20240705 - 20240713 - Albany - Esperance - Nullarbor.

20240705 – Albany to Esperance.  It’s the Big Fellas Birthday – 71 and looking good.  He had bought a new golf club before we left home so that was his birthday present.  I am taking him to nice, secluded and romantic spot for dinner, as you can see below.  He wasn’t that impressed when we got there – don’t know why.

20240707 – Esperance.  On our way into Esperance, we drove along the 40km Great Ocean Drive, yet again some spectacular beaches to be seen.  Esperance is another pretty town; the parks are so well looked after and I can actually understand the sculptures.

20240708 – Frenchman’s Peak.  We had heard about this incredible hike up this mountain and we had done a bit of research so we knew what we were getting into.  The hikes are rated from 1 – 5, with 1 being the easiest.  We have struggled through a couple of 4 rated hikes – which we have thoroughly enjoyed, so thought we would give it a go.  It is a 3km hike and a 5 rating.

It was tough going in some spots, you don’t zig zag your way up the mountain or go around and around, nope it is straight up and there are no stairs.  The only thing that is there to help you reach the top are a few markers.  I am so grateful the big fella had a couple of mishaps with his laces and we needed to stop for him to fix them – I sooo needed a rest, we did have quite a few little stops to catch our breath and to see if we were going in the right direction, though I think there is only one way and that is up.  I was on all fours a few times going up, and on my bottom coming down. The problem is if you overbalanced and fell back you are falling at least 100m before you hit a shelf that might stop you going the next 100. But wow once we got up to the top it was a magnificent view and well worth it – some people didn’t get very far and they were a lot younger than us.  If you are afraid of heights this one is not for you.

 

 

20240709 – 20240711 – Lucky Bay.  This morning, we left early (well early for the Elford’s 9:00am) because we were moving camp to the Cape Le Grand National Park – Lucky Bay.  According to one of the articles we had read about Lucky Bay it took out no. 1 spot in the top 50 best beaches in the world. And we can see why.

 

Not a bad camp spot either - view from the bed.

Unfortunately for me, just as Dave and I were walking back from a little walk on the beach, with our thongs on, a gentleman came up to us and said that perhaps we should rethink our footwear as he had just seen a Tiger Snake near the bottom toilet block – arghhh.  He then went on to tell us that he was a qualified snake catcher in Tasmania….  Guess I’m not going too far without the Big Fella in front of me.

On our first day we had a lovely hike around the bays and wow (I know I keeping saying it but) what beautiful scenery.  The best part for me was seeing the whales again, this time I got to watch a whale for about 15 minutes just constantly breaching not too far from us – I would have stayed there for hours – or at least until the whale had finished the show, but the Big Fella kept me moving.

The second day we went for a bit of a drive to look at other beaches and the national park, it was raining and windy much of the day so we didn’t venture too far from the car.

On the third morning (our last morning) I had one hike left on my To Do List.  It had been raining through the night but it was stopping and starting in the morning, so I thought I’d take my chances. Unfortunately, the Big Fella had a few things to do, so decided not to accompany me.  I’m a bit dubious and anxious about doing the hike by myself, especially with the thought of snakes. This hike was only a small hike but it was pretty much straight up a mountain.  The thought of being able to watch the whales from the top convinced me to give it a go. You could see this hike from our camping spot, so I bit the bullet and off I went.  I was so proud of myself, I navigated myself through the bush to get to the start of the hike up the hill.  I was making some very loud noises in the hope that if there was a snake anywhere near me it would go the other way, especially with my singing.  I managed to get to the top of the hill before it started raining.  Now I had to get down with the rain and the rocks all slippery.  I was the only one up there, so I’m thinking to myself it will be ok, Dave will be watching me.  After some very tentative and slow climbing down (some of it on my bum and sliding) I get back to the campsite and asked Dave if he had seen me.  He said no – he hadn’t even looked that way.

20240711 – 20240713 - Esperance.  We are spending a couple more days in Esperance to stock up on supplies and get ourselves ready before we cross the Nullarbor.  We have heard both good and bad reports about the  crossing.  Dave and I are both looking forward to the crossing, we have decided that it can’t be anywhere near as bad as the crossing up North. 

 20240713 – 20240718. The Nullarbor.  Dave and I both thoroughly enjoyed the crossing.  We had a fantastic 5 nights. A few of these we camped on the Bunda Cliffs and a couple were spent in the outback.  We must have driven over at least 5 allocated air strips for the RFDS, we had a few stops to let some oversized road trains go past – one of which was 8 meters wide.  There is over 100,000 camels on the Nullarbor Plains, but not sure if I believe this or not, we didn't see one and I was looking everywhere for them. Dave wasn't too keen on seeing any of them - close to the road that is.  We also passed through a small town called Nundroo - apparently the Wombat capital of the world - yet again we didn't see any.  We did see and hear a lot of whales. The best place (for me anyway) was the head of the Bight. 

The head of the Bight is a bay located in South Australia at the most northern end of the Great Australian Bight.  It is where the Southern Right Whales take up ‘residence’ for up to a period of 5 months between June and October.  They come here to give birth (the calves are born up to 5 meters in length - ouch), mate and socialise.  You are guaranteed to see whales if you come to visit at this time. They are called the Right Whale as it was the right whale to catch because of its meat and high oil content.  We were in for such a treat, we saw so many including a lot of Mums with their calves.  We were lucky enough to see a white calf, apparently only 2% are born white and they eventually change to a grey colour not black.  We saw a couple mating – it may have been a threesome (which is not unusual) they mate in threes for buoyancy issues.  There was a lot of tail and fins slapping going on.

  

Yet again I could have stayed here for hours, but the Big Fella dragged me away.  I must admit it was cold and windy.  See the motorhome temperature guide the next morning.  Thank goodness the heater is working – great job Big Fella.

20240617 - 20240702 Jurien Bay - Denmark

20240617 – 20240618 Jurien Bay - Fremantle.  Once we had left, we headed to the Pinnacles.  Dave has already seen them before, but it’s something I felt I needed to see since we were co close, and Dave told me I should.  He did warn me that it was quite boring, he didn't even get out of the motorhome, he just sent me on my merry way. Hmmm, think I was gone about 15mins, that included 5 mins to get there and 5 mins to get back.  I took the obligatory photos and then left.  So, I have seen them - tick. Don't think I will be rushing back any time soon.

20240619 - Fremantle.  We woke up bright and early this morning as we needed to be at the wharf by 6:30am to catch our ferry over to Rottnest Island - it was cold and windy.  I was a wee bit excited to see the Quokkas. We had a nice ferry ride over and collected our bikes. It didn't take long after we got off the ferry until I saw the Quokkas.  They were exactly like I expected.  Very cute and very friendly.  

Dave had said that there wouldn't be many hills and that we didn't need to spend the extra money on an electric bike.  WRONG - there were plenty of hills and yes, I did wish I had an electric bike.  I did realise early on in the ride that Dave couldn't get one of his gears - karma I say – the Big Fella had to work extra hard to get up some of the hills.

We did wish at the end of the ride that we had hired a couple of these.

We thoroughly enjoyed our trip over to Rottnest Island – some stunning scenery.

We made a little detour on our bike to see the Pink Lake - mmm you make up your own mind.  I think with all the rain around we might give up trying to see one of these famous Pink Lakes, that everyone talks about.

One bonus, well for me anyway, Dave had previously asked how to play Yahtzee, he had seen a couple playing early on in the trip.  I’ve been keeping an eye out to buy it.  Dave isn’t that keen on playing games – so even a hint of interest in games, gets me excited.  Bingo, I found it – in the general store at Rottnest.  We get on the ferry and he’s wanting to have a game – no need to ask me twice.  After we get through the rules and the basics of the game – it’s on.  The Big Head won the first game and after a win he said let’s play another game – not as good this time Davey, I had a win – well that was it, he packed up the game and that was it for the day.

 

20240622 – Fremantle to Yallingup Beach.  The weather hasn’t been great over the last 2 weeks, it’s been cold, windy and wet.  Certainly not what we were expecting.  It feels like we have gone from laying on the beach sweating, to dressing like the Michelin Man and freezing within one week, when we do get a bit of sunshine we are out and about.  Yallingup Beach is a beautiful little town with great access to some stunning scenery – and it just so happens to be in the Margaret River Region.

 20240623 – 20240624 - Yallingup Beach.  Once again, some stunning scenery and some great walks through Cape Naturalist national park (we did one of the Cape to Cape walks) we really do have a magnificent coastline.  

We also visited another couple of stunning beaches - Bunker Bay, Eagle Bay and Meelup Beach. 

We really are asking ourselves why are we not doing this trip when it's warmer.  Whilst, the scenery is spectacular and even more spectacular when the sun comes out, for us it's just not as much fun if you can't take full advantage of the beach and go for a swim.

20240625 - Yallingup Beach - Today we headed off to see Canal Rocks and the Natural Spa. 

On the way home, I finally get Davey to pull into a recommended winery, that we just happened to be passing (lucky I'm the navigator).  We spent a lovely lunch just chilling having a couple of little vinos (ok that was just me, someone had to drive) and some lunch – Swings and Roundabouts, highly recommend. 

20240625 – 20240629.  Yallingup to Margaret River.  Just a small drive into Margaret River – I did expect to see a lot of wineries but nowhere near as many as what there actually is.  I would so love to come back here with a few friends and do a couple of wineries and lunch every day for 2 months.  The planning has gone out the window at the moment – the weather has been horrible and we don't get sunrise until 7:30am. We have been spending a bit of time inside the motorhome – and just to let everyone know, we haven’t killed each other – yet.   There is a plus side travelling in the direction we are travelling (yes everyone else is heading North - we now know why, its cold, wet and windy) the caravan parks are cheaper and easier to get into.  

We took a small drive out to Surfers Point known for being a part of the professional world surfing circuit 'The World Surf League Margaret River Pro'.

20240628 - Margaret River.  Much to my disappointment I haven't been able to get the big fella back to a winery.  I don't think it is much fun for him, watching me try all the wines.  But I did get him out to go for dinner in the town of Margaret River.  It is run by the same group 'Swings and Roundabouts' Winery that we visited earlier.  There logo is a the old Hills Hoist Clothes Line.  Even in the restaurant they have their lights placed on an upside down Clothes Line - very original and it was really charming.

20240630 - 20240702 - Margaret River to Denmark.   On our way to Denmark we stopped at the Valley of the Giants which is well known for the Tree Top Walk.  The Tree Top Walk, is suspended 40 metres high in the canopy of the ancient tingle forest.  40 metres above ground level is fairly high when you are on a metal see-through walk-way, and yes it does sway (a lot).

We also did a very small hike around the forest to look at some of the trees from the ground level.

I've told Dave that we are staying about 7kms outside of the town of Denmark.  Little did he know it was a Vineyard, I had to get him to a winery somehow.  Staying here also meant that neither of us needed to drive.  After he got over the shock and we were all set-up, I asked him if he wanted to head down to the winery to have a Pizza for lunch (mmm and some wine).  I did pick a great winery, they had 27 wines that you could taste.  The tastings are free.  I know you will find this hard to believe but the Big Fella found a Malbec that he said was pretty good.  Every time I looked over to the Big Fella his glass was full.  We did sit there for a long time, we had some great chats with people that had come and gone and yep we were still sitting there after dark  He was very happy by the time we left and I had to help him get to the motorhome.  I was fine I only had a couple of glasses. I really do like drunk Davey.

20240702 - 20240703 - Margaret River - Albany.  We may have had a couple of little navigation hiccups today, I'm not blaming the navigator, I'm blaming our navigations system (which is not up to date).  First off, we were going to get petrol on our way out of Margaret River, but I said there were a lot of petrol stations on our way into Albany and from the app we have been using they were cheaper.  I had checked on my phone which way we would be going and yes, we would go past these before we hit the caravan park.  But this wasn't the same route our navigation system in the motorhome took (rookie error).  According to the navigation system we were going to pass our caravan park to get to one of the petrol stations.  So that's not too bad so the navigation system says that we have reached our caravan park so I tell Dave it's only another 7 km's down the road to find a service station.  We get our petrol and do a U turn and follow the navigation system back to where our caravan park is supposed to be.  Ooops nope it's not there, so I now decide to check my app and the caravan park is back past the service station another 5 km's.  At this stage Dave is getting dizzy and let’s just say he wasn't smiling.

20240703 - Albany. The sun has come out today and the wind isn't too bad, so we are going to get out and about.  First stop The Gap and the Natural Bridge, another great scenery spot. After yesterday I'm not getting too close to the edge, I fear a hand of the Big Head might give me a little push. 

Next stop the Granite Skywalk. It was a nice little bit of exercise to hike up to the top of the mountain - about 2km's all up hill, with a lot of stairs and a bit of mud.  We have a few wee stops on the way up to catch our breath and finally make it to the Granite skywalk. There was a bit of climbing and manoeuvring up and between the rocks to get to the ladder that takes you up to the granite skywalk and wow - it was so worth it. 

Now onto the National Anzac Centre.  This is where the majority of the Australian and New Zealand service men and women over 41,000, left the shores of Australia in 1914 to fight in the great war. 

 

Albany has been a pleasant little surprise; we have really enjoyed our visit here.