It has now been more than a year since we moved back to Western Australia and in that time, we have done a few trips here and there, but the energy to write about them has, for some unknown reason, not arisen. Now, with the prospect of another trip across Australia looming in 10 days time, the energy has arisen to write about an earlier trip in Essy … our lovely motorhome.

Spring in WA is all about the wildflowers which bloom in a tide of colour starting in the north and working its way south as the months move on. Many choose that time to take a trip north and then follow the blooms southward.

This from Australian Geographic:

And so, although the weather is not in our favour, we decide to take a trip north as far as Karbarri to see The Gorge, and return using the inland route to see the flowers. We realise that Essy is no longer appropriate for camping along the wild southern coast and so this may be our last journey in such luxury.

At the RV stop in Bridgetown we realise we not the biggest show in town

Our journey north is taking us along a well trodden path through the south western wheat fields and orchards, through Perth and on to Geraldton – a short hop in Australian terms, a mere 820km – sort of London to Aberdeen!

Ah … rainbow over Geraldton harbour. Such mystical things, rainbows

Ever had a pee in a Rubric Cube ?… now’s your chance in these public toilets in Geraldton!

I wonder how many got stuck before they put the sign up.

Not sure they are keen on you going in here.

Big boys’ toys! Lots of fishing off this coast.

Kalbarri

The weather is definitely not being kind to us. Cool and wet is the name of this game, but on the other hand the cloudscapes are truly spectacular. It is very quiet; it seems the rain is keeping people away.

At least the wind is not too strong otherwise our umbrellas might be in trouble.

The rain looks amazing as it approaches … not so good when it arrives.

I mean … Wow!

And in a short time it has all changed again.

The ocean is oh so clear.

Kalbarri was recently hit by a cyclone and many buildings have yet to be repaired.

One of the main attractions which brings visitors flocking to Kalbarri is The Gorge. This from the WA Parks and Wildlife service:

… and this is no exaggeration.

I’m not a great fan of gigantic steel structures in the middle of national parks, but this one is really quite impressive, hanging out as it does, over the side of the gorge and in the process no doubt saving a life or two.

Lots of information.

The structure is huge and not for the faint hearted if you try looking down through the grill …

… but what a vista it presents when you walk out on it.

I wouldn’t want to be this close to a live Emu with chicks.

Way across on the other side of the Gorge a wallaby is blissfully unaware of the spectators

Beautiful sculptures everywhere along the paths.

Jurien Bay

After a night in Green Head, it’s now time to travel south once more to meet up with friends Helen and Michael in Jurien Bay. Among other things they are taking us to the Lesueur National park, which is one of the biodiversity hotspots in WA, and indeed the world.

Jacqui relaxes on the beach at Green Head.

The form of this gum tree is just amazing

Helen and Michael

Information notices have really come up in the world – Crab anyone?.

Lesueur National Park

And so to a few flowers. I have no idea about the names of any of these plants, but the are all exceptionally beautiful.

Low bush displays splashes of colour in the Lesueur National Park.

A biodiversity hot-spot

Mmmm – smells like honey to me!

Such colour

… and delicacy

The pinnacles

The aptly named Pinnacles is an extensive petrified forest (or is it?) in the Nambung National Park.

The Australia’s Coral Coast website says:

They say it’s the most visited attraction in WA after Perth

Strange shapes indeed.

Imagine how long it has taken for this spectacular form to arise.

We turn for home

The weather is not being kind to us so we will turn for home. Taking the inland route we return through York, a convenient half way point with it’s free campsite next to the river.

Domestic flowers have happily spread to this roadside verge

Lovely to find a footbridge to help us cross to the town centre

A beautiful deep river

Our old favourite the “28”, or port Lincoln Parrot, watches as we depart.

It did turn out to be a last trip in Essy. The fact that it was too tall to fit in our shed (7m x 8m x 3.2m and it still wouldn’t fit) and given that we had no real alternative place to park it, moved us toward letting Essy enjoy life with a new family.

She sold very quickly and we were able to change horses once more to our new rig. For the first time is all our years of travelling hither and thither in camper vans we have gone for a camper trailer, which enables us to have a single motorised vehicle.

Trying out our new rig in the FitzGerald National Park on the south coast of WA

For better or worse we will set out in a week or so to travel once more across Australia to see Zoe & Co in Noosa and then Pippa and Tara in Townsville. Should only take a month or two – and around 10,000km.

I do sometimes wonder about us!

Yay! When it’s winter – go to the tropics!

May you all be well and happy.

Enjoy!

Alan