Inland delights - caves and wildflowers- then back to the coast for more beach time.

Stockyard Gully Caves

Tuesday 15^th November

Just inland from Green Head there is an underground cave system, formed by a river flowing through over thousands of years. Stockyard Gully Caves was an unexpected find, made even better by the fact you could do your own self guided walk through, and we were the only ones there that afternoon. We all enjoyed wandering through the caves with our head torches on. We didn’t see any of the resident chocolate bats this time, however when Daniel took the kids back for another look a few days later they saw five (and said they were super cute!).

It was quite eerie in the caves as it was completely black and we only had a small bit of light from our head torches.

Lake Indoon

Wednesday 16^th – Saturday 19^th November

Lake Indoon, a brackish lake used by locals for water skiing, was the perfect place to while away a few days of windy and stormy weather. We found a sheltered spot and enjoyed a few walks along nearby tracks surrounded with wildflowers when there was a break in the weather. The kids also made the most of the great climbing trees. The rest of the time we spent reading, doing craft, playing games and watching movies.

The kids spent quite a bit of time up in this tree, which was right in front of our caravan.

We had 2 days of stormy weather (though it made for great skies). The wind was so strong there were white caps on the lake.

One last climb on another of their favourite trees on the morning we left (look how glassy the water is!) 

Lesueur National Park

Saturday 19^th November

On our way from Lake Indoon to Jurien Bay we stopped off at Lesueur National Park, which is famous for the wildflowers and plants that grow there. There are over 900 different plant species in the park. The wildflowers are at their best until October, but luckily for us many were still in bloom. We did 2 walks, to the summit of Mt Lesueur and around the Gairdner Loop. They were both really enjoyable walks, with spectacular scenery and so many different wildflowers.

Daniel found a stick that looked like an emu's head, so we made a 'plant emu'.

At the summit of Mt Lesueur, we even had views of the ocean.

Running back down from the summit.

There were so many lovely wildflowers, below are pics of just a few of the many we saw.

There were so many different types of plants, the whole area was just covered in greenery.

These petite wildflowers seemed particularly attractive to bees.

Sandy Cape, near Jurien Bay, WA

Saturday 19^th November- Wednesday 23^rd November

We’d hoped to spend a night at Jurien Bay but unfortunately there wasn’t any room in the caravan park so we ended up at Sandy Cape, a beach side camp just north. It’s a well set up place so we ended up staying for 4 nights. On the afternoon we arrived there was a huge blow up water slide set up on the sand dunes, with salt water being pumped up to keep it wet. We found out that a group of dads from Perth do this a few times a year with their kids and they invite all other kids (and adventurous adults) to join in. The kids, and Daniel once Emilia gave up her boogie board, had a great time whizzing down the slide at breakneck speed then propelling into the ocean. It was so entertaining (and a bit nerve wrecking) to watch. The rest of the time we were there the kids enjoyed the same sand dunes – this time sandboarding down them. Our days were spent exploring the labyrinth of tracks that take you to a huge range of different bays, where we swam, paddle-boarded and snorkelled and enjoying the beach at camp, which was only just over a small sand dune (so close you could easily hear the waves crashing at night).

Here are some videos of the awesome slide at Sandy Cape. 

The dunes were also perfect to sandboard on - the sand was so fine it got everywhere (the kids still have sand all through their hair).

We spent an afternoon in Jurien Bay where the kids enjoyed the skate park.

On Tuesday we explored some of the secluded beaches between Jurien Bay and Sandy Cape. At this one there was some WW2 bunkers (you can see one on the far left of the photo).

Beachcombing.

The day turned a bit stormy (although it stayed warm) and the sun umbrella ended up sheltering us from raindrops.

This storm seemed like it was coming our way, but it went right around. We climbed the dunes to watch it and listen to the loud thunder.

Traipsing to the dunes to watch the sun set on our last night at Sandy Cape (it was the only night it hadn't been blowing a gale so we took advantage of not having to be stuck inside the van).

Daniel challenging us all to a race up the dunes...I conceded defeat after a few metres!

The stormy skies made for a magnificent sunset.

It is so much easier (and a lot more fun) coming down the dunes.

Crayfish Coast

Coronation Beach, near Geraldton, WA

Wednesday 9^th- Saturday 12^th November

The boys spent a lot of time in the water at Coronation Beach as the place is teeming with crayfish. Although the weather was great, the visibility in the water was terrible so Daniel and Jackson had to work hard to actually get some of the many crayfish they saw. They managed to get five and we cooked one cut up and marinated in smoky rub and the other 4 were butterflied and barbequed in their tail with garlic butter – YUM!

Coronation Beach is a kite and windsurfing mecca as the winds are normally perfect. The winds were down for 2 days (which suited us) but picked up again on Friday so got to watch heaps of people show off their skills kiteboarding, kitesurfing and windsurfing. Some did massive jumps and others zoomed along at breakneck speeds – it was certainly entertaining.

It was great to be camped right next to the beach again and we all had an enjoyable few days.

Four of the five crayfish Daniel and Jackson got at Coronation Beach (one had already been cut up before I got around to taking a photo).

What a delicious entree we had that night!

Warming up on the beach after looking for crays.

Enjoying some Mum & daughter time at a cafe in Geraldton.

Looking over the campsite from the sunset lookout- it was a great place to camp.

A few of the many kitesurfers & kiteboarders we got to watch on Friday (when the wind picked up).

Fig Tree Crossing Free Camp & Burnt Barrel Smokehouse, Chapman Valley, WA

Saturday 12^th November

After Coronation Beach we headed into Geraldton where we’d planned to spend the night at the 24hr free RV camp. On the way in I read about a nearby restaurant that specialised in smoked and slow cooked meat – we were sold! After doing all the running around we needed to do in town, we left Geraldton and went to a free camp on the way to the restaurant – it was so much nicer than the RV park so we were happy with our choice. We were even happier when we rolled into the restaurant for a late lunch- the smell was divine. We indulged in delicious slow cooked beef, smoked ribs and crispy fried chicken all washed down with the ginger beer that they brew onsite. Daniel and the kids even had cake so we all rolled out of there when they shut at 4pm! We’d all eaten so much we didn’t need to bother with dinner so that was a bonus. The next morning we headed back into Geraldton to peruse the Platform Markets and finish off the shopping we didn’t do the day before.

Is it any wonder we didn't need dinner - this was my lunch! Slow cooked beef that fell apart - it was amazing.

Enjoying the playground at Burnt Barrel (not sure how they hung upside down after all that food though!).

We enjoyed a few very tense games of Jenga on the nice green lawns of the restaurant.

And just to tip everyone over the edge (and into a food coma) we had cake!!

Home Farm (Lois and John’s Olive Grove), Dongara, WA

Sunday 13^th November

We met Lois and John at Osprey and we thoroughly enjoyed their company so decided to take them up their offer to visit on our way through. We spent a lovely afternoon and evening at their place, along with their son Brett who was visiting from Perth, and marvelled at the work they’d done to turn the land into an olive grove and the shed into a home. It was a novelty for all of us to be in a house, and the kids especially enjoyed sitting on a couch- eating ice-cream and watching cartoons! The next day they took us on a tour of the highlights of Dongara- we visited 7-mile beach, the Irwin River, Fisherman’s Obelisk, South Beach and Granny’s Beach and saw sections of the Leander Reef from several vantage points.

One of the many 'Leaning Trees' near Greenough, on our way to Lois and John's

The Obelisk monument at Dongara- a memorial to the many ships that have sunk on the Leander Reef.

The tide was so low some of the reef was poking out of the water.

At South Beach the water was divine. The constant southerly winds that blow this time of year have pushed a heap of seaweed on to the beach though. Strangely, some of it had bound together to create seaweed logs, which were all along the beach.

Jackson thought the seaweed mounds were fantastic.

Saying goodbye after our stay with John and Lois. We were hoping one of their resident carpet pythons might photo bomb us, but no such luck.

Milligan Island, near Green Head, WA.

Monday 14th - Wednesday 16th November

When we arrived at Milligan Island Eco-Camp it was blowing a gale but we still persisted with a walk along the beach. Our determination to make the most of the lovely place despite the bad weather paid off, as we saw a baby eagle ray in the shallows as well as a playful seal who was having a great time in the waves. The weather was much better for the next two days so the boys went out searching for crayfish- there were heaps and they managed to get hold of four over the 2 days so we had a delicious dinner. Emilia and I explored some of the rocky islands that give the place its name, as well as wandering along the cliff tops and just enjoying the beach. 

Sunset through 'Nature's Door' on one of the rocky islands off Milligan Island beach.

The boys on their way out on the first morning (the water was beautifully calm). They got 3 crayfish that day, and one the next. We had barbequed crayfish tails with garlic butter for dinner the night after - yum!

Daniel took Emilia's underwater camera with him when he went out for crays- as well as getting some pics of crayfish, he found a huge sea slug in a big shell (below). 

While the boys were out diving, Emilia and I took advantage of low tide to walk out to two of the rocky islands. They are home to heaps of sea birds, including some large Ospreys which sat regally in their nests, perched on top of the islands.

This photo was taken with the camera in the water- giving an interesting effect.

There was a drop of water over the lens of the camera, hence my fuzzy top!

On the day we left Emilia and I went exploring along Billy's Bay and Point Louise whilst the boys took the kayak out to try for more crayfish (you can just see Jackson in the kayak in the photo below).

Point Louise has a little rocky island attached to it that Emilia and I explored.

Enjoying the incredibly white fine sand dunes that line the coast here.