From Windy Harbour to Perth (and a few BIG things in between)

Our Western Australia adventure continued from Windy Harbour (which wasn't actually all that windy) back up through  the Shannon National Park and the beautiful Great Forest Drive. Trees of extraordinary height and width for miles and miles, then down to the southern coastal town of Augusta where you can spot whales if you're lucky. I wasn't. Margaret River was the evening's camping destination, and after much unplanned sightseeing (we got lost), we set up for the night in the Leeuwin National Park. Quiet, dark, a long drop and plenty of firewood. Not too much more you could ask for!

The next day was a wander through and around Margaret River. Popular for its surf beaches and wine. A very relaxed laid back town .

Margaret River

Then on to Busselton. After our long walk on Port Germein jetty early in the trip we were pretty keen to take a stroll along the 'Longest jetty in the Southern Hemisphere'. There was a $2.50 day pass to get on the jetty, or you could pay $10 to ride the train to the end where there was also an underwater observatory. We'd done a lot of driving, so needed the exercise, and seriously....$10?!!!! It was also interesting reading the plaques of people whose ashes had been thrown from the jetty, and there were a lot of them. My favourite "Dad said just chuck me over, so we did". You really want to pick the right day/time to go swimming off this jetty!

Busselton, WA

From Busselton our next camp was staying on the private property of a friend of my Aunt & Uncle. John had a couple of camp spots where previously he'd had buses of backpackers stay, and he had a great set up with toilet AND shower!!! Oh the luxury. This was the first time that marshmallows were cooked on our campfire, and they were goooood. 

There were kangaroos in numbers I have never seen before, and emu's wandering past to greet us in the morning. So so peaceful.

In fact, so great was the spot, we decided to stay a couple of days. But how to fill in our time in a quiet little place off the tourist trail? Off to the laundromat of course, and then the REAL adventure. I had noticed on my map a few BIG things. Being from SA I'm well accustomed to BIG things, like the Big Lobster in Kingston, and the Big Rocking horse in Gumeracha.

 I thought that while doing this trip I might collect pictures of the BIG things I see along the way, and the maps notice of a BIG apple was where I was to begin. With Mum & Gary driving their van in front, all of us kept an eye out for where the apple should be and it just wasn't. After a few laps of the area, back in to town to ask the tourist info. It seems the apple had been sold off privately a few years ago, and the owners didn't love people coming to visit. In fact the notice on their gate when we drove up sort of summed up how they felt "Trespassers will be composted". So from a distance, I took a photo of what turned out to be a much searched for disappointment!!

The Big Apple, Donnybrook, WA

Disappointed as I was, I wasn't going to let it stop me. There were also a BIG cow and a BIG Orange on the map......so in search we went! Seriously Western Australia, for a BIG state, you need to have a look at the rest of the country, and then have a good hard look at yourselves.

The Big Cow, Brunswick Junction, WA

The Big Orange, Wokalup, WA

The Big Pie, Wokalup, WA

Okay, so the BIG pie wasn't on any map. I just saw it and was honestly more impressed than by any of the other things I'd seen. With sauce!

So then it was on to Bunbury which was lovely, then Rockingham which wasn't.

Perth was our final destination as a group. Mum, Gary and I set up in the Karrinyup Waters caravan park, and pretty much held court for a while. We caught up with a number of family and friends over a few days and the best bit was they came to us! That was the best bit, because as the trip moved on so did our navigational skills.

A quick trip to the casino worked out very well for me. From the beginning, this was one thing Gary had wanted to do, so Mum & I indulged him. We left him at the tables trying to win the big $$ while we went off to play the pokies. I hardly ever do this, but Mum has had a bit of practice (well she has!) Between the two of us though, we couldn't work the bloody things out. We'd put our money in, press a few buttons...and nothing! Taking our money out again, and moving on to the next, and the next. Eventually we found one that make all the right 'ding ding' noises and had the appropriate flashing lights...and it even gave me $50. Very happy with that!


After nearly 3 weeks together, it was time for them to leave and make their journey back to Mount Gambier. Yes, there were tears on departure, but I think Gary will be okay, in time.


Next blog: From Perth to Monkey Mia