Where to begin.....31st October we picked up our campervan. We had a couple of errands to do before so we were up early and got to Travellers Auto Bahn (TAB) for 10am, our agreed pick up time. We didn't need to check out the hostel until 11 so left our bags at the hostel to save carrying everything. TAB was so busy - it got to 10.45 and we still hadn't been seen so we briskly walked back to the hostel, checked out and put our main cases into storage and carried the rest of our bags. In the heat. Half way to TAB we vowed that we would get a taxi next time! Good way to extend your arms though :D
Anyway, managed to finally get our camper....Flowrider. Made sure that the tyres were not bald and all was ok! We headed out of Perth at 12:30 with smiles on our faces.....the adventure begins!
As it was only a quick lunch stop, we headed off and carried on to Bunbury.
Bunbury was a nice town....well it's classed as a city (no idea why!) - we parked the camper up in the Harbour and set off to explore. We expected it to be quite a big town, but as we found with alot of places, it was smaller than the map made out. We walked through a housing estate to get to the viewing point tower - WOW, what a view
After walking around the town we headed back to our camper - we parked it within walking distance of a BBQ area and the toilets - spot on! We made the most of the free facilities, cooking dinner on the Barbie - it looked straight out over the harbour so was a beautiful setting for dinner. There was a dolphin right in the bay too - what a perfect first night!
In the morning, breakfast was Egg and Bacon, done on the BBQ again. Could get used to this life! Was Becky's turn to drive and she took us through to Busselton. Here we walked down the Jetty - it is known to be the longest timber piled Jetty in the Southern Hemisphere, extending out into the sea by 2kms. The first stage was built in 1865 with the idea of being able to get post and essential supplies from Perth delivered easier. There is a little train that you can take to the end for $2.50, but we were happy to walk. Shirt off, sun beaming, us smiling. Alllllll good!
After lunch we headed to Cape Naturliste, via Dunsborough. We figured we might as well make the most of the hot weather and stop at the Simmo ice cream factory! Scoops of the Orange chocolate chip, Malteser Caramel, Raspberry Sorbet and Passionfruit. Too good!
Cape Naturliste was very scenic - we walked to a look out and saw another Lighthouse. You can actually walk the 'Cape to Cape' track - it takes you all the way down to Augusta (135kms) but we didn't venture on that one! After driving into many bays and finding 'No Camping' signs, we drove back to the top of the Cape and hid the camper in the bush for a sound nights sleep.
Couldn't believe the amount of moths that were about - it was literally like a storm, what with them being attracted to the lights. It sounded just like rain.
We were up early in the morning (5.45am) as to not be caught by the National Park warden. We walked to the whale watch point and, lo and behold, saw some whales in the far distance. You couldn't make out what kind of whales but they were there! We did, however, come across a snake! It was only a small one, just over 30cms, but it made us keep a watchful eye open! Some of the snake trails in the sand were massive.
We walked back to the camper and headed to one of the scenic bays, Meelup Beach, to have breakfast - they also had toilets with showers there. Another cooked brekkie on the BBQ, and a bloody FREEZING shower, we packed up and got ready to leave. Out in the bay we could see some random waves - whales! These were a lot closer so we actually got to see them! We sat on the beach front for a while, taking a few pictures.
Next stop was Yallingup - a town with a beautiful reef beach and home to the Ngilgi Caves. The caves were pretty epic - basically they exist due to the limestone not being affected by gravity and as water in the ground seaps down, it collects the minerals etc and kind of moulds itself under ground. The caves are 11 storeys deep - you need to be careful of the Co2 levels if its a hot day - difficult to keep your breath.
We headed onto Margaret River, choosing to use the Coastal Cave Road rather than the highway. On the way we visited the Chocolate Factory (where temptation defeated us and we ended up with a slice of Chocolate Mud Cake and a Chocolate Brownie!), the Cheese factory, and a Fudge Factory. All with free samples!
Margaret River was not what we expected. The map showed it as being quite a big city with a few places of interest. However, when we rolled in, it was more of a surfers town with not a lot to do. We had a walk around the shops, bought some more ice for our esky, and then made tracks to Augusta. As the sun was soon to set, we parked the camper by Augusta Lighthouse (yes, another one!) and cooked dinner. There were plenty of flies about which was aggravating me more and more!
We watched the sunset and then parked the van 500 metres down the road in a layby off the main 'road'. It was overlooking the whole of the coastline, lighthouse in view. Absolutely beautiful.
It would have been alot nicer if there weren't a thousand and one mosquitos. We weren't able to have the sliding door open for fear of all the mossies coming in.....so it was a very hot night!
Come the morning, we both had a fair few bites - Becky more than me, having 20 on just one leg. Not impressed! What with needing a shower, being pretty tired and waking up to rain, the mood was....a little negative :D Think Becky would have happily ditched 'The damned Campervan' there and then. But we persued.
Next planned stop, Pemberton. In reality, it was Nannup! The Campers fuel economy was, well, Crap! We would only get about 300 K's out of a tank of fuel. We wouldn't have made it to Pemberton so had to take a detour to Nannup (I thought we would have made it!!) But we made the most of it and stopped to use the local BBQ and had yet another cooked breakfast! Even had hash browns with this one!
We pulled into Pemberton around 11am, visited the Information Centre (there was a man....I mean woman (i think) who had a very manly voice, huge hands and was just, well, manly). We bought a National Park pass and went to the Beedelup Falls, just as a storm was brewing. As we got out the van, the thunder was rolling around but nothing materialised.
We spent the afternoon on the Pemberton Tram, taking us through the Gloucester National Park to the Cascades. Was something different to do and only $24.
We spent our first night in a caravan site - Pemberton Caravan Park. We had problems getting the power connected to the van so ended up sticking the cable through the window rather than the conventional power plug on the outside! Turns out we just missed flicking a switch under some boards. But we did manage to get a hot shower - first one in 4 days!
I cooked dinner tonight too - Kangaroo! Was actually pretty good!!
At this point we were finding that the camper was pretty sparce on space. When you are trying to move stuff around, set the bed up, with 2 people in it - it gets a tad stressful! We could hardly sit up in it, let alone stand. We didn't get to the killing stage of our relationship though -but close lol. When we do the camper thing again, we vowed we would get a bigger camper - even if it does cost a tad more!
Another 5.45am start - were told that Pemberton water board were turning the water off between 6 and 9am! So up early for a shower! Through all the excitement of actually getting a hot shower, I manage to cut my finger on my razor - half an hour later and the bleeding slows down.
On our way to Denmark, we drove through Northcliffe (everything was shut as it was so early) so moved onto Walpole - again, not alot to do there so carried on! We ventured onto an unsealed tourist drive (dirt road to you and me!) where we viewed the Giant Tingle Trees - huge trees that were hollow. Apparently, they have been burnt out by bushfires and eaten away by insects and fungi but manage to survive on a mere 1200mm of water per annum. Pretty cool though - you can walk straight through the middle of them!
Visited the Circular Pools - looks like a cappucino machine! Brown water with alot of froth! Was nice walking around the area though.
We stopped at the Tree Top Walk - you walk along a mesh walkway that is 40 metres up in the trees. It's pretty cool - kept thinking that Meg would have loved it. However, if you're afraid of heights then I wouldn't recommend it - you can actually feel the whole lot swaying, and see all the trees swaying even more!
Onward to Denmark, just making it with bated breath, only having a trickle of fuel left - and a Toffee factory catches our eye. They had a baby lamb there who had a purple bum! Was very sweet though, must have only been a few days old but had been abandoned by its Mother. Vistited another Chocolate shop, the Chocolate Lounge - this one was a bit more upmarket. Felt obliged to purchase a sample - $6 for 2 chocolates. Was worth it though!
Looked at the 'Green Hole' and 'Elephant Cove'. These are actually part of the coastal structure - built in, as such! Just as we got out the camper, the sun decided to beam upon us! Good timing.
Walked around the beach and through the paths, got loads of pictures. As we were walking down Greens Hole, my awesomely gripped trainers (NOT!) helped me fall flat on my side! Luckily I had my camera bag over my shoulder but the camera itself was in my hand - and it went down with quite a thud...just like me! What a tit.
Have some awesome bruises to show for it though!
Becky found us a nice spot to camp - a scenic viewpoint about 7kms out of Denmark. We had dinner and settled down for the night. It was quite a cold night though - Becky woke me up half way during the night saying her feet were freezing, and me being the ever so caring boyfriend, told her to put some socks on. Then she woke me later asking for a cuddle to warm her up....my response....No. I don't remember this! (that's what i'm sticking to anyway!!)
Saturday 5th we headed along another dirt track to West Cape Howe National Park. We aimed for Torbay, the most Southerly point of Australia in WA. We reached the top and, WOW, what an amazing view. Simon Taylor would have been in his pictorial element!! The coastline was spectacular, with waters stretching out as far as the eye could see and what with being so so blue....out of this world! We layed down on a ramp, looked all around listening to the water, birds and nothingless and realised this is what travelling is all about.
Driving on we head towards Albany and see 'The Gap' and 'The Blowholes' - more natural wonders. However, the Blowholes weren't blowing today - suppose you can't have decent weather and stormy seas all at the same time!
It finally stopped raining so I did dinner from the rear of the camper - Chicken curry and rice.
Got woken up on Sunday from the National Park Warden demanding his $7 each. 8am....cheek! After having our ever expanding cooked breakfast (egg, bacon, hash browns, mushrooms and beans - although mine minus an egg as I dropped it!)
We drove to Gnowangerup so I could see where Bex had spent alot of her time last time. Was bigger than I thought, although still a small town! Headed on to Hyden to see Wave Rock but didn't arrive until 5pm so only had a little wander around, seeing the Dam too. Again, so many flies - I got well and truelly pissed off with them.
Stayed in another campsite - really nice one, showers were amazing. Managed to do our laundry (first time since we left home), spoke to our rents on Skype along with Simon, Anthony and Adam and even managed to do Lauren a birthday message (thanks Simon!!) Whilst talking to Brian, I stupidly managed to fall out the camper, hitting the corner of the table as I go. Another brilliant bruise - plum coloured. Luckily I managed to hide the fact of doing this and carried on with the conversation - although Becky then exposed my secret later....damn her!! Drove over 300k that day so was definitely ready for bed.
Monday morning we got up a little later than normal - and most of the campsite had cleared off. We went for a long walk around Hyden, seeing the wave rock again. Wave rock is a 15 metre high granite cliff with its shape being caused by weathering and water erosion which have under cut the base and left a rounded overhang Water running down the rock during wetter months dissolve minerals adding to the colour of the rock.
We continued around to Hippos Yawn and headed on for another 4kms seeing a Kangaroo and the local Airport - see picture!
Still have no idea exactly how the sliding door locked - just one of those things I suppose.
On Tuesday we had a day to relax and get things sorted - we went and saw Christine, Beckys friend from Gnowangerup. Such a nice lady! (Helped that she called me 'Handsome' and 'Corporate Material') (BIG SMILE)
Stayed in another campsite so we could tidy the camper before returning it the next day. As we rolled up late, around 8pm, went to plug in the power to the van and could hear a couple in a tiny tent next to us......couldn't help but laugh. Tent was moving left to right, up and down!
Up early on Wednesday as had to clean the camper (remove all the dead bugs on the front), fill the gas cylinder, fill up with fuel (AGAIN!) and then return it. Dropped Becky off at the bank to get her Pin and she met me at Travellers Auto Bahn so we could get a taxi to East Perth station so we could start our next leg of our Adventure to Adelaide.
All in all, the camper experience was good - if not a bit cramped! The South West of Western Australia was pretty idyllic - lots of beautiful sights! Even if we did cover over 2,000 Km's!!
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