I would like to thank Wife Mavis, Clive and Sandra, Nev and Linda, Bob and Grace, Amanda and Martin and Jennie and Gert for the best New Years ever.

We started our experience by all meeting at the Cooyah free camp on the 29^th.

Day one was just spent relaxing and getting to know our first time participants in a gathering of our van club.

On day two we all saddled up for a run out to Muntapa rail tunnel where we did the 1k walk to meet the resident bats. This is the longest hand dug tunnel in Aus. There is some great reading describing the history of the build and the use if the now defunkt rail line.

Oakey was the next destination where some of us partook of some retail therapy before heading off to Rangemore Estate winery for a wine tasting and a lunch of goat pies and fish and chips for the less adventurous.

Must say that the countryside looks fantastic, very green, most unusual for this time of year. Also unusual was the cool temperature at night, this is supposed to be Summer! Back to Cooyah via the back road provided another picturesque run.

The morning of New Years Eve we did the short run to the Palms National Park at Cooyah.

What a site, the trees were full of flying foxes. With hats on heads or umbrellas for those without hats we did the short circuit through the palm. Beautiful!

Back at camp we hitched the vans and headed for Jondarian.

Camp was set up on the flower covered grass beside the creek. Jondarian wool shed is an historic wool shed that has been developed as a tourist attraction. Old buildings and machinery have been bought in to make for a great display. There is powered camping but due to our rigs being self sufficient we opted to camp by the creek.

A few priming charges were enjoyed at fivesies before heading off to the shed for dinner. This comprised of camp oven stew and damper, chicken and corn chowder and damper, sausages and onions in bread, pork or lamb rolls and gravy or hot chips to name a few.

Our reserved table was in a good spot, not too far from one of the bands speakers that was nearly as big as a 20′ caravan.

The whole night was a hoot. Without exception all had sore laughing muscles as well as those used for dancing. We would thoroughly recommend this place for a good time.

Fortunately New Years day was a quiet one mostly spent recovering for most of us while other less exhausted types dropped the cray pots into the creek.

Due to popular demand we again partook of fivesies new years day with another couple that we had met last New Years eve and their friends in our camp.

Off tomorrow, home for some and on to more great adventures for others.

Thanks again friends for another great gathering.

Aint life grand

Reaching Ceduna the car was filled with bang water after the Nullarbor crossing, we decided to head for Streaky Bay. This move would allow the kayak to be un welded from the roof racks to do some fishing.

Sad (not) to say we stopped in to Smoky Bay 39ish kms from Ceduna on the way to Streaky Bay for a look.

What a magic little spot. Great sheltered water, a huge jetty and good boat ramp with rock walls placed strategically to protect from the weather. I urge you all not to tell anyone about this place especially fishermen.

Checking in to THE neatest van park that we have ever seen we decided that this was the place to stay instead of the very commercial Streaky Bay. The van sites are on sand/shell grit and Mark our host along with his lovely lady Vicky actually rake the sites as vans leave on a daily basis, removing the leaf fall and debris that the trees drop and levelling the sites.

Amenities are spotless and the camp kitchen has to be seen to be believed. $26 per night was well worth it in this place and the tap water was even almost good for South Australia! Tank water was available for kettles etc. but not for water tanks fills.

The fishing was not to be. Rod has been crook for about 3 days and Mavis came down with flu on our second day. Day 3 was planned to take the kayak out and fill the keep it net with King George Whiting and Blue swimmer crabs both of which were easily taken to the daily bag limit, they were every where. Folks were catching crab and huge whiting off the jetty.

Kayak off the rack and rods rigged we snuffled through the night looking forward to the next day peddling and fishing. Awaking early next morning to a howling on shore gale (Westerly), a run to Streaky Bay was done with some diversionary sight seeing instead of fishing (Grrrrrrr) and coffee enjoyed in the bakery, meat procured from the butcher and supplies from IGA. Very pretty coast.

Things could only get worse and they did. Mavis came down harder with her horrible lurgy and I managed to nearly stop coughing but everything moved to the head you guessed it runny eyes nose and feeling like sh.t sorry something the cat dragged in.

As a consequence we are off tomorrow heading south then East to Port Augusta, with the forecast telling us that we are in for howling Southerlies for the next couple of days, oh joy oh bliss that will be a change grin.

Car is mostly packed, van also and we are sitting inside, both on the computer feeling very second hand. Guess we can’t be good all the time!

Two dozen oysters that added up to 30 individuals were purchased from Smoky Bay before we left for the grand sum of $6.50 per dozen. A little history on the oyster farming here, all of their spats (baby oysters) are imported from Tasmania as they don’t reproduce here,strange aint it and the cheapest oysters that we could buy in Tassie earlier this year were $8.

Can’t gripe too much about being unwell this trip has been superb on the whole.

The Southerly did not arrive luckily but the Westerly wind continued, giving us an off the rear quarter boost for our travels. Nice run but not too far we stopped at Kimba free camp in their sporting complex. Great town (RV Friendly designated) with all amenities.

Next morning was a very late start after both of us having the best nights sleep for a long time.

Fuelled up at Port Augusta and visited the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens see http://www.portaugusta.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=820 Nice spot to walk around, the bird life matched the wild flowers and plants in abundance.

Moving on we tackled the trip over the Flinders Ranges from Port Augusta eventually heading for the run across the Hay Planes to Wagga Wagga for Grandsons march out from Army training on the 7^th of October. Only 15 days to get there so guess we will have to do some site seeing before we arrive.(Bugger aint it)

Camped tonight the 20^th Sept. was at Goyder’s Line Memorial rest area 3km North of Melrose

A beaut spot beside a dry creek bed with a massive variety of bird life nesting in the most beautiful old gums.

Mavis got shuckin and I got cookin as we had the oysters from Smoky Bay that had to be devoured. As stated two dozen were purchased and Mavis ended up shucking about thirty oysters. Not too bad at all grin better that a bakers dozen!.

Rang a friend the next morning who is travelling back to Perth with his new Spinifex van and we are trying to catch up for a cleansing ale. The decision was made to travel South to the Barrier Highway and stay at a camp at Mt Bryan township opposite the old pub.(The things we have to endure whilst travelling are quite harsh some times grin.) This would be on the route that our friend would take to Port Augusta from Renmark.

We rang them and told them where we were camped. He said that they would be there tonight and were just getting in to Renmark. After dinner the roar of the red hot F250 could be heard docking beside our van. We have never seem such a huge set up. The air suspension was levelled then a dust settling beer was cracked while we were shown around the rig.(awesome more like a mobile apartment grin)

We woke next morning to the throaty rumble of the big Ford diesel warming for departure. Dressed hastily and bid safe travels and farewell to the boys for their return to Perth.

Fuelled up at Norseman after a pleasant run from Kalgoorlie then had a look around town.

This is the last semi cheap fuel before the 1200km of extremely expensive fuel. Thank goodness for the long range tank.

If you buy coffee at the servo in Norseman make sure the microwave is on in the van as it is not too warm but still yummy!

Mavis made lunch while we were there to use up some fresh salad veg before the border check in a couple of days time.

The wild life has gone boogie with the arrival of a decent wet season for the first time in years. The Nullarbor is carpeted with grass seeds and flowers about to burst from the trees.

Budgies  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budgerigar are flying like swarms of bees in their thousands and the flocks are every where. An unfortunate by product is the amount of road kill. Hundreds of kangaroo, wallaby and a few birds dead on the side of the road.

An unfortunate sight near the end of the Nullarbor was about 2kms which had 5 wombat bodies on the sides of the road.

About 400km was achieved today before camp was set at Woorlba Homestead rest area. A fire was cranked up and we had a nice easy night with some red wine and white along with some friends that we had met at Boulder and some other new friends that wandered over to say G-day before night fall.

Aint life great on the road?????

The morning after the rig was pointed off to the East again. Only managed to achieve about 150km before we turned in to have a look at the Eyre Bird Observatory.

The trip in was a 30km diversion and have to tell ya that the road was less than ok. The first 20km was very lumpy with exposed rock and lots of dust.

How great to finally have a capable dust proof van to follow the car grin.

A sign warned us that the van could go no further so we disconnected and proceeded without her.

The next 10 k’s into the observatory was deep rutted sand and large exposed rocks but a bit of fun!

What a great place to visit. I did say to Mavis that it would be great to stay over for a couple of days just to explore the birds and the walking tracks. Massive range of birds!

They have accommodation ($90 per night all meals supplied) with pretty basic facilities. None the less hot showers and hygienic toilets are on hand and the volunteer caretakers are great. A guided tour of the museum and old building was provided as a consequence of paying the $10 entry fee and tea or coffee with home made fruit cake and short bread bickies were enjoyed.

Thoroughly recommend this place if you can stand the drive in grin.

On the way out we stopped to re inflate the tyres on the rig before a run to the next over night at Moodini Bluff.

Lunch today the 13th Sept was taken at Nullarbor Roadhouse ( the plane is in the car park waiting for customers)  before the next night time stop about 50kms out of Ceduna to eat up all our veg and fruit before Ceduna where the SA quarantine station is (East bound).

A diversion at Pindar to see their Wreath flowers and smoko at the guest house. The wreath flowers here were better than we had seen elsewhere.

Lunch and a fuel stop was had at Yalgoo about half way to Mt Magnet.

At Mount Magnet we checked into the caravan park to do some washing and top up the water tanks and load on some supplies. This is a great park at $23 per night one of the cheaper ones that we have seen.

There was a good butcher in town an IGA and a bakery that had the best sausage rolls and beautiful fresh warm bread.

After the larder re stock we headed for Sandstone. The road sides were spectacular to say the least.

At Sandstone we had another bite to eat then went out to see the famous London Bridge. A most spectacular site.

After leaving Sandstone we headed for Leinster where we turned South to Kalgoorlie. Just after Leonora we made camp at Niagara Dam (camps 6 350). A nice quiet spot near the small dam which had toilet facilities and garbage bins and the ever important toilet dump.

Next morning was only a shortish run to Kalgoorlie. The Grevillea’s in this area were fantastic but not much else in the way of flowers.

At Kal we checked in to the Discovery van park to meet some friends that are on the Spinifex Forum site. They both works here in Kal.

Plan “A” is to stay for three days before heading for the Nullarbor and on to the East.

It’s not over yet but we do hope that you have enjoyed our ramblings and pictures of a most extraordinary experience.

The park is quite small and we were concerned that our friends would not get a spot if they turned up late, (they needed power).

I had (as I thought) booked two powered sites but on arrival rang the posted phone number and was told that they had not reserved any sites for us and to just pick a spot. We did and anxiously awaited the arrival of our travel companions. Vans were coming in at a great rate. Our friends did get there in time to set up on the site beside us bar one.

Next day we did a big run in search of flowers but only managed to see a disappointing few.

Non the less we had a great day (as you do on the road grin).

Moora to Mingenew (pronounced with the G silent) was a good run. The exception was the leaving the freezer not shut properly.

So sad but we turned into a big bonus. We had scallops, fish and prawns that had the be dealt with in some way.

Rod volunteered to bash up a seafood curry.

What a superb delight it was. Night one we all had the curry and plain rice, with a small quantity of good wine around the Aus pig (fire).

A trip to Coal seam Conservation park the next day was rewarded with a spectacle that was amazing. Wild flowers spilled off the sides of every road and all over the distant hills.

Night two we made a fried rice to alter the monotony a tad to have with the remainder of the superb curry, again with some yummy wine and warm fire as an accompaniment.

Luckily for us we did the Coal Seam trip when we did as rain closed the park the next day.

Day three we headed to Morawa.

A great morning tea was had at the bakery (superb coffee and sausage rolls to die for grin). After this great repast we drove off to find the rare and elusive Wreath flowers. We found them along one very greasy 4wd only wet road. The sight of these rare flowers was fantastic.

They grow only on disturbed ground and it has to be gravel. Amazingly beautiful things.

Back at camp a pub meal in THE pub at Mingenew was enjoyed day 3, It was a monster. Mavis had Garlic prawns and Rod had a Camembert stuffed chicken breast. This tucker could not be finished. The meals were huge and superb ( the local beers and wines were not too shabby either).

We wallowed back to camp on foot to await fiveses as you do grin.

Another raging oz pig fire with friends and a few wines. Can life get any better?

L.G. For sure grin.

Sunday the 4^th we headed off to Canna to see the orchid displays that nature provided.

How great this place is.

Camp behind the church with power (if you are quick enough or need it, about 5 outlets are available) hot showers and toilets for a requested donation of $5 per night. Love this place!!!

Tomorrow we are off to Mt Magnet to find even more flowers.

But tonight Lamb shanks in the thermal cooker and a few more wines after a hard day walking and enjoying heaps of eye candy.Don’t you just hate the yanky sayings but it does apply here for us!

More to follow. Love to all.

For anyone in WA.
Mavis and I are off to see the famous WA wild flowers.
Our journey will start at Moora caravan park http://www.moora.wa….r/caravan_parks
Shire of Moora – (08) 9651 1401
Our trip starts on the night of the 29th of August staying at Moora and we will enjoy the wild flower circuit for the following week.
We will be starting with some friends that require power and amenities along with dog friendly stop overs so we personally will be in van parks for the week.
Please if you want to come make a booking for two nights at Moora (08) 9651 1401 and let us know by registering a reply to this post.
Send us a PM if you want our contact details.
Any of your friends are welcome as well, the more the merrier.
P.S. If you are in the area and just want to catch up for a cleansing ale or blood fortifying red with some nibbles let us know also.

Had a great time on the trip north. We returned via a couple of designated wild  flower runs on the way back. We were about 3 weeks too early for the full blooms but did see samples of lots of different blooms.

The plan now is to spend 3 weeks in Shoalwater then in the short time that we have to venture back North hoping that much more bloom will be showing.

After leaving Geraldton we camped at Wilroy Nature Reserve for the first night. Mavis struck out for a health giving brisk walk and saw lots of bloom. When she got back she was with a couple of ladies that were camped here in motor homes in the same Reserve. We all then went for a stroll along the railway track and spotted quite a few different flowers.

Unfortunately the sky opened up during fiveses so it was an early retreat to the van. The rain persisted all night with a short break in the morning when we left heading in a round about way for New Norcia camp again. The country side was absolutely beautiful.

Overnighted in New Norcia then went inland again for the trip back to Shoalwater. We passed through Northam http://www.westaustralianvista.com/history-of-northam.html and had lunch at York. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/York,_Western_Australia Wow what a beautiful town. Established in 1831 the whole place looks like you  have stepped back in time, beautiful stone and old brick buildings preserved completely in town and same for the housing. It was WA’s first inland settlement.

This place should not be missed and it is less than a couple of hours from Perth about 97ish kms. We lunched at the lookout enjoying the magnificent view, picked up some fuel then headed for Shoalwater. All in all a great trip.

More later.

After the quick fix and a water top up we said farewell to Sue our hostess in Geraldton.

Heading North from Geraldton we made for Northampton for a look and a toilet dump. Have I ever mentioned the pleasures involved in finding a toilet dump, there is a whole blog post that I may devote completely to to the subject at a later date so let the excitement build in your imaginations and be patient.

We took an inland route and lunched at Nabawa then maintained our South Easterly course. We did pass some spectacular farming country.

This State is definitely feeling the benefits of the Winter rains. The wild flowers that we thought we would miss are showing up now. It is early for them but great for us. Tomorrow we will be looking in earnest around the Mullewa area at the flowers, we have two days to get back to Shoalwater where we will be staying for two weeks so will make the most of it.

Stay tuned for wild flower pics to follow.

Seven mile Beach camp.

Unfortunately our drinking water pump has stopped producing so the coffee from the shower tanks had a pretty ucky taste, lotsa chlorine so much so Mavis couldn’t drink it. Sad when you get so used to nice water aint it grin. Will trouble shoot in Geraldton where we will be stopping for a night.

Again we stopped in to all tracks into the ocean on the last 60 kms to Geraldton. Must say that this coast is the prettiest ever. On the recommendation of some of our last night companions we dropped into Flat Rock where the surf was pounding and the surfers were having a ball, nice spot would be a good camp with toilet and garbage facilities.

Mavis was craving a coffee after the rejection of the contents of the shower water tanks for home coffee production so we stopped into Greenough for refreshments. If you are in the area do not go past this place. Coffee was average apple pie was great and the historic buildings well worth the admission price. We had done the tour during our last visit,wonderful.

On to Geraldton, wow and hasn’t it changed in the 5 years since our last visit. Housing gone up everywhere. We caught up with an internet friend from the Spinifex site. They currently live in Karratha but have a home in Geraldton. We had made contact earlier and were invited to park the rig in the driveway and say G-day. We showed the lady of the house over the van, unfortunately hubby was still in Karratha. They have plans of ordering a Spinifex in the near future and were very interested in our rig.

We did the tourist thing in Geraldton following the posted tourist route and did a little grocery shopping.

Next stop was the HMAS Sydney II memorial. What a great tribute to one of Australia’s horrific wartime losses, a very moving experience for both of us.

Tomorrow is another day and we will have to wait and see what it brings, what ever it may be it will be great.

We bid farewell to Cervantes at around 9am with the goal of just heading North for a while. This we managed quite well. Every little road that headed for the coast was explored and we love this place!!!!

There are so many little fishing shanty villages on the coast it looks for all the world like the Tasmanian West coast. Every little sand track seems to have a shanty or two or three at the end of it. Some of them have jetties that would see a fairly large Cray boat mooring. Cray boats are every where off the coast, most unlike the Tassie boats but there are heaps of them all along the coast. Makes you wonder why we had to pay $15 for half a fresh Cray at Cervantes. Some things we just have to do !!!!.

We found a little spot for lunch at Point Louise just after we left Jurien Bay which was a lovely spot and we would spend some time there under less constrained circumstances.

Back to the lunch stop Ya gota see the view from our picture windows to believe it. just superb.

Jurien Bay out of Mavis’s window.

A good feed and off again exploring. Love this place (think I said that before)!

We found lots of beautiful coastal camps and just plain beautiful places on the way north.

We travelled on until we found Seven mile beach. It is not listed in the Camps book but when we arrived at about 3:30 there was a motor home and two caravans with two wiz bangers already camped up. So as you do at such a late hour we dropped anchor for the night.

We were sitting around in the late afternoon sunshine partaking of the compulsory beverages when a couple that were camped just down from us struggled off the beach with a fully laden fish bin. He was in wet suit with spear gun in hand. Curiosity got the better of Rod so as you do he casually strolled down with stubby in hand to see if they needed a hand. Bad move Rod Cleaning and cooking fish was the punishment for the curiosity for both of us, Mavis did the lions share of scaling. Check these babies out.

Rod flashed up the Webber at the van and helped Mavis and team fillet the catch. Generously Brian and his lovely Lady invited the whole mob that was camped up to enjoy the spoils of Brian’s great haul.

The evening was spent in great company with great food and a great sunset.

Tomorrow is another day.