4 Stray Katz: Wine and Waves

Gracetown (take two), South West WA

Friday 6th- Monday 9th December

We loved our stay at Gracetown Caravan Park before Christmas and they were able to fit us in for another 3 nights (it is so busy over here that you can only get a spot in a caravan park if someone cancels and there are no free camps). It was a crappy day on Friday so, after leaving Augusta, we stopped at the Margaret River skate park (again!!). After setting up we went to Busselton (we decided to spend the arvo doing some necessary shopping as the weather was so bad) and Emilia had the pleasure of spending some of her Xmas money on a beach shirt. Daniel and I also spent our Xmas money on a new doona (boring I know, but necessary). After a stint at the Busselton skate park (notice a theme here??) we headed back, hoping for better weather the next day. The weather still wasn't great, but it was good enough for us to spend an enjoyable morning exploring Redgate Beach. The swell was huge so we watched in awe as massive waves crashed into the many rocks around the edge of the bay. On our way back to camp we stopped in at the beautiful Cape Mentelle winery where Daniel and I did a tasting in amongst wine barrels, whilst the kids enjoyed the swings. We were talked through our tastings by a lovely guy from France who also helped the kids enjoy a game of Petanque (a bocce style game that is popular in France). The wines were all incredible but our budget only allowed us to purchase one (which is now 'cellared' in a hidey hole in the caravan!). We spent the afternoon at Gracetown beach where we managed to find a spot between the rocks that was reasonably sheltered from the afternoon wind. Daniel and I were the only ones brave enough to swim - the kids decided it was too cold for them. We got back just in time to walk across the road from the caravan park to Gracetown Farm winery. We tasted all of their wines (all fabulous) and bought two. We enjoyed their Chardonnay with our crayfish for dinner that night- a pretty flash meal for a caravan park!!

The next day we went to Yallingup Beach. We found a section between some rocks where the current was super strong, it was great fun letting ourselves be swept along until we reached the sandbar at the end. Jackson, Daniel and I had a snorkel then Jackson and Emilia spent ages playing on the rocks and jumping into the current (and also trying to swim against it- which was impossible!). We didn't leave until early afternoon so just spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing at the caravan park. We did a family round of mini-golf (Emilia won) and the kids enjoyed playing with some of the many kids staying at the park. That evening we popped down to Gracetown beach after dinner and enjoyed watching the sun set over the ocean (one of my favourite things).

In the morning we decided to squeeze in some more beach time on our way to the next camp spot. We spent an enjoyable few hours back at Kilcarnup beach, where the kids had a try on the surfboard that Daniel picked up at an op-shop, we boogie boarded, jumped waves, played cricket and, when the wind picked up, flew Jackson's kite. After leaving Kilcarnup we popped into the Blackwood River for lunch and a swim before making our way to Northcliffe.

The waves were huge at Redgate beach- we watched them crash on these rocks for ages.

Jackson had a great time exploring the rocks near shore- he managed to squeeze into heaps of small spaces!

Taking a stroll to the other end of the bay.

The kids had heaps of fun exploring the rocks.....

...while we enjoyed watching the waves.

The normally popular surf beach was deserted expect for one lone surfer, and a seagull!

Jackson spotted one of the endangered Hooded Plovers walking along the beach. There was a fenced off area up on the soft sand where the birds were nesting. We see signs about these birds everywhere, and advice about how to ensure you don't stand on their nests, so it was great to actually see one.

This was the best 'rock splash' we saw.

Jackson and some of the driftwood he'd collected from in between rocks.

The kids enjoyed the swings at Cape Mentelle wines.....

....and we enjoyed the wines!!!

The 'tasting room' where we enjoyed their delicious wines. We'd just come from the beach so we were very under dressed for the experience - it was still great though.

We enjoyed a few games of Petanque after the tasting.

At Gracetown beach I tried to get a photo of Emilia in her new beach shirt, but there was an annoying photobomber!!

Soaking up some warm sunshine after Daniel and I went for a swim (out to the pontoon in the background.

The current channel at Yallingup Beach - it was even hard to walk against it.

Warming up after a snorkel.

The rocks the kids jumped off into the channel from.

Enjoying the sunset from the rocks near Gracetown beach.

On the morning we left Jackson and I went for a short run up to this gorgeous tree I'd spotted the day before. They are colloquially known as West Australian Xmas Trees as they display their vibrant flowers around December. They are all around southwest WA and are so appealing.