Wannamal to Karrinyup Waters Resort Perth

We took a touristic route via the Chittering Valley Wine Trail. Although everything is extremely dry here in WA the drive was pretty. We saw so many emu’s!

It was kind of weird but also nice to arrive in a big city again. One of the first things we noticed when we drove into one of Perth’s outer suburbs was the Drovers Market. We decided to have a look. We bought some lovely fresh local products. It was just so nice to have so much choice again!

As it was time for lunch we decided to find a nice spot and drove to Burns Beach. It was rather windy again so we prepared and ate lunch behind the car where it was slightly more sheltered.

In the afternoon we drove to a big shopping center where the Christmas madness was already in full swing.  It was nice for a change to see so many people and all the Christmas decorations. More than ever it doesn’t feel like Christmas to us!

It was only a short drive to our campsite for that night; Karrinyup Waters Resort. It was one of the most expensive caravan parks we have stayed at so far ($ 40 a night) but it was a nice setting next to the lake and we ran into some travelers we had met before.

Drummonds Reserve to Wannamal

In Geraldton the lady from the Information Center had told us about New Norcia, a historic Spanish Monastery. She said it was well worth a visit. 

So this morning that was where we were heading.During the drive we couldn't help but noticing bright oranges trees everywhere. Later we learned this tree is actually called Christmas Tree because it's flowering during the Christmas season.

As soon as we arrived at New Norcia we were pleasantly surprised. It was so weird to see such beautiful old Spanish buildings in a typical dry Australian countryside setting. Just very odd!

We had about an hour before a guided tour started so we prepared some lunch and had a look around in the gift shop.

There were only 5 people on the guided tour. We walked around the site and entered some of the old historic buildings. The churches were beautifully painted and decorated from the inside. We learned that it was built by the Spanish monk Rosendo Salvaro to support aboriginal people and convert them to the catholic religion. Nowadays the monastery is still operating and houses 10 Australian monks. One of them treated us on a mini piano concert which was very special.

Although we are not really into any religion we loved the tour. So informative and fascinating!

It was already at the end of the afternoon before we drove on to find a campsite. After about an hour drive we arrived at an old school site which nowadays is a rest area for travelers. It’s not the prettiest site, but well taken care of by the local community. It was well worth the gold coin donation if you ask us!

Cliff Head North to Drummonds Reserve

This morning we decided to take the unsealed touristic drive along the coast. There were a few beautiful beaches and cliffs along the way before we arrived in Jurien Bay. From there we drove further south and had a stop at Grigson lookout. The view was actually nicer than we expected.

After arriving in Cervantes we drove to the Lobster Shack for lunch. As halve a lobster was already $40.- we decided to share one of these. They came served with fries, salad and some weird fish cakes. The lobster itself was actually really nicely fried with melted garlic butter, very yummy. Also the setting was a lot of fun. Well done on the artist!

At Cervantes we also discovered there are more stromatolites in Australia, so we had another look at these local residents living in Lake Thetis. After seeing the stromatolites at the Hameltin Pools these were very underwhelming really.

So to bring our day to a good end we decided to visit the very touristic Pinnacles. These are rock/sandstone formations in a dessert/dune setting. It is still not known exactly how they were formed all those years ago.

At the information center we learned a bit more about the environment, and the flora and fauna in this area. From there we could drive our car straight through the Pinnacles, which was very nice and provided lots of photo opportunities!

In the evening we found a lovely free camp at Drummonds Reserve. We had it all to ourselves and it was very peaceful. We hoped to see a glimpse of the meteor shower that night but unfortunately we didn’t see any.

Geraldton to Cliff Head North at Beekeepers Reserve

The caravan Park was located at the most western point of the town and we decided to have a closer look at the light house which we could see from the campsite earlier this morning. We noticed a few kite-surfers getting ready to ride the waves so we hung around for a while to see their acrobatic jumps in the air.

Monique had heard of a little weekend market at the Old Geraldton Railway Station and upon arrival we noticed it was little indeed. There were only 6 or 7 stalls. We bought some cheap veggies and soon found out there were some very cute and creative shops located in the old station itself.

Yesterday we had seen some big art work up a hill and as we seemed to be close we decided to drive up the steep hill to have a better look. It worked out to be one of the most beautiful spectacular and catching memorial we had ever come across in Australia. It was designed to honor the Sydney HMAS II (marine ship), and its 645 crew who lost their lives on 19^th Nov 1941. Every aspect of this memorial is so well done and thought through, that it actually made a big impression on us.

Back in the city town center we visited the new information center to gather some information about the must -sees further along the road down to Perth. The lady at the center was very helpful. She made sure we visited the new pier just behind the center from where you could see the local see lions. The pier looked brand-new and modern and was quite nice but and indeed we saw a big fat see lion sunbathing on one of the rocks.

From Geraldton we took the coastal highway down south and couldn’t help but noticing the impact the wind had on some of the trees.

We decided to visit Greenough Historic Settlement and after having an awful coffee but a yummy carrot cake we paid the entrance fee to see the historic buildings on this site. A flyer told us more on the individual buildings and we enjoyed walking around going back in time.

Via Port Denison, where we were almost blown away from their lookout, we drove to Beekeepers Conservation Reserve. Here we surprisingly found a really lovely spot to camp for free. Only in Australia you find amazing places like this for free!

Hutt River to Geraldton

Once again it was a very windy morning so we moved our car to the camp kitchen and had breakfast in there.

At 9 am we went to meet Prince Leonard but unfortunately he wasn’t well today (he is almost 90 years old) so we were guided around the property by his son; Prince Ian.

Hutt River is a micronation founded by Leonard Casley. He was a farmer who in response to a dispute with the government over wheat production quotas proclaimed secession from Western Australia in 1970. Since then the law has been adjusted but Leonard succeeded and now goes under the title Prince Leonard I of Hutt. At their government office you can get your passport stamped, buy Hutt River stamps, money and souvenirs.

So in a way you can say we were out of the country for a day!

From Hutt River we drove to Northampton. It is a small town with a few historic buildings. We had a quick stop as Monique saw a very inspiring wood shop. Once again it’s a good thing we can’t fit much in our campervan…lol.

From Northampton we drove on to Geraldton. Since Adelaide this was the first real ‘city’ we came across so Monique was very excited. 

After arrival in the town center we had mixed feelings but after parking our car and exploring the ‘city’ by foot we were delighted to find very inspiring and creative shops, historic buildings and the beachfront looked very modern too. For lunch we had Indian curry which was nice for a change. All in all we were pleasantly surprised with Geraldton.

It was already late in the afternoon when we finally went to find a campsite. We read about a free campsite next to the road about 20 km east of Geraldton, so we decided to check it out. It turned out that camp spot was on top of a hill and although the view was wonderful, the wind was just horrendous!

Not much later we found ourselves back on the road towards Geraldton where we booked ourselves into Belair Gardens Caravan Park where we spent the evening sheltering for the wind in the camp kitchen.