IN MY TRAVELS

Travelling around Australia in 2018:

9/1/18 Tuesday, Had a few issues and false starts. Had problems with our fridges so after 3 visits to the Auto Electrician, we are finally on our way. Camped first night in Hay at Sandy Point free camp it was lovely.  Swam in the Murrumbidgee river with the shrimp biting us.  In the morning had a long walk around the sculpture park and town before our long drive to Minindee Lakes.

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Wednesday 10th January  Minindee township is small, but was once a thriving grape and fruit area.  We saw acres of mature grape vines dead due to lack of water.  Currently there is disputes over water from the Darling due to the cotton growers.   Minindee lakes is currently at 25% capacity.  Broken Hill and its industries also survives on this water.   The lake looks similar to the Hume dam.   Stay 2 nights here just cooling off in the lake and resting 40 degrees.

Minindee Lakes

Saturday 13th January  Arrived Broken Hill and stayed at the Race Grounds.  Minindee lakes and Broken Hill were extremely windy.  Went into town and visited the Miners Memorial - Great View of Broken Hill township.  Of course visited the Regional Art Gallery, Pro Hart Gallery and did the Desert Sculpture walk.  Had a walk on the Broken Hill Golf course that had plenty of Kangaroos and Emus.  Heard an interesting story about gold that was sent to Australia from Holland and England to keep safe during WW2 and moved by train to the Broken Hill Jail.  The Gold was accompanied by 100 bankers and the military.

Saturday 13 January,  Travelled Broken Hill to Peterborough, went through the quarantine and made a fruit donation.  Peterborough is known for it railway and steam trains.  Stayed 2 nights and travelled onto Wilpena Pound for 2 Nights. 

Wednesday 17 January Set up camp and went to the resort for a cool swim.  Late afternoon set off for a 6km walk.  Returned for roast & vegies for dinner.  Then Exhausted!!!!!  Next day we did a drive around the Flinder's Ranges.  To Buneroo Gorge, Brachina Gorge, Blinman know for its copper mining and back for another cool swim.  Another 40 degree day.  As you can see by the photos this area is made up of all different coloured limestone.

 

Thursday 18 January, Drove from Wilpena to Port Augusta - visited the Sisters Art Show, shopping and foreshore.  Then on to Chinamens creek for 3 days of free camping.  Met Doug the caretaker, a lovely man, very helpful and Doug's dog Dagoon a well fed Border Collie.  Friday was 46 degrees and 50 in the caravan.  We went for a drive just to be in the air-conditioning of the car.  We did a walk to Alligator Gorge in the Remarkables National Park.  130 steps to the gorge. I got some nice photo's for painting.  Then on to Port Pirie and Port Germaine.  The next day spent fishing and crabbing.  

Sunday 21st January  Onto Ardrossan today.  On leaving Chinaman's Creek we met Neil & Deb who said Doug was in hospital.  Hope all goes well as such a lovely man.  We helped water Doug's garden and Neil offered us some water to fill our tanks and said if we came back, we could park behind his fishing cottage.    Ardrossan is a small place, staying in one of three free camp sites.  The foreshore has red cliffs a long jetty.  People are looking for sand crabs.  Photo's are of high and low tide. 

Monday 22 January  Travelled to Port Julia and Port Vincent lovely towns with a nice swim beach, a good place for a family holiday.  A couple nice shops.  We had lunch in Stansbury then onto Edithburgh which had a wind farm and that's about all decided to stay at Warooka free camp and make it our base to see the rest of the Yorke Pennisular.

The next day took the scenic route to Marion Bay, Stenhouse Bay, Cape Spencer, and Podalowie Bay.  Marion Bay was a pretty bay with a good swimming area.  Stenhouse Bay we did a 2km walk to where a Historic mine and loading facility for Gypsum.  Also a jetty and lots of pretty bays. Cape Spencer had a lighthouse due to numerous ships had been wrecked over the years.  Podalowie Bay appears to be a safe by for boats.  Left Innes Pennisula Nation Park for Corny Point and back to Warooka for 2 more nights.

Thursday 25th January Onto Moonta Free camp.  Lovely little town a few nice speciality shops.  Went to Moonta Bay and Port Hughes.  Gave Port Hughes jetty a try with fishing and crabbing.  I caught a large squid.  A big sucker, I couldn't reel it up on the jetty, so I lugged it up by hand.  A nice family on the jetty showed me how to clean it.  We both enjoy a plate of crumbed calamari. 

Next day we went to Moonta Bay for Australia Day celebrations. Meet up with Gary that night.  Saturday due to excessive heat we booked into a caravan park for 2 days at Port Broughton. Enjoyed swimming in the pool although it was very crowded. Went to Victoria Point lookout lighthouse and camp just north of Whyalla.  The weather has turned nasty and Gary has woken up with vertigo and is very sick. 

Went on to Cowell free camp.  Gary got a cabin to catch up on sleep and recover.  I walked around town and found a lovely little fabric shop with a sale but i resisted.  Next day Jeff took Gary to the hospital and then onto the doctor at Cleve.  Jeff & I went crabbing and caught 7 crabs.  We steamed the crabs at the caravan park on their big cookers and they were delicious.  The boys went crabbing again and caught another 6.  That night the hotel had a Pig on spit. The pork roast was great.   The car had another visit to the auto electrician.

1st of February and we are camping at Arno Bay behind the hotel.  Cost is $20 for three nights and you get a $10 dollar credit to use in the town which consists of a pub and coffee shop.  Arno Bay has a nice foreshore with new toilets and grassed area.  Excited about the grass as we have not seen to much in SA.  Went to happy hour at the pub and meet some other travellers Peter & Sue.  Water was available for free.  Great little spot but didn't catch any crabs or squid.  

3rd February travelled to Port Neil- Lovely bay and Jetty.  Seem to be catching squid on the Jetty.  The drove to Cowleys Beach, beautiful bay but lots of ants in the camping area. So went on the Lipson Cove.  Lovely spot bueatiful view from the caravan of the beach.  Nice shells, rocks, dolphins & a conservation park that is an island that you can walk to on low tide. Lots of birds. This has to  be one of my favourite spots.  

 

Gary has picked up his new camper trailer.  Onto Tumby Bay and Port Lincoln for some minor repairs and stopping at Coffin Bay caravan park for 2 days.  Caught up on some washing etc. and checked out Coffin Bay National Park.  Gary drove and took one of the 4 wheel drive to the Gunyah Beach, Almonta and Point avoid had beautiful turquoise water and white sand.  Yangie Bay is the camp ground but smelly and won't stay for future reference.  Coffin bay was named after Sir Isacc Coffin by Mathew Flinders. 

Thursday 8 February.  Arrived Greenly Beach.  The beach looked lovely but that night the weather turned and the seas whipped up.  We are not game to swim or fish.  Some nice rock pools and the beauty of the rugged coast line.  We are having more problems with the car fuses blowing and the fridge is not working properly.  

9th February Visited Elliston that has a lovely foreshore, stayed the 2 nights at Walkers Rocks. Swimming and Fishing but not much luck fishing.  Spent some time painting.  Sunday the 11th went on the Wave rock/ Pildappa Rock, a smaller version of the one in WA.   Visited Woolshed cave on the way to Streaky Bay.  Had 3 nights at Streakey Bay due to electrical car & caravan problems.  Finally fixed and met Gary in Haslam.  Great little camping ground and good crabbing.  Spent a week in this spot, I painted and the boys crabbed.  The blue simmer crabs are delicious.  

Had a nice rest a Haslam, stopped at Ceduna for a nice lunch at the Ceduna Hotel for some King George Whiting.  Then spent 2 days crossing the Nullabour 732 kms, stopping at lookouts on the way.  Arrived Norseman RV camp on the 19th February.  Very wet today, had a run in with a nasty  lady while filling up with water and at the dump point. 

Tuesday 20th February.  Esperance is a lovely town. Did some shopping and got a hair cut.  The boys went to Lucky bay to set up camp still a bit wet.  Most beautiful bay, with rock formations, banksia's and kangaroos. Magic spot.  Drove to the other close bay's within Cape Le Grande National park.  Hell fire cove, Le Grande Bay/ Jeff was not felling very well so Gary and I did the walk from Thistle Bay back to Lucky.  Stayed two nights then stopped at the Pink Lakes for a photo opportunity but the lakes hadn't been pink for alot of years.  They shouldn't advertise it in the tourist books if it is no longer pink.  Boring.

Onto Munglimup Beach a another beautiful beach with lovely scenery.  We met this annoying couple as soon as we arrive and decided not to stay but would like to return another time. Next Starvation bay a lovely bay. Then to Hopetoun, the free camp was full and the beach was nothing special so left and stayed the night at Ravensthorpe free camp.   Decided to return to Starvation bay for a few days.  Still a bit windy and a bit of rain.  Took some good photo's for painting.  The fishing is meant to be good but didn't catch anything. 

25th February went to Bremer Bay and was not worth visiting.  The inlet was very smelly.  Hoped to camp at Betty's bay camp but it was closed for Salmon season.  What a wild place it is.  Was nearly wiped out by a crazy driver in a ute and the road was terrible.  A steep decline to the camp nearly saw us unable to pull up the caravan.  

25th February, Arrived Albany and staying at 2 peoples bay caravan park.  Cheap $120 for 7 days.   First day went to the Anzac centre as Albany is where the Australians left for WW1 going to Egypt then Gallipole.    Had a delicious morning tea at the The York Cafe.  Went the next day too as it was so nice.  Walked down the main street that leads to the harbour and visited 2 galleries. Vancouver Gallery used to be an old hospital.  At the Museum there was an exhibition of strung shells.  Such delicate work, very impressive.  2 Peoples Bay/ Little beach is such a beautiful beach and Waterfall bay.  Must come back again.  Little beach is rated the 8th best beach in Australia. 

27th February,  Went to the the Whaling station at Discovery bay in Torndirrup National Park.  Walked to the blow holes a steep 990m walk.  Visited the Gap viewing plaltform and the Natural Bridge.  Back to the Whiskey Distillery for tasting.  Too strong for me.  

Checked out the Sandlewood Factory that was very expensive and unsure if I like the smell of sandalwood.  Thanks KFC for making dinner. The boys have been trying their luck fishing but only 1 bream. 

Went for a drive to Mount Barker  and Porangrong for their Food and Wine Festival.  Went to the market then a winery/gallery.  Then on to  Plantaginist Winery for Lunch.  Had gourmet pizza's and a glass of wine.  The owner was a descendant from the Plantaginist family in England. 

Monday 5th March,  On to Denmark and stayed at Cosy corner.  A nice spot on the beach front.  Visited a glass gallery just around the corner.  Next day went to Mutton Beach another lovely beach.  There was a fresh vegie's stall on the way, that had heaps of variety.  We had met the camp hosts Julie and Steve that had trouble with a group of people on the Friday night before we arrived.  The next night they hooned around the camp ground.  The next night the Julie & Steve's Landcruiser was set on fire.  A huge fire ball and explosions.  As it was windy we were lucky that the wind had died of all we all would have lost our vans and cars.   

Next day after not much sleep we went back to Mutton Beach for a swim and fishing.  I caught a Flathead and some King George Whiting. Jeff caught 2 whiting.  

Went for a drive to Denmark town and drove around the inlet.  Some lovely swimming spots along the way.  Drove through the Tingle forest to the Lake house restaurant for a Devonshire Tea.  Left the next day as we just didn't feel safe.  

Travelled through the Tingle Forrest to Sid's Campground near Northcliffe.  We did the tree top walk on the way. Also had a look at the Elephant Rocks and Green Pool.  Would have been lovely on a fine day.  Sid's campground was not that great. 

Travelled to Pemberton through some tall Kari Forrest.   Saw some lovely sculpture galleries. Stayed two nights at Augusta, went to Windy Harbour and also visited Leewuin Lighthouse. Cute town but very windy.

Saturday 10th March,  Drove to Margaret River stopping at the Caves on the way.  Stayed 2 nights at a farm stay type caravan park.  Looked around the township of Margaret River and a Gallery.  Not as impressive as I thought. Caravan got a flat tyre. 

Near Busselton we stayed at the Christian Brethren Camp for 2 nights, a lovely camp, nice people run the camp and it is right on the beach.  We did a day trips to all the sights.  visited Happs Pottery Gallery, Meelap Beach, Castle Rock, Bunker Bay, Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, Suugarloaf Rock, and Canal Rocks.  Also went to Clairault Wines for lunch and  Gabriel Chocolates for desert.  Just lovely.  Our car has been at the Auto Electrician getting fixed for the day.  Looked around Busselton today, lovely art precinct.  Then travelled on to Capel for 2 nights.

On to a small town called Capel to free camp for 2 nights.  Drove to a pretty beach called Peppermint cove.  Did some swimming and fishing and met a nice man fishing who gave us some gare fish and whiting even filleted them for us.  Went to Bunbury for the day, walked around town, Lovely gallery, and the Dolphin Discovery Centre.  We picked up some books at the Library sale.  

 

Thurs 15th March, Arrived Donnybrook stayed 3 nights,  pretty camp ground, town has a very large play ground.  Had a nice market.  Did a day trip to Bridgetown that was having a music festival.  Some interesting shops.   Day two went driving to Gnomesville that has over 5,000 gnomes.  Went to Wellington Lake, Honeymoon pools, great swimming spot.  Had a look at Potter Gorge camping on the lake, nice spot apparently good for catching Marion.  Had a coffee and muffin at the lookout.    Further west to the township of Collie that currently had an Art prize of $50,000.  So this had attracted some quality artwork.  Very nice show. 

The boys play golf with the locals and won a fruit box.  First golf game for Jeff since his operation. 

Sunday 18th March Travelled to Heron Point camp ground stayed 3 days.  Visited the Harvey Festival.  Enjoyed music and a good gourmet pizza. Heron Point is meant to be good for crabbing but the crabs were under the legal size.  We drove to Mandurah and checked out the shopping and beaches.  Also saw the Thrombolities at Lake Clifton.  Jeff and Gary played golf at the Cut golf course.  I painted for the day.  There are some gorgeous green parrots at the camp ground that are very friendly.   

Wednesday 21st March.  Drove to Rockingham on the way stopped at Serpintine National Park.  Had a swim at the Serpentine Falls, cool but refreshing.  Rockhingham beach is nice.  Checked out the look-out.  Drove to Coolgardie on the way stayed at a Free camp but was very noisy.  Coolgardie has some lovely old buildings.  Stayed at Lake Douglas. Then on to Kalgoorlie.  While the car was getting serviced we walked to the cemetery. A lovely lady help us find Jeff and Gary's Great, Great, Grandfather and Grandmother.  Edward and Sarah Stack's grave site.  They died in 1917 & 1920.  Also went to the town hall and requested any information but we haven't heard anything to date. Applied for our mining license.  The car went back the next day to the auto electrican's. 

 

Sunday 25th, Stayed the night at lake Ballard and saw the Sculptures and Sunset and Sunrise.  Then camped Niagra Dam.  Visited a Ghost town Kookynie and Gwalia.  Saw Herbert Hoover's house as he was the Mine Manager in Gwalia.   Arrived Leinster for some gold detecting and I have been doing some painting.  Stayed at Leinster till the 9th April.  We ended up purchasing a smaller gold detecting machine to locate the tiny pieces of gold and is lighter for me to use.  Gary also bought a the 3200 gold detector.  We met some lovely people Elaine and Henry who were very generous in helping us with locations and using our detectors.  Also met Justine and Ollie who we also met up with at Cue.  All very friendly and enjoyed their company each afternoon for drinks and a show & tell of the finds for that day.  Unfortunately we did not find much at all.  Leinster is a town owned by BHP great facilities, clean, free pool, internet cafe and mess with meals for a reasonable price.  

10th April Tuesday, Met some more lovely people people Helen and Tony who were doing the minelab course and Phil & Sue.  Nice clean camp grounds.  On a whole the people were much more secretive about gold detecting and locations.  Did some sightseeing.  Visited Big Bell an old pub.  Viewed the aboriginal art at Walga Rock and a meteorite crate that was a fairly small. We stayed at Cue for 9 days stopping at the Granites near Mt. Magnet then on to Wongan Hills RV rest area.  

20th April 2018. Friday we arrive in a quaint town called Toodyay and stayed at a private home stay for $5.00 that was way up on top of a hill looking over the mountains and the township of Toodyay.  Visited the bakery which had the best pies. There is an old stone mill and church.  Next day did a drive to New Norcia that is a Monastic town with Monks still living there.  An interesting museum and gallery.  

23rd April arrived Perth and stayed at Midlands caravan park.  Caught up on washing and had the caravan services.  Today we went to Scarborough beach, the council had done a lovely job of the foreshore.  Lots of fun playgrounds for the kids and entertainment areas for shows, regattas etc.   Also visited the Perth Botanical Gardens and the Anzac Memorial.  Had a coffee at the Gallery Cafe.  I got lots of Botanical photo material for painting. The boys tried out the craft brewery called Little Creatures.   Went to Fremantle and looked around the shops.  I looked at the Fremantle art gallery and we had lovely cake and coffee.  Last day we went into Perth and I went to the Perth National Art Gallery, very enjoyable.  Then we headed to a free camp at the Moore River.  Next stayed at Nambung Station stay.  It was just okay, the caretaker was cranky and was spat on by the alpaca's.

28th April 2018 Saturday arrived Green Head Caravan Park.  A nice gallery with a good variety of sculptures & art.  Went for a long walk around the headland.  Caught a squid on the jetty.  Then onto Cliff Head free camp.  Lovely spot right on the beach.  Caught a few whiting.  Had a camp fire each night and watched the lovely sunsets.  Stayed six nights and went to Dongara for the day for shopping and market day.  Gary left us and we continued on to Ellendale Pool, thousands of corellas were in the trees.   Had a look a the numerous wind turbines on the way. 

8th May 2018.  Left the coast for Ellendale pool.  The pools and the rocky outcrop looked nice.  There were thousands of Corella's disturbing the peace but they did put on a good show.  On the way we past many wind turbines.  Only stayed for one night then off to Geraldton and stayed in the free camp on the bitumen carpark.  Walked around town and beachfron.  Grocery shopped.  Looked at the HMAS Sydney Memorial.  650 sailors died when attacked by a German Ship.  The German boat also sunk.  A very moving and touching memorial.  Got some more reading books from the information centre.  They are often a great source of books for travellers.  I bought a nice leather bag from my wonderful children for Mothers day. Travelled on to Corronation Beach. Walked to the look-out, top of the hill.  

10th May 2018.  Stayed at Horrocks Beach for 4 nights.  This beach was Australia's number 2 in the top 101 beaches in Australia.  But it was only just okay. Not much to do.  The fishing was no good, mainly puffer fish and the seaweed was thick and the beach smelled of sewerage down from the caravan park.  So definitely not in my top 100.  But gave me a chance to catch up on some painting.   We did go a drive to Port Gregory, this was a much nicer beach.  There was a Convict hiring settlement.  The pink lake was impressive.  Also visited the Principality of Hutt River all started with a dispute over wheat quotas.  A short distance from Horricks was a beach that the surfers used also a walk around some rock outcrops with a small amount of aboriginal paintings.  Left Horrocks for Lucky Bay but the wind was fairly fierce and not pleasant to be on the beach so on to Kalbarri. 

15th May 2018 Arrive Kalbarri and stayed at the Murchison Station stay.  This was a historic station on the banks of the Murchison River.  They ran goats, cattle and a few alpaca's.  We explored the coastal cliffs all well sign posted and displayed  We view the Natural Bridge and Island Rock, saw a few dolphons.  Also Eagle Gorge, Pot Alley, Rainbow Valley and Red Bluff all stunning.  Then we did the inland walks of Kalbarri National Park, Natures Window but not the skywalk as this soon to be upgraded with a skywalk was closed.  Also did the Z-Bend gorge with a steep descent to the river.  I can see a few paintings coming from this area. Also viewed the 360 degrees lookout at Meanarra Hill. I got my haircut and had a nice lunch at the pub.  Did some fishing but no luck. On our last day we did Hawks Head Lookout and Ross Graham walk, a steep descent to the river below. 

19th May 2018, Stay the night a Nango Bay Resort. The resort needed some TLC but the beach was nice.  There was a wedding on the beach using fishing rods for the bride and groom to walk down the isle.  Denham was having a fishing tournament.  We attended the afternoon weigh in and some fish where being caught.  We stayed at the caravan park with a site over looking the ocean. Denham seems to have alot of emu's walking the streets.  We drove to Monkey Mia for the day for the dolphin feeding. We stayed for the second feeding and got the opportunity to feed a dolphin (Puck).  After we drove to Francois Peron National Park the Big Pools, a lovely camping spot although we didn't camp.  Lovely colours.  Met some lovely people John and Lee and Carol and David at the campground.

22nd May 2018, Stayed one night at Gladstone, had a camp site overlooking the beach.  Got up close to a sea eagle and some pelicans.  The jetty at Gladstone needed some repair before I would fish of it.  Then on to Carnarvon.  Stayed at a lovely caravan park, the owners were very friendly and helpful.  Sold lovely fresh fruit and vegetables. Bought some tasty prawns for dinner.  Drove to the local fruit farms, and had a huge banana spilt.  Looked around town and visited the 1 KM historic jetty that was closed for repairs.  Later we drove up the beach and climbed on the jetty from there.  Tried our luck fishing off the jetty but no luck.  Saw 20 or more large Sun Fish swimming around the jetty. We stayed a few days as Carnarvon was hit by a dust storm then heaps of rain. Met up with Lee and John again.  Backing on to the caravan park was the Satalite Station that monitored the Apollo mission.

25th May 2018 Camped at the Blow Holes.  The sea was very wild so we didn’t go snorkelling.  Visibility was very low and the sea was just to dangerous.  Stayed the next night at Lydon River Rest Area free camp.  Then went to Coral Bay.  Such a pretty spot but the weather was still a bit cloudy.

 28th May  2018  Travelled through Exmouth, did our shopping and filled up on water & fuel.  Stayed at Cape Range National Park for 5 nights at Kurrajong Camp Grounds.  A lovely spot. We did a number of the walking trails – Yardie Creek and Mandu Mandu.  Visited the other camp spots and beaches within the Cape Range National Park but we liked ours the best.  Then on to Miaree Pools free camp 2 nights by the creek. Went for a swim the water was refreshing.  Jeff picked up a Drone and did some practice. 

4th June 2018 Monday,  Arrived Karratha RV free camp.  Looked around Karratha. Next day took a drive to Wickham and saw the Red Dog Statue.  Then on to Point Samson a nice headland but lots of sand flies.  Then onto Cossack a small historic town.  Had a nice coffee and scones.  Looked around the museum/court house.  Back through the township of Roebourne.  Visited the working aboriginal art studios.  The girls were lovely and producing some great work. I will possibly buy some in the future as you can buy these on line. Has been some heavy rain overnight and on our way to Port Hedland come across a number of water crossings.  Karajini roads were closed so spent a few days in Port Hedland.  Went to the Art Gallery, Cooks beach and saw some race horses swimming.  Not much to see mainly industry.  The free RV camp was so noisy, trains shunting all night.  Met up with David and Carol and had drinks with them and some other people.

9th June 2018 Saturday,  Arrived Karijini after lunch and staying at Dale’s Campground. We did the walk to Fortescue Falls and Fern Pools very pretty.  Next day we did the lower and higher bush walks within Dale’s gorge. We took the shorter road to Weano Gorge but this was terribly corrugated but worth it as the walks were fantastic.  Weano Gorge, Knox Gorge, Goefre Falls and Oxer Lookout.  Took lots of photos. Lots of painting opportunities.

15th June Stayed at Marble Bar. Did some gold detecting without result.  Went and got some Jasper rocks from the sample pit and also went to the pools and viewed all the marble jasper.  Also spoke to a friendly guy at the Mines Department who showed Jeff how to use the Mines database and I took some photos of Stuart desert pea flowers and visited the Museum.  Restocked at Port Hedland stayed one night at a free camp on the way to Pardoo Station.

17th June 2018 Pardoo Station Stay.  We stayed here for 3 weeks.  We had a lovely time fishing and met some lovely people Dennis and Linda who we fished with.  Great fishing spots depending on the tides.  We caught Whitting, Salmon and Bream. I would go beach combing as there was lots of coral and shells.  Plenty of oysters for the oyster lover.  We also did some work in exchange for 2 weeks accommodation and a couple of restaurant meals.  I did some painting and also sold one to the station manager.  

11th July 2018 Barn Hill Station arrived early after staying the night close by at a free camp called Goldwire.  After checking in and finding a great spot overlooking the cliffs and beach.  I met some lovely ladies who talked me into doing a Tai Chi class.  Very nice under the palm trees overlooking the ocean.  After I went for a long walk along the beach, taking photos of the red cliff’s and beach. Lots of great photo and opportunities.  Bought some lovely freshly cooked bread for lunch. 

12th July 2018 Next morning on to Broome for a quick shop and onto Cape Leveque staying 3 nights at Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm.  The road in was pretty bad but the council intends to seal the remaining dirt some 90kms.   Lovely pearl Jewellery in the shop.  Had coffee and New York Cheesecake on the deck next to the infinity pool that was very nice.   Did the pearl tour and a drive to One Arm.  Saw a football field full of Kites.  Kites are a large brown bird and it is believed to take burn twigs and sticks to other areas and start fires to then catch the small mice and animals.  We did seem them circulating around a fire in the Cape Leveque area.  We had a day trip to Kooljamon.    A lovely spot of red cliffs and white sandy beaches and large tides. The camp ground only takes camper trailers not caravans.  The Qantas children’s quire sang from the red cliffs in the Qantas ad here at Kooljamon.

15th July, 2018  Returned to Broome and the next day I did the trip to the Horizontal Falls.  A magical day.  Flew by seaplane to a pontoon at the Horizontal falls and went for a fast boat around the falls, then back for breakfast.  Then we went up a few of the river gorges and back to feed the sharks and fish followed by one more cruise through the horizontal falls.  We flew on to Cape Leveque again The whole set-up was very professional and I highly recommend this trip to anyone. That night met up with Denis & Linda at the caravan park and had gourmet pizza. Next day shopped a little and met Ernie & Jo at the Airport and on to Seashells for a lovely few days at Cable beach.  A magical sunset and dinner looking out over Cable beach with the camel trains making their way along the beach.  Early morning out at low tide to see the dinosaur footprints a quick stop at the golf course for a look.  Jeff & I bought a lovely quality pearl necklace as a remembrance of our Kimberley experience.  Had a gourmet breakfast at Zookeepers restaurant. Then a little shopping and walked on Settler’s jetty. Jo & Ernie went on to Derby and we stayed the night at Ellendale Pools. 

20th July 2018 We left the caravan at Fitzroy crossing and met up with Ernie & Jo at Windjana Gorge and walked along river.  Plenty of fresh water crocs and some lovely scenery.  Next was Tunnel Creek, dark and eerie followed by a long bumpy drive to Fitzroy Crossing for the night.  Next day we did a river cruise at Geikie Gorge.  The ranger was very informative with some aboriginal stores.  Halls Creek we stayed at the camp ground and had a great meal at the sportsman bar.  Next morning we went to Chinamen’s wall and also showed Jo & Ernie how to gold detect.