Down Under
Wednesday 23rd May
Soon after leaving Margaret River we joined the scenic drive route through the Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park. This is a forested area bordering the coast. Many of the trees are Karri which grow exceptionally tall. We made a detour to Hamelin Bay, a picturesque spot and took the path out to the headland which separates Hamelin Bay from Foul Bay. Remains are still visible of an old wooden jetty that used to be the departure point for ships carrying Karri trees back to Europe.
Cape Leeuwin is Australia's south western point and as such is the meeting point of the Indian and Southern Oceans - we followed an interesting audio guide tour around the lighthouse and keepers' cottages.
Tonight was at Baywatch Manor, a very pleasant hostel located in the small town of Augusta.
Thursday 24th May
Today we had a long drive ahead, plus an uncertain storm with high winds and heavy rain was forecast, so an early start was needed. The majority of the route today was through beautiful national parks of lush forests.
At Pemberton we visited the Gloucester Tree, a 60 metre high Karri tree, at the top of which is a fire-lookout. This is reached by climbing up a spiral of horizontal stakes that have been hammered into the tree trunk - terrifying but we at least climbed up a few rungs!
From Pemberton we passed through more national parks, all forested, until we reached the small town of Walpole. From here it was a short drive to the Valley of the Giants where there is the Tree Top Walk, a 600m walkway. This took us some 40 metres up above the tingle trees. We would not have attempted this tree top suspended walkway if it had been windy! The second part of the experience was the Ancient Empire Walkway. This was at ground level!
Overnight today was at the very friendly and comfortable youth hostel in Walpole.
Soon after leaving Margaret River we joined the scenic drive route through the Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park. This is a forested area bordering the coast. Many of the trees are Karri which grow exceptionally tall. We made a detour to Hamelin Bay, a picturesque spot and took the path out to the headland which separates Hamelin Bay from Foul Bay. Remains are still visible of an old wooden jetty that used to be the departure point for ships carrying Karri trees back to Europe.
Cape Leeuwin is Australia's south western point and as such is the meeting point of the Indian and Southern Oceans - we followed an interesting audio guide tour around the lighthouse and keepers' cottages.
Tonight was at Baywatch Manor, a very pleasant hostel located in the small town of Augusta.
Thursday 24th May
Today we had a long drive ahead, plus an uncertain storm with high winds and heavy rain was forecast, so an early start was needed. The majority of the route today was through beautiful national parks of lush forests.
At Pemberton we visited the Gloucester Tree, a 60 metre high Karri tree, at the top of which is a fire-lookout. This is reached by climbing up a spiral of horizontal stakes that have been hammered into the tree trunk - terrifying but we at least climbed up a few rungs!
From Pemberton we passed through more national parks, all forested, until we reached the small town of Walpole. From here it was a short drive to the Valley of the Giants where there is the Tree Top Walk, a 600m walkway. This took us some 40 metres up above the tingle trees. We would not have attempted this tree top suspended walkway if it had been windy! The second part of the experience was the Ancient Empire Walkway. This was at ground level!
Overnight today was at the very friendly and comfortable youth hostel in Walpole.
16/17th May
An uneventful 17 hour flight from London Heathrow direct to Perth. We were very glad to have been able to change our seats to those with extra leg room. Food on flight was poor.
On arrival in Perth our pre-ordered taxi took us to the Australia Hotel in Fremantle - first impressions were a little off putting but were proved incorrect. The Australia was built in 1899 and still retains many of the original features. Right on the dockside, at one time it was called the First and Last as it was the first pub the sailors drank in on arrival in Australia and the last place before setting sail!
A trip to Fremantle Tourist Office helped us to plan the rest of our time until Nicolle arrives. The ship was late leaving Southampton and then was further held up at Durban due to industrial action.
Friday 18th May
Using local buses we made our way to the office of the shipping agent. We delivered the Carnet to him and made arrangements regarding collecting Nicolle once the ship arrives.
We spent the afternoon in Fremantle, trying unsuccessfully to access wifi. We also found that John's phone will not work in Australia.
Saturday 19th May
Today we spent exploring historic Fremantle, all within easy walking distance of our hotel. Two free hop on hop off buses run regularly between most areas of the city. Of course we had to experience each route!
Fremantle Prison was built by convicts and first housed prisoners in 1852 and was in use until 1991. It is a most imposing building and has UNESCO protection. We also visited the Round House, Western Australia's oldest building. It opened in 1831 as a jail just eighteen months after the settlement was founded. We also enjoyed wandering through Fremantle Indoor Market.
Sunday 20th May
An early start to catch the fast ferry to Rottnest Island. This beautiful island was named by the Dutch Mariners who visited in the 17th century - they mistook the unique beaver-like marsupials that are indigenous to the island as rats!
Rottnest Island is stunning with numerous golden sandy beaches, turquoise blue water and low limestone cliffs. We used the hop on hop off bus to explore the island. Local volunteer guides led walks at certain points which helped us to understand the unique beauty and rawness of the island which had formally been an Aboriginal penal colony.
Monday 21st May
First thing this morning we picked up a hire car and set off to spend time exploring the south west corner of Western Australia. It was good to be "on the road" even if it wasn't in our own Nicolle who continues to be at sea.
Our route south on wide, well maintained roads took us past a number of towns all with the Indian Ocean as their backdrop. Having shopped in Woolworth's, an excellent grocery store, we stopped for a picnic lunch in a beautiful spot overlooking the Peel inlet.
Our motel for the night was in Busselton whose jetty we will explore in the morning.
Tuesday 22nd May
After a very pleasant, surprisingly so, stay at the motel we drove a short distance to Busselton's famous 1.841km long wooden jetty, the longest jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. We opted to walk to the end rather than take the train which plies its length - a lovely walk which we both enjoyed. From Busselton we headed south, taking the coastal road towards Margaret River, stopping on route at the beautifully situated Gracetown overlooking Cowaramup Bay. From here we made a short walk out to South Point and its stunning coastal views.
We overnighted at a lodge in Margaret River - an adequate enough no frills room unlike the lovely motel room we had stayed at the previous night.
October 2017
After a long delay we are at last heading to Australia. Last week we took a short break, visiting friends and relatives and the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu before heading to the Motorhome and Caravan show at the NEC.
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First stop, SeaBridge's stand, immediately in front of us as we headed into the show! Here we met Denice Heinemann, so lovely to talk to her in person after communicating for several years by email.
Discussed our proposed trip and firmed up our arrangements. We will ship Nicolle to Perth in April 2018 and fly out to join her in May. We will then drive round Australia clockwise, detouring to Alice Springs and Uluru from the north, in order to return to Perth in November. |
March 2018
Oh dear! Nicolle had a visit to EMG in Cambridge for a service and MOT. She failed the MOT because of her exhaust! The exhaust system is not a standard Ford part and she's had to have a bespoke stainless steel exhaust system custom built by A14 Tyres and Exhausts in Bury St Edmunds. Very smart!
Returned to EMG. New brakes and a MOT retest. This time she passed.
Next trip, Kwik Fit for new tyres, followed by Simpson's Motorhomes in Great Yarmouth for a new shower tray and rear bumper.
Oh dear! Nicolle had a visit to EMG in Cambridge for a service and MOT. She failed the MOT because of her exhaust! The exhaust system is not a standard Ford part and she's had to have a bespoke stainless steel exhaust system custom built by A14 Tyres and Exhausts in Bury St Edmunds. Very smart!
Returned to EMG. New brakes and a MOT retest. This time she passed.
Next trip, Kwik Fit for new tyres, followed by Simpson's Motorhomes in Great Yarmouth for a new shower tray and rear bumper.
Monday 16th April
We've spent the last two weeks scrubbing Nicolle clean both inside and out, including using a toothbrush and cottonwool buds. She's now absolutely spotless!
Today we delivered her to Southampton Docks. She sails on the "Thermopylae" on Friday, unfortunately two days late already. Estimated time of arrival in Freemantle is 18 May, but it seems likely the ship will be late! Sue and I fly from Heathrow to Perth, nonstop on Qantas, on 16 May.
We've spent the last two weeks scrubbing Nicolle clean both inside and out, including using a toothbrush and cottonwool buds. She's now absolutely spotless!
Today we delivered her to Southampton Docks. She sails on the "Thermopylae" on Friday, unfortunately two days late already. Estimated time of arrival in Freemantle is 18 May, but it seems likely the ship will be late! Sue and I fly from Heathrow to Perth, nonstop on Qantas, on 16 May.
[click] to continue our journey cross Western Australia