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Big Lap
  • Esoteric Adventures
  • Amanda Jones
  • Esoteric Adventures
  • Amanda Jones

Big Lap

One year off to travel this big sun burnt land Read more
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  • Big Lap

    Horizontal Falls overnight trip

    Jul 8–9, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    The horizontal falls overnight tour is a ‘must do’ experience. David Attenborough has described this as the eighth wonder of the world simply stunning, breathtaking and any other superlative you can think of. We flew by seaplane from Derby mid afternoon landing in Talbot bay to the house boat and pontoon where we stayed overnight.
    Once landed we were taken by jet boat to the embayment which has the horizontal falls.
    The falls occur due to the volume of water moving through the small area between the rock cliffs at the change of the tides.
    The water is a beautiful turquoise colour.
    After the jet boat we went back to the pontoon for a swim with lemon sharks, then a yummy barramundi dinner.
    Early the next morning (really early) we saw the sunrise and had a final jet boat trip to the falls before flying back the Derby.    Read more

  • Big Lap

    Cygnet Bay pearl farm

    Jul 9–11, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Awesome couple of days on the Dampier Peninsula.
    We stayed in the Divers Creek bush camping area of Cygnet Bay pearl Farm.
    It was so relaxing and peaceful. We did the Pearl Farm tour and learned how they farm their pearls.
    Had a fabulous dinner in their onsite restaurant.
    On the way to Broome we stopped in at Beagle Bay and visited the local communities Catholic Church. The local aboriginal community built the church with the help of the Catholic priest.
    The altar and other areas is adorned with mother of pearl and pearling oyster shells.    Read more

  • Big Lap

    Arrived into Broome

    July 11, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    And what a treat, I forgot I booked an absolute beach front site, we are here for a week, surrounded by birds and palms.

  • Big Lap
    Historic Sun Picture Theatre
    Cable BeachThe last of the sunset in the background1Town beach1

    Broome

    Jul 11–18, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    We enjoyed a relaxing week in Broome. Took in the sunsets, enjoyed Matsos and Spinifex brewery and the dogs enjoyed long runs and swims on Cable beach.
    We then flew to Brisbane for my mum’s 90th birthday. Such a great event.Read more

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    Mimbi Caves

    Jul 24–26, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 31 °C

    Our second time camping here. Fabulous campground owned and operated by the local aboriginal community. This time we had the time to stay two nights and do the cave tour.

    The cave tour was so good. The local guide gave us so much background to the area and his family. He showed us the local rock art and shared his stories.
    Great damper at the end as well.    Read more

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    Kununurra

    Jul 27–29, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C

    Stayed in Kununurra again for two nights. We had a dust reduction system installed and did some exploring while we waited.
    We crossed the iconic Ivanhoe Crossing, had a yummy breakfast at Kimberly cafe (tried their croffles), visited the Hoochery Distillery and sample their rum and Andrew tried his hand at fishing in Croc country. Thank goodness we only saw a few kangaroos and Roaming cattle.Read more

  • Big Lap

    Katherine

    Jul 29–31, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Nice stay in Katherine.
    The puppies were looked after by a lovely lady who lives at Tindal RAAF base with her husband and two little boys. They had the best day running around on grass, playing ball with the kids and paddling in their pool.
    We also had a great day floating in the hot springs (bigger than Bitter springs and very nice).

    We then enjoyed a two gorge boat cruise in the afternoon at Nitmiluk National Park.    Read more

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    Darwin

    Jul 31–Aug 4, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    We’ve spent a fabulous four days exploring Darwin and catching up with friends.
    Lovely city, perfect weather, great street art and lots to see and do.

    We visited the art gallery and museum which was really interesting. Learned more about cyclone Tracy and Darwin’s history.

    Had some really great meals at the waterfront and the Darwin Boat trailer club.

    Beautiful sunsets over Mindil beach.

    We’ll be back again sometime.    Read more

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    Crocodile trap - no croc so good signJim Jim creekBeach pool Jim Jim FallsPlunge Pool and Jim Jim FallsJabiruTwo eagles eating a turtleVan Gogh - yellow waters largest croc

    Kakadu National Park - Day 1 & 2

    Aug 4–6, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    We’ve been in Kakadu since yesterday and there is so much to see and do. We’re staying in Cooinda Campground which is part of Cooinda Lodge accommodation.
    Took it very easy yesterday after setting up. Had a lovely swim in the pool and chatted to staff about the “must do” things in the park
    This morning we drove some pretty full on 4WD drive tracks to Jim Jim Falls bush walk.
    Jim Jim Falls hasn’t been open for six years so was a good place to start. It was an extremely challenging walk or should I say scramble and climb over rocks to get to the falls, beach pool and plunge pool. Well worth the difficult walk in.
    This afternoon we went on the Yellow Water sunset cruise through the wetlands of Kakadu. We highly recommend this cruise (Lucy recommended it to us). The wetland is spectacular and full of an amazing variety birdlife, crocodiles and water buffalo.
    I had been dying to see estuarine (salt water) crocs so this cruise didn’t disappoint. We saw so many crocs and had a couple of really big ones (over 5mtr) swim along side our boat.
    We also saw heaps of Jabiru, whistling kites, some eagles and heaps of other birds. We also saw some water buffalo in the distance.
    The sunset was spectacular too!!
    Kakadu definitely needs more than a couple of days to see what it has to offer.
    We have one more day here but I’ve split the post as we did so much today and we have heaps planed for tomorrow.    Read more

  • Big Lap

    Kakadu - day 3

    Aug 6–7, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 23 °C

    Another great day here in Kakadu.
    It was an early start today along up at 6am. Andrew found this a bit hard.
    We started the day with a rock art
    walk at Burrunggai and Anbangbang shelter and art gallery which was stunning. The rock art documents 20000 years of culture up to interaction with Europeans. We also walked to the top of the rocky area to Kunwarddewardde lookout which looked over to Arnhem land escarpment.
    We then drove to the infamous Cahills Crossing which goes across the East Alligator river to Arnhem Land. This area is famous for seeing heaps of big crocs and it didn’t disappoint.
    Andrew drove across the river
    Crossing as well.
    We also walked around Ubirr and saw many areas with impressive rock art. Fish, turtles, people hunting etc.
    this walk took us up to a lookout where we could take in a 360 view of Kakadu wetlands and landscape as well as over to Arnhem Land.
    On our way back to camp we dropped into the Warradjan Aboriginal Cutural centre. Learned a lot about the local aboriginals for this area and more
    about their culture, local foods, weaving, art and hunting.
    So much to do here we really could have spent another couple of days.    Read more

  • Big Lap
    Port smith low tidePort smith lagoonRed pawed puppies after lagoon funPort smith campsiteCape Keraudren view from campThe rig setup and off gridDoggy go proSunset Cape Keraudren.Cape Keraudren night skyEighty mile beachEighty mile beach - so hard to capturePuppy fun11Wildflowers

    Port Smith Lagrange and Cape Keraudren

    Aug 13–19, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    We’ve combined these two locations. After many days of driving and free camping to make it back to the WA coast, we’ve allowed right down.
    We spent four nights in Port Smith Lagrange about and hour and a half south of Perth. Here we just chilled and rested. Andrew has been sick so this was a great place to recuperate. Not much here except a lovely tidal lagoon and mangroves. The dogs loved it. Loads of sand flies as well. The owners fogged the campground each night to minimise the flies.

    Next stop two nights at Cape Keraudren nature reserve and off grid camping. Gorgeous spot on the southern point of eighty mile beach. Our camp looked over the Indian Ocean and eighty mile beach. It’s also the most northern point for the rabbit proof fence number 1 (there are a few).
    Another favourite with the puppies. Heaps of pretty wildflowers as well.    Read more

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    Point Samson

    August 19, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Drove from Cape Keraudren to Point Samson via Port Hedland today.
    Day started with a flat tyre so changed and head to Port Hedland to have tyre checked.
    They found out our alloy rims had heaps of cracks.
    Drove to Point Samson for a night after organising some steel rims to be fitted in Karratha.
    Point Samson was interesting. Caravan park like a carpark with caravans jammed in every space (yuk). Lots of rules.
    No car washing. None of the beaches allowed dogs.
    We had dinner at Samson Beach pub which was average. My meal was nice Andrew’s was awful.
    The port there is used for Fortescue and BHP to load iron ore loaders.
    Beaches were lovely.    Read more

  • Big Lap

    Tom Price & Karijini NP

    Aug 21–25, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    We’ve had a relaxing time in Tom Price and enjoyed a visit to Karijini NP.
    On the way to Tom Price we stopped for a coffee at Cheela Plains Station. Beautiful place which offers campsites and a really nice cafe.
    Tom Price was an interesting Mining town which services Rio Tinto staff. Mine spec vehicles and Hi vis everywhere.
    We had dinner at Windawarra Lodge where all the Rio staff eat. It was ok but very reminiscent of hospital fare. We didn’t get to do the mining tour due to rain. 🙁
    Karijini NP is beautiful and we did the Dales Gorge walk where we walked along the gorge edge then descended into the gorge and saw Fortescue falls and feel pool. It was interesting to see seams of blue asbestos naturally occurring in the gorge rocks (safe in its natural form).
    The rain and wind came (first rain we’ve seen in 3 months) which meant any walks and roads were closed.
    Spent our down time reading and watching AFL.    Read more

  • Big Lap
    Home Creek free camp
    Home Creek free campBullara Station campGoat just chillin111First fire in ages1

    Bullara Station

    Aug 25–27, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 21 °C

    Awesome stay here at Bullara Station.
    We left Tom Price and had one night of free camping at Home Creek.
    Fabulous two nights at Bullara Station. It’s a working station with beef cattle.
    Unfortunately the special set dinner “At our Table” dinner was booked out three months ago🙁
    We were able to enjoy some amazing scones and pies from the cafe.
    Lovely property with heaps of animals roaming free, nice walks and a really nice bar and beer garden. Pretty dog friendly place too!! 🐶🐾
    They have sheep, goats, horses, Guinea fowl and cattle.    Read more

  • Big Lap
    Pablo loved the sand floorVlamingh lighthouseStunning sunsetsCharles Knife CanyonCharles Knofe Canyon2Shot hole CanyonShothole Canyon2

    Exmouth and Ningaloo Reef

    Aug 28–Sep 1, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 22 °C

    What a fabulous four days in Exmouth. Such a chill place we loved the vibe.
    Favourite venue is Whalebone brewery which has such a good atmosphere with great beer, sand floor, live music, nice pizzas and puppy friendly. We went there a few times. Some other great places we ate at were all dog friendly. Mutts cafe, The Sociel society and we enjoyed a great tapas meal at Exhale.
    While there we drove to Shothole Canyon, Charles Knife Canyon and Vlamingh head lighthouse.
    Snorkelling through the Ningaloo reef was stunning and so accessible from the beach.
    We enjoyed drift snorkeling in Turquoise Bay and snorkeled in the Lakeside area. Water was lovely and so many fish.
    In hindsight we wished we planned to stay longer.
    A must see place in our opinion.    Read more

  • Big Lap
    Coral Bay
    Coral BayCoral BayStreet art CarnarvonCarnarvon Facine2Cool food truckCoral BayQuobba Blow Holes

    Coral Bay / Carnarvon / Quobba

    Sep 1–3, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    On our way to Carnarvon we stopped in at Coral Bay for some lunch. Stunning beach.
    We spent two nights in Carnarvon as our Caravan suspension was having trouble.
    It’s a really cute little town with a nice waterfront area where we found a great coffee shop.
    While the van was being assessed we spent some time driving around the local farms as Carnarvon is WA food bowl. They grow so many bananas and we had the best banana smoothie at a local shop. We also drove up to Quobba blow holes. The coast line is around this area is stunning.    Read more

  • Big Lap

    Monkey Mia

    Sep 3–6, 2025 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    We had a lovely time at Monkey Mia. Lovely resort with very spacious sites.
    First day we were up early for the Dolphin feeding. The little buggers didn’t show.
    Never mind we had a great day swimming in the pool heated by artesian springs.
    Saw an Emu father with his chicks wandering the campground (the mother takes off once the babies have hatched leaving dad to raise them). We ended the day with a drink at the Monkey bar and watched an AFL game.
    Next day the winds came up and the rain came down. Needless to say the dolphins didn’t visit that day either. Nice chill day spent reading with a few dog walks through the day.
    Our last day the dolphins came for a visit. We saw four of them swimming and playing very close to shore.    Read more

  • Big Lap
    The Old Pearler built with cockle shell blocksA sculpture on the foreshore in DenhamEagle BluffGorgeous shell beachShell from Shell beachDenham sunsetShark Bay viewInteresting visitor at the Shark Bay Hotel (the old pub)Peron Station where the artesian bath wasCape PeronCape PeronSlip Jack PointSea birds at Slip Jack PointAnother stunning sunset DenhamAnd anotherShark bay boatsLion fish at the Ocean Park Aquarium2Cape Peron

    Shark Bay (Denham) / Francois Peron NP

    Sep 6–14, 2025 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 20 °C

    What an awesome area!! We loved Shark Bay and Denham. Very chilled place. Andrew likened it to the town in the TV show “Sea Change”.
    We’re loving the WA Coast. Stunning red cliffs with white shell or fine white sand beaches. Many Emu sightings.
    We visited the Ocean Park aquarium which had a really great open air facility with a huge variety of tropical fish local to Shark Bay Area. They also did daily shark feeding AND it was dog friendly. The dogs loved it!
    Cape Peron was pristine with stunning red cliffs above pure white beach looking out to the vivid blue Indian Ocean.
    Great 4WD drive track to get there as well.
    The park also has a 40 degree artesian hot tub which was really nice.
    We loved Old Pearler Restaurant, and Shark Bay Hotel (old pub) where we had a few sunset drinks.
    Andrew tried catching squid with no luck but it was fun. Dogs loved the beaches
    Great place to pass the time while we waited for a caravan part.    Read more

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