Triple C

Great small drive today. Left the van onsite in the Dowerin Field Days caravan camping area the Shire made available for us. Unhitched and took a drive into Dowerin. It is a small Wheatbelt town that comes alive for a few days when the flocks drive into town. It takes the exhibitors a week to set up and a week to pack down. It's a two day event. Lots of big farm equipment and stalls with bits of pieces for farming and country living. Even the boarding schools have displays as there are not many high schools out in the wheatbelt. Wednesday, and it was Day 1 of the 60th Dowerin Field Day, and the weather was perfect. We met up with our friend Annette, her daughter Colleen and husband David and his dad Robert. A walk around through or past hundreds of stands. Some small items like the robot dog, right up to the humungous tractors and headers worth millions. They even had caravans and small homes. Also many stands had free barista coffee and our favourite, again this year, was at the CSBP stand. We even checked out some stands doing solar power and battery setups, that's us with the beanies on.


Near the end of day one and a few stalls advertise having 'sundowners'. We had at least 3 we could attend. We went to our first, Euroz Hartleys, sat down and nibbled. We weren't driving so a couple of bevvies with some nice food was welcome & Annette was a passenger this day. Throw a business card into the bowl they said, so we three did just that crossed our fingers and hoped for a prize. Woo Hoo, Deborah was a winner. A Yeti 24 Esky, valued at $350. Sounds like we needed another couple of drinks to celebrate. Bottom line was, we didn't make it to any other sundowner that day.
Day 2 was a different story with rains, soggy grounds and we'll it was gum boot day really. We learnt whilst at the NBN stand at Field Days our street will be upgraded from fibre to the node to fibre to the house by June 2025.
Ian and I watched a few of the cooking demos today with the presenters Corey & Leon from Cheat Meats & Scott head chef from Bib & Tucker. We tried delicious Harvey Beef Steakhouse T-Bone with Compound Butter, Grilled Smoked Harvey Beef Rib Eye and Chimichurri and then West Australian (Busselton) grown Amelia Park Lamb Rack Cutlets. OMG it was delicious.

We ended our second day by taking the clipper ride around the showgrounds and what an amazing way to see the event displayed. And in the way out from Dowerin we spotted Rusty and Rosey the Tin Dogs, mascots of the town.

Our journey towards our next overnight stop took us through the metropolis of Northam. A quick wee stop and we spotted some interesting metal artwork in the park. Done by the local High School students it reminded us somewhat of Jordan Spriggs metalwork.

Viveash Reserve, just north west of Northam. An area along the Avon River roughly halfway between Northam and Toodyay. The camping spot is actually in a location called Takrine and across the river has a lovely old church built in 1861/62. Many of the early settlers are buried in the church yard, with one small plaque dedicated to a few that are in the ground but they're not certain exactly where.


Saturday was the drive into Perth, and our 2 night stay at Karrinyup Waters Caravan Park. A nice spot, and you'd never think you were in the city suburbs. That night was a catch-up at the park Cafe with friends Michele and Gary plus daughter Natalie and fiance Rob.
Sunday, Father's Day, we did something highly unusual for us, we went and caught the train. Warwick to Claisebrook so we could get to the Perth International Women's Football Cup. Two games. Firstly West Ham vs Leicester City followed by Manchester City vs Paris St Germain. A great afternoon and evening with excitement of different varieties each match.

Eventually we had to leave Perth and head down homewards but with a short 2 night stop in Bunbury at the Back Beach free camping spot. Monday nights sunset on the backbeach here watching all the seals/ surfers was a splendid way to top off the night. Tuesday Ian was booked in to the Blood Donation centre to give plasma, what a good boy is he. Deborah found a some material to add to her stash. Here's how to book this to stay at this rest stop, you can choose to stay 1 or 2.nights.

And Wednesday it's home to Busselton for us both for a much needed hair cut and then a short drive home with a dirty caravan and a very dirty car. Both definitely in need of a wash and polish. And, although Ian looks grumpy, he really was enjoying providing life to other people in need at the time by donating plasma .A bonus on the Wednesday morning WA as we were listening to one of our local radio stations, MMM South West, and hearing the Road Crew were just across the road at the Back Beach carpark. We both rushed over to grab our freebies of iced coffee, bread and crumpets. Yum. A further bonus after listening a few more minutes later, was ringing up the station and winning movie tickets for CinefestOz to see the movie "He Ain't Heavy" for tomorrow night, Thursday. Yippee, our lucky streak continues

We have had a fabulous trip away, caught up with some of our family & friends and would like to thank you for joining us along the way.
Until next time, stay safe, have fun, be in each & every moment & laugh lots, even if it's at yourself.
Things of Note:
It's been 3,478 kilometres of towing Marmalade on this trip.

The drive-in cinema at Koorda has been on our hit list for quite a while. So we scheduled in a stop for the once a month screening in August 2024. But, weather being what weather is, weather decided to make the evening less than suitable for a drive-in movie night. Rain. So the drive -in is Still on our hit list. Instead we watched a movie, "From Time To Time" in the van. In addition, one night wasn't enough, so as they suggested stay 3 and pay for 2, we took up their offer.
Driving out from the townsite on Sunday we found the Koorda Native Flora Reserve. This is a place that you can free camp at, with a nice flushing toilet, but we were only there to view the flowers. Again the day wasn't very exciting, wind and the occasional blustery shower. And unfortunately the flowers weren't in the peak period. Still and nice brisk walk, with a few observations such as the Prickly Wattle and the Koorda Rose amongst them. A highlight of the walk was a large Bobtail having a rest in a sunny patch out of the wind.

Badgerin Rock. Monday found us attacking two different 'rocks'. Badgerin was first on the agenda. This was a granite outcrop rather than a tall rock but still had some very good pools of water in the depressions. Not too many wildflowers, and no orchids at all that we could see.

Newcarlbeon Rock. Now this is a rock, similar to others in the wheatbelt area, which feeds rainwater into a water tank. A small brick and concrete wall is built around the granite rock/s to channel the rainwater runoff into a large tank to, supply water to the surrounding farms and livestock. We found many flowers including donkey, clown and purple orchids. Plus a huge bonus of a large echidna wandering and snuffling into the ground looking for food.


Finally we had to leave Koorda and head over to Muckinbudin. And country roads always provide challenges. This one required us to move car and caravan off to the side of the road.

This actually part of the journey was unplanned, as we hadn't anticipated Deborah getting a bloodshot eye. We were going to leave the van at Mukka and drive to the chemist at Merredin to see the Pharmacist to get it checked out. However Mukka has a medical centre which suited us just fine, as we didn't have to travel any further. Beautiful setup, wonderful nurse (named Deborah of all things), and a doctor that just happened to be there. The downside for Mukinbudin is that the doctor is usually only there once a fortnight, and occasionally not even then. Lucky for us he did arrive that day. The Registered Nurse, Deborah & the Doctor agreed on the diagnosis which was conjunctival hemorrhage. The treatment is let it settle itself. Deborah's eye may look worse but then get better in time.

Not to be kept in for bed rest of the eye, we ventured out to more nature reserves and rocks. Weira Reserve just east of the town WA our first adventure from Mucka, not counting the Health Centre as an adventure for Ian.
Weira is also a smallish free camping location with a drop toilets and fire pits. A short walk revealed some nice orchids along either side the largest gnamma hole we'd seen.


Train loading in front of where we are parked in the RV parking area. A stunning display. The next day the train came again and we were able to watch whilst it separated and moved down theine to load up.

We took a walk through town and visited the stunning Art Gallery inside the Memorial Hall, a walk through the Sunshine Community Park and restocked up at the IGA.

On our drive back from Weira Reserve we stopped for a walk through Mondy Reserve. Not a lot of flowers to see, but we did spot this beauty.

A little further on our way back to Mukinbudin is Pope's Hill, in a way it's a memorial to a pioneer of the district, a railway engineer who helped bring the train through the Mukinbudin region and a WWI veteran.

We took another drive to see Yanneymooning Rock and then Elachbutting Rock where you can find Monty's Trail Pass and Wave. The first rock was spectacular to see, but with little flower activity whereas we eventually found some good spider, clown and shell orchids at Elachbutting.


Beringbooding Rock Tank
The tank was built in 1937 mainly using unemployed workers. This rock has the largest rock water catchment tank in Australia, holding over 10 Million gallons. It has a gamma hole nearby on the rock called kangaroo hole.

After a last night catch-up pub dinner with friends Matt, Bron and their 2 boys Campbell and Lucas we headed off to a new location today, in fact one that's never been reviewed on Wiki Camps. Just near the location of Korrelocking, the camping is around an old cricket wicket in the middle of nowhere, probably leftover from the mid 20th century. Well we can tell you we found it, after a bit of reconnaissance on foot. Happy to report we found another camper here tucked away in the scrub. The stars put on an awesome display throughout the night. We sighted 2 satellites coming together from opposite directions and a shooting star, so privileged to see such a wonderful nights sky even though it was cloudy.

Friday sees another long (short) drive into Wyalkatchem. Yee Ha it's Rodeo time. After our enjoyable time at the Preston Rodeo in Tasmania we timed it to perfection to arrive a day early for the Wylie Rodeo. After parking up, and leaving enough room for our friend Annette to fit next to us, we surveilled the area. And before most campers arrived the area was already looking a bit damp. After the several thousand people had either driven or walked over the camping area and oval, it had become a bit like a quagmire by early Saturday. Enough of the weather you say. So be it we say. It was another enjoyable experience, except for the wind (fairly constant) and the drizzly showers (on and off), but great entertainment. Oops, Sorry had I just mentioned the weather again. Anyways, entertainment continued into the night. In fact the bands finished at midnight, but everyone that that had bought a whip at the merch stalls had to continue to practice into the wee hours. Speaking of wee, there were a few toilets around the area but good job we had our own toilet paper.

Sunday we bid goodbye to Annette as she headed off, although we will catch up with her the Wednesday at Dowerin Field Day.

We have a few days before we need to be at Dowerin so driving about 20 kms westward we decide to a donation camp up at Minnivale. This is a small settlement which is, again, nearly a ghost town with just 3 houses. Reading the description of the camping facilities it mentioned, a flushing toilet, drinking water tap, a shower, a clothes line and a dump disposal point. Unfortunately we didn't read far enough into the description to realise it was a cold shower only. Not to be fazed, we used our own shower and gas to enjoy a hot shower, also knowing we could fill up the caravan water tanks before we departed this location. We also did some loads of washing using the local water.

Another bonus was a nature reserve around the camping area and about 700m up the road was the Minnivale cemetery. Amazingly the headstones showed the last burial was done in 2021, only 3 years earlier. We did a late afternoon walk to the cemetery and saw a beutiful sun setting over the graves. We quickly walked back to camp, as the only spirits we wanted in the caravan were the drinking kind not the spectral kind. The local church, built in 1925, indicates services are held most Sundays.
Some of the flowers we found, amongst the mozzies, included Spider, Donkey, Clown and Banded Shell orchids, Blue Fringed Lily, Grevillea Hookeriana, Isopogon and more...


A walk around town revealed the grain storage bins seem no longer active. There were a collection of 5 train engines looking in very good condition.


The remains of a bakery from bygone years. Started in 1927 and then bought by Samuel Lynn in 1934. He, and his sons, also purchased and ran the Dowerin, Cunderdin, Goomalling and York bakeries. Unfortunately by 1963 the time for small country bakeries was past and they left Minnivale and the bakery fell into disrepair. Fortunately the Metters oven remains as a reminder of a social history that was part of every small rural town.

A short stroll down the road found us in a very small village called Latham. It is still in the Shire of Perenjori, and the stop is next to the Community Centre building, providing free hot showers and flushing toilets, a few fire rings so byo wood. A nice touch in the bathrooms are the towelling floor mats to step onto after your shower. Amazingly quiet overnight, we eventually had around 7 other vehicles parked up with us. Of course, we were the first so got the best spot. It's the quick or the dead with these free/donation camp spots. Across the road we viewed the wall with the Pioneer Families from the area of Latham & Maya and some historic memorabilia. Ian spotted the cold fridge which was the book library in the area and like a kid in a Lollie shop he just had to have a look. Further on our walk around Latham we passed the Library but alas it was closed.




The next morning was when we decided our next nights camp spot. And the winner was Watheroo Station Tavern. However our journey there took us through Coorow, a place remembered from our Busselton Naturalist trip 2 years earlier. Ian likes to check Petrol Spy and top up when fuel is available so Coorow looked a good bet. Well we shouldn't have put too much on this horse as it declined our credit card. It then declined the next punter in the row. After some detective work at the local co-op it was discovered that the Hardware shop owned the 24 hour Bowser's. When confronted they admitted, under extreme torture, that it had been declining certain credit cards all week. But, no Notice had been erected to the effect. Luckily we'd only travelled 94kms since our last refuel so not an issue for us.
So we drove the 1km out to the Coorow Community Farm and did the Bert Mailey wildflower walk and saw these beauties.








Watheroo Station, which the Tavern has now been incorporated into, was built in 1894 when the train line from Guildford to Walk away was finished. The old locomotive shed, which is looking a bit worse for wear, is one of only 2 left in WA. The townsite also has an old community sheep dip, a sports centre and a community sheep dip.



On our second day we headed off to Jingemia Cave which is 5 kms north of town in the Pinjarrega Nature Reserve. A Cave which has now had a roof collapse so more open than enclosed. Still very speccie. Ian took a climb down into the bottom and the views from around the edges of the hole were also spectacular.


Nearly as impressive were the wildflowers, bugs and butterflies.

We even spotted some milkmaids, but no cows. 1, 2 and 3. Aren't they impressive?

Well what can we say we were driving out slowly along the road and the Roo spotter, Deborah yells out, "Stop".
We reversed up and there they were the first sightings of cowslips on this trip. The more we looked from this point the more we saw. They were delightful to see.


After 2 nights of Ian cooking, meaning, eating at the Tavern, our next stop was Moora RV stop and another night for Deborah to shine.However, before those culinary skills could be put to good use we asked the local Information people where there might be flowers a blooming. Candy's Bush Reserve was the bomb, and we weren't disappointed. From wildflowers to miniature donkey orchids, spider orchids and Green veined shell orchids it was beautiful.


Along our journey today we saw spectacular farms growing colourful crops of canola and wheat.

We had anticipated we might stay 2 nights at Moora but decided to up sticks and head to a free camp spot a semi ghost town called Gabbin. It had a small, a very well maintained and clean toilet and shower unit, all next to the community hall. So nice that we did stay 2 nights at this location. Although virtually deserted at the moment Gabbin, when it was gazetted in 1918, like many pioneering towns had an array of sporting ovals, including cricket, football, soccer, hockey, two sets of tennis courts and a boxing club. You can still see the old football scoreboard and cricket wicket when you walk through the bush. A school opened in 1922 but closed in 2000.


A walk around the bush near the hall and camping area provided some very nice wildflowers as well.

The local Shire and volunteers also have provided some fire pits, which we managed to make good use of. We started a fire at Happy Hour the first night and invited the other camper's. We had a lovely social gathering. The next day Ian tended to the fire and Deborah placed a delicious savoury bread on the fire for lunch and what a cracker of a loaf it was. This was followed by a dinner cooked on the same fire which was maintained overnight and during the day. Well we are loving cooking our food on the camp-fire, where ever and when ever possible. The fire also helped some other campers who stayed the first night, and a lovely homeless gentleman living out of his car (for many years), with his mate Wales the Blue Heeler.
In fact, before we left the campsite we left a pile of wood for our homeless friend, it's only neighbourly.

After a short drive, morning tea was in Yalgoo. A place that has the smallest church designed by architect/priest Monsignor John Hawes, parish priest for the Murchison Goldfields and Mid-West from 1915-1938. Repaired in 1981 after years of disrepair, it sat alongside the Dominican Convent and Chapel of which only the chimney stacks are left standing.

Continuing another 70kms along a very well maintained gravel road we headed towards Melangata Station Stay. And the lovely wildflowers continued to amaze along the drive.


The station Homestead is a unique building being the only private residence designed by Monsignor John Hawes that was ever built in Australia, and also his first commission in the area before any of his churches were built. We did a Homestead tour which was very interesting and having history of how he was given the commision to design the homestead in the first place, which run over budget and took over 3 years to build and believed to not be totally finished. Remember, this was during WW2, with labour shortages. At the end of the day we were treated to freshly made lemonade scones and a cup of delicious coffee by Jo Clews owner of Melangata Station Stay. Husband Ken was out installing new fences to not only keep the dorper cross sheep in, but also keep unwanted animals out. A single, low down outrigger electric wire has been effective in stopping dingoes and even kangaroos from overrunning the fenced areas. Jo and Ken are also pushing dead fallen Mulga into wash away areas to help slow the movement of any water, and keep it on land when the rains fall.
New land owners are reinventing land management, and opening up their homes and land to visitors. The area is in desert type country: red plains covered in scattered Mulga scrub, granite breakaways, brilliant coloured rocks, and dry creeks that can flood and wash away tracks with the smallest amount of rain.




We chose to do a 4 wheel drive tag a long tour of the station which took over 3 hours and 50km. We were treated to views of the paddocks, breakaways, wildflowers in abundance and even some Aboriginal rock art (no photography allowed.)


We took another walk on the station, this was to the airstrip where Ian decided to see what it felt like behind the joystick of an aeroplane.


We drove out 15km to Dalgaranga Station, a neighbouring Station which is now owned by the Government in a well intentioned attempt to preserve it. Unfortunately a government department lacking funds and resources means the homestead is all but abandoned and the building , Shearer's quarters and shearing sheds are in disrepair. We saw Red tailed black cockatoos and pink galahs in the trees surrounding this homestead.





We found the bush supermarket and had a scout around.

Took a further drive to see the Dam built on the property. We walked up to the top of the rock cliff to have a good look at the dam. The usual build on the granite outcrops is to build a small height wall to channel rainfall water down to a low in ground dam. This was built as a large wall dam on-top of the granite outcrop. Continual raising of the dam wall height resulted in a major breach of the wall...obviously no dam engineer was used in this build. If only it could be repaired.

We took another drive to see the shearing quarters and sheering shed.

The Homestead offers when they have guests at the homestead, a 3 course dinner a cost of $55 per person. This is offered to the campers to fill the table if seats are available.
Ken has a Phoenix 1999 van, 15 foot with an East West bed. Phoenix is a precursor to Sunland Caravans. Interestingly enough he was eyeing off our van as he liked our colours. He did come to check we were looking after it. Lovely fellow.
The Homestead has a campfire setup each night, and everyone camping turned up at some stage it other to share stories. Jo and hubby Ken usually managed to make it over from the Homestead and furthered reinforced their passion for the rehabilitation of the property. Ken also took time out most nights to provide food for the stations 10 dogs by doing a little 'roo' shooting. He even has an app that provides info on the best time they might be active.

The evening campfire is so well maintained that even in the mornings the coals are still hot. Before we left on Thursday Deborah popped her new cast iron bread pan into the coals of the last night's fire and proceeded to pop some ice and a sourdough loaf of bread inside. Cook for 30 minutes before removing it from the fire. What a cracker of a loaf for the virgin voyage of this bread pan. What do you think?

On Thursday it was time to depart the Homestead sadly after a frosty start to the day. We headed off by 9am and has our first stop at Yalgoo on the way.

We saw an abandoned home south of Yalgoo, at the entrance to Bunnawarra Station, and decided it was a perfect destination for our morning coffee.

We picked up some supplies at Morawa IGA, and continued our drive to today's destination Perenjori Caravan Park. $17 a night, for an unpowered sites was good for us.
We were set off for a walk to the small town hall festival tonight. The musos were Jed Parson's from New Zealand and Alana Wilkinson from Australia. We had such an entertaining night. If you get the chance, do yourself a favour and go to one. They are touring small towns at the moment.
https://festivalofsmallhalls.com And a lovely old 1928 Ford out the front of the Town Hall.

Wreath flowers, Pindar wasn't able to provide them so our next go to spot was a gravel pit just north of Perenjori. Guess what? Due to rain they seem to have gone on holidays. So either due to heavy rains the wreath flowers are going to be later in the season or missing in action this year. Thankfully we found some colour in the canola fields.

Perenjori offers another spot called Orchid Ridge. It didn't take long to find beautiful flowers and orchids. We also saw the farmer spraying the field.


On our trip back we took a detour into Camel Soak and again it didn't disappoint. The orchids and wildflowers were in abundance.

A walk around town took us to the Perenjori Information Centre which has a community garden and a few old machines from bygone days. Interestingly a few are from the old Perenjori bakery, which appears to have closed in 1996. A large dough mixing machine was originally from the Dunsborough bakery not far from our home town, a bread slicer from Esperance bakery used in Perenjori from the early 1970's.

Saturday in Perenjori happens to be Show Day. Ian checked out the program and tonight there is fireworks. So we decided to stay another night and enjoy the fireworks. We moved from the caravan park next door at $17 an unpowered site, a day, to the free paddock next door for us fully self contained vehicles. We had the best views in town of the Fireworks. Perenjori certainly knows how to put on an outstanding Fireworks Show.
We also found another church designed by Monsignor John Hawes. This one was originally sketched in 1917 but new plans didn't get finalised until 1936, with the building finished in 1937. It's a definite difference in design to his earlier style, being more modernistic in it angles and materials used.

The journey continues...

After an enjoyable few days of snorkeling at the Ningaloo reef we headed off to Carnarvon.
We were booked into Coral Coast Caravan Park for 2 nights, with a bit of luxury on a powered and watered site. Each evening they lit the campfire next to the swimming pool for a social get together of like minded campers. A few Vino's loosened everyone up.
But before happy hour we hit the heights of the local IGA for a few provisions. Afterwards it was Woolworths turn to be entertained by our credit card.
Previously, on our way northward, we had stopped into Bumbaks at Carnarvon for Deborah to get her mango smoothie fix. This time, on Tuesday, we had more time so it was a drive around the 'fruit loop' to see what fruit and vegetables the locals had for sale, and then into Morels for a Sapote and a Mango icecream. Yum.
We then did the 'cruise the street' run, out to the local boat ramp. The tide was out along the river and, when the tide's out, the boats stay put. Luckily the quay for the big boats has a deeper channel and is open all day.

Due to some recent rains the wildflowers are starting to appear.

We upped anchor on Wednesday for the huge 120km drive to our next stop at Wooramel River Retreat. It is open from 1 March to 1 December. Reception Office is open daily 11am to 5pm. Wooramel is a 356,000 acre working cattle and goat station covering 1,430 square kilometres. The actual river is called upside down, as it runs on the surface only 2-3 times a year for a couple of weeks at a time. The main water is underground and artesian water naturally flows up from 240 metres to the surface. The even provides a few artesian baths for campers, which is at a constant 33 degrees. It was very nice to soak in. It is said to relieve all aches and pains. There were 4 open tank like baths available to use. Quite a few campers took the opportunity for a soak.
The Retreat also has an onsite cafe, open from 8am for coffee and baked goods, and dinner from 5.30-6.30pm.
Monday night is smoked meat box
Tuesday is pie night
Wednesday is Camp oven cook up
Thursday night is Curry night
Friday is Burger night
Saturday is BBQ
Sunday is Station Roast
Menu is subject to change. But we had our own dinner in the van, this helped keep the flies at bay. Also it was a lovely sunset.

The campsites are all unpowered, bring your own water and are in generous bush setting blocks. There is one area for generator use within the campsite. They have flushing toilets and also some swanky ensuites made inside tanks scattered around the campsites.



Took a walk through the station treasures at the historical tip. Before you get to the tip you have to cross the airstrip and hope the plane doesn't crash on you.

You can look at these 'treasures' but they are treated like a museum. Sorry Mark P. it's not an outback supermarket, you cannot take away.

We then followed along the river walk down the dry riverbed. It last rained here in mid June, and the river was running!


Time for another soak in one of the four artesian baths.

There are quite a few birds around the camping area, and some amazing nests in the riverside trees, with whistling kites prevalent.

Leaving Wooramel on Friday we travelled through countryside we had passed a few weeks earlier. The difference was noticeable, now with swathes of yellow, white and occasional pink everlasting flowers. In addition we passed a man, dressed as a superhero, walking around Australia in aid of children's cancer research. A mammoth effort. It was Caps Big Lap, or https://www.capsbiglap.au walking 15,000 kms in 730 days raising funds for The Kids Cancer Project. So, donate if you have a few dollars to spare.


Driving into Geraldton for the night we first checked the John Batten Hall camping area. Unfortunately we hadn't read the fine print first, and found that it's only for non self-contained motorised RV's, not caravans. So it was into the centre of Geraldton, only to find the other 24 Hour RV parking was full. Next stop was the Belair caravan park for the night. It was very close to the beach for a sunset walk. It's also close to the Point Moore Lighthouse.
The lighthouse was the first all steel tower built on mainland Australia and is still active under Federal control. At 34 mts high it was erected from 1877 using prefabricated steel segments made in Birmingham UK, shipped to WA and bolted together in situ. We were privileged to receive some photos, from a Geraldton local, of the inside of the Lighthouse highlighting the steel walls and it's soaring spiral staircase.

Taking the 'big city' opportunity to stock up on supplies we also found the quilt shop Deborah has frequented before, and frequented again. And across the road is the old Victoria Hospital. The hospital site was a convict shelter in the 1850's and had sick bay tent. The site was determined to be the right spot, and in 1877 the Victoria Hospital was built with 40 beds for the district. It only ceased operations in 1966.

Our second night, Saturday night, at Geraldton saw us nabbing one of the 8 RV camping sites in town. We had a quiet night at the 24 hour free RV site we headed off eastward towards Melangata Station Stay. Driving via Mullewa we visited the information centre and also Helen Ansell studio cafe. Deborah's Sister, Caroline purchased a beautifully designed wildflower picnic blanket for us. In addition we checked out the wildflowers at the Mullewa scenic lookout. Very worthwhile.




The Mullewa Information centre had also advised us not to stop overnight at our preferred stop, as it might be a bit boggy and to instead park in an area diagonally across from the Pindar wheat bins.
A great spot with heaps of wood for a camp fire, sunset and the occasional flower. No wreath flowers at the moment due to recent high rainfall. We also took a walk across the highway to see the old townsite of Pindar, but nothing much was happening. Even the pub was closed, but the lights were still on!




We head off today to Melangata Station.

Monday 22 July 2024 we arrived into Yardie Creek Homestead for a week's stay. Pay for 6 and stay for 7, so why not!
Our trip down from Millstream Miliyanha camp ground was via an overnight stay at Barradale road stop in the Yannarie River. Again an uneventful and quiet evening.
The drive on both days was also easy going, but again we witnessed some strange folk riding push bikes. We even saw the Pink Panther fly past on the back of a motorbike.

Yardie Homestead is a largish camp ground, with nearly 200 individual sites. Most have water that you can fill your tanks up, but not to stay connected to. Power also is an interesting proposition, as you can plug in but only use the power for low drawing appliances such as lights, fridges, and charging small appliances, definitely no toasters, ovens, frying pans or air conditioning. We got around the restrictions by using our inverter to power the air fryer, toaster etc and then turned back to mains to recharge the caravan batteries. It has a small pool on site.
They have a cafe onsite open 7am to 8pm, with music on some evenings, and surprisingly nice sunsets.

Although it's sunny it can also be very windy and small tents aren't a match for this breeze. Ian even got up at 2am to sort out our caravan awning as we were caught out by the increase in wind speed overnight.

There's a few things to do along the Ningaloo coast, which is a World Heritage area of incredible beauty incorporating the Ningaloo reef and the directly adjacent Cape Range Peninsular with terrestrial, coastal and marine habitats. One of these is the Yardie Creek Gorge Trail walk. A class 4 walk, of only 750m return it is recommended allowing 1 hour for the walk. This trail is an extension of the initial Yardie Nature Walk, a class 1, 1.2km return walk of 40 minutes. We both took up the challenge and were rewarded with many fauna and flora sightings. Photos following of fig tree (winyjirr), bush tomato (garurlara), bush potato (gulyu), bush orange (burlirda), many fruit bats (gurralyajii), also the endangered black flanked rock wallaby (gujangganganhunghu). Although sited we didn't manage a photo of the Osprey (bilygurumarda).

We also noticed a few fossilised remnants in the rocks, as well as enjoying the spectacular terrain and views.

Whilst at the Creek crossing we saw several cars/caravans dropping tyre pressure to drive across the creek mouth coming northward or heading south. One unfortunate ute driver hadn't done due diligence and got bogged.
On our drive back to camp we dropped in to see some of the other beaches and caravan camping spots. Deborah was busy watching whales offshore jumping out of the water and got buzzed by a low flying RAAF PC9 plane. It even dipped its wings as if they recognised her from her Pearce airbase days.
We also encountered some wildlife, galahs and moths, and watched the tide rushing in at Tulki beach.



One of the other spectacular things to do along the Coast is to go snorkelling in the clear aqua coloured waters. We dropped into our preferred beach, Lakeside, just in front of the Milyering Information Centre, parked up and did the short 500metre walk to the snorkelling spot. With clear blue skies, with temperatures of high 20s with warmish water, which was cool but not cold. We donned our snorkelling gear, mask, snorkel and flippers and swam out to the reef. We were rewarded with such a miriad of beautiful coloured shapes and size of marine creatures. We were lucky enough to sight a turtle, black and white sea snake, and a ray hiding beneath the overhang of a coral outcrop. It was playing with us, moving around, peeking out then slipping back under. We were blown away with this being so close to the shoreline. It was even easy for Deborah to swim out too and float above. An underwater camera would have certainly provided us good photos but alas this has not made it to be part of our kit yet. Maybe next time.

Last snorkel day for us here and it was a beauty, absolutely no breeze and the skies were blazing blue. As we walked towards the Lakeside Sanctuary Zone we were privileged to see several Ospreys watching the procession of people walking by.

Today we saw another great selection of coloured fish and coral, and again the baby turtle came to say hello. From the bottom of the ocean, it gently floated up and took a breath or two then gently floated down to the bottom of the ocean floor. In fact it did this several times right in front of us. It was so beautiful to watch.
Yet again Deborah went further out from the shore to view the spectacular sealife below the oceans surface.
You will have to trust us, put it on your bucket list and come and see yourself.

15.7.24 The week of our Millstream National Park stay.

Firstly a huge shout out and thankyou to Devil Creek Gas Plant where we fill up our water tanks if we're passing the turn off to Gnoorea Point (40 Mile Beach). They provide this freshwater facility for a gold coin donation to the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
It was an uneventful drive along the Red Dog Highway to the park today. Along our trip down from Karratha we noticed a lot of Ore trains parked up/stationery along the line, and at one spot a crane parked up lifting a derailed train off the tracks. A bit further along we had to slow down to let a Dingo pass. He stood in the middle of the road and stared us down, before running off into the scrub. The last 7 kilometres of corrugations were quite rough and unforgiving although it was a workout for our DRS = dust reduction system, which did it's job. Arriving at Miliyanha Camp Ground in Millstream Chichester National Park.

November 2023 there was a huge bush fire in the park which meant a lot of vegetation was burnt and starting to grow back now. There also seems to be a lack of Native animals which might not have returned yet.

Millstream started as a pastoral station in 1865. In its heyday the station covered more than 400,000 hectares and ran 55,000 sheep. The present homestead was built in 1919 and housed the Gordon family until 1964. It was a Tavern between 1975 and 1986, when the lease was purchased by Department of Conservation and Land Management, now the Department of Biodiversity and Attractions. The older building out the back was part of the original homestead but was still used as a kitchen for the new homestead.

This national park was previously two separate parks, Millstream and Chichester. They were joined as one park in 1982. Yindjibarndi people have the opportunity to continue their long association with the area through training and employment as Rangers and contract workers. It has some nice short walks around the Homestead. Unfortunately the Wetland Trail had been closed due to the November fires, but another walk through the trees near the creek was open, and we took a nice late afternoon stroll.

Because of the large in-ground aquifer there is an abundance of water available at Miliyanha campground. There are 27 sites available, all large and well spaced parking bays. This area has drop toilets, flushing toilets available at the Homestead. Camp Kitchen with gas bbq and gas stovetop, double basin sink, but byo fridge. Lovely bench seats to sit on and enjoy. This campsite also has water taps situated throughout the grounds.

Michele and Gary joined a short time after we arrived. We all got settled in and had daily 5'zees which included much light hearted banter and felt very relaxed and at home in our surroundings. The stars in the outback are truly spectacular. We also had a number of locals join us each day, such as the native Spinifex pigeons.

Most of the National Park comprises of rolling Spinifex hills and spectacular escarpments in contrast around the Millstream Homestead area can be found a lush oasis of wetlands and Fortescue River pools. The water that feeds the Millstream Oasis springs from an aquifer, and underground reserve contained in the porous dolomite rock. The aquifer has an estimated area of 200 square kilometres and believed to contain 1.7 Billion cubic metres of water. The water from the aquifer along with the Harding Dam supplies water to industry and housing in Wickham, Roebourne, Point Samson, Dampier and Karratha. The downside to this in the campsite is hearing a constant thrum from the pumps the Water Department is using, unless the wind blows the sound in the other direction.

During the time we were camped at Miliyanha we undertook a few activities. The Warrungunha Trail which is an 8 kilometre return walk to the Cliff Lookout. Normally you would see melaleuca woodlands, hummock grassland and riverine woodland. Along the trail we did see some palm trees which we learnt are native to the area, named Millstream palms a relic from the paleoclimate. It looks like a bush oasis although further along the trail towards the cliff lookout, the deviation from the bushfire is noticeable with most undergrowth missing and bushes and trees starting to show regrowth. We even managed a shot of a Rainbow Bee Catcher, last photo in this following lot....

The Clifftop Lookout had views over one of the pools on the Fortescue River and the distant Hamersley Rangers in another direction.

The local swimming hole is Deep Reach Pool (Nhanggangunha) where we took the opportunity to hop in and go for a swim. This pool is believed to be the home of the mythological serpent or Early by the local Yindjibarndi people and a high level of respect is called for whilst using these pools. This is where we spotted some large Mulla Mulla flowers developing.

Another drive out we took was along Snappy Gum Drive, which is roughly a 33 kilometre round trip, but we only managed about 7 kilometres as the road was closed due to flood damage. We went past some of the pumping stations owned by Water Corporation.

As part of this drive we did manage to cross both the Millstream Creek and the Fortescue River, but not before testing the depth of water across the road. We also explored, on foot, the rocky picturesque hills along the Fortescue river and at Palm Pool. Deborah & Ian both found many rocks to admire.

Upon our drive to our next location we encountered a couple of people riding bicycles heading North up the Coastal Highway. Also 4 Harleys past us going southbound carrying the Pink Panther.

Until next time, stay safe, be happy, and do something you have never done before.

Tuesday 9 July 24
A chance meeting as we left home on our trip. We took Marmalade to the Caravan Doctor for an adjustment to the new screen door. Not long after and at a Bunnings shop for a pool noodle we caught up with Ian's Sister Lynne over a coffee. After this chance encounter our journey began.

Next stop was Singleton where we caught up with Mel & Neil, Ian's Brother. After a cuppa and a yarn we drove the short journey to Pinjarra RV stop for the night. We camped with another half a dozen campers, all sourcing the high ground. Unfortunately due to recent rains this stop was a bit like a paddling pool. We took the initiative to email the council to thank them for providing the stop and ask were there an plans for remediation of the area. Their response was immediate and very positive. They intend to upgrade the drainage and improve and Mark caravan parking before the end of the year. We look forward to seeing this.

The Pinjarra Council has also bought the old Australind Train which is parked next to the RV park. The council have plans to retrofit the train for accommodation for hospitality workers.

Wednesday 10th July 24
On our way through Perth we caught up for a coffee and natter at Lot 6 Zero with our daughter Natalie.

After putting the world to right we headed off towards Lower Chittering to see the block of land that our friends Andrew and Margôt have just purchased. The views are lovely.

In the same area, Bullsbrook, is the Rural Building display home the house they are interested in building.
After admiring the house we set off North to our stop at Drummonds Reserve, 4.5km off the Brand Highway.
Two other campers spent the night under the stars. It was very quiet and peaceful.

Thursday 11 July 24
Listening to the ABC radio this morning on our journey we hear an interview with Torvill & Dean, British Ice Skaters who are coming for a final tour down under. We had a good day of travels and parked up at the Billabong Roadhouse and enjoyed a free hot shower. We were in the company of Baker's dozen. Nice sunset and then sunrise the next day. Deborah enjoyed her play time.

Friday 12 July 24
A relatively early start to the day. We passed through Carnarvon around 11 and had a compulsory stop at Bumbaks for a mango smoothie. The vans heading South the last few days but even more so today just keep coming. It could be due to the end of school holidays. We find we are travelling in the right direction. We parked up for a nighttime stop at Barradale Rest Area with another 50 or more. There wasn't much water in the Yannarie River. It is the dry season.

Saturday 13 July 24

A rather quiet night last night considering the vehicles camped up. Today we head to Peedamulla for a nights stop and cultural experience. We were excited to be visiting Peedamulla during NAIDOC week.

Deborah had to take a walk to surveil the surrounds.
Seems like most of the 20 camp sites were booked, and people drove in from Onslow plus a free bus services was provided from, and back to, Onslow for the feed and Corroboree. A hundred or more people had a great time. The kangaroo tail stew was a surprise. Although not much meat on the bones it was extremely tender and mild, nothing like previous kangaroo dishes we had tried. A lovely camp fire afterwards where we met a few more station locals, Onslow locals and mine workers.

Sunday 14 July 2024

And off we trip towards Karratha. First a quick shower in the hot Peedamulla ablutions, and we head off. A water fill stop at the Devil Creek gas plant along the way ensures our time in Millstream will be flush.
Karratha Coles Express overnight stop (on the highway) turns into the Hampton oval in Dampier, a further 20 kms up the road. Also, this means we can catch up for a dinner with friends Michele and Gary who are staying the night at Dampier Transit Park.
Before dinner we take a walk along the beach front. Great big busy boat ramp. These Dampier people must have a few dollars. And a lovely beach park, even with hammocks for adults.

Monday 15 July 2024
Dinner at the Mermaid Tavern in Dampier was a hit, all you can eat buffet including prawns. Go back to fill up as many times as you like until 8pm. And even a skimpy or 2 in the bar.
After a night in the 'no camping' Hampton Oval we set off from our night in the Hamptons towards Millstream National Park, and another meet up with Michele and Gary. We see the beach one last time from Marmalade before setting off.

Wednesday 24 April 2024
Leaving Kimba, the wind gods were kind to us as we head westward again towards Wudinna (wood-nah). This town has an RV parking area at the showgrounds, providing power and water for $15 per night with toilets, and a shower if needed for an extra $2. Or unpowered and no water hook up for $10 per night. We opted for the $15 option. Deborah got the washing sorted and cooked her delicious sourdough bread for lunch.
After setting up we took a walk around the town to check the shops, including op shop, bakery, Foodland and Library. They also have a statue, 'The Australian Farmer's, a contemporary 8.5 metre high granite sculpture. Representing the early settlers of the region with wheat sheaths on the torso with sheep around the base. It's amazing to see day or night.

Stores in town

They think of everything and everyone at the RV Park.

Ian was a happy chappy after seeing the towns Library.

Afterwards we took one of the suggested scenic drives. This one took us to Polda Rock and dam.

This is the rock surface.

The Dam



We then drive past Turtle Rock and on to the magnificent Mt. Wudinna. Mt Wudinna is locally claimed, at 260 metes high, to be Australia's second highest granite monolith. It sure has great views from the top.



Ian did a bit of pondering right up the top. Secret Mens business Deborah was told.

After walking very carefully down from Mt Wudinna Deborah decided a little rest was in order. The views were magnificent from a special seat she found.

A little walk to see the picnic facilities, iron art and fire pits around the bottom. Unfortunately you cannot camp here but certainly would be a great picnic spot. The views are magic from this area. We could see for miles and miles. What a privilege to climb this beauty.

Thursday 25 April 2024
Anzac Day, Lest we forget!
The road beckoned once again. Where will we end up today? Lunch was at Wirrulla. This has a nice $15 a night campground with power and water and wait there's more, showers. After picking up 2Litres of milk at the general store we moved on. There was a lot of traffic heading East but very little travelling Westward like us. Fuel and a free hot shower from the Ampol Service Station, in the town of windmills, Penong. But our stop for the night was Cohen Old School Site, 14 kms West of Penong. A sunny day and we reached 21 degrees maximum today and a minimum of 9.7 tnis morning.

Friday 26 April 2024
10.1 degrees in the van this morning . We hit the road running to see how far we could get, 569km to be exact. There were lots of long straight stretches of road, not a sharp corner or steep hill to be seen.

Unfortunately the road kill count in SA, in the first hour of travel included 4 wombats. Luckily 2 Emus strolling across the highway were spotted in time for us to slow down and safely avoid them. A lot of traffic we passed was headed eastward. Including a couple of vehicles we literally had to get off the road for them to pass.

Our morning tea stop today.

We reached an auspicious milestone, pun intended, Rocky the Jeep ticked over 100,000km.

At peg 70, 70km east of the WA/SA boarder we saw an optical illusion which turned out to be 2 trucks back to back, not one truck.

Today we gained 45 minutes near the boarder. After passing at the boarder today our inspector just happened to be a Manchester United supporter. Initially he was going to refuse us entry due to our car number plate (MANCTY FC), luckily for us his wife is a MAN City supporter. He asked permission to take a photo of our plate to show his wife and cousin who is also a City supporter. We are happy to report we were let back into WA as we passed the inspection with flying colours. We seem to have gained another 45 minutes. Our watches are in denial at the moment, however tomorrow with internet reception we feel it will all be resolved. We have now crossed the boarder and are now several hundred km into WA. The outside temperature reached 21 degrees. Our night stop is at Moodini Bluff. Deborah baked a loaf of bread upon arrival for tomorrows lunch.

Today has been a big day due to the added 1 hour and a half of daylight.

Saturday 27 April 2024
We hit the road again and not long down the track Ian spied a dead dingo on the side of the road. We encountered 2 push bikes and riders, heading in our direction, so we gave them plenty of room as we travelled by.

Our coffee stop today was at Caiguna near this sign

Ian spotted an emu running from one side of the highway to the other, as they ran just behind a car that was driving towards us. It reached 26 degrees by 1.30pm WA time. Deborah got her wish, she was handed the keys and drove the second half of the 90 mile straight and beyond. No animals were harmed on this adventure. Although Ian's blood pressure medication helped him as he sat in the passenger seat admiring the view.

Our lunch stop was at Harms Lake. Just as we drove off again about a kilometre into the journey Deborah noticed on a hill about 500 metres from us, was about a dozen free range camels. These are the first camels we have seen this trip. We have been passing a heap of Variety Bash cars going in the opposite directions, here is one of them.

As we were driving along we saw evidence of the bush fire along the Nullarbor from February earlier this year where a 370km of the Eyre Highway was closed.


Our destination today is Norseman free RV camp, the end of the Nullabor drive.

Sunday 28 April 2024
Getting up this morning was a cool misty morning, not too dissimilar to our mornings at Bannon Park free camp in Tasmania.

Morning tea today was at the beautiful townsite of Salmon Gums. One of the main events of the day happened as we were leaving Salmon Gums. Many salt lakes were seen on our drive although all empty of water but full of salt. Rain drops falling on the car. Ian stopped to put the wet weather flap in the Dometic Dust Reduction System (DRS)in the caravan. Continued on uninterrupted to Ravensthorpe. A well oiled pitstop. We hit the toilets, drove to the very conveniently located water tap and Ian topped up the tank while Deborah weaved her magic in the kitchen, to make a delicious soup and sourdough toast. We then headed to Hopetown Free RV camp. A along the way avoiding a troupe of Emus in the paddock next to us. Deborah yelled, STOP. As Ian screamed to a holt, no breaks or following vehicles were damaged in this endeavour. Deborah had spotted a lovely T-Pot, picture perfect but too big to take home. It was tight, but luckily we could fit into a designated spot to stay for up to 48 hours. Went for a walk into town to pick up some Fish & Chips and prawn fritters for dinner from Go Nuts. It was cooked by the same guy as always and to perfection. The temperature reached a sweltering 17 today and most of the day we had cloud cover. We still reached 100 percent in the battery on-board the caravan.

Monday 29 April 2024
We had a walk into town to check out the bakery. Enjoying a relaxing day today. This afternoon we had a lovely stroll along the beach. The weather started off sunny and then early afternoon it turned windy and overcast.

Tuesday 30 April 2024
The ranger came around this morning and issued move on noticed to those who have not had an officially dedicated grey water tank and a toilet onboard. The bucket underneath just doesn't cut it at Hopetoun.
A revisit to Fitzgerald National Park was in order today. On the way into the park is a small camping area run park the Parks Department, Four Mile beach which has beach access and close by is Barrens Beach.

Barron Beach

We last visited the park in September last year with the Busselton Naturalists, on our 2023 long range camping trip. Spring had then provided a good array of wildflowers and fauna, but mid autumn still provides a beautiful outlook but with less flowers at Barrens Lookout.


Mt Barren

Lunch back at the van was a triumph of Deborah's skills. A huge bun in the oven, delish.

And finally a walk around town took us past the Shire information office, Community Resource Centre and Library. A lovely window plus native garden with interpretive signage. On display were some Pincushion Hakea flowers, which reminded us of our own garden.

Wednesday 1 May 2024
A visit to another previous wildflower destination, Borden. Whilst driving along we were listening to the ABC rural hour, as you do, and talking about running out of hay for stick feed. And what should pull out ahead of us but a double banger truck load of hay bales.

Ian had poo pooed the idea there'd be much in the way of wildflowers at Borden at this time of the year. But we found what appears to be an orchid just opening, a few other flowers and a huge moth about 8 cm long. Ian named this orchid the MayDay Orchid.

The Borden School entrance wall art was impressive as was the street art and the song.


Borden is such a quiet, payback town we do love our visits here. On our walk around town we saw some great specimens. The protea looks so happy where it is planted.

We spent a couple of dollars in town by going out for dinner at the Tavern. Great food, friendly and welcoming staff. Would we swing by again and use the free camping options, we most certainly would.

Thursday 2 May 2024
A leisurely start to the day after our cuppa as we have a planned lunch date at the famous Mount Barker Bakery, only 160 kms away.
The mountains today had clouds sitting on top. It was drizzling throughout the day. At one stage we saw an Emu right beside the car as we drove along the highway. In Mount Barker we spotted this fabulous wall art.


Tonight's destination is Rocky Gully, WA, a free camp opposite the newly renovated and reopened Rocky Gully Roadhouse. Check it out online. Our camp spot is also the school bus pickup/drop-off point.

Friday 3 May 2024
After an extremely quiet night due to lack of night traffic on the Muir Highway we headed off for a morning tea catch up in Manjimup. Within the first 5km Ian started to rapidly slow the combo down, as we saw two kangaroos a Mum or Dad and the young one, right beside the bitumen on our side of the road. The Adult crossed, the youngster hesitated but then jumped across the road. Luckily we avoided these two and continued onwards. We caught up with Lynne, Joc & Dan. Fuelled up and headed to Balingup for our overnight stop, this is our last night out on this trip. A walk into town to browse the local shops. Then home for afternoon tea. The night markets were on in town tonight. We picked up some fresh honey from this beaut ute. Deborah does love a good looking ute.

On our last night out in Marmalade for this trip we though we just had to finish it with Tasmanian cooked salmon and chips and veggies.
Our site, beside the oval.

Saturday 4 May 2024
This morning we were entertained by a game of soccer. The under 15s second game of the season. The Bunbury team played Balingup.

We swung by Donnybrook and saw they have updated the information at the transit park.

We arrive home in Busselton, our home today after almost 5 months on the road and 15,309 kilometres travelled. We have had an epic adventure. Ian & I would like to thank you for coming along on the ride with us.
Until next time.
xoxo

Sunday 21 April 2024
Off early for a walk to visit of the Producer Markets in Wirrabara. Lots of fresh produce locally grown and produced. Picked up some last minute groceries and The Sunday Mail paper, hooked up and we are on the road again.

Wilmington to Quorn, South Australia
Had a short break in Wilmington before continuing our journey to Quorn. First stop was at the Railway Station/Information Centre to pick up our tickets for the 2.30 Tour of the Railway workshop.

We found a lovely bush camp for the night $18 a night and maximum stay of 2 days. Ian set up camp as Deborah prepared lunch and a lovely cup of tea.


A little light reading then off down town on foot, we go, to take a walk through town. Have a close look at these front windows.

A few buildings around town and the new town centre & water feature with Ampitheatre.


The Anzac Memorial Area.

We found the Library for Ian at the school for everyone to visit.

The 2.30pm Tour of the Pichi Richi Railway Workshop & yards. The workshops span across several sheds. Each holding various steam and diesel electric engines and multiple rail carriages, some in varying states of repair. They are always looking for volunteers to help. The tour was extensive and took over 1.5 hours. They even have a carriage from WWI that has etchings done by soldiers carried by the trains. Plus a sleeper carriage that has a ladies and gents end. Deborah inspected the plumbing and seating. Ian quietly waited.

Amazing renovation work is done here and they currently have 3 working steam trains, plus the diesel electrics. Here we also show an undercarriage of a W class plus the steam chamber being readied to install back on to it.

Many engines were built in England, others USA and others in Australia.

One of our favourites was the Coffee Pot train. We had tried to book a trip on it, but as it only goes a few times each year we were out of luck. It's called a motor carriage rather than a train, but it is really a steam driven engine. They even have a coal stash in the yard for it and the other steam engines.

Quorn, South Australia, the Silo night show at Quorn.
What we can tell you is these silos of a day are just that, with no painted pictures on them but at night as the sun goes down the light show begins. Like at the drive in theatre you drive and park up, turn your radio to 87.6 and watch & listen to the show, for about 30-40 minutes. This show also incorporated an Anzac Tribute.


https://quornsilolightshow.info/

Monday 22 April 24
We headed off on the road towards Iron Knob but along the way we thought we would revisit, 8 years later, The Australian Arid Land Botanic Garden, near Port Augusta. The plantings have expanded 2 fold. The area and plants and wildlife are impressive. Still a number of plants flowering, places to relax and sculptures to admire.

We passed wind turbines in the distance.

A salt lake.

It is noticeable the dryness out here. It hasn't rained in a while.

Continuing our journey we noticed in the distance as we were driving towards Iron Knob at the top of the hill 2 bursts of dust fill the air, which turns out to be the planned mine explosions today at 2pm.

We drove in and parked up for the night at the Iron Knob Community Run, donation campground. It has a camp kitchen, new toilet and shower block, hot water not attached yet. But as today reached 28 degrees we decided a cold shower would be refreshing tonight and it didn't disappoint. We visited the Post Office next door and met Markus the Postal Officer come general store person. We bought a drumstick ice cream each at $2.50 each, bargain and a dozen fresh and large free range community garden eggs at $4.00 bargain. We got the info on the land we had been passing on the left side, which is owned by the Army. All we could see driving past was danger, no entry. Markus tells us they have war games over there at particular times of the year, only known to the Army.
Below is a photo of Deborah's latest new friends. Not counted in the 150 residents living in Iron Knob.

The camp

Tuesday 23 April 24
Today we leave Iron Knob after a very warm night, something we haven't been used to during our trip around Tasmania which got down to 17. But firstly Ian inspects the van.

Deborah checks this structure out in the distance, it was confirmed it was used to load trains back in the day.

We take a stroll about 1km to the Iron Knob Tourist Information Centre and Museum. A compact display of the history of iron ore mining and other activities in the town. We also got to watch an informative video covering the main events in the mining journey of the town which established the iron ore and steel industry in Australia.

We hit the road, after arriving in Kimba for our morning tea stop we decided that, due to the strong headwinds, we'd stay the night. So we parked up in the Kimba Recreation Oval donation camping area. This provides nice ablutions which included access to $2 hot showers. A walk around town to the op shop and the Workshop 26. It's where Industrial meets country in an abandoned tractor shed. You meet the makers and creators breathing life into this unique country town in the heart of Eyre Peninsula. Local artisans, produce suppliers and secondhand antiques are on display and for sale. You will find Ian sitting by the fire waiting for his cuppa and the movies to start.

Tonight we took the opportunity to see the Kimba Silo artwork lit up. Very nice and a different reflection from our previous daylight viewings.

Wednesday 24 April 2024
We're off again....

Saturday 13 April 2024
The journey home begins in earnest. But first a look at some artistic wonders along the way.

Avoca, Victoria
This artwork commenced in March 21. Painted by Jimmi Buscombe. It is the 47th Silo to be painted. It is the only glow in the dark Silo in Australia.The artwork depicts the Barking Owl, a bird native to the local Pyrenees Ranges. And a enterprising house across the road makes and sells metal artwork and fire pits.
http://www.jimmibuscombe.com

St. Arnaud, Victoria
Artist: Kyle Tourney, painted by Ktorney Art and are officially the 38th set of silos to be completed in Australia.
Titled 'Hope', Kyle has told the story of three pioneer residents of St Arnaud, a former gold mining town, situated between Ballarat and Mildura. During the 1800's 'Hope' was about a miner looking for a fleck of gold in his pan, 'Hope' for his wife, will she be able to buy food and clothing for her family and 'Hope' that a young child will prosper. Kyle is a local resident of St Arnaud and is dedicated to the promotion of his town through tourism. He has now painted many murals throughout the town.
https://youtu.be/cUxcmSCg2-w

Boort, Victoria
We ventured out to the town of Boort with a population of 700, to see the "Spanner Man's Metal Sculptures" made entirely from old spanners. Artist John Piccoli. John contracted polio in 1949, he carried on farming his third generation Central Victorian property from a wheelchair before retiring to embrace life as an accidental artist. Mr Piccoli sourced spanners from far and wide to create his many sculptures, eventually, he was convinced to open his farm to visitors. He was terribly artistic a friend said. He used to lie in the dirt on his back to weld. " He had the incredible ability to achieve perspective." He didn't want to make money out of it, he just wanted to see the pleasure that people got out of his artwork." John died suddenly in April 2021. His Son is now opening up the garden for people to view these spectacular one off artwork sculptures. He used to fund his spanners by running tours of his sculptures around his garden.
He spent 6 months and more on many of these spectacular pieces. They do 2 tours a day, book in if you want to view his one of artworks.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-14/the-spanner-man-one-of-the-worlds-most-unusal-artists/7080726?utm_campaign=abc_news_web&utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_source=abc_news_web

A couple of the animals at the farm

They also have collections of items from the past.

Nullawil, Victoria
and St Joseph's Catholic Church.
The town has free showers for travellers Tonight we chose to stay at a donation camp-site in town, out the back of St Joseph's Catholic Church. The stars are definitely bright in small outback towns.


https://www.australiansiloarttrail.com/nullawil

Sunday 14 April 2024
Sea Lake, Victoria

https://www.australiansiloarttrail.com/sea-lake

Woomelang, Victoria
Artists : Seven including Jimmy Dvate, Andrew J Bourke and Kaff-eine to name a few.
I June 2020, the town of Woomelang invited seven artists to transform mini silos into a tourist attraction for the town. Featured on the silos are the likes of spotted tail quolls and other endangered species of the area.Located around the town of Woomelang, Victoria.
https://www.australiansiloarttrail.com/woomelang



They have a small donation caravan park in the centre of town for 2 vans, power and water supplied to each site. Toilets and hot showers next door. A communal fire pit and a painted Silo across the road.

https://www.australiansiloarttrail.com/woomelang

Lascelles, Victoria
Renowned Melbourne Street Artist "Rone" has painted the images of a local couple Geoff & Merrilyn Horman on the silos in the Wimmera-Mallee Victoria. The town has a population of only just 48 people on a good day, but Rone selected the Dorman's above others. They are a humble couple, who are both wise and knowing and who have nurtured the town with their vast farming experience and longstanding connection to the area. Their family has lived in the area for four generations. Geoff and Merrilyn were both born in the district and then married in Lascelles in 1967. Together with their two sons and now their families also, they have continued the family tradition of wheat farming and strong community involvement. In mid 2017 Rone worked for two weeks to transform these two GrainCorp silos which now portray Geoff and Merrilyn looking over their hometown forever. They are the eighth silos to be included in the Australian Silo Art Trail.
https://youtu.be/r3uKWmXzTb0


https://www.australiansiloarttrail.com/lascelles

Patchewollock, Victoria
GrainCorp Silos at Patchewollock - Victoria
Artist : Fintan Magee
Patchewollock is a very small town in the north-west region of Victoria. And Ian was intrigued about the Mobil sign next to the Bowser with no fuel. They also have sheep races opposite the local pub. The town also marks the beginning of the 'Silo Art Trail's from its northern end.
The GrainCorp Silos at Patchewollock were the forth set of silos to join the Australian Silo Art Trail Collection and the second to be painted in Wimmera-Mallee region in Victoria. It's always been one of my favourite silos as I love the rich colours in this one and the story behind it also. They were painted by Brisbane artist Fintan Magee. For inspiration for his silo mural and to get to know the people in the area, Fintan booked a room at the local pub so he could mix among the local community. It wasn't long before he met the subject for the Patchewollock Silos. A hard working lanky local by the name of Nick "Noodle" Holland who exemplified the no-nonsense, hardworking spirit of the region. These twin silos were built in 1939 and was transformed in late 2016.
https://youtu.be/tUG3PSbTsrw

Met a few of the locals riding by as we were enjoying our lunch today.

Here's a blast from the past.

These are for the sheep racing.

Ian's found yet another one.

Every town has at least one church.

https://www.australiansiloarttrail.com/patchewollock

Walpeup, Victoria
This Silo is a tribute to Harold Thomas Bell, a local boy from Walpeup, a little town in the north west part of Victoria, who became a trooper of the 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment after using his cousin's last name Wickham, to disguise his true age to enlist and fight in World War 1. This boy was shot in the leg during the Battle of Beersheba on October 31, 1917 and died of his wounds the following day. He was just 16 years old. Located in the town of Walpeup on the Mallee Highway, this piece was painted on the Grain Corp silos and allows viewers to reflect, and to pay respects to the bravery and sacrifices made during the war.
This project took 5 years in the making and the preparation only took a few weeks to paint.
The Artist was Julian Clavijo and Camilo Delgado.


Dryland Memorial Garden

Ian's been a busy boy visiting some of the libraries in this area.

Another town and another Church. Although some towns have 1,2 or 3 churches maytimes they whittle them down to 1 church. This is not that church. This one closed a few years ago. It's still here to visit.

https://www.australiansiloarttrail.com/walpeup

We are staying the night in the Walpeup Wayside Stop. It's a campground in town near the Silo. Ian gave Deborah the option of sites tonight, a $9 unpowered or a $10 powered, water hook up, toilets and hot shower in the ablution block a further $3. Well Deborah chose the $10 powered option as it seemed like a no brainer. It's a very busy park and full tonight with 8 powered sites and lots of unpowered sites. Having a shower in our van, using our gas. Tomorrow we head through the 1st Quarantine drop going north. I have taken the opportunity to cook up our fruit and wash the few potatoes I have left. We also are a piece of Uncle Harry's beautiful salmon for dinner and used up our salad. I also took the opportunity to do some washing as one does when on power and water.
https://www.mildura.vic.gov.au/Explore/Parks-and-recreation/Walpeup-Wayside-Stop

Monday 15 April 2024
Mildura, Victoria
We head to Mildura today and are stayed at the Red Cliffs Golf Club a donation camp site. Passing through Ouyen (owe-yen), we stopped at the Mallee Bakery also Roxy Theatre reopened, after community restoration, in 2007. And a few other items of interest in the town.

From the Lookout over the mighty Murray River.

The Red Cliffs Golf Club camp kitchen, but wait there's also a cool book exchange and a lovely sunset.

Tuesday 16 April 2024
The Traditional owners of the Mildura area are Maraura, Barkinji, Dadi Dadi, Jari Jari Ladji people.
The Jeep (Rocky) was having his 100,000 service today in Mildura. We are out and about in a sporty MG, sorry a Chinese MG3.

We managed to catch the paddle boat as it came into Lock 11 to be lowered down to continue it's journey downstream. The water level in the lock changes roughly 3.5 metres up/down.



The weir and lock, Lock 11, were built between 1923 and 1927. This, and the other 12 weirs, helped fulfill the shared vision of William and George Chaffey, for a permanently accessible source of water for irrigation and water transport along the Murray River. The weird and locks help manage water levels, creating a more reliable level for irrigation. Previously the floodplains and wetlands experienced wet and dry cycles. The weir at Mildura comprises 24 steel and each weighing 11 tonnes. These can be raised during flood events or for maintenance.


If only the 13 Weir's had been installed during the Chaffey Brothers development in the Mildura area was in full swing it's full potential might have been realised earlier than the early 1920's. As it was the Chaffey brothers (Canadians) came over from the US of A to Mildura in 1886, where they sweated blood to help create the first irrigation scheme in Australia. Initially successful, they built Rio Vista the house in 1889. However Williams first wife Hattie died in 1889, and the 6th baby soon after. Not to be downhearted William married Hattie's niece, also called Hattie, and had a further 6 children.
The Mildura irrigation scheme finally faltered when a drought occurred, and the brother's fortunes dwindled.
Eventually the weirs and locks were built in the early 1920's and crops, all along the Murray, began to prosper again. The house, Rio Vista, is an amazing example of late 19 century buildings, and preserved and presented in excellent condition. Loved the led lighting throughout the house.


We had a noisy miner over for lunch.

A bit of a drive around town also meant discovering another one of Ian's libraries.

We came home to a surprise. New neighbours, Sharon & Peter (Korker Adventures), in their Sunland Phoenix. We met them last in Karrinyup Waters Caravan Park, Perth, W.A. We had a good chat, it was great to see them & hear all about there travels. Redcliffs Golf Course had plenty of room for an Army of campers.

Wednesday 17 April 2024
A day for checking out a bit more of Mildura, in particular some op shops and sports shops. Nothing much to report, although there are quite a number of opportunity shops in town. No great purchases were made. We also checked into see Woodside Gems, which was a lot larger than we had anticipated, an Aladdin's cave if gemstones and jewellery. Again, no purchases happened.
Afternoon saw us visiting Cappa Stone Wines and Dynasty of Tea. A family owned business making wine and blending their own tea styles. A bit of tasting, presented by Kade one of the wine makers, had us taking home a few bottles of vino, and an album. Yes, another purchase of a vinyl record by Ian, who got into deep discussions with the winery owner, Kade's father Dale, about record players, amplifiers and other 2 channel music equipment. Seems he used to repair record players in a previous life. Ian finished the evening cooking the salmon dish outside the caravan. Once again, thankyou to Uncle Harry the fisherman in the family.

https://www.cappastonewines.com/

Thursday 18 April
Off to our next night time destination, Waikerie in South Australia. Yep, we're crossing the border. But along the way we have some Silo art and a Quarantine border crossing to negotiate.

Werrimul, Victoria
Is a small town, with a shop post office and a pub. It's also got camping across from the pub which has a combo toilet/shower for free. Nice Silo artwork as well, done by Jimmy Dvate and Justin Fennel seed.

https://www.australiansiloarttrail.com/werrimul

Paringa, South Australia
Our next artwork, and lunch stop at the bakery. This silo art is done by Jack Fran using exterior acrylic enamel paint, applied with brushes, rollers and airless spray gun. Paringa is near Renmark and was also the base for the Chaffey brothers of Mildura fame, to setup their younger brother Charles Frances. To oversee the irrigation and agricultural development for the Renmark region. He is depicted on the silo artwork along with Sister Elaine Balfour-Ogilvy 1912-1942, a nurse from Paringa who, along with other nurses and civilians were deliberately gunned down by the Japanese in 1942, after the fall of Singapore. The incident became known as the Bangka Straits Massacre. Also depicted is a paddle steamer with Captain Pearl Wallace and finally a silhouette representative of First Community Inhabitants.

A bit of confusion as we had checked online what we were allowed to bring through quarantine into SA. The information led us to believe we needed to eat the fruit & veg of which we had 1 banana and 1 apple. That was easy to eat. A few cherry tomatoes, so we snacked on them. But the other information led us to believe we could take in washed potatoes, or cooked potatoes, raw silver eat and raw green stir fry vegetables. But as we passed the turnoff to bin, we noticed another sign, " No fruit and vegetables allowed. We quickly halted and made a U-turn to the bins and decided it wasn't worth the risk, although we were confused we felt it was best to bin any vegetables we had before driving to the quarantine check point. We stopped as directed and an officer checked the car and van including the fridge and pantry. The officer said, "no fruit or veggies are allowed". We had a discussion about the signage and discrepancies. For a brief moment as the officer asked Deborah to open the pantry, he said, do you have any honey? Deborah had an anxious moment as she had previously thought we needed to eat that before crossing the boarder, but forgot about it. Deborah said yes, here it is, we bought it in Tasmania. Fortunately there is no Varroa mite in Tasmania he said, you can bring that in. He checked the bottle was tightly closed. He also said if I purchased it in NSW he would have taken it away and fined us. With a sigh, we locked up the van and Deborah told Ian to , "Start the car" and off we drove. Meanwhile, due to our lengthy inspection and one lane only for caravans, we had now backed up the caravan row of others waiting to come through this inspection point.

After leaving we start to head through Renmark town itself. A quick visit to 23rd Street Distillery is in order. A tasting flight of gin and whisky before resuming our drive.


https://www.australiansiloarttrail.com/paringa

Waikerie, South Australia
Finally at Waikerie, named after the indigenous word for the local rain moth 'wei kari'. We take a few shots of the Silo art and along the Cliff Top Walk. This also gave us views across the Murray River and the local ferry, which is the only way to cross the river in the town.


https://www.australiansiloarttrail.com/waikerie

Walkerie Cliff Top Walk

A bit of street art in town

Waikerie is known for its iconic citrus industry, so we had to look into one of the factory outlets, Nippys.

Tonight our camp is at Waikerie, by the silo art, free camping. We had another 3 caravans in the carpark as our neighbours. The area next to the Silos has been designated by the local council as free RV camping. The silos are also flood lit at night.

Friday 19 April 2024
Across the Mighty Murray.
Heading off from Waikerie we decided to take a slightly different route, so we could make use of the 'free' ferry across the Murray. No bridge, so this is how the towns people get over the other side. Easy and quick.

Eudunda, South Australia
Silo Art - The Storytime Silos.
Artist : Sam Brooks
Sam was commissioned to creat an "identity' for Eudunda and to inspire, challenge and stimulate local tourism, as well as to develop a Public Art Project that is Creative, Artistic and Innovative. This massive 30m tall, six silo project.
The Silo tells a story about two children, sharing stories about their past and their culture and connections to the area. Famous local author, Colin Thiele, wrote Sun on the Stubble as he reflected about this area. The book tells about the hardships, farming community and day to day experiences of rural life in Eudunda. The young girl in the painting carefully steps through her magical book, experiencing cattle, sheepdogs and horseback riders as they travel through a golden dust storm.


Driving through the country we found this fixer upper.

https://www.australiansiloarttrail.com/eudunda

Farrell Flat, South Australia
Artists :Jarrod Soden and Matthew Knights.
Completed November 2020.
150 Litres of paint used.
30m tall Silo.
Art piece total size : 900 square metres.
It depicts the last passenger train to pass through this historic township in the late 1900s. We also noticed that the newer silo next to the painted ones were getting a lick if paint around their tops. And, even though it might be a one horse town, it still has a functioning hotel open 7 days a week. The train station is now a private residence in the throes of being renovated.
Population : 300.

Check out one of the two guys on the top of the white silo.

https://www.australiansiloarttrail.com/farell-flat
A short drive along we chanced upon the small town of Yacka, and an amazing find for Ian. The Mobile Library was in town.

Laura, South Australia
Check out this Yakka mural.

Inside the North Paddock antiques and gift shop you will find not only a coffee shop but these beauties.

Wirrabara, South Australia
Wirrabara is a town located in the Southern Flinders Ranges in the mid north of South Australia. The Horrocks Highway passes through town and it sits along the Rocky River. In April 2018
Wirrabara Silos
Artist : Sam Bates, 'Smug'
The local community did not want a local resident painted on their silos, so Smug chose Dion Lebrun to be the inspiration for the Wirrabara Silo Art.
The artwork also depicts the rich history of the area which has strong ties to the forestry industry as well as referencing the beautiful local flora and fauna for which the area is well known for. The Viterra Silos took Smug three weeks to complete in 2018.
The site includes generous parking spaces in the designated car park for several buses, caravans and cars.

https://www.australiansiloarttrail.com/wirrabara

Tonight's camp is at Wirrabra Community Caravan Park. Our choice was $20 unpowered or $25 powered and water with access to an ensuite style toilet/shower. We chose powered. The sites all have there own firepit should you choose to use it. Initially we decided to stay one night.
Ian's cooking tonight, well he chose to take Deborah out to the local pub and it just so happens to have a happy hour from 5-7pm, with a raffle drawn about 7pm if you choose to buy a ticket or 3. A walk through the arboretum to the pub revealed some local metal artworks.

And finally during dinner...Woo Hoo, we won a $30 voucher for dinner/lunch at the pub.

Saturday 20 April 2024
We have extended our stay to two nights to utilise our $30 dinner voucher we won.
We took the opportunity to take a walk around the town today. We checked out the local we) stock & reasonably priced corner store with some artwork outside it including a Bubble O' Bill. Also a craft shop/information Bureau. Lovely cute small home found in the streets, Deborahs step size 14 x 10. We stopped and peered through the window of a wood craft store and The Book Brothel. Later to find out, the owner passed away in March, so they won't be opening again. The Book Brothel used to be open 24/7 on an honesty base. Further on our walk we walked along the back streets and passed the local police station that doesn't look like it's open much. We saw very few people wandering around town, although we are told there are approx 300 people in the district. The playground area was well utilised today. Some painted and tiled murals were found around town. Tonight we take walk through town to the pub for dinner.

Tuesday 9 April 2024
It's coming to an end. But before then we awoke to a 6.8 degree morning, inside the van! Not much warmer than inside the fridge.
Today was another exploration, this time to the eastern side of the Tamar and in particular George Town and Low Head. George Town is the 3rd oldest settlement in Australia. To get there we drive over the Batman bridge again, as we did on the way back later that day, but still no Robin!

But wait, holy pylons Batman, I see Robin.

Low Head and George Town face the Bass Strait, which is actually rift valley known as the Bassian Depression. So that is why it's the Bass Strait.
About 10,000 years back a great heathland lay between Tassie and Victoria. As the climate warmed the sea rose and flooded the strait. Some parts are relatively shallow at 45 metres deep.
Low Head pilot station was established around 1804, and is the oldest continuously operating from its original site. The flag tower shows how signals were sent to ships and also inland via several other flagpoles using the semaphore system. The buoy on display was built in the mid 2800's by local coopers using Huon pine, and they would have been used to mark rocks along the Tamar and also on Hebe Reef.
The Hebe Reef a few k's off the Tamar entrance was named after the ship Hebe which was wrecked in 1808. The most recent shipwreck was in 1995! The lighthouse was originally erected in 1833 and upgraded in 1888. It is 19 metres tall but the light stands 43 metre above sea level.
Due to significant river and sea fogs a foghorn was installed in 1929. Built in the UK it was used until 1973 and could be heard up to 32 kms away. It was restored in 2001 and volunteers sound the horn every Sunday.

Views from the lighthouse. And the penguin rookery entrance.

The Lead Lights on the Tamar. These are 2 smaller lighthouses known as lead lights. Positioned near each other, the front light is lower than the one behind. At night when viewed from a ship, the two lights only align vertically when a vessel is positioned on the correct bearing.

Low Head and George Town both have chainsaw sculptures done by Eddie Freeman. Eddie is a self taught artist, who has been carving for over 35 years. Eddie started in the timber industry with a chainsaw, got his tree-fallers ticket and developed his skills into what we can see around Tasmania, today in places such as George Town, Low Head, Ledgerwood, Campbell Town and of course his in his home town of Ross has a wombat on a dozer.

George Town
Watch House (1843), built on this site, of the first gaol. But if you relieve yourself in the street you might end up in the toilet lockup.

Deborah has one final shop that she needed to hit. Patchwork Plus in Anne Street. A lovely shop but Ian was shocked when Deborah came out empty handed. Meanwhile, Ian had wandered over to the local Opportunity Store, he also came out empty handed.
We found the best fish & chips shop in Tasmania @ George Town Seafoods. It was Angie's Birthday, she's the one in the middle of this picture. We both had Blue Grenadier and chips in tempura batter. Not the biggest serve but the tastiest that we have tried in Tasmania.

The 'Art and Artisans' store had a wide variety of locally hand crafted items by lots of very talented artists.. A lovely shop to visit and not to be missed at 83 Macquarie Street, George Town. Something that took us by surprise was a therapy harp. It was a favourite for Deborah's & Ian's. Ian loved the wood construction and the beautiful sounds eminating from each string. The gentleman who makes them David, visits the old peoples homes and plays for them. There was something in this shop for everyone, from $3 to thousands of dollars.

Mount George Lookout

Driving down from Mount George.

A night for a camp fire, our first that we started in Tassie. And some potatoes were put in the coals later. Yum.

Wednesday 10 April 2024
We wake up to a slightly warmer morning at 8.1 degrees inside the van.
Went for a walk to buy local organic greens, the sign at our corner said 900metres. But ended up being 2.4km each way. But hey the greens were very fresh and tasty from York Town Organic Greens.
We came home with baby cucumbers, baby carrots, micro greens, baby tomatoes and salad leaves. Guess what we had for lunch? Fresh bread and Duck River butter and yummy, so so fresh salad and tuna.
It's our last night at Watermill Cottage and on the menu was pizza tonight.
We have had a lovely time here and Steve the owner was so generous inviting self contained vehicles to stay.

Thursday 11 April 2024
It's moving day, today we drive to Horsehead Creek, Devonport for our last night in Tasmania. On the way we drop into Beaconsfield to fill the caravan water tanks at the local dog park. And a small Robin came to watch.

Deborah has been on a bike ride with her cousin Sally. The girls road 20km along the riverbank to Don River Railways and back. No platypus was sighted today they were being shy. Ian stayed behind to do some reading and last minute preparation for our cruise Friday on the Spirit Of Tasmania.

Our last dinner in Tasmania was with Aunty Gloria at her house as Uncle Harry had already sailed to Flinders Island with a mate. We were sent back to the van loaded up with some beautiful fillets of salmon.

Friday 12 April 2024
The chooks went off at 5.45 am (alarm). It was up and adam. We made it into the queue to board by 6.18am. We enter the customs controlled area to show our boarding pass. The caravan gas cylinders were I selected to ensure they were turned off and was tagged. The inspector then entered the van to check under the bed and in the shower. We boarded the Spirit of Tasmania 2, level 3 at around 7.15am. Disembarked the vehicle that was in park, removed our reversing mirrors, with hand brake on, and engine off, then headed onboard to level 7 to settle into our chair for the next 10 hours. We literally bumped into Meg & Pete, our newly engaged friends, we had met at the Forth Valley Blues Festival,(we were all volunteers) and live at Margaret River.
We all walked up to level 7 found 4 seats and started talking about our adventures in Tasmania. A few games of monopoly deal were had between the card sharks.

We did a bit of reading, played Solitaire, did a bit of crocheting along with walking around the ship to stretch the legs and build up the step count for the day. It was a smooth sailing. And maybe we closed our eyes for 5 minutes at one point when Meg snapped this pic. We arrived in Geelong by 6.30 and departed the Spirit by 7.30pm.



In the middle of the Bass Strait we passed the other Spirit, Spirit 1, heading towards Devonport.

The return trip on the Spirit cost us $965.95. We didn't book a cabin as our return cruise was during the day.
Our destination tonight was 28km out of Geelong at Bunjil Lookout and Maud Recreation Ground donation campsite. Bunjil is a wedge tail eagle, and the carvings and building celebrate the story of Bunjil. Check the YouTube link...
https://youtu.be/q5umhMnHNBU

It was dark on our arrival to the campsite, so we will explore more in the daylight tomorrow.
A map roughly showing where we traveled in Tasmania.

That's a wrap, now for the trip home.

Tuesday 2 April 2024.
Today finds us heading off towards Ross for lunch with Lauren, Mark and Lauren's mum Jean who is 97 they drove from New Norfolk.
Before we left Ian took advantage of the rain, by giving the car a quick rub down.

Travelling the first stop is Lake Leather, obvious shop selling some leather goods, and a nice bag for Deborah.

Travelling onwards towards Ross we pass through the historic town of Campbell Town, settled in the early 1830's, just like Evandale and Ross. Campbell Town was also our stop for coffee at The Book Cellar, a bookshop and coffee shop housed in The Foxhunters Return Cellar, an old hotel.

Campbell Town also has a walkway containing tiles with the names of convicts, age, ship they came over on, their crime, punishment and year of death.

Plus the Red Bridge built in 1838 using convict labour. The convicts produced 1.25 million hand made bricks, and constructed the bridge on dry land. Once the bridge was completed the convicts were then tasked at rerouting the river to go under the bridge by cutting a diversion from 1 kilometre in both directions. This bridge is the 3rd oldest in Australia, but the oldest being used on a major highway handling 2 million vehicles annually. The convicts were housed, overnight, in cells below the aforementioned Foxhunters Return.

Ross Bakery 31 was the spot for lunch. Nice pies and rolls filled the available space.
Ross also has an old bridge, a few years older than Campbell Towns, also built by convicts.
Ross is also one of the early settlements, with the town proclaimed in 1821 and by 1838 the Anglican church had been built.

Ross was also the site of a Female Factory, a lovely euphemism for reform prison. By 1848 the Ross Prison was now turned over to female prisoners. Rather than flogging and iron collars they now started using solitary confinement and unremitting labour of spinning, weaving and washing as part of the daily routine aimed at 'reforming' the women. Most women were committed for 1st offences of petty theft and sentenced for up to 7 years. Most had been servants of some description, housemaids, farms, kitchen maids. The free population had even less sympathy for the female convicts than they did for the males. Solitary cells at Ross were approximately 1.3m X 2m. The children and babies spent the day and night in the one room with only nurses for company. After weaning there was very little contact with mothers, and a child born to a convict mother faced 14 years in an institution: 3 years in the Female Factory and then 11 years at the Queen's Orphanage in Hobart. This practice was to get the best work out of the female prisoners at that time. For more detailed information click on these links.
https://www.reassign.net.au/m?v001
https://www.reassign.net.au/m?p011
https://www.reassign.net.au/m?p013
https://www.reassign.net.au/m?p012

1838 St John's Anglican Church

And a clearing weather pattern for this last night at Evandale.

Wednesday 3 April 2024
Falls Park, Evandale, behind us is another WA family from Bunbury, who caught up with us before we left.

Today was moving day. We left our free camping spot (register online) at Falls Park, Evandale after a beautiful 2 nights and drove just over 20 kms to reach Old Mac's Farm at Launceston for a few nights. It's $20 per night, unpowered, with access to water + @ $2 a fill, flushing toilets and a dump point. We settled in to a lovely grassy spot in front of a rather large dam. We took the opportunity to go for a walk around the dam and up to see a Sea Eagles nest, along the way we saw some donkeys, various water birds, black swans, lizards, a frog and butterflies.


We have parked up next to Marian Simmons & Peter Simmons in a Sunland Patriot.

Deborah had organised a catch up with a few other Sunland Caravan owners for a mini gathering here in Tas. We enjoyed an afternoon tea/ Yappy Hour together discussing our travels around Tasmania so far.

This photo was supplied by Marian Simmons, thank you for sharing.
Another Sunland Van, a Winton arrives with Greg & Rosemary to join us.

Thursday 4 April 2024
We had booked a Riddle Me Adventures picnic today from Launceston. After solving a riddle we headed off to our
first pick up point of the day. A latte & a cuppa chino were the drinks of choice. While drinking our delicious coffee we indulged in our origami challenge and made a butterfly each. Then we were directed to find a bronze statue in a park close by and take a selfie by it. Then after solving another word challenge we found the next batch of goodies to pick up and add to our stash in the picnic basket. After doing a quick and repetitive tongue twister we headed off along a scenic drive to a small batch winery for another food pack pick up, where we also sampled some wines. Another word challenge and we were sent off to our final food pick up location. Adding this to our picnic stash also. Solving another word puzzle & coding of letters, provided the names of suggested picnic spots for us to choose which would best suit us. We choose a picnic setting at a beach. Here is our picnic stash.

To our surprise on our way to the picnic location we came across an array of interesting letter boxes.

Back to the Old Macs Farm to meet up with our Sunland Caravan Group, a batch of quality people, for afternoon tea.
Followed by Yappy Hour at a local pub. Meeting up with a few more local Sunland owners for dinner.

Friday 5 April 2024
Our group was invited to a lovely spread, morning tea, with Sunland locals Peter & Jan & Tracey. Discussions about all of our travels around Tasmania was enlightening.

Ian & I took at look at Richardson's Harley Davidson shop in Launceston.

Dinner for the final 4 was at Apricus Restaurant, at Old Macs Farm. This was our groups finale.

Photo below was supplied, with thanks, by Marian Simmons.

Saturday 6 April 2024
The Harvest Markets at Launceston are on, so we are going!

After a cuppa coffee back home at Old Macs we head off to Devonport for a cheeky & cheerful surprise 80th Birthday Party.
Today is Aunty Gloria's 80th Birthday celebration. 4 Generations were around to celebrate with her. It's always an interesting drive through the Tasmanian city streets.

We took the opportunity to explore Old Macs further by taking the Riverbank walk along the North Esk River. And then enjoyed a nice sunset this evening.

Sunday 7 April 2024
We wind the clocks back 1 hour as daylight saving has come to an end for this summer season. We have 2 hours left to change back before reaching home in WA. We wake up this morning to an overcast & rainy day. Showers are forecast to ease later in the afternoon. Today is moving day. And what a day it was. As ever, each day brings new experiences, and today didn't disappoint. Our drive away from Old Mac's was up the steep incline, and the signs say to allow vehicles to clear the hill before driving up/,down.

Arrived at our stop for the next few days, Watermill Cottage Camp Ground at York Town, and the sign said 'Closed for Winter' and a chain across the gate! Not to be put off Ian rang the number and got special dispensation from Steve the owner to enter the hallowed ground. $10 a night, what a bargain. We are the last campers here at this picturesque location. A great location for a future gathering too.

York Town, the 1st permanent settlement in Northern Tasmania, is actually one of the oldest British settlements in Australia, dating from 1805. It was initially considered a good spot to establish a town, and convict barracks. However, after the rosy glow disappeared they realised that the tides were huge, so ships struggled to get to the settlement, and when it rained it flooded the area so that of the 800 odd cattle that got transported there only just over 200 survived the first year. Plans were made to move the settlement to a new town, Launceston. By 1807 most of York Town had been abandoned. The small weatherboard cottage is an example of those used to house the soldiers, their wives and family, during the days of the settlement.

We took a drive to the Sculptured Wood Gallery and this is what we saw, a giant platypus & wheel barrow in the garden entry. The entrance was made up of brick and an array of tools. Lots of wood artists bring different wood sculptured in to be sold from this location. All of the wood has been repurposed. One of these looks like wooden coasters and a tea pot stand, but it actually is a sun catcher, so that the sun shines onto and through these pieces and forms an art piece with the light shining through the holes.

We were told about a house 1km up the road that the extended family, between themselves all make, bake, collect and sell jams, farm fresh eggs, figs, apples, cakes and scones. They usually take these to the Evandale markets each Sunday to sell. Unfortunately it had been raining through the night and during the morning, so fortunately for us and others, they were selling them from their home today. We bought a dozen fresh eggs & a Hummingbird cake. That will go very nicely with our cuppa of a day for the next few days.
Exploring the area we had a look at Greens Beach, unfortunately it was at low tide at the time we took the pictures.

We also saw some lovely beach shacks.

Driving along the main road we saw something that put a smile on our dial, some street art on the side of the road as we entered Greens Beach, then another on the opposite side as we left.

Kelso, another small town along our drive, we noticed this renovators delight.

We explored Clarence Point, a lovely small seaside town.

There was a book library we both swapped a book at, in town as we were leaving Clarence Point. It was so cute we just had to stop & look.

Back at camp we had a walk around to explore. Ian was looking in the fresh water dam above the river that flows in from the ocean, but no platypus today.

We are camped by the water wheel along side of the pond with loads of Lillies growing. There is even a boat on the dam.

They have a great area for people to sit in the rotunda and have a happy hour if you wish. They have had music events here from time to time.

Ian was having a bit of fun with these stocks.

Deborah found this lovely Tas Rock. She has decided to bring it home to pop in our garden, a little memory from Tasmania.

Sunset had some soft orange hues tonight, but the night stars were amazing to see from this big paddock in the country away from other bright lights.

Monday 8 April 2024
Today we decided on another tourist destination, Seahorse World. Beauty Point is the location of Seahorse World, but it's not really that beautiful and that's a story for another day.

So, it's only about 9 kms down the road from our camp, and we chose a 11am tour time to give plenty of beauty sleep (no pun). Well, it's really interesting. They actually breed thousands of Seahorses and export all over the world. Originally just to supply the traditional Chinese medicine market, but now more for supply to other aquariums and research facilities.
So, Seahorses actually he as because scaly armour over their bodies, so they're pretty tough cookies. They can live up to 10 years if left alone. They also have a prehensile tail to anchor themselves seagrass and other stuff so they don't get washed too far. The Tassie one is the Potbelly seahorse, and it's pretty nifty in that the male gestates to be babies. The female provides the eggs which are fertilised by the male and then inserted into the large male pouch. He develops them for 3-4 weeks and then gives birth to up to 1,100 babies. The fry are on their own, with 4-5% chance of surviving the predators which include fish, birds and even their own parents!


We also saw Weedy Sea Dragons. Now, although these live to up to 12 years, they are not actually Seahorses. They do not have armour or a prehensile tail. Which means they need to be better swimmers. They don't have a pouch, but the male carries the fertilised eggs under their tail.

They even had a rare seahorse fossil, Hippocampus ramulosus found in northern Italy, and from the Pliocene era.

Many other sea creatures were on display including cow fish, Port Jackson shark, Trevally, Blackheaded Puller, Rays, endangered Tasmanian hand fish and a multitude of others...

Back at the camp we were provided with some light entertainment...

Ciao for now!

Wednesday 26 March 2024.
We moved on to Deloraine to spend Easter on route for Deborah to go for a special visit to a Tasmanian dentist as she has cracked a tooth in half, which previously had a crown from many years ago. It was in need of smoothing a out by a dentist.
Parked up at the Deloraine RV site, at $3 a night it's great. Of course there seems to be the d'heads that think it's free and don't want to pay $3.We had a walk into town so Ian could return his library book, which was borrowed at the Scottsdale library. Borrow a book at any Tasmanian public library and return to any other Tasmanian public library. Fantastic service for visitors.
An early evening walk to do some platypus sighting/s. A small one and a larger one were spotted tonight.

Thursday 27 March 2024
Today was Deborah's day of reckoning, the appointment with the smile merchant, Longford SmileCo. Tooth smoothed by Dr Richie Wang we were on our way. We took a wander around the historic buildings of Longford. Many of these were built in the early to mid 1800's. The church was built in 1839. Just after we took the photo the bell did a single 'ding' for 1pm.

The Old Flower Mill, now a roaring cafe.

The wagon style seats around town.

Ernest and Ernist The Coffee Shop with a difference, was the General Store and Dwelling back in the day. The seats were so unique, they are actually tractor seats.


A town Mural

The Town Hall

We stumbled upon the Queen's Arms, which was the Kings Arms Inn.

We enjoyed some delicious pumpkin soup and bread at the Sticky Beak Cafe in town. What a fabulous dinner. Set in the middle of this bustling busy town called Longford. Fabulous service and a hidden gem.

How about this shop.

Junker Jayne, previously a Drapery Store

Ian was a very happy boy when he found some Conkers on the walk path. It brought him again back to his childhood.

After getting back to camp it was time for another platypus spotting. This time we managed to sight 3 different ones, and got photos of 2 of them.

This is your photographer, Ian working hard getting you these very special shots.

Today it reached 23 outside, it felt like 33 back home. We even put the air conditioning on in the car to stay cool.

Friday 28 March 2024, it's Good. Good Friday that is.
A trip to the Great Lake (yingina) was in order today. Up those ziggy zaggy roads again, with our first stop the Great Lake lookout. Spectacular views.

Driving onwards along the western shoreline you encounter heaps of shacks of varying standards, from humpys to large house style buildings.

Stopping to chat to a couple of ladies in one of the side streets we got all the inside knowledge about these enclaves of humpys. Seems that many are old holiday shacks used mainly in the summer months and the land was leased. In more recent times they have been allowed to buy and own the land, after having to install proper sewerage systems. Most run on gas stoves and gas fridges with small solar/battery systems for electricity and wood heating. We stopped to have a picnic lunch at a boat ramp near Miena under a lovely shady tree.

We watched people put their boats in and out of the water & even witnessed a humpy owner filling an IBC on the back of his trailer with water from the Lake, as they do, using a a pump to fill the IBC on several occasions.
The Great Lake, as it is, came about after the building of the Miena dam in 1922, with a further dam in 1967 creating the 3rd largest lake, and the highest in Australia. Travelling home up the eastern side of the lake takes us past the Poatina power station, where water from the Great Lake travels 900 metres downhill to the station, which is itself 150 metres underground in a massive artificial cavern. Poatina meaning 'cavern' or 'cave' in the indigenous language. When the water is released from the power station it rushes down what is called a Tail Race, dropping over multitude of small weird for several kilometres towards the Derwent River.

Driving a little further we came to the village of Poatina, built to house the workers during the building of the power station infrastructure. Since 1995 it has basically been owned by a Christian group which interviews anyone looking to move to live in the village. It's a lovely view from the village across the valley.

Our trip back also took us through a village called Bracknell . In the back garden of one of the houses we noticed this small caravan very similar to the ones that Wings Wildlife Park had for sale. Old mobile accommodation used in the 1950's and '60 for remote workers. This particular example was in renovated condition, most likely a cubby house.

Another native that you need to keep an eye out for on the roads.

Saturday 29 March, 2024
It was an exciting day today as we were expecting visitors. First ones for morning tea were our friends from Busselton Mark & Lauren. Not too long after our late morning tea and lunch guests arrived. It was none other than Aunty oria & our fisherman Uncle Harry. Mark & Lauren continued there journey to New Norfolk. Aunty Gloria drove us to lunch at Frank & Lotti, a trendy cafe in Deloraine.

We went on another early evening Platypus perusing prowl and spotted 3 different Platypus playing in the Meander River. They are such a delight to watch.

Sunday 30 March, 2024 also Easter Sunday.
Whilst Ian watched some clothes go around in the laundrette Deborah took a look at the Silk Yarns Artwork in Deloraine today. This is a unique treasure viewable 7 days a week, 9.30am to 4pm at the Great Western Tiers Visitor Centre, Deloraine, Tasmania. An entry fee of $10 is payable. Here you will find four quilted, soft sculptured silk panels that are hung on the walls & are the size of King sized quilts along a wall. 10,000 hours of work by 300 women over 3 years using numerous hand working techniques and is a unique world class attraction. You know what they say, " it take a community, well that it did. Each covers the 4 seasons of the landscapes, starting with Spring filled with culture and Heritage of the Meander Valley people. This is a truly magnificent piece of work, each stitch stitched with tender loving care, stitching beautiful memories. Funding was secured to house them in a purpose built room which is climate contolled, and soft lighting to best preserve the work, they ask for no flash photography.
I will let the pictures tell the stories, all of the local animals can be found in these artworks. Feel free to add a comment with the animals you have found.



These are the magnificent 300 women who made these exceptional silk wall art quilts.

Out the back of the information centre, included in your ticket you will find examples of early pioneer village buildings including the Blacksmith cottage, outhouse and many of the old equipment used in days gone by.





The magnificent views from the back deck.

Tonight we started the celebration of Ian's forthcoming Birthday by going out to dinner at The Little Green Men Brewing Co.

On our way back we walked along the river back and again managed to spot one of the local platypus out feeding.

Monday 1 April, 2024
Today is Ian's 66th Birthday. Let's just start this day off the way it should be.
Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Dear Ian, Happy Birthday to you!
It's moving day, today we depart Deloraine and our beautiful Platypus friends and move to Evandale. Along the way we pass these treasures.

Setting up at the RV camp area in Falls Park we set off for a walk along the historic streets of this lovely village.

Many buildings are in very good condition, including the Anglican church with its steeple. The Uniting Church which is one of the most important colonial buildings which has retained its interior and exterior without alterations. The first Presbyterian minister, Reverend Robert Russell, was the minister for nearly 40 years These, and many other buildings, were built in the early 1830's.

Also some interesting bronze sculptures including one of John Glover a well renowned landscape artist born in 1757, who came to Evandale, Tasmania in 1831 and developed australian landscape painting....his paintings regularly sell for large sums, in the millions.

Evandale is also the host of the national Penny Farthing race, held annually in February. Some artistic versions of the bikes can be seen around the town as well as a bronze sculpture..

After a late lunch we took a drive to another bucket list item, Jacobs Ladder in the Ben Lomond National Park. This is a zig zag section of the road leading to the Ben Lomond ski fields. A hairy raising section of gravel road.

Returning to camp we also passed by a great stone building, unfortunately in a bit of disrepair.
Also we noticed that Brown Brothers wines aren't the only ones using Tasmania for cool climate grapes, Penfolds has some huge vineyards.

Tuesday 19 April, 2024
Forth

Moving on to Bannon Park, but before hitching up we take a drive along the other side of the Forth river to see what we can see. Not too far past the Forth hotel you can find the old, but rebuilt, All Saints church.
The original was built in 1968. A bit further along the river where the pioneers cemetery can still be found. This is located right next to the main processing plant for Harvest Moon vegetables!

The entrance is through the lich gate, where coffins were placed prior to the priest arriving to officiate the burial. The first burial was held in 1869. The cemetery also houses the grave of Sir Edward Braddon...a Tasmanian Premier and a member of the first Federal Parliament. A champion with significant input to the Federal Constitution.

Afterwards we drove 4kms up the hill behind Forth to the Braddon lookout. A nice informational spot, built on Brandon's original property, giving insight into his history and information on the farming and industry that helped Forth prosper.

Arriving at our destination on an overcast day. So much so, that on arrival at Bannon Park we hear thunder and rainfall. But it's a beautiful camp spot, right next to the river.

We both found this lovely mail box at the entry of the park.

Wednesday, 20 March 2024
Looking out the window today it is noticeable that, with the overnight rain, the river is running higher. But being a fine morning we went for a walk down along the roadside and met up with our neighbours.

Ian finished his Tasmanian library book so it is now ready to be returned to any public library in Tasmania. Although tonight was a great sunset we put on the heavy doona and just as well cause there was snow on the mountains in Tasmania. We got down to 5 degrees in the van. We even popped the gas heater on for 5 to 10 minutes to warm-up the van prior to moving.

Deborah's photographed collection of rocks.

We both went for a walk along the pebble beach and of course had to do a bit of rock skimming.

Thursday, 21 March 2024
We winged our way to Wings Wildlife Park, Gunns plains. We found a nice little spot, again next to the Leven River. It is $10 a night per person in the unpowered paddock next to the river, costing us $20 a night. If you wanted a powered site, it is a separate area, away from the river, costing a additional $10 a night,, so all up $30 for 2 adults. Both of these options avail yourself to hot showers, untimed and boy did we enjoy that! We had a little oopsie, this morning which we noticed as we arrived at Wings Wildlife Park. It entailed a return trip to Bannon Park, 10 minutes driving back to pick up the 2 yellow chocks that we accidentally left behind. On this trip Deborah had a bonus score, as when we drove past a farmhouse the first time with the van on the back we had stopped after seeing a sign "$5 for a dozen eggs". We stopped but could not find the location of the eggs. This second trip, with only the car for the chock pickup, enabled Deborah to do a thorough search to locate the egg storage box, and left with a dozen fresh chook eggs & $5 lighter. We love farm fresh eggs.
Our camping site at Wings was a great spot, we enjoyed many relaxing cuppa. It was literally on the river bank, with some nice sunsets and moon rises. The trees on the riverbank are just hanging in there.

A bite of lunch and we headed out to find the Wilmot Novelty Letterbox Trail. This is a 25 kilometre stretch of road beginning North of Wilmot and heading South.

As we passed through Wilmot on our letterbox hunt, we found the cold hard book exchange library and the Pioneer mural.

We also noticed this tiny home, how cute is this?

The views were so beautiful along the country drive.

Driving back to Wings this is the view of the campsite, and our camping patch.

Friday, 22 March 2024
This morning the temperature was a cool 7.1 degrees inside the van.

Today we went out looking for more of Tasmania's stunning scenery. Preston Falls was our first stop. An easy short walk, down some steps, with a 15 minute return. Deborah spotted a tiny frog which jumped from a tree to beside the path we were walking along. We believe our first frog sighting for this trip.

Continuing our scenery chasing journey we stopped to see some oinkers.

The drive was so scenic.

After a 30 minute drive along typical windy Tasmania roads, we found the car park for Leven Canyon. Another of Tasmania's 60 short walks. There are 2 lookouts, Cruickshanks (it is 275 metres above the river) & Edge, that can be accessed on a 1.2 kilometre circuit track. Each lookout provides spectacular and expansive views of the Leven Canyon. Enough water runs daily through the Canyon, about 45 - 70,000 kilolitres, the equivalent to the water consumption of 350,000 people. There are however a set of very steep steps between the two lookouts. We climbed all 697. Deborah loves sampling the seats along the way and she tried most of them. Each of the seats had inscribed the measurement of steps you have done & how many to go. What a great idea. The views were amazing and the ferny walk track was very lush & green. This walk took us 1 hour and a half. It is sign posted as a 45 minute return trip. We believe the timings are always underestimated here on these Tasmanian walks. We passed others along the track, they were all taking the steps down, rather than up. There was no phone reception at this location. It was a very peaceful walk.




Back at the ranch we went and did the Farm walk and saw a few of the animals they are raising, some for consumption purposes. They include Ostriches, Emus, Llama, Alpaca, Camel, Bison, American Brahman, Miniature Pony, Goat, wild Duck, Swans & Geese.

The Farm also has some tiny houses, ex 1950-1960's Public Works Department mobile huts for sale. The Wings owners are open to offers. A good project for some keen person.

Tonight's sky from Ian cam.

Saturday, 23 March 2024
After a slightly warmer start to the day with the temperature inside being 7.4, we hitched up and headed 8km up the road to the Preston Recreation Ground for the Preston Rodeo, where we camp for the night. The last Rodeo for the 2023/24 season, the Tasmanian Championship Title Decider. We certainly are excited to attend and camp up here. It was one day, but what a day it was. Bull riding, bareback horse riding, barrel racing, rope & tie and steer wrestling. Wow. We even had our very own cowboy surprise us and join us for this occasion, Uncle Harry, Aunty Gloria's cowboy! We had such a wonderful day together and learnt so much more about the Rodeo events.

Sunday 24 March 2024
After a night of continual revellery, by many of the younger contingent, we were able to arise at a decent time and head off to the next campsite at Narawntapu National Park. Not far down the road, and within the precinct of Preston, Ian got breathalysed. Good boy Ian was sent on his way after discussions about Marmalade. He loved the colour and had not seen another like it. He said he would keep an eye out for us on the road. We did tell him it's the only one in Australia. Our campsite in the National Park is actually Springlawn campground. Currently $16 a night which includes power hookup, and an ablution block with flushing toilets and $2 showers lasting 4 minutes. Water tap is available, but they suggest boiling it, so we are just using it for essentials like washing up etc.
Apparently we might hear Tassie Devils but most likely won't see them, as they are shy. Uni of Tasmania come to the park on a regular basis for a few weeks at a time to trap, tag and collate data about the Tasmanian Devil population.
We got to see a few other bits of fauna so far including birds, Pademelon, wallabies and kangaroos.

Late afternoon it was time for a nice stroll along the long, windswept, but sandy beach.


An evening for a full moon, over the top of the caravan.

Monday 25 March 2024
A nice lie in bed before a trip out to Port Sorell and Hawley Beach. We had to stop to see these mailboxes.

As we drove through Port Sorrell we came across this street Library that Ian was very impressed with how attractive and functional this Library really was.

Hawley Beach looks like an old beachside shanty town that has been discovered, so now many of the original 'shacks' have been renovated or demolished, and mansions built to take advantage of the beach location.

The beachside was impressive.

Our return trip to the campsite took us past a lovely fixer upper, complete with an old Hills Hoist in the yard. It even has a boat in the yard ready for those fishing evenings on the Rubicon River.

We took another diversion on the way to camp, this time to a place called Squeaking Point!
There are several versions of how Squeaking Point received its name. Some claim it is because the sand squeaked underfoot. The second tells how a small pig escaped and squealed its way into the bush from Captain Friend's vessel, Rebecca. Yet another version says that a constable Squeaker was once camped there watching for runaway convicts, causing it to be known locally as Squeakers Point later becoming Squeaking Point (A History of Port Sorrell Tasmania 1844 - 1944 (Port Sorell Sesquicentenary Committee)). No matter, it's an interesting name and a very nice location to visit.

Some of the locals tonight.

Tuesday 26 March 2024
We took a walk to the the Bird hide onsite in the Park, armed with binoculars, water and a hat and this is what we saw. Many black swans, ducks and, what we believe is, a White faced Heron.
Deborah really got into the feel of bird watching, with binoculars at the ready.

We continued along the track, which is classed as another of the 60 great Tasmanian short walks, so a few hours long. Eventually we turned towards the beach. So it was up and down through the sand dunes we trekked.

Once we made it to the beach Deborah was able to indulge in another of her interests, finding shells. A good assortment was found and recorded. Even a large, but dead, starfish and butterfly.

A late afternoon walk to the Information Centre looking for wombats sorta went like this. Off into the grass plains but with no wombat poo spotted, we then diverted towards the Rangers who were just leaving the Visitor Centre to go home. We accosted one, demanding to know where were the wombats mentioned in the brochure for the Park? Only to be told that in 2017 they all, but one, got mange and died. A pleasant discussion then ensued as to what the Parks & Wildlife were hoping to do about bringing in some relocated wombats, so the surviving male can have some friends.
We decided to let the Ranger go home to their waiting family, and continued our walk around the grasslands. Of course, multitudes of macropods were seen bouncing around. Cute. Ian even got to channel his inner pirate, by walking the plank.

Just to give you a heads up.
Wednesday is moving day in preparation for Easter..