2026 Adventures

18th June our adventures start with a trip on the Spirit of Tasmania arriving in Geelong and a short trip to Torquay to catch up with Margaret’s brother , Neil, and cousin Heather. Lovely to see them and catch up on the news in person.

On the road Sunday morning and Avoca then Birchip and there are signs objecting to the turbines which we have heard about on the news.

An overnight stop in Lascelles and we were very surprised that the old pub had burnt down and it was to be demolished then next day. Silo painting still amazes us on how beautiful they and the artistry.

We cross the Murray River at Paringa and into South Australia, through the checkpoint for any fruit or vegetables and a thorough check done in cupboards and fridge in van and open all the doors of the car.

Stopped at Burra at the Showgrounds again and a new guy there since January. Same manner as the last guy. “Hurry up and park I don’t wont to stand here all day. “

Passing the countryside after a frosty morning and seeing ruins of past lives. There is a thought that this ruin was on the front cover of an album by the Bee Gees. The start of the mountain range leading to Flinders Ranges and the train kms long.

We try and stop at Port Pirie to buy fresh fish but there was a shop on the highway which we have seen many a time but never stopped Harry’s Homemade Gourmet Jams and pickles but decided today was the day and boy what a find you name it with homemade pepperoni salami and every conceivable game meats. Crocodile was our choice today.

Sunsets and plains are now the scenery set for our crossing the Nullarbor.

An iconic roadhouse, history recorded on their walls and of course the dingo which is scavenging for the food scraps that people drop.

Beautiful cliffs along the gulf and big plains of scrubby bush. Beautiful country to pass.

BIG trucks pulling over twice to let them through. New mine starting or renewing the machinery but plenty of truck with mining equipment passing us today. Mundrabilla flooded driveway, unbelievable rain and water around. Cameron useless bit of info we filled the fuel tank 12 times (diesel) sometimes only 1/2 tank and the average price was $1.991 per litre. Geelong Victoria to Ellenbrook WA. Probably less than what we were paying for diesel in Tassie…

We arrive in Ellenbrook, a suburb of Perth, Elizabeth’s & family, they had been tracking us for the day and found we had taken a turn which probably shouldn’t have taken because we had to unhitch the caravan leave on the side of the road and Cameron driving an extra 90kms return to buy fuel as we were running very low. We were geographically embarrassed. Not an unusual occurrence but we never reveal but with modern technology we were caught out.

We took the grandchildren for a day trip to Mundaring Dam which is the water supply to Perth and Kalgoorlie. The water levels are on the low side and you can see by the downside of the wall not much has overflowed over for quite some years. Using the history of these feats quite interesting, how the pipes were designed and to flow to Kalgoorlie taking some years.

Leaving the van and car with Elizabeth & Jez we fly home for Judith’s funeral, we were away for 4 days.

Landing on Saturday morning in Perth we head to Costco for a big shop to set us up for our next adventure in the caravan with two teenagers. We are taking Zara & Seth to Dunsborugh for a week camping. Not sure how this will go but it will be great to spend time with them.

Visiting Busellton for the boys to have a shot at fishing and Zara and I take a walk to the shops in the town centre. Statues depicting the history of the area. Called into a wool shop perhaps another visit maybe needed.

Seth caught a couple of smaller fish and was quite proud of his effort. Busselton wharf is the longest timber piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. It extends 1.81 kilometres over the Geographe Bay. We walked half it should have caught the train but was happy to take photos.

Beautiful coastline and we visit the Cape Naturaliste lighthouse. The day was absolutely gorgeous.

Much to grandchildren’s horror they would have to leave their phones and walk we went to the Capes Raptor Centre and saw the show. It is a sanctuary for birds of prey and the show raises funds for rehabilition mainly owls but other birds as well. Very impressed!

We sat through a show of two owls flying for post to post and the kites flying and catching the food as the flew by.

While we were doing the walk through the cages which I must admit were very well placed and in trees and bushland, Seth started taking photos and showing how good the Samsung phone is, a bit of competition but all in good fun and yes they are very good.

Next was the Mammoth Cave and a self guided audio was provided. WOW! How impressive they are plenty of stairs and I will let the photos do the talking.

Can you see the bacon!

We finish the caves and had to walk another 160 steps to walk through the forest across the road back to information centre.

Elizabeth. Jez and dogs, Walt & Tink arrive at Margaret River where we all have lunch and head to look at the mouth of the Margaret River.

then headed back to camp stopping at Cowaramup where we take photos of the cows!! Dogs and Candy shop

Murals and metal sculptures in the park, quite a pretty town.

What a quaint town of Witchcliffe, they have taken on the name and created a theme. Filled with fuel and the witch on broom on the sidewalk. There is a cafe as a castle with cauldron & all. Well Simmos ice cream no words can describe two visits near Dunsborough.

We say goodbye to Elizabeth Jez Zara & Seth they head back to Perth and we head south we think to Augusta.

We called into Lake Cave but would have to wait over an hour see and the guide suggested Jewel Cave was the best so we head there and sure enough we only had you to wait 10minutes and well worth the time spent and yes the best of the caves absolutely fantastic.

Photos don’t really show the magnificent formations but we did take plenty of photos as you can see.

There are pendulums!!

There is a Camel!!

Travelling to Augusta hoping to be able to get a camp site.