Australia here we come!

14/7/12

We packed up early and left Kalbarri driving down the coast road. The scenery was beautiful with ocean views and fields of lush green grass and even large trees. Our first stop was at a little coastal town called Port Gregory. We stopped in a car park near the beach and went for a walk. From the top of the car park you look out over a white sandy beach and the Indian Ocean. A fringing reef runs parallel to the shore about two hundred metres out and stops the ocean swells and surf from hitting the beach. It is a lovely little town. On the way out of town we stopped at the Pink Lake which is a salty lake where bacteria attached to salt granules gives the water a pink colour.

From Port Gregory we drove to Northampton. It is an old town very similar in appearance to some country towns in NSW. We walked around town and found a shop called the Family Store. It is a shop from a past era that sells almost everything, even warm winter jackets. Thank you Karen. We continued our walk and found St Mary's Catholic Church. This is a church that was designed and built by Monsignor John Hawes a famous WA architect and priest in the early 20^th century.

We left Northampton and drove to Oakabella Homestead, the most haunted house in WA, which was supposed to have caravan facilities. We found out there was no power or water and they wanted $20 a night for the privilege of free camping in a paddock. We had a quick look around, but didn't see any ghosts, and then drove to the Oakabella Rest Area a couple of kilometres back along the highway where we could free camp the night for free.

15/7/12

We left Oakabella Rest Area and drove to Geraldton. We stopped at the Visitor Information Centre but it didn't open until 10am on a Sunday. To fill in time, we walked to Hungry Jacks and had a hot breakfast. When we returned, the Information Centre was open and the girls found out about the 'must see' places in town. We picked the Sunset Beach Caravan Park to base ourselves for the next 7 days. After setting up we went for a drive around town to orientate ourselves. We found a caravan parts shop, Bunnings, The HMAS Sydney II Memorial, The Port of Geraldton and the Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage.

16/7/12

The shops were open today and the girls were hanging out for some retail therapy. So guess what happened? Correct. I was dragged to every shop in Geraldton all day until the girls' credit cards were about to melt from overuse.

17/7/12

At 10.30am today we went to the HMAS Syndey II Memorial and joined a guided tour of the Memorial. The tour guide was a volunteer lady who explained in great detail the background of the Memorial and she explained and interpreted the individual symbolism used in the memorial's design. It was a very moving experience for all involved and is a 'must do' tour.

From the HMAS Sydney Memorial we drove to the Lighthouse Keeper's Cottage. It is the location of the original lighthouse and combined cottage that is heritage listed and cared for by a team of dedicated volunteers. We were met by a delightful Irishman who showed us around and explained everything in his funny accent.

We went back to the Visitor Information Centre because the volunteer lady from the HMAS Sydney II tour was conducting another tour, this time of the Victoria District Hospital and the Old Geraldton Jail. We were not disappointed. The lady again explained in great detail all the historical and interesting aspects of the old hospital and jail.

After the tour finished we went for a drive looking for a nice spot to have a late lunch. We found the Cathedral which was another building designed and built by Monsignor Hawes. We eventually found a great spot for lunch on the foreshore.

18/7/12

This morning we visited the Geraldton Museum. It is packed with everything that you would expect to find in a Capital City museum. Except Geraldton is not Western Australia's Capital City. There was an excellent shipwreck section which displayed artifacts recovered from numerous wrecks along the WA coast. From the Museum we walked to the old Geraldton Railway Station where the girls found the largest knitting supply shop on earth which was run by the rudest woman alive. On the way home we stopped at Target, Coles and BCF. Later that evening after tea, Mary-Anne had a visit from two permanent residents, Henry and Gavin. Henry had noticed that Mary-Anne's car brake lights kept coming on during the night and had mentioned it to Gavin who is a diesel mechanic. Gavin checked the car and diagnosed the problem as either the brake switch or the caravan brake controller. He disconnected the brake switch and enlisted Henry to keep an eye on it during the night. If the lights don't come on then the switch is faulty and the caravan brake controller is fine.

19/7/12

This morning we went to the Geraldton RSL Military Museum. It is an old building and is jam-packed with memorabilia. We spent an hour or so checking out all the displays. We planned to have lunch at the Wintersun Hotel but we had an hour to fill in before lunch time. We took a drive to Moore Point and found an Osprey nest with 2 small birds in it. On the way back into town we stopped at Crazy Clarks looking for a cheap rivet gun but they didn't have any. It was time for lunch so we went to the Wintersun Hotel and we all ordered scotch fillet steak and chips for $10.00. It was a great feed and we left 'full as two chooks'. The girls had to return some clothing items so I was dragged to Target again. Later that evening after being updated by Henry (the brake lights did not come on overnight), Gavin came and removed the brake switch from Mary-Anne's car.

20/7/12

The first job today was to buy a new brake switch for Mary-Anne's car and we went to Coventry and got one. Then we drove down the highway to the old historical town of Central Greenough (pronounced Gren-f). It was a large town established in 1850 and was a thriving farming community. The town consisted of churches, schools, stores, Police Station, jail and cottages.

After walking around the town and having lunch in the grounds we drove to a small town called Walkaway. We found a Railway Museum at the old railway station and spent an hour looking around. Then we headed for a free camping spot that Karen had heard about called Ellendale Pool. On the way we passed the Walkaway Wind Farm which consists of 54 large windturbines. We eventually found Ellendale Pool and had a walk around. There were a number of caravans camped there in a lovely camping area with large shady trees right next to a lovely natural pool which laps at the foot of impressive cliffs opposite. On the way back to Geraldton we stopped at the Hampton Arms Inn which was built in 1863 and still operates as a licensed hotel.

When we arrived back in Geraldton Mary-Anne did something that will make her children faint. She went into a liquor barn and bought a bottle of double aged rum. No, she has not fallen off the wagon, the rum was for Gavin in thanks for fixing her car. While we were having a very well cooked and tasty tea Gavin arrived and fitted the new brake switch. Before Mary-Anne handed over the rum bottle I checked that it was still sealed, and it was. Gavin's eyes nearly pooped out of his head. I think he likes Bundy Rum.

21/7/12

We had a lazy morning and the girls did some washing. Mary-Anne and I drove to the caravan parts shop and bought a couple of 12v fluro light starters for the vans. We had a BBQ lunch and after that I fitted a fluro starter to one of Mary-Anne's caravan lights. Later in the afternoon we visited Gavin's caravan for happy hour and many games of Jenga. Mary-Anne must have been feeling guilty about buying grog today. At 6.30pm she left Gavin's place and went to church and confessed her many sins.