we saw dolphins & turtles. Although it was a calm day I didn’t wish to venture outside the reef into the open sea. There a freak swells out here & it’s a bloody long swim home. There were some queenfish about but they wouldn’t take a trolled lure, a cast lure or baits. We anchored into a patch of sand amongst the coral & decided to burley up & cast some unweighted baits; 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 BANG!.

For the next 45 minutes or so this was the way it was. We hooked up a good size blacktip reefy, & numerous trevally. At one point the trevally was hunted by another shark, all this taking place around our little tinny in the clearest waters I’ve ever fished. The shark came so close I had to yell to Matt to get his hands in the boat as he was trying to land the trev in the net. Matt & I headed for home both sharing the back seat absolutely flying across sandy sections & around coral encrusted bomies; it is a memory I shall always treasure.

LET THE HUNT BEGIN

We met a great Coral Bay local by the name of Phil. A real knock about bloke that had a good understanding of this area. We thought it might be a good time to take the boys on a bit of a hunt. Probably a bit safer than one of Phil’s other pastimes which involves pushing away bronze whaler sharks when he dives for the prized painted crayfish. Phil has access to 500,000 acres of virgin coastal bushland. They have a bit of a problem with goats at the moment so it was agreed that we try & reduce the numbers.

Dano with his first goat.

130. Coral Bay

2011-04-28T22:13:00.000-07:00

CORAL BAY CAMPSITE

Along the way many ask; “so what’s the best place you’ve been too?”

This joint is definitely top three. Family wise, the best destination you could ask for. The weather is perfect, the beach safe, clean , no rips, the facilities tremendous, the coral viewing is the best in Australia. Normally one has to get on a boat & travel a fair distance or enter deep drop-offs, not here, just snorkel 150metres off the beach or launch the tinny & pull up in your own little private piece of paradise.

CORAL BAY BOAT LAUNCHING FACILITY

Not only picturesque, this is the best facility I have ever had the privilege of using.

SOUTH PASSAGE SNORKELLING

We launched the tinny & snorkelled here on our own. There is a vast array of corals, clams, tropical fish, turtles & reef sharks . Personally this was the highlight of the trip to date. To snorkel in these pristine waters alone with my family was awesome.

129. Warrora Station - Coral Bay

2011-04-28T22:10:00.000-07:00

WARROORA BEACHFRONT

One advantage of the LandcruIser 4WD is that you can do this. The sand here is a bonus too; it doesn’t stick to your feet.

LEAVING WARROORA

Had to stop & have one last look at this most fantastic place.

CORAL BAY

OK there not the biggest trevally ever landed, but Dano & I had a ball bringing these fellas in. Again, fishing in foreign waters is demanding; what are you fishing for, are they taking baits on the bottom, are they to be cast lures. With not much luck (just a small cod & one bust up) we decided to troll our metal lures along the edge of the reef. These little trevs along with a few spotted mackerel smashed them. Dano landed about seven fish, all putting up a great battle. Well done mate.

128. Kalbarri NP 3 - Warroora Station

2011-04-28T22:06:00.000-07:00

LEAVING KALBARRI

On our way out of town we decided to check out one more section of the gorge.

WARROORA STATION

This has to be one of the best stations on earth. One leaves the coastal road & ventures along a bumpy track to traverse a sand dune & have the coastline appear before your eyes. The station is 52 thousand hectares , its western boundary just over 50 kilometres of prime coastline. We went for morning walks just as the sun was rising. Matt bravely holding quite a large sand crab.

WARROORA

This is pretty much the southern tip of the Ningaloo Reef. (see surf breaking over reef in background)

127. Kalbarri NP 2

2011-04-28T22:03:00.000-07:00

THE “Z” BEND

Further upstream we walked into the area of the gorge known as the “Z – Bend”. Quite a long walk (about 3kms) along a stone path then down more stone steps to the lookout. The boys did real well given the rough track & the extreme heat.

For any geological enthusiasts please note the fault that runs along the left side of the river.

GRASS TREE

ANOTHER TRACK

After entering the park it is a further 23kms to the heart of the gorge country.

126. Kalbarri NP

2011-04-28T22:00:00.000-07:00

KALBARRI NP

NATURES WINDOW

Normally reserved for models to have their photos taken to adorn tourism brochures; but not today.

THE MIGHTY MURCHISON

The river has flowed for millions of years gradually carving out these magnificent gorges. One thing you never experience on film or print is heat. This was April & easily over 42 degrees; did I mention flies, there are trillions out here.

125. Kalbarri 2

2011-04-28T21:56:00.000-07:00

KALBARRI COASTLINE

KALBARRI LOOKOUT

It was a long afternoon but well worth checking all the vantage points out. We headed back to camp for a couple of coldies & BBQ.

QUAD TIME

The Murchison River had recently flooded, but our timing was good & the river had just been opened up again.

The quad tour was great, just the four of us a terrific guide. We started out from a farm house, ventured to the river, took to some great trails, checked out termite mounds & by the end we reached speeds of 60 k/p/hr.

124. Kalbarri

2011-04-28T21:53:00.000-07:00

KALBARRI

A little further north a we arrived in Kalbarri.

MAGNIFICENT COASTLINE

Unfortunately I am not a pro photographer & hence, these photos just do not serve justice to the beauty of this coastline.

In centre of photo a whitish section of broken water can be seen. This is a massive eruption of northern blue-fin tuna in a feeding frenzy.

MORE LOOKOUTS

Plenty of lookouts are to be seen up here. The access is really good making it easy for all to enjoy.

123. Port Gregory 3

2011-04-04T08:16:00.000-07:00

FAREWELL

One local by the name of Al made what I considered to be a fair statement. Al had travelled for many years & finally decided to settle here. He reckons it’s the best place on the coast; why?, well according to Al, it is because there is no hotel here & because of that there is no riff-raff. Just friendly people & families enjoying a piece of paradise. We had dinner up here, in the morning said our goodbyes, then headed to Kalbarri.

NIGHTFALL

A great place to be on such a pleasant night. At times the winds will howl, but for our last night it was pure magic.

PEACEFUL LAGOON

The lagoon is abundant with herring, yellowtail –whiting, sea mullet & other goodies. You simply drive the cruiser onto the beach & enjoy.

122. Port Gregory 2

2011-04-04T06:46:00.000-07:00

MORE DELIGHTS

Kaz & I enjoying a rare moment together alone; this one enhanced with some barbequed crayfish.

ONE OF THE BEST

Port Gregory would have to be one of the best little havens around these parts. Like Horricks it has a protected lagoon courtesy of a reef that runs for about one kilometre parallel to the coast. Upon arrival our original thoughts were that this was a nothing town with little to offer & so we would stop over for just the one night. As I write this entry we are still here four days later. The place is rich in beauty, an awesome fishing paradise, the locals are among the friendliest you’ll meet. A fleet of four cray boats can be seen retuning to the port with their catch, a truck waits to take the crays to Geraldton for distribution to local restaurants, Australia & Asia.

WATERLESS PINK LAKE

We took off on a find & seek mission to discover the upper reaches of this massive lake. No water here, just tons of dried salt on a dead flat base. The wind howls across this land, the sun beats down & the glare is offensive to the eyes.

DANE ON LAKE

It was really worth the trip to experience the dried out lake bed. Dane enjoyed walking upon the flat, featureless salt pan.

121. Port Gregory

2011-04-04T06:41:00.000-07:00

HARSH LANDS

A short trip north to Port Gregory takes us through this area that was established to gather convicts that would then be sent to work in the surrounding mines. There are some remnants that remain in very good condition, others that are now merely a pile of rubble. The operation was closed after only three years; the reason was because the conditions were just so hard.

PINK LAKE

We asked many but no one could tell us why its pink. The lake was nearly empty however we could still appreciate this rare sight.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATT

After opening the presents in the morning, a little snorkelling at the lagoon, then a few shots with his new bow & arrow it was time to start the party. The cheezles were out, so was the soft drink, the lollies served & the music cranked up. Matt even had a few visitors drop in for the celebration.

Well done big boy; Happy 12th Birthday.

120. Horrocks Beach

2011-04-04T06:38:00.000-07:00

ERIC

Eric is a retired farmer who loves setting his pots & getting onto the water. Recently he had suffered a few problems with his ticker & was finding the lifting of the pots a little hard. I offered to give him a hand & so Matt, Eric & I set out at daybreak the following day. We caught plenty.

Eric is a real dinkum Aussie & plays by the rules. He only takes the crays that are of legal size, returns any females in roe & only tales that which he requires. He is a tough old coot, picking occy’s out of the pots & smashing them head first onto the floor of the tinny to quickly subdue them. He has a passion for both the land & the sea & it was a pleasure to yarn with him about life in general; there is not that much to do at Horrocks & so, the locals spend plenty of time enjoying slow conversation.

THE SHOP

The only shop at Horrocks

GOODBYE HORROCKS

Such a pretty little place; just had to stop & take a last look over this magnificent piece of coastline.

119. Geraldton - Horrocks Beach

2011-04-04T06:35:00.000-07:00

GERALDTON SUNSET

Another Indian Ocean sunset.

CHARLIE

This lovely parrot was owned by a couple travelling. Charlie was a great companion for them & did not restrict as often some pets do. Charlie would not take easily to anyone but his owner but took quite happily to Dane. Dano was having not his best week, but Charlie took his mind off things for a while.

HORROCKS BEACH

Now that we were north of Geraldton the towns have become much smaller , more iscolated, even the landscape seems to have become more barren, hotter, yet wildly beautiful. Horrocks Beach is a small town on the ocean. In the hills behind there are a few farms, on the beach there are fisho’s shacks, houses & a fleet of three cray boats. Horrocks is a natural harbour that exists due to the outer reef that provides shelter to the lagoon.

118. Geraldton

2011-04-04T06:31:00.000-07:00

DONGARA

We left Sandy Cape & stopped for three nights at Dongara. Dongara was a top spot. A fair sized port that survived chiefly around a crayfish processing plant. Here we caught more crays & were given some freshly caught reef fish by a group of guys travelling from Perth to the outer islands.

Our car was booked in for a service at Geraldton so we had a few days to kill. A recent addition is the war memorial that pays homage to those that perished on the H.M.A.S Sydney during WW2.

H.M.A.S SYDNEY

645 great men were lost to the sea after the Sydney was torpedoed by the Germans. The Sydney had remained undiscovered in thousands of metres of water off the West Australian coast until 2008. When the sculptors had been commissioned to construct the memorial they decided they would attend a memorial service to capture the feel; the vibe. As it turned out, when the last post was sounded a large flock of seagulls flew in from the sea, surrounded the memorial then left & headed back to sea. The sculptors felt that this was symbolic & hence the shroud above the memorial is constructed of 645 stainless steel sea gulls. It was humbling to attend this memorial & a harrowing reminder of the men that pay the ultimate price whilst serving this great land.

ST GEORGES BEACH

A few clicks north of Geraldton CBD there are a number of small beachside suburbs. Our first night was a free camp by the ocean.

117. Sandy Cape Sunset

2011-03-28T22:20:00.000-07:00

DUNE WALK

The sun had just set & it was time to head back to camp before the dark of night engulfed us.

The sand is so white, so fine

SANDY CAPE

Sandy Cape lies just north of Jurien Bay. It is a small camp area secluded amongst sand dunes. The dunes in this area are vast & can move up to 20 metres annually. The camp area had a family feel to it. People would be friendly but not overwhelming. Everyone seemed to be in sync with this really great spot. The sunsets in this part of the world are so nice, particularly the afterglow that follows . The lightness that is reflected from the dunes gives a ‘moonlike’ feel.

116. Sandy Cape 2

2011-03-28T22:18:00.000-07:00

WA RED CRAYFISH

Dano seen here with our first WA cray. The boys came with me in some pretty rough water to find where these fellas may be hangin’ out. The crays were not as abundant as usually due to the unseasonal warm water. This one was barbequed & drizzled with a garlic & butter sauce; of coarse crayfish must be accompanied with champagne.

ADRIAN

Adrian has worked as a tech arts teacher in some of the states northern schools. I enjoyed yarning to Adrian as he told his story & experiences teaching indigenous kids with his refined methods. Adrian’s philosophy was that if you have them make a table they will start, then probably not show up the next day. However, if you show them how to make a knife using a cache of old files he had access too, then they will see the task through. Along the way he would show them how to use the file for other woodwork projects that the tool was designed for. His knowledge of the land & its people within the region made for interesting banter. The piece of tree that you see will be made into a bush walking stick which Adrian has kindly offered to donate to the Carty Boys Foundation. We watched him make one for his brothers pending 60th birthday present. After he dressed the branch with a knife, smoothed the edges, applied some sealer then attached some binding to the handgrip, the result was a rare specie, lightly coloured, very strong, timber bush stick. Adrian reckons they are great for aiding the bushwalker to remove webs, branches & snakes from the trails

115. Sandy Cape

2011-03-28T22:15:00.000-07:00

SHARKS V DRAGONS

Monday night footy & no reception. After a little recon we found that we had some coverage at the top of this ridge overlooking Sandy Cape. We are 3 hours later than eastern time so kick off was 4.30pm local time. The mighty sharks beat the dragons. Whilst on tour & when in range we love to tune in via the internet & listen to the radio call of the footy.

POINEERS MARKERS

These rocks were assembled in the late 1800’s to guide the ships that were to frequent the coastline from Perth to Geraldton.

SANDY CAPE SUNSET

What a beaut place to enjoy the sunset.

114. The Pinnacles - Jurien Bay

2011-03-28T22:12:00.000-07:00

GC IN PINNACLE LAND

I remember watching a television series some years ago whereby the Scottish comedian Billy Connelly travelled the circumference of OZ on a trike motorbike. Billy is a pretty out there guy & decided that he should strip off & prance stark naked through the pinnacles. I still laugh when I recall his long curly hair bouncing upon his head supported by a nude torso.

TIGHT FIT

If you do make it over here; do disconnect your van.

JURIEN BAY

We arrived late evening & to the full moon rise.

113. The Pinnacles

2011-03-28T22:09:00.000-07:00

THE PINNACLES

We almost missed the turnoff for this rare natural wonder. We arrived just prior to sunset which turned out for the better as I would imagine that it would be extremely warm in the middle of the day.

ANCIENT LIMESTONE

The pinnacles that we see today are the result of millions of years of evolution. Originally this landscape would have been a massive sand dune. Rains would fall upon the dunes to slowly permeate to the base of the dune. As the water passed, it would drag the heavier limestone deposits to the base to form these pillars. Over time the sands have shifted to reveal one of nature’s longest produced sculptures.

MATT IN PINNACLE LAND

There is a designated track to which you are to drive along. Apart from that you are free to roam around these ancient pillars or observe from the specially designed observation decks.

112. Mandurah, Kurtis & Luke, Yanchep

2011-03-28T22:06:00.000-07:00

MANDURAH RIVIERA

The developers here, have done something that we had not seen before. The man made canals had been constructed to imitate the waterfront of the French Riviera. The difference with canal front living in Mandurah is that the tide variances are only on average 700mm. This means that the waterfront facility including boat berthing can be done virtually at waters edge.

KURTIS & LUKE

We were fortunate to be able to catch up with these boys whist moving northward via Perth. They share the same condition as Dane & Matt. The boys hit it off straight away as did Kaz & their wonderful mother Sara. It was good to finally catch up with Sara & I think Karen enjoyed discussing their experiences & each sharing each other’s thoughts.

You are fine young boys; stay well & special thanks for allowing us to stay at your Yanchep escape.

YANCHEP GUARDIAN

Just north of Perth & just out of the built up region that surrounds any city is Yanchep. A seaside village with a few shops, a surf club, a pub & King Neptune. This fella is massive !. He overlooks the Indian Ocean & that’s about all I can tell you about how or why he is there.

111. Mandurah

2011-03-28T22:03:00.000-07:00

MANDURAH MAORIES

This lovely couple were only too happy to let the boys clamber over their beloved Harley.

WHO EVER SAID – “ITS A MANS WORLD”

Whilst travelling up north last year we met up with Bruce & Rayleen. There a great couple & love getting onto the magnificent Mandurah waterways.

MANDURAH BOTTLENOSE

Our skipper for the day Bruce, almost guaranteed that we would see dolphins & he didn’t let us down. This is a vast estuary & until recently had just the one opening to the Indian Ocean. The result was silting & stagnant waters in the upper reaches. Approximately 15kms south of Mandurah ‘the cutting’ was formed. This is a canal that is probably 800 metres wide that connects the estuary to the ocean. The result is a continual flush with clean sea water. The dolphins that inhabit this area, along with all the other fish species is testament to the success of this venture. It is only my personal opinion, but sometimes the overall advantages of such a project can far outweigh any minor disturbances that the Greenies, at times, dig their heels in for. Thanks Bruce & Ray for a great day; great to catch up with such lovely travelling buddies.

110. Busselton

2011-03-28T21:58:00.000-07:00

BUSSELTON PIER

Probably the most famous landmark in Busselton is the pier. Actual length is 1.9 odd kilometres making it the longest pier in the southern hemisphere. We took the train to the underwater observatory situated at piers end & guided tour.

UNDERWATER OBSERVATORY

At piers end the water depth is a mere 8 metres; this is of course why the pier is so long in the first place. In recent times after years of lobbying, the local Council helped fund this magnificent observatory.

BUSSELTON

Busselton is another jewel of the south east region of WA. Turquoise waters, white sand, friendly locals, & still a layback lifestyle that one finds away from city life.

109. Margaret River 2

2011-03-28T21:54:00.000-07:00

THE BERRY FARM

Today was the day when Kaz & I were to celebrate seventeen years of wedded bliss. After a cruisy morning & a visit to the local aboriginal art gallery we had lunch at The Berry Farm. This is another of Margaret Rivers fine dining venues. We enjoyed a great lunch accompanied with our beautiful sons & some fine Nashi Pear Champagne.

THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

Who could deny the boys a trip to The Chocolate Factory. Margaret River is abuzz with so many interesting & beautiful places. There are cheese shops, venison farms, cafes, a multitude of wineries, breweries, farmers markets & a splendid coastline. Although very south, this region comes under the influence of the “Leewin current” which is a warm water current that originates in the far north of the state. The result is that when this current is active it provides warm water along with species that have travelled with it such as tropical fish etc.

MB

As a young bloke I would spend at least six if not seven days a week with Martin. We swam together, attended nippers together & did all the young bloke things together. Matins family moved to the Gold Coast when we were about fourteen. We caught up a few times after that but our lives drifted apart. Martin then left the Gold Coast to travel with his girlfriend Amy. They arrived in Margaret River & have never left the place. Martin always was & still is an accomplished surfer & bike rider. These days his passion is to ride through the forest trails on mountain bike & surf Margaret’s big breaks. At 47 y.o he surfs 15 –20 ft waves; not a bad effort mate. After thirty three years it was so good to catch up & renew the friendship. Marty & Amy are now engaged. Hope we can catch up again sooner than later.

108. Margaret River

2011-03-28T21:50:00.000-07:00

COWFEST

Annually there is a parade of cows or mock ups within the local precinct. Here outside Eagle Bay Olives Matt checks out this colourful exhibit.

BIG RED

You cannot leave Margaret River empty handed.

THE MAZE

Another of Margaret Rivers attractions is the maze. There are several mazes the largest occupying over 2 acres. We all had a crack but could not find our way to the centre. Matt whom is one never to be beaten, had a second attempt with some other boys he met. They made their way into the centre but could not find their way back out & had to exit via one of the emergency escapes.

107. Hamelin Bay 2

2011-03-28T21:44:00.000-07:00

ISLAND HERRING

We decide to throw a line in just in case something may be enticed by a rapidly retrieved metal lure. First cast & we were hooked up. An hour later & another fine feed of fresh WA herring.

COSY CORNER

Another day & we decide to launch the tinny & head for the isolation of ‘cosy corner’.

LAZY CORNER

Dane seen here absolutely flat out. Shortly after we had a shocker & sunk the tinny whilst relaunching into the surf. As they say; “relax – go boating”

106. Hamelin Bay

2011-03-28T21:33:00.000-07:00

RAY FEEDING

Kaz was a little apprehensive but soon came to see that these guys were really gentle. They would monster the fish frames whilst only just nudging into your shins and / or wrists.

MORE RAYS

We continued the feeding for some time then decided to take to the water ourselves.

THE ISLAND

A short boat ride & you are onto what we referred to as “The Island”. We had the entire place to ourselves for some fishing, swimming & a little footy.

105. Gloucester Tree - Hamlin Bay

2011-03-17T04:30:00.000-07:00

JANE

Kaz enjoying the last part of the climb.

HERRING FOR DINNER

Hamlin Bay was to be a one night stop over. We stayed for four & had we stayed any longer may never have left the place. Hamlin Bay is right at the bottom of the south west tip of WA & now you find the Indian Ocean meeting the Great Southern. I could write about this place for ages, it is just so good. Dano & I set up for another species we had never targeted before; Herring. You can catch them via the relatively conventional method of bait drifted below a float, however for a bit more fun we decided to troll lures. Bingo!, we found a good spot & within a few hours had a fine catch. These fellas are great for young anglers & are truly a sensational fish to eat. As one local said, ‘If they were rare, you’d pay $80.00 per kilo. Well done Dano.

HAMLIN RAYS

These majestic animals were more than happy to take a few fish frames. For a wild animal that is as big as the car bonnet & weigh in excess of 150kgs they are so gentle.

104. Brockman Sawpits - Gloucester Tree

2011-03-17T04:19:00.000-07:00

BROCKMAN SAWPITS

In 1972 forestry workers stumbled across these windows to our pioneering history. A local pastoralist employed convict labour to harvest the lands timber to construct farmhouses, sheds & outbuildings. Once the men cut the tree with axe & saw, horse or bullock teams would drag the massive trunks to the sawpit to process the timber into pieces suitable for construction. The convicts would dig a trench 7 metres long, 1 metre wide & 1.2 metres deep then drag the trunk into position. The man on the top would lift the saw then the man in the pit would pull down to create the cutting stroke. The man in the pit would often be knee deep in mud & would sometimes wear a sugar bag placed over the head to prevent sawdust entering one’s eyes. Having camped overnight just metres away, I can say that the men would have enjoyed the tranquillity of the forest, but crickey, what a hard day’s work !

GLOUCESTER TREE

The tree was dowelled with rods to facilitate a climb to the top so that sentries may observe the outbreak of fire within the forest. The tree bears the name ‘Gloucester’ after Lord Gloucester, the then Governor General opened the tree earlier last century. Lord Gloucester was amazed by the workmanship & the skill of the men whom had undertaken the construction. Kaz & I decided to have a crack & scaled this 60 metre high monster.

NEVER TOO OLD

At first it is a little scary, but it’s good to blow out the cobwebs every now & then. This is about 2/3rds the way up. From here there is a superstructure built around the trunk that houses a rigid platform that before the use of helicopters & spotter planes was used to observe the outbreak of fires within the park.

103. Denmark - Pemberton

2011-03-16T03:48:00.000-07:00

DENMARK VEGE SHOP

As Dawn would say, ‘let’s go & do the shopping’. Kaz & Dawn collected some cucumber, lettuce, corn, tomatoes, zucchini & farm fresh eggs. We toured the entire farm & really enjoyed the experience. Thanks for the stay & good luck with the sheep.

VALLEY OF THE GIANTS

The south west of WA is the wettest area of WA. In the summer it rarely rains but throughout the winter they receive on average one metre of annual rainfall. The ‘Karri’ tree is endemic to the south west as are the ‘Tingle Trees’. The valley of the giants is one particular area where the Karri reigns supreme & there are some huge specimens to be seen. A suspended walkway takes you from ground level up to & above the tree tops.

GIANT KARRI

The largest Karri had a circumference of 30 metres. Unfortunately people would park their old utes & comby vans within the hollowed out section which eventually killed the tree. Although they are giants they like most plants have delicate root systems & don’t like being driven over.

102. Albany - Denmark

2011-03-16T03:44:00.000-07:00

ALBANY COASTLINE

The coastline is a combination of lush grassed hills that meet white sandy beaches & rugged granite cliffs & boulders. Albany itself is situated on a massive bay. Within the bay are several islands, many home to migratory birds, some of which will fly from Siberia to escape the deep freeze of the northern winter. Albany’s coastline is rugged, inhospitable & extremely beautiful. Plants grow & you stop & wonder, how does anything thrive in such an environment; & here magically, it does.

DENMARK

We left Albany a little late & nightfall came upon us. This is something we prefer not to do. It is harder to spot camping places & the wildlife can be a problem on the roads. After a bit of a look around some tracks we came across a farm gate & with no other options pulled up for the night. We would normally seek permission first but tonight we just had to hope the owners would be understanding. As it turned out, Dawn whom is a local councillor arrived home late after a council engagement / dinner. After she got over the shock & we explained the situation she was great & invited us to come up & have a look around the property the following morning.

DENMARK ACRES

Dawn & husband Tony run beef cattle on their magnificent coastal farm. The property comprises 300 acres of cleared pastures that surround over 1000 acres of virgin bush. Dawn has also just began farming a few sheep, mainly for some fresh meat for the family. Their home is built from timber off the land as well as masonry walls constructed from earth quarried on site. Tony’s family have lived in the area for over fifty years & they share & respect the knowledge of the traditional indigenous people.

101. Bremer Bay - Albany

2011-03-16T03:39:00.000-07:00

LITTLE BOAT HARBOUR BEACH

The wind was howling from the south east as it had been for several weeks; fortunately Bremer Bay has several bays & inlets that face various directions. We toured about town & found this secluded bay that was sheltered & provided a fine place for an afternoon swim.

BREMER BLACK BREAM

The Black Bream are a feature of the river systems of the south west of WA. ‘Breaming’; as it is known is a quiet pastime that requires in the first instance fresh bait, the correct rig, picking the right spot & a little skill. We caught these beauties in about one meter of water. They bite well when they make the commitment, put up a terrific fight for their weight. They are a known table fish in these parts & I hope to be able to spend some more time on the water to target this species. Matt is only new to ‘breaming’ & did a great job both catching & landing these feisty fellas.

ALBANY WHALE STATION

We moved ever westward & had to stop in Albany. This is an historical town, its heritage being the major town for whaling which took place up until the early seventies. The shark cage was used to protect divers that would inspect the oil lines that ran from the boats to the processing station. With all the whale oil lingering in the bay it was common for hundreds of Great Whites to frequent these waters.

100. Esperance 2

2011-03-01T17:07:00.000-08:00

LUCKY BAY

This is the flagship beach within the park. Along this coastline you notice that there are several windmills very close to the shoreline. It still amazes me that you can find such an abundance of fresh water so close to the sea. We returned to base & enjoyed some local shark for dinner. Esperance is a township that supports local produce from seafood, to eggs, to vegies & the like. It is a town that you feel is happy to exist to an extent off its own back. The shops close at 5.00pm & there is not much open on Saturday arvo & definitely not on Sunday. It would be nice to come back some day & see that this aspect has been maintained. We are about to leave for Bremer Bay some 400kms westward, a small coastal town that will see us pretty close to Albany & ever closer to The Margaret River region & Perth.

CAPE LEGRANDE NATIONAL PARK

The pride of Esperance are their beaches. Speak to the locals & you can sense their pride; & why not, the beaches are pristine in the true sense of the word. Forty odd k,s east of Esperance is Cape Legrande NP. Granite peaks that have been smoothed over by the weather sprout from the thick heathland below. The landscape is thick with massive bottlebrush, hakea & flowering groundcover. The beaches are of sand that resembles the consistency of flour rather than sand & is squeaky clean. We drove onto Lucky Bay beach & the tyres sounded like they do when you do tight turns in shopping centre carparks.

Matt had just enjoyed a dip at Hellfire Bay.

FRENCHMAN PEAK

This is one of the higher peaks within the park & has a huge cave at the top.

99. Esperance

2011-03-01T17:02:00.000-08:00

KEV’S PLACE

Rather than arrive at van park at 6.00pm & pay for a full day & having to check out at 10.00am the following morning we have learnt to pull up about 20kms out of town & free camp for the night. Not only the dollars, but we really do prefer to be on our own sometimes. We noticed a farmer & being the courteous people that we are always ask if we can pull up out front. In this case we came across Kevin who said to pull into his property & spend the night. Kevin’s passion is his thoroughbred race horses. Kev & his wife are just about to set off on their annual trip that takes them as far as Broome. Along the way they race their horses at the various regional & country meets. They take seven or eight horses in a purpose built float that also has their own accommodation. They tow this behind a massive Volvo prime mover. Thanks Kev & good luck with the upcoming journey.

KAZZA; THE HORSE WHISPERER

ESPERANCE; TWIGHLIGHT COVE

Throughout our travels we have heard from many that Esperance has the most beautiful beaches. Apart from the west coast of WA, I have been fortunate to have seen much of Australia’s coastline & this is top shelf. The there are over 100 islands that lie close offshore & provide a magnificent backdrop to the clear waters & white sandy beaches.

98. Cocklebiddy

2011-03-01T16:59:00.000-08:00

THE SIGN SAYS IT ALL

COCKLEBIDDY CAVE

This cave system runs beneath the vast plains of the Nullabour. We travelled along a bumpy track to take a look. No one comes here anymore as the caves are closed unless by prior arrangement. I can remember reading of this discovery about 25 years ago & the pictures showed French caving & diving experts making their way through the myriad of tunnels. The entire system is full of water that is so clear it appears that it doesn’t even exist. The cavers take in several Scuba tanks and make their way along the cables that they have installed over the years. I remember reading that one of their fears apart from becoming lost and drowning was that at any time they could come across a waterfall that they could not see nor hear & plunge to a certain death.

ONCE AGAIN; THE SIGN SAYS IT ALL

We stopped midway along this stretch for the night & enjoyed several reds & a campfire with Adam, Kristy & the boys.

97. Cactus - Nullabour

2011-03-01T16:55:00.000-08:00

BACK TO NATURE

Cactus style showers. Do you really need a fancy bathroom with soft close toilet seats, heated towel rails & 24 jet spa baths?

CACTUS SURF BREAK

We caught up with a guy that had been surfing here for 30 years. We spoke to him about encounters with sharks. He was intact but knew of others less fortunate. Everywhere you go out here there are memorials of those who had lost their lives to the Great White. There is a seat in left of picture that bears a plaque to the memory of a guy who was taken whilst on honeymoon. Down the hill another that tells a story of a young kid who used to swim out to the local lobster boat to collect some lobsters for his mother & was taken. But to look at the beauty you can understand why many continue to take the risk & surf one of the finest & definitely one of the prettiest breaks in Oz.

NULLABOUR

Time at Cactus Had to come to an end. The Nullabour was there to be taken. At least these days there is a perfectly graded bitumen roadway. It is difficult to image just how hard it would have been for the early pioneers. John Ayre was the first white man to make this crossing & there are several monuments along the way that mark his route.

96. Cactus

2011-03-01T16:51:00.000-08:00

CACTUS ISOLATION

We pushed on from Streaky, mainly because the weather wasn’t crash hot & also to get back into wilderness. Cactus is a famed surf destination. This place is right on the coast in a very isolated part of Oz. One bloke owns this patch of pristine coastal environment & it has been his labour of love for 30 years. There is only minimal campsites that are spread well apart. The toilets are open air as are the showers. There is a lean to camp kitchen & a few fire pits throughout the area. Our rig is quite large yet you can almost dissolve into the surroundings.

This is pure nature.

MATES

We made some new friends at Streaky Bay. Together we decided that it might be good to catch up at Cactus. These guys are travelling with three boys & are much like us in that they prefer to stay off the beaten track .

Matt seen here with Elijah & Isaac

HATARI

The boys jumped at the opportunity to drive on the rooftop of Adams & Kristy’s 4WD.

95. Baird Bay - Streaky Bay

2011-03-01T16:45:00.000-08:00

BAIRD SEA LIONS

This has to be one of the greatest things you can experience. To swim with these guys is something you really have to try. They, (the sea lions) do not like you to try & pat them on the head, however if you keep your hands to yourself they will come right up to your face & almost kiss you. It is a little freaky at first particularly after you notice that they have canine like teeth that would lacerate your face to shreds. They never take their eyes off you & I suppose this is a protective mechanism they have learnt to prevent attack from the Great White. The more you dive & act like a sea lion the more interactive they become. From the bull male, to the mums to the pups, they are the most fabulous creatures. You could play & dive with them forever & never tire of it. The boys had a great experience, but Kaz was the one whom after her anxious night, found it the most fulfilling. Good on ya Kaz.

BAIRD GRAZING

The whole district is sheep grazing. We came across this old timer mustering his flock along one of the back roads. So that we could pass along he had his dog take off , scale the fence to the left then come up in front of the mob & hold them together until we passed. It is always a pleasure to watch man & beast work together in this way.

STREAKY BAY

Streaky has a reputation for Great Whites & from this replica you can see why. A 21 year old caught this monster (1520kgs) on a 24 kg line. It was deemed a world record. Think about it; if the average male is say 80kgs, this fish is 19 times that bodyweight. You can see that there are teeth marks below the dorsal fin. The marks are the result of a little peck on the cheek whilst lovemaking. That’s one hell of a hicky!

94. Baird Bay

2011-03-01T16:40:00.000-08:00

TAHLIA CAVES

Between Elliston & Baird Bay there are a number of cave systems beneath the overhanging cliff faces.

SKINKY

Along the road to Baird Bay we came across a Shingleback lizard. Dano is always keen to get his hands on one of our coldblooded friends.

BAIRD BAY DOLPHINS

The drive into Baird Bay is via approx 60kms dirt track but is well worth the diversion. We free camped & caught up with some people from Vic & Qld we had seen along the journey. The following morning we jumped onto a small charter to dive with the local dolphins & sea lions. This is Great White territory & Kazza had nightmares the previous night as she prepared for the dive. After suiting up on the mainland, we boarded & headed for the open water. Before long our skipper had located a pod of about 25 animals. To our delight there were two pups no more than a month old. We plunged into the cool waters & enjoyed swimming & diving with these mammals for about 30 minutes. At times the dolphins came so close you could have easily touched them. Dano later said that he had touched one. You could even hear their distinct calls to one another.

93. Elliston

2011-03-01T16:36:00.000-08:00

LOCH WELLS

We left Port Lincoln & started to push north west into the Great Australian Bight. I was lucky enough to travel up into the Bight some years ago & was amazed by just how big an indent into the continent it actually is. At the head of the bight you are at the same latitude as Taree on the NSW mid north coast.

After passing through Coffin Bay, famous for oysters we continued along the coast stopping overnight at Loch Wells. The landscape here is steep rugged cliffs & this platform made a great spot for dinner.

ELLISTON

Another gem of the SA coastline. A sleepy village based mainly around fishing & in particular crayfish & abalone.

The locals were very friendly & now it seemed we were back to places we the people had time to stop & have a coffee & a good long chat.

ELISTON CLIFFS

Driving along the cliff tops provides some of the most spectacular views.

92. Port Lincoln

2011-03-01T16:25:00.000-08:00

GREAT WHITE DANE

Port Lincoln is the largest of all the fishing fleets in these waters. Some of the abalone operators use the shark cage for the divers whom take on this often risky occupation. Just days after this photo was taken a diver was killed whilst surfacing .

HAPPY VALENTINES

The boys & I set up a special dinner for mum. A few wines, oysters, sushi, scallops & fish; sorry Kaz, not a lot of intimacy.

MAKYBE DIVA

This three time winner of the Melbourne Cup hails from Port Lincoln

91. Kangaroo Island - Maslin Beach

2011-02-25T17:26:00.000-08:00

RAPTOR BIRDS OF PREY

This was our last stop off on the island. Dano is seen here bravely holding a falcon.

We had enjoyed a great stay on KI. It is an island with a lot of history, an island that has retained its beauty & its native flora & fauna because of its isolation from the mainland, an island of characters & one that is well worth the visit.

MASLIN BEACH

After reconnecting with the mainland we headed north toward Port Augusta, which lies at the head of the Spencer Gulf. Just south of Adelaide we discovered a real gem; Maslin Beach. As the boys had missed their respective school swimming carnivals we decided to pace out 50 metres & complete the swim in the cool waters of the gulf.

90. Kangaroo Island 5

2011-02-25T17:22:00.000-08:00

REMARKABLE ROCKS

The island is rich in beauty. Remarkable Rocks is a unique landform & is the result of large rocks that were spewed up in an eruption of a long ago volcano.

KELLY HILL CAVES

Fifteen metres below the ground are these limestone caves. They were formed after the sea levels subsided & rains slowly eroded the ground below the layer of limestone which left the caves as they are today.

SEAL BAY

This is a reserve for the Australian Fur Seal. We took a guided tour that allowed us to get a good deal of knowledge & understanding of this fragile species.

They were hunted close to extinction, but are slowly recovering. The problem these days are humans. Although the Great White Shark does like to eat them, it is mainly fishing nets, plastic bags & pollution that hamper their recovery of numbers.

89. Kangaroo Island 4

2011-02-25T17:17:00.000-08:00

PAULS PECKOUT

Paul just grabs you, removes your sunnies & slams you against the steel fence. At this point you still have no idea what is to happen next. He then adjusts your height & instructs you not to move an inch. He then showers you with pellets which are strategically placed on your crotch & upon your scalp. It then becomes apparent that you have been well & truly set up for a hell of a peck-a-thon.

IRON MEN

Matt is simply getting too quick. Good on ya mate.

88. Kangaroo Island 3

2011-02-25T17:15:00.000-08:00

SNELLING BEACH

Another pretty beach of the north shore.

HANSON BAY

We hooked up the van & headed down to Hanson Bay on the Islands south west coast. Hugh, a part time inhabitant allowed us to camp in his driveway (which is more like a sand dune) for the night.

This place was magic.

HANSON BAY

87. Kangaroo Island 2

2011-02-25T17:08:00.000-08:00

KINGSCOTE PELICANS

These birds congregate every day to be fed by some dedicated locals. It was a great show & well worth the small donation they request.

MATT THE MAGICIAN

Those who know Matt will know that he is a real performer. Just before we left Sydney he picked up a few new tricks from a friend of ours. Here he puts on a tremendous show for a group of new found followers.

PAULS WILDLIFE PARK

This is a great turnout. Paul who owns & runs the place is a real straight up, no nonsense kind of bloke. The boys sheared sheep, played with birds, snakes, emus, koalas & a host of other creatures. Check out the local brew; a Coopers Beer bottle is used to feed this Roo.

86. Kangaroo Island 1

2011-02-25T17:04:00.000-08:00

EMU BAY

We arrived late evening onto the island & spent our first night free camping at Brown Beach. This place was real nice & we shared it with a few backpackers including a group of Japanese whom whose interest was tracking & observing the local species of goanna. After checking into the van park the following day we set off for a little exploration. There is basically the more secluded north side of the island & the south side which is exposed to the harsh movement of the Southern Ocean. Pictured is Emu Beach. One of several beautiful beaches on the north shore.

EMU LOCALS

KINGSCOTE BACK BEACH

Dano & I went for a spot of fishing; just the one flatty. No excuses , but the winds were up & not much fun on the open water.

(Behind Dane is a Yellow footed Booby)

85. Murray River, Kangaroo Island

2011-02-25T16:59:00.000-08:00

THE RIVER MURRAY

The recent floods prevented us from travelling into southern Victoria. We headed south just before Mildura then west north of the flooded area then into SA. This photo shows us crossing the Murray River just a few kilometres from the point where the mighty river spills into the sea.

RAPID BAY

This area was originally mapped & surveyed by William Light in the 1800’s. It is a beautiful coastline with steep cliffs & rolling hills that reach down to the sea. We had only just reached the south east coastline of South Australia but were already falling for its beauty.

KI ; HERE WE COME

It was very exciting to get onto the Ferry to cross the waters to Kangaroo Island.

84. Gundagai, Wagga Wagga, Hay

2011-02-25T16:53:00.000-08:00

GUNDAGAI

We are off again on phase two. All going well this voyage will see us travel to South Australia & in particular Kangaroo Island, then up through Adelaide to Port Augusta, down the Spencer Gulf to Port Lincoln then along the entirety of The Great Australian Bight, The Nullabour & into Western Australia. We then continue along the south eastern coast of WA across to Maragaret River, Perth and eventually Broome. Hopefully we will then cover a little of the vast Kimberley region, Arhnem Land then home via outback Queensland.

Our first stop was the historic township of Gundagai. The legend of the Dog On The Tuckerbox is varied, but basically he was a loyal dog that remained on his masters lunch box until he returned from his work on the bullock trails.

WAGGA WAGGA

Our first night was in Wagga Wagga. We camped on the banks of the river on what was a very hot evening. Upon arrival we took the opportunity to have a look at some of Australia’s Air Force history. The display was l great. The boys were able to get up close & have a good feel of all this aviation history.

HAY

Day two we travelled further westward through Hay. Talk about dry heat, about 45 degerees in the shade. At about 7.00pm we pulled off the road onto a wheat farm. The wind was quite stiff so I headed for the highest point on the farm hoping to catch a cooling breeze. The breeze was there but at 9.00 pm was still blowing hot air over us; still at least 38 degrees.

83. Treachery Cove

2011-02-07T02:05:00.000-08:00

SEAL ROCKS

This was another destination that I had always longed to visit. On arrival the winds were still howling from the north so we looked for a south facing alternative. After a little romp along a track we discovered Treachery Camp, located within Treachery Cove. This is a privately owned campsite located on 35 acres of virgin coastal bushland. A walk over a dune about 20 metres high exposes an absolutely spectacular beach & coastline. We stayed for our last two nights on the road and it was so good to have such an idyllic spot so close to Sydney.

LOOKOUT

On our last morning we went for a bush walk & onto this coastal headland track. We headed home keen to catch up with family & friends but also with a little sadness that the adventure was now done. We would be home for the fundraiser that some of our close friends had arranged, Christmas, the new year & would then set off on part two; the coast of South Australia, the west Coast up to Broome & then possibly The Kimberley, Arnhem Land before travelling through outback Queensland on our way home.

Thanks to all our supporters that have made this trip possible.

82. South West Rocks, Hat Head, Forster

2011-02-07T02:00:00.000-08:00

SOUTH WEST MAGIC

No, we didn’t just fish here. This has got to be one of the best spots, bar none. The family had a great stay here. The caravan park, ‘The Big 4’ was the best van park that we stayed in. The locals were friendly, the restaurants & clubs great, the beaches long, clean & unspoilt & did I mention the fishing ?

Can’t wait to get back to this part of Oz.

HAT HEAD

Hat Head would have to be the most unchanged, quiet little spot in this region. I was last there about 30 years ago & remains virtually unchanged.

FORSTER

We enjoyed a few night in Forster & the whole gang enjoyed the experience. Yes it was busy to what we had become accustomed too, but it is truly a pretty place a remains pristine despite the masses that come to this tourist hotspot annually. This is the area known as ‘The Great Lakes’. You could spend weeks exploring the rivers, lakes & creeks up here. We were fortunate to spend a great day on the river alongside the dolphins that inhabit these waters. Later that night we treated ourselves to a Mexican dinner on the water’s edge. The food was great as was the live entertainment.

81. South West Rocks

2011-02-07T01:56:00.000-08:00

SOUTHY WEST FLATTY

Nice flatty Dano. Shimano gave the boys a couple of rod & reel packages for the tour. Thanks Shimano.

KING DANE

Dane with his first ever Yellow Tail Kingfish. These fish give the angler & real workout & are often difficult to boat. These fish were caught in a very small tinny (52kgs) in rough conditions; well done Dane.

80. Red Rock

2011-02-07T01:51:00.000-08:00

FARMER ROB

Farmer Rob (as he affectionately called by the boys), helping out Matt with the quad bike.

NATIONAL PARK

Once again, there is no knowledge like local knowledge. This is a top spot that the boys would appreciate that I do not reveal. Rob & Scotty often spearfish here when the conditions are right. This day we just enjoyed the cool waters & the peace & quiet.

CHINGA

It poured rain on our last night so we decided to head to the local Chinese Restaurant in Whoopi. When we returned home that evening Rob & I noticed that one of the cows was having trouble delivering her calf. After a little investigation & reading a cuple of calving books we worked out that the calf was breached & that definitely the calf & possibly the cow would die if we weren’t to intervene. We deliovered the calf in mud & rain later that night. It was so good to see a healthy young bull wandering alongside its mother the following morning. Well done Rob; it was a great experience & good to share it with such a good friend.

Thanks guys for a great stay & for looking after the boys & showing them so much.

79. Angourie - Red Rock

2011-02-07T01:43:00.000-08:00

ANGOURIE PANDANUS

Dane & Matt at the top of the boardwalk that takes you through the dunes to the lovely Angourie Beach.

CORINDI – RED ROCK

Another group of old mates live just north of Woolgoolga on the mid north coast. Rob & Lisa & their young family live on 27 acres of prime coastal farmland. Rob has a passion for the land & is an up & coming beef farmer. It’s so good that the kids can roam free & also learn of the simpler things like removing ticks from cattle, growing veges etc.

MATES

We arrived at Robs place on Kazza’s birthday, so it was time to party. Some more old friends; Scott & Lou, live up the road. It was so good to catch up & see how everyone’s families have grown & just to hang out with the guys.

78. Yamba - Angourie

2011-02-07T01:37:00.000-08:00

SLITHERIN

I just noticed this fella on the side of the road as we were passing. A beautiful 7ft long diamond python. As the snake passed under our van he really had a good sniff & at one point I thought he was going to attach itself to the suspension. Many think that like the people on TV you can just pick these guys up & have a pat. If the snake has been hand reared you can do so, but the ones from the wild will not tolerate any rough hands & if they decide to strike can deliver a nasty wound with the seven rows of sharp teeth they possess.

YAMBA STREET SHOW

Hundreds of Hot Rods had converged on the northern NSW township of Yamba for a street show. Matt calls them ‘Hexies’, the tyre valve caps that are found on cars are normally just a black rubber cap. Some enthusiasts discard the standard rubber type & use varied types such as chrome domed, skulls, dice etc. He is always checking out cars for his beloved hexies & here at Yamba he was not let down.

ANGOURIE BEACH

Just south of Yamba is Angourie, a small coastal town of a few houses & a shop. On this day the beach facing north was battered by the prevailing nor’ easter so we ventured to the south side. What a paradise; this would have to be one of the best beaches on New South Wales north coast.