Memorable moments from our first year #1

Well we have officially done 12 months on the road (as of Monday) so we wanted to do a collection of pictures that capture the many amazing experiences we have had, and the wonderful memories we have made, on our trip. We whittled it down to around 100 pics - this is the first post of 3 (the other two will be posted in the next few days).



Frolicking nude in a freshwater stream on the Gibb River Rd.

Watching the sunset from the cliffs near Kalbarri with Uncle Damo

 

 

A cliff top sunset cheese platter with some of the great friends we made, Matt & Jenny, Megan & Reid and their kids.

Going down some very tight tracks to get to amazing spots - this one was at Sandy Cape.

 

The full moon lighting up the sky near Rocky Pool.

The power of the ocean - waves crashing near Kalbarri.

Our bush Christmas was wonderful.

A boat at low tide at Streaky Bay, the sunset gave the shallow water an amazing colour.

Our funniest photo. After crashing while sandboarding, we made him wait to get cleaned up whilst I got the camera!

Boats for hire at Kalbarri. West coast sunsets are divine.

The kids had such fun with their friends under this 'cubby' tree at Sandy Cape.

Even in the bush we still managed glazed ham and bacon covered turkey for Christmas dinner.

Tiny shells make up the gorgeous Shell Beach near Shark Bay.

Sunset Cruise (with Wolf Man) on the majestic Lake Argyle - what a great night with our friends James & Emily.

Dawn at Port Julia - I snuck away to take photos whilst everyone slept.

We have enjoyed all of our visitors, the kids loved jumping all over Uncle Damo.

Emilia and Lily, the daughter of some great friends we made, Ali & Pat.

Cape Adieu, just before the Nullabour. Great fishing and totally secluded.

Emilia's 4th Birthday. A wonderful night at Finn's Fish BBQ in Kalbarri. Our princess rode her bike home in a storm in her party dress as we got caught on the other side of town when the rain started.

Beachcombing at Barn Hill.

The Boab trees in the Kimberley are so huge and impressive looking.

The Great Australian Bight.

 

Our Gibb River Rd Adventure was certainly a highlight of our trip.

Jackson is always so determined that he can do as much as everyone else!

The bright sun reflected on Lake Argyle

We love exploring rocky coastlines. These are some rocks near Kalbarri that we sat on to watch the sunset.

Taking Jackson out to see the falls at Bell's Gorge as the water was freezing and very deep.

'What No Camping sign?' Camping on the edge of the Great Australian Bight - the wind got a bit wild at night!

Nature's Window near Kalbarri - also the beginning of the fly plague (notice our attractive fly nets). The flies were certainly memorable though not in a good way.

Getting into WA required a very thorough (hour long) search of the van and car for any hidden fruit and veg!

Jackson's first hair cut on the road, he actually let Daniel do it with the clippers.

 

Manning River, we certainly didn't tire of the pristine fresh water rivers in the Kimberley.

This is what occurs when you let two 12 year old girls do your makeup!

Grubby faces have become the norm.

Early morning fishing at Lincoln NP in SA. We saw seals in this bay.

 

HUGE Trees and Jumping Joeys

We found a wonderful camp area in the Warren National Park set amongst picturesque Karri forest that we used as our base to explore the Pemberton region and see the huge trees the area is famous for. We camped right next to the Warren River where we could swim and kayak and which is abundant with Marron, a local delicacy (like crayfish). The kids loved helping Daniel check the nets and were always pleased to come back to camp and report that they had caught one.

We had a great Australia Day there where we spent the morning enjoying the camp area and river then went to the Bicentennial Tree in the afternoon. It is a 75m Karri tree that was pegged (165 pegs) for the Bicentennial to allow visitors to climb to the top and enjoy 360deg views of the surrounding Karri forest. Both kids were super keen to climb a bit and we had agreed that Daniel would climb behind them for a little way to allow them to experience it. Emilia went up about 15metres then decided that was enough and came down - a great effort. Jackson went next and got to about the same spot that Emilia stopped at, when Daniel told him it was far enough (as he was freaking out about the high chance of Jackson falling) and said it was time to come down. Jackson totally cracked it and said 'I can do it, I am going to the top'. Well it was a standoff as Jackson refused to come down, and Daniel and I refused to let Jackson go any further.  Eventually he agreed to come down but only if Daniel climbed down and let him get down himself.  So I ended up standing under the pegs ready to catch Jackson if he fell, but even that annoyed him so I had to just pretend I was taking photos and finally he climbed down. He is so ridiculously stubborn and does not like being told he can't do something. He spent the rest of the afternoon telling us how he could have climbed it, 'I could easily have climbed to the top' said he of too much confidence. Daniel and I took turns climbing to the top. The height didn't effect us but I was just so worried about slipping (as I am so uncoordinated) that I must have tensed the whole way as I could hardly walk the next day! It was incredible up there though and felt like a really achievement to make it to the top. We celebrated with beers and lamb chops for Australia Day.

We stayed for 5 nights and explored these other local attractions:

- Big Brook Dam and Arboretum

- King Jarrah Tree - a 500 year old tree, 47 m high with a 2.6m diameter

- One Tree Bridge (literally an old bridge made out of one of the huge local trees)

- Fonty's Pool - a freshwater swimming hole set in gorgeous gardens.

- Manjimup Timber and Heritage Park - where the kids enjoyed the awesome playground. I was even tempted to have a go on the huge flying fox and thankfully I didn't injure myself (I had a traumatic past incident with a flying fox!). While watching how easily Jackson and Emilia used the flying fox it did occur to me how very uncoordinated I must have been as child as I sure I had my fall when I was about 10 years old (can you verify Mum??).

- Diamond Tree- a 51m tree turned into a fire lookout in the 1930's. Daniel and I took turns to climb the 130 steel pegs to the top and enjoy the wonderful view. I was not as nervous this time, having already climbed the Bicentennial Tree but some of the climb was VERY steep!

- Beedelup Falls -  a gradually cascading rocky waterfall with a suspension bridge over it. Daniel enjoyed shaking the bridge and watching the kids quickly get onto all fours. 

- The Pemberton Fine Woodcraft Gallery - we looked at the amazing woodwork (and salivated at some of the divine handcrafted tables) whilst the wonderful lady running the shop made friends with the kids and took them frog spotting in the garden pond, egg collecting in the chicken coop (she let them keep an egg each which they were very pleased about) and then taught them about the various plants and flowers in the garden. She was lovely and that night Emilia said 'I think she was the nicest lady I have even met'. We didn't even get her name but she gave the kids a wonderful experience and allowed Daniel and I to explore the gallery without any fiddling fingers! 

One of the most memorable experiences we had during this time was at the Pemberton Visitor Centre. A local lady, Lesley, who rescues orphaned joeys, had brought her current crew in for the day. We got to spend about an hour with 10 joeys ranging from 9 - 14 months old. They were still all bottle fed but some were also eating solids (a special soft bush Lesley brought in). The kids were in their element feeding and petting the Joey's who randomly went bounding throughout the room (including one who bounced right over Emilia's head - much to her delight). Lesley has been doing this for 30 years and has released over 200 kangaroos back into the National Park. She buys formula in 25kg packs as she is often bottle feeding around 12 joeys, who, depending on their age, can be on any of three different formulas - can you imagine how long she spends feeding them all!! She is certainly a unique person who clearly loves animals. We were so lucky to have met her, learnt from her and been able to get so close to the joeys.

We were having a wonderful time in the area but the weather was turning against us with rain predicted. We have learnt from past experiences that bad weather is best endured in a caravan park where we have power and hot showers so we packed up on Saturday morning (in the rain) and headed to Walpole. 

Emilia going up the Bicentennial Tree

Emilia at her limit - about 15m up.

Mr Confident on his way up.



Jackson cracking it as he wasn't allowed to go any higher

The huge Bicentennial Tree

No safety precautions, just a sign!

Daniel going up.

At the 25m rest stop.

Me building up the courage to go all the way!

Holding on for dear life but nearly at the top!

Daniel's arty shot - very impressive.

Our Australia Day tattoos

Beer and prawns, well deserved after climbing the Bicentennial Tree

Emilia feeding two joeys.

Making friends.

An incredible tree at the Big Brook Arboretum.

Admiring the view of Warren River together - sometimes they can be so loving to each other!

The King Jarrah Tree - 2.69m diameter and 500 years old.

At the top of the Diamond Tree.

Daddy and daughter enjoying a walk to the Beedlup Falls



Daniel shaking the suspension bridge and Jackson falling to his knees - his lovely sister was running to save him.

 

Jackson running the length of the bridge to prove he could do it!

Really fun shopping trolleys at Manjimup - do we have these in Vic yet??

Awesome Abs

Black Point is a secluded, 4wd only, part of the south coast that is named for the black basalt (lava rock) columns that line the waters edge. In some places they fit together like a mosaic and create rock stepping stones, which look particularly striking when wet and shiny. Luckily the camp area was well protected as Black Point is a super windy area, though we found one sheltered beach where we spent a great afternoon. We also checked out Surfers Point, and followed the very overgrown goat track down to the water. The kids actually crawled through some parts to get away from the prickly bushes lining the path! Down the bottom you really felt a part of the wildness of nature, with the wind fiercely blowing, the waves thundering on the rocks and the salt spray tickling your skin. Whilst the kids explored the rock pools and I did some yoga on the flat rocks Daniel went exploring for abalone as he'd been told there were heaps. There certainly were and we had an amazing entree of this delicacy that evening to go with the huge fish he had speared the afternoon prior. He is certainly enjoying his role as hunter- gatherer (particularly when there are other guys around to admire his catches!).

Although a lovely place the camp area was very dusty so we decided to move on and check out the tall tree forests nearby and find a bush camp to celebrate Australia Day.

Talking the narrow track down to Surfers Point.

It was very steep and the wind was howling.

The kids ended up on their ducking and dodging trying not to get prickled!

The black rocks that give Black Point its name.

Off abalone hunting.

A great haul.

Ugly looking things...I wonder who first decided to eat them or worked out you have to tenderise them first???

They kept squirming trying to find something to attach to, it was very intriguing to watch.

WA is great for still letting you do things, they just post a sign and leave you to. If these cliffs were in Victoria they would have fences I'm sure.

The cliffs, the wind was blowing so hard we held tight to the kids, though we still had to peek over the edge!

Jackson drinking from a fresh water spring he found near the beach.

The impressive balsalt (lava rock) columns at Black Point.