• Kevin Dinn
  • Rebecca Dinn
  • Kevin Dinn
  • Rebecca Dinn

Bec & Kev's Big Lap

Kevin & Rebecca tarafından 363 günlük bir macera Okumaya devam et
  • Mount Elizabeth Station

    2 Eylül 2023, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Mount Elizabeth Station is a working cattle station you can camp at.

    It is legendary for it's steak dinner which you have to book in advance because it is so popular.

    It is also notable for some of the sites within its huge property including a couple of amazing gorges (which were quite challenging to get to!) as well as the old, original homestead.Okumaya devam et

  • Wunnamurra Gorge

    3 Eylül 2023, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Wunnumurra Gorge was the most spectacular so far, and by far the hardest to get to!

    It involved 10 km's of full-on four wheel driving through water crossings, very bumpy roads, loose sand and boulder fields. To give an idea of how cautious you have to be the 10 ks takes about an hour, i.e. average speed 10 kph for a solid hour!

    But then you have a 1.5 km hike through quite arid and (literally) snake infested land. Some of which we had to carry the dogs :-)

    Then you have to climb down into the gorge with a 5 foot drop you have to negotiate in and out.

    Anyway, it was all worth it as you can see in the photos and videos. It includes a beautiful waterfall into a pool, also it had the most amazing indigenous wall art.

    In all it took us 6 hours in, having an awesome time there, and out again. The dogs were real troopers but were exhausted at the end. They hardly stirred over all the rough roads.
    Okumaya devam et

  • Manning Gorge

    4 Eylül 2023, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    We stayed at the Manning Gorge campground, which was full of a great variety of travellers as well some local cows!

    From there you could walk 2.5 k's to picturesque Manning Gorge, but not before you swum across the river! Another variation of the challenges faced if you want to see the sites.

    It was worth it though, as you can see from the photos and videos.
    Okumaya devam et

  • Mt Barnett

    4 Eylül 2023, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Mt Barnett was a welcome "roadhouse" in the middle of the Gibb River Road.

    These roadhouses are dotted around the outback to provide much needed fuel, groceries, and an often quite decent sausage roll (because they're generally home made).

    This is so you can travel the, at times, vast distances between towns.

    They also often provide camping facilities.
    Okumaya devam et

  • Fitzroy Crossing

    13 Eylül 2023, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    Wherever we go we like to find at least one unique appealling feature. We struggled with Fitzroy Crossing :-)

    We took a day trip to it from Derby (2.5 hours each way) as we had been hearing of it for some time. It is a critical crossing of a major river in the Kimberly and the main bridge was washed away in the recent flooding. This resulted in traffic having to add over 1,000 ks of detour.

    They set up a temporary bridge to get traffic flowing, and are in the process of fixing the main bridge.

    We got to see the visitors center and the temporary bridge. Other than that there wasn't much happening at Fitzroy Crossing. The most picturesque place we could find to have lunch was the carpark at the local football field! But at least the local Whistling Kites put on an aerial show for us.
    Okumaya devam et

  • Derby.

    15 Eylül 2023, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Derby surprised us. We were warned not to go there due to the high crime rate but we were glad we did. Only had positive experiences. Nearly 50% of the population is indigenous so we were able to indulge in fabulous Aboriginal art galleries (we bought a painting of course) and street art.

    The Aboriginal people especially, found the dogs particularly funny and we had old people, young children and cars full of families stopping and laughing at Bosleys “squashed face” or just chatting. The dogs were a great conversation starter.

    Derby is also know for its amazing high tides. It has the highest tide range in the Southern hemisphere.
    Okumaya devam et

  • Coconut Wells

    15 Eylül 2023, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    We stayed for 3 days just outside Broome to explore the area around Broome. Stayed in a very quiet pet friendly campground with a dedicated dog run which was great. Drove to the tidal lagoon at Coconut Wells which was stunning and on to the beach and explored rock pools at low tide. The dogs loved exploring.Okumaya devam et

  • Broome

    18 Eylül 2023, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    We really enjoyed our stay in Broome. It's a lovely quirky town with a rich and interesting history of Dinosaurs, Pearling, WWII multiculturalism (Chinese and Japanese during the pearling period) in a stunning location.

    We stayed 10 days and would have stayed longer if the park wasn't fully booked!
    Okumaya devam et

  • Horizontal Falls

    22 Eylül 2023, Indian Ocean ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    The Horizontal Falls is a spectacular and unique feature of the Kimberleys.

    The region has one of the most extreme tidal ranges in the world. We saw that every day at our caravan park when the high tide was just below us, but at low tide, the edge of the water could be 500m away.

    The horizontal falls is a land formation where this immense tidal range is pushing water through two gaps. One is 20m wide and the other is 7m. As a result, when the tide is changing, you get a huge surge of water through these gaps.

    We went on a tour of the falls where we took a seaplane from Broome to them and then a jetboat tour through the wide gap and right up to the thin gap.
    Okumaya devam et

  • Pearl Lugger Sunset Sail

    22 Eylül 2023, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    We went out on a sail boat which was a replica of the "luggers" they used to use for pearl diving.

    It was a great opportunity to relax, see the coastline, watch the sunset, and drink some nice wine with our friend Fiona.Okumaya devam et

  • Dampier Peninsula

    24 Eylül 2023, Avustralya ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    We took a day tour of the Dampier Peninsula.

    The whole area has a long history of pearling. Both pearls as well as pearl shell.

    We saw an inidigenous community with a quirky church with an alter covered in mother of pearl. We also stopped at a local aquatic research centre which had been transformed into an exhibition of local sea creatures.

    And finally, we visited a pearl farm, and Fiona extracted a pearl!
    Okumaya devam et

  • Barnhill Station

    27 Eylül 2023, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Barnhill station is part of the half a million acre Thangoo working cattle station on the Pilbara coast. It’s located in a stunning position cliff top and has a wonderful set up with a small country bar and homemade pizza. We stayed 3 nights and enjoyed exploring the rocks and reef as the huge tides descended.Okumaya devam et

  • Sandfire Roadhouse

    30 Eylül 2023, Avustralya ⋅ 🌬 32 °C

    Only a 1 night stop (that was plenty) to break up a very long drive, at this quirky, vey hot, dry, dusty, fly ridden park at the back of the roadhouse.

  • Port Hedland

    3 Ekim 2023, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    Port Hedland was quite different to the amazing natural wonders we've been seeing over past few weeks but it was awesome in its own way.

    It is very industrial being the biggest bulk export port in the world! That means there were a lot of big trains (3 km's), boats (360m), and machines in general. Kevin was in his element!

    They mainly export iron ore but also other rare minerals as well as salt, which they generate at a massive salt mine in the town.

    As well as that though, they have a nice, historic town centre and some beautiful beaches. One was right next to the caravan park where we went for the full moon rising over the low tide to get some photos of the "Staircase to the Moon".
    Okumaya devam et

  • Port Hedland (Port)

    5 Ekim 2023, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    We went on a boat tour around the harbour. The boat, run by the "Seafarers Centre" (a charitable group) does regular circuits of the port picking up and dropping off seafarers who want to come to shore, as well as delivering groceries, medicine and other supplies.

    The enormity of the boats and machines servicing it became very apparent once you got up close.

    Some interesting facts:
    - They bring boats in on the low tide
    - They take boats out on the high tide - approximately 8 per day unless there's a particularly high tide when they can take 10
    - They turn them round to face out of the port when they are empty, as they can't do it when they are full
    - There's about 20 boats waiting off-shore for 2-10 days to come in
    - Tug boats are a most vital resource, they cost $29m and the captains are paid $500k
    - The train engines "only" cost $6m, and as they ship $1m of ore every 15 mins, if an engine breaks down and it looks like it is going to be 1.5 hours or more to fix, they just push it off the line and get a new one!
    Okumaya devam et

  • Karartha including Dampier, Port Samson

    6 Ekim 2023, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    Karratha is a young town, only 54 years old growing up as a result of mining, mainly iron ore and salt. Its trying to be cosmopolitan and has a very young population but really it’s just a port and industrial town. It felt a bit like what we imagine Canberra was like in its early days. It’s also very hot (39/40 degrees most days) and dusty!
    We found some interesting spots and had a nice dinner in town with live music. and a nice pub lunch.
    Dampier peninsula and Point Samson where nice little towns close by and Cossack an old historical town was really lovely.
    Okumaya devam et

  • Exmouth

    13 Ekim 2023, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Exmouth was an eclectic mix of natural wonders and technological icons.

    The Exmouth Gulf is legendary for its reef and wildlife including turtles, whales, dugongs, rays and sharks of all kinds, and a lot of fish! We saw some of these snorkeling, by drone, and just walking along the beach.

    Also, there were land encounters with emus walking through the caravan park.

    The European history of Exmouth is interesting in that it is only about 60 years ago the US Navy decided they needed a base for sending radio signals to submarines in the area so they created the base, and pretty much the town. The radio is still there, but run by the Aust government, and it has 13 radio towers, one of which is the tallest structure in Australia!
    Okumaya devam et

  • Sandy Point

    19 Ekim 2023, Indian Ocean ⋅ 🌬 27 °C

    Sandy Point was a special destination.

    A stay right on the coast of the Ningaloo Reef was on both our bucket lists, and Rebecca had her heart set for a long time on being there for her 60th birthday. So after many months of planning and organising, that's what we did :-)

    The location was stunning, with just a couple of steps from the van, across the soft white sand to the azure sea.

    Getting there was a bit of a challenge, we got bogged for the first time. Also it got a bit warm and windy at times, but that is common for this area and we took it all in our stride.

    It was all worth it though for the amazing scenery, refreshing waters and the wildlife we encountered. Also Rebecca's birthday with the surprise Zoom call with many friends and family was a highlight.
    Okumaya devam et

  • Coral Bay

    21 Ekim 2023, Avustralya ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    After Sandy Point, we decided to backtrack a bit to check out Coral Bay, which we had heard good things about.

    We enjoyed a lot of nature and a little adventure. We saw a "shiver" of many juvenile sharks at the shark nursery.

    We also saw the Ningaloo reef in all its glory snorkelling off a glass bottom boat. In that, we encountered turtles, rays, and lots of fish!

    We also had a blast doing a quad bike tour around the beach side roads in the area.
    Okumaya devam et

  • Carnarvon

    26 Ekim 2023, Avustralya ⋅ 🌬 24 °C

    Carnarvon is a costal town in the subtropical area of WA at the southern end of Ningaloo reef. Known as the “fruit bowl” of WA. Also known for its deep space tracking station used in the moon landing

    Unfortunately the Covid pandemic hit the town hard. Many shops and business for sale including many fruit and veg plantations. Several abandoned tourism projects but still some good ones too but desolately needing investment from government and support from tourists.
    Okumaya devam et

  • Denham

    28 Eki–4 Kas 2023, Avustralya

    Denham was a quiet little town which was easy, modern and welcoming.

    We had a site that was right on the edge of the beach which made for very pleasant evenings watching the sunset over the ocean.

    It was closer to nature than other places we have been and we encountered snakes, lizards, echidnas, kangaroos and emus (with babies!)

    A notable characteristic was the wind, sometimes very strong and always from the South. Judging by how the bushes and trees were bent over away from it, it looks like its pretty continuous too.
    Okumaya devam et

  • Monkey Mia

    4 Kasım 2023, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    We stayed about half an hour out of Monkey Mia. We were concerned it may be too touristy and not good for the dolphins but luckily it was better than expected. A small settlement with a group of dolphins that have been visiting the area for over 50 years. It’s now very strictly controlled (wasn’t previously) and you are not permitted in their cordoned off area of the beach/ocean. They do offer some fish to the dolphins but they didn’t take it and came and went as they pleased. We stayed and had breakfast at the beachside cafe.Okumaya devam et

  • Cape Peron National Park

    4 Kasım 2023, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Cape Peron National park is the top half of Shark Bay Peninsula. It took us about an hour to drive the length of it on extremely sandy and corrugated tracks. The whole area was stunningly beautiful with many beaches and lagoons. We saw lots of wildlife including emus, dolphins, turtles, shovel nose rays and crabs. Fabulous couple of days.Okumaya devam et

  • Kalbarri

    8 Kasım 2023, Avustralya ⋅ 🌬 23 °C

    Kalbarri was another beautiful seaside town on our way down the west coast of WA.

    It had a very pictureque harbour and stunning ocean beaches that were quite a bit more wavy than we have become used to with all the towns protected by reefs.

    Kalbarri was surrounded by some quite spectacular landscapes in the national park, which we loved exploring.
    Okumaya devam et