Thursday, 26 June 2014

Perth to Canarvon


Perth
Arriving at Gary's cousin Alan and his family house in Perth, we set up our caravan in their extremely large backyard. The girls where excited as they spotted the super cool rope swing, trampoline, 4 dogs and 1 cat! They promptly informed us that we was to never leave, and spent the next week (whenever we weren't exploring Perth) playing with the dogs and swinging from the rope swing! 
The girls on the rope swing

During our stay we checked out London Street. A small street that was set up to look like a street in London. It was ok.. But it was a bit disappointing when most the shops within this street are sushi stores, Australian Souvenir stores and only a small handful of "London type" outlets. 
London Street 


We also visited Kings Park, Whiteman Park and Woodbridge Park (yep, travelling with kids we should of probably wrote a book on all the parks/playgrounds we have visited!!) lucky Gary and I big kids ourselves and don't mind the odd playground! ;)) 
Woodbridge playground

We also managed to catch up with Vanessa and her 2 gorgeous kids again and had a couple of play dates and even a trip to an indoor pool one day when it was too cold and wet to be outside. 

We attended Alan son Mitchell's 21st fancy dress birthday party on the Saturday night which was good fun. Ella dressed as a Magician, Gary a Clown, Tori was a Monster and I was a Cat! Meowwww... ;)) 
My little Magician and Mumma Cat 

The highlight of our time in Perth though was when Alan took us to "Bounce." An indoor Trampoline Centre with different areas full of different trampoline set ups. It was AMAZING!!! There was areas where they even had trampolines up the walls!! Great fun!!!!! We will defiantly be visiting more of these! 
Blurry Tori in a pink top :)

 
One night Alan decided it was time to burn off a HUGE pile of dry leaves, trees and whatever else. Well I have seen some large bonfires in my time.. But this was MASSIVE!!! Especially in the backyard of Suburbia!! Wowza!!! Great Fun!!!! 
The girls STILL on the rope swing even with a huge fire behind them!!

After a week with this lovely family who made us feel so welcome and I loved getting to know, it was time to say goodbye.. 
Next stop, Kalbarri! 

Kalbarri 
After spending a night at a road side stop we woke early to head to Kalbarri and check out the sites.
Checking into Murchison House Station, a 350,000 acre farm, we left the caravan and headed off to do some short hikes to check out the Gorges and a spot called "Natures Window."



Cliff Hanger!!! (Don't worry, it's just an camera illusion ;)) 



The weather was great and the views where stunning! On the way back to the Farm later, I nearly ran over an Echidna that had decided to stop and dig right in the middle of the road. We carefully picked him up and moved him to a safer place.


That night we explored the farm and then had a great campfire and shared a nice bottle of Red that my Auntie Liz had supplied us! Perfect! 

The Station
Farm hands Living Quarters

Giant Termite Mound 

Ella with some Goats

Old cars on the property 



The next day we headed out early to check out the rest of the sites within Kalbarri. Stopping for lunch we watched some surfers surfing a surf break that was breaking mere metres from where we was sitting! 



That afternoon we packed up and headed on even further up the coast. Stopping at yet another road side camp for the night, we lit our campfire and soon we had other fellow travellers come join us. Sharing our travel stories that night was great fun. I also saw the biggest and brightest shooting star I have ever seen! It was so bright I swear it was a firework!! 

Monkey Mia 
The next day we had another early start, we was on a mission! We wanted to get to a Monkey Mia and check out the famous dolphins! On the way we stopped at Hamelin pool... Hmmm... I can't quite understand the attraction here..
We also stopped to have a look at Shell Bay. A beach made up entirely of tiny white shells :) 
Shell beach!
Shell beach up close 


Finally after what felt like forever... We arrived at Monkey Mia Resort! Yeah!!! 
Deciding to treat ourselves with a night staying within the park (our first caravan park since Streaky Bay.) We spent the night relaxing in the outdoor Hot tub and pool, walking along the beach and even indulged in a Antipasto Platter at a gorgeous little restaurant right on the beach, whilst enjoying a few beverages at happy hour watching the sun set! Bliss!!!
The pool 

Tori enjoying Hot Tub 

Tori enjoying the sun 

Ella enjoying the sun 
Playing chess 
The beach 

Happy Hour 

Dinner 



Sunset 

Sunrise! 
The next day we woke early and walked the few steps from our site to the spot the dolphins come in for a feed. Right on cue 6 adult dolphins turned up with a couple of their babies nearby! The dolphins came right up to us countless times. The girls just loved it and insisted on staying for the next feeding a couple of hrs later.
At the next feeding there was even more dolphins and both my girls where lucky enough to get picked to feed a dolphin each! You couldn't wipe the grin off their faces!!! What a great experience! 




Tori feeding a dolphin

 Ella feeding a dolphin 

Packing up yet again we headed off. Stopping at a gorgeous lookout, Eagle Nest to do some shark spotting. We was lucky enough to spot 2 small ones! (they don't call it Shark Bay for no reason!!)






That  night we stopped at Gladstone camp before heading to our current campsite. 6km off the main highway and 30km south of Canarvon, we are spending the night at a free camp on the beach front which the girls just love as there are 1000's of Hermit Crabs that they have spent the afternoon racing!!! Tomorrow we are heading to Canarvon for the day tomorrow.  From there we think we will head to Quobba, but our plans change daily, so who knows!?!?! But that's just part of the fun!!! Xx 

Playing on the remains of a Jetty at Gladstone

Dried Snake anyone...??? 

Gary cooking dinner 

Another great sunset 

Ella with a hermit crab 

Tori with a hermit crab 

Hermit crab racing!! 
Looking for hermit crabs