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Big Lap
  • Alisha Smellie
  • Alisha Smellie

Big Lap

A year exploring Australia in our Caravan Read more
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  • Alisha SmellieBig LapTraveler

    Punamii-Unpuu Trail

    September 9, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    We were up early today for a 6am start, we woke to what we thought was rain but was intact huge drops from the tree above the van from an overnight dew. It made 2 hour car trip from King Edward River to Mitchell Falls quite spectacular with a heavy fog all around.

    The Punamii-Unpuu Trail is a 5.1 km trail one way, with obstacles, uneven ground, hot open woodland and grassy sections, rock scrambling and water crossings. Our biggest walk attempted to date.

    Definitely not for the faint hearted and probably not one to really tackle with young kids (🙄😩🥵😏) but we made it in the end, and the reward was simply breathtaking.    Read more

  • Alisha SmellieBig LapTraveler

    Little Mertens - Mitchell Falls

    September 9, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    Little Mertens Falls makes up part of the Punamii-Unpuu Trail. Although there was no water flowing over the falls, this little waterhole offered a beautiful oasis, some incredible rock art and a chance for Olivia to cool off with a quick dip.Read more

  • Alisha SmellieBig LapTraveler

    Big Mertens Falls - Mitchell Falls Track

    September 9, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    After a very hot an long section of the track along Mertens Creek, we arrived at another beautiful section of the trail. Big Mertens Falls is a spectacular deep and long gorge carved out by Mertens Creek. The rock pools above provided a place to stop and rest, admire the water lilly and some more rock art.

    From here it was only a hop, skip and a jump to the end and a chance to view Mitchell Falls.    Read more

  • Alisha SmellieBig LapTraveler

    Mitchell Falls

    September 9, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C

    At Mitchell Falls, the Mitchell River flows over an 80m four-tiered s3ction of sandstone creating a series of spectacular falls. Being later in the dry season there was not a huge flow of water but even so, the view spectacular and worth the effort of getting there.

    Our special reward was a helicopter transfer back to the start of the trail to finish the Punamii-Unpuu loop 🚁 Olivia wasn't sure if the helicopter at first, it was loud and big and she has never been so close before. Dad sat in the front with the pilot and mum and Oli sat together in the back, stapped in tight together as there were no doors. After 2 figure of 8 manoeuvres we flew back over the walking trail, exhausted but thankful for the experience.    Read more

  • Alisha SmellieBig LapTraveler

    Tadpole Catching

    September 10, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 34 °C

    We made our way back to Gibb River for the night as it had been such a relaxing, peaceful free camp. We decided to park up on the other side of the river this time... perhaps we shouldn't have. After choosing a spot, we decided to turn around for a different approach angle and ended up bogged in very soft river sand. After 20 minutes of shovelling, max-tracks and several attempts. Mitch hauled Mabel out and we made it!

    Olivia spent a lovely afternoon playing in the shallows of the river, catching tadpoles that hadn't been there a few nights earlier while dad attempted to fix a few things on the van and mum did washing.    Read more

  • Alisha SmellieBig LapTraveler

    Galvans Gorge

    September 11, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    After setting up camp at Manning River we headed out to Galvans for a dip. Another beautiful gorge along the Gibb, and with easy access it was great with Olivia. There was still a small amount of water flowing over the falls and there was a rope swing from the trees which was a bit of fun for the big kids!Read more

  • Alisha SmellieBig LapTraveler

    Manning Gorge Walk

    September 12, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    We decided that Olivia would protest too much on this 5.4km return walk so it was decided that mum would go and Dad would do the washing 😅

    A 5.30 wake up and 6 am start was needed as this is meant to be a very hot and exposed walk. The early start meant a spectacular sunrise, beginning with a cool dip across the river to actually start the hike. The wildflowers are just starting to bloom so mum was able to capture some beautiful photos.

    The hike was totally worth it, with a 20min swim at the falls all alone! A quick scramble to the top of the falls (photos are on the gopro), before another swim before the tour group and multiple families started arriving. The perfect morning, and topped of by being greeted at the river by Oli and Dad for another swim, all before 10am!    Read more

  • Alisha SmellieBig LapTraveler

    Adcock Gorge

    September 12, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Adcock Gorge, a little way from Mt Barnett Roadhouse is a beautiful (green) pool perfect for an afternoon cool off. With a 4x4 track in (mum got to drive this one) and only a short walk, it was one of Oli's favourites.

    Joel tried to climb to tge top unsuccessfully but we got the drone up which was wonderful to see the surrounds.    Read more

  • Alisha SmellieBig LapTraveler

    Manning Gorge Campground

    Sep 12–14, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    There are always chores at camp, today was to to clean the solar panels on Mabel. But big rewards come as well. After tackling Manning & Adcock Gorge today, Mum decided a treat was in order, with hot chips from the Mt Barnett Roadhouse. We all decided that these were the best chips we had had in a very long time, they were truly delicious and not just because it had been so long between hot chips, but a big surprise being in the middle of nowhere!Read more

  • Alisha SmellieBig LapTraveler

    Silent Grove

    September 13, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    It was a disappointing day, we decided to stay at Silent Grove Campground as we planned on visiting Bell Gorge in the afternoon. A bushfire just on the edge of the campfire changed our plans. Without being able to swim, roam or go anywhere we decided watching a movie was the best plan. Olivia was ENTHRALLED which meant being able to fix a few things as we kept an eye on the flames close by.Read more

  • Alisha SmellieBig LapTraveler

    Gibb River Road - last of the dirt

    September 14, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Today marked our 2nd last day on the Gibb, but the last day of dirt, corrugations and wash outs. We are a little saddened as its been a sensational 2 weeks travelling the Kimberly region and ticking off a bucket list item. Everyone always talks about how bad the road conditions are, maybe we were just lucky and out of the peak, but the roads really were not as bad as we expected and certainly better than some roads we have travelled on recently!

    The Gibb is ever changing, but today's section was incredibly beautiful, unusually undulating and we were surrounded by rocky outcrops. Mum was excited to see a 'Kimberly Rose' (all be in whizzing past in the car).    Read more

  • Alisha SmellieBig LapTraveler

    Lennard River Rest Stop

    September 14, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Another great free camp on the Gibb, it's a shame swimming wasn't on the cards today but with last wet seasons floods, the riverbanks were steep and washed out and not really accessible. Besides that, we saw a few freshies upstream and it put us off swimming.

    Other than that, it's definitely a peaceful and beautiful spot to spend a night    Read more

  • Alisha SmellieBig LapTraveler

    Tunnel Creek

    September 14, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 33 °C

    Up there on Mums list of places to visit, but not so much on Dads. Tunnel Creek flows through a water-worn tunnel beneath the Napier Range. This area is part of a fossilised barrier reef from Devonian times 360 million years ago.

    The patterns, colours and textures of the limestone rocks at the tunnel entrance are beautiful, plus it made for changing start boulder hopping with Olivia! From there it was head torches on, a scramble over rocks and a wade through water. It was here that Dad couldn't keep going, the knowledge that freshies might be lurking stopped his need to see anymore and along with Olivia headed back out. Mum (with a big breath) swam off into the dark, deep water through the cave alone, making it out the other side of the Napier Range. This subterranean trail is not for the faint hearted, at 2km return through the pitch black you definitely hope your headlight doesn't stop working!    Read more

  • Alisha SmellieBig LapTraveler

    Derby

    September 15, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Once set-up, we headed into Derby to do see a few tourist sights. Derby has some of the biggest tides in the southern hemisphere, which was amazing to view at the Derby Jetty. We visited the Derby Commonage which included the Boab Prison Tree, Myalls Bore, Frosty Pool and the windmill.Read more

  • Alisha SmellieBig LapTraveler

    Birdwood Downs

    Sep 15–17, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    We arrived late morning at Birdwood Downs and quickly set up to get out and explore. This great station stay had peacocks and chickens roaming around the caravans, which Olivia loved!

  • Alisha SmellieBig LapTraveler

    Roebuck Roadhouse

    September 17, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    We had seen a LOT of cows out the windows, roaming along the road during our travels. Oli didn't know what to think when she stood next to a couple of life-size cows! That's certainly a fuel stop to remember 😳Read more

  • Alisha SmellieBig LapTraveler

    Back to the Red Dust

    September 17, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    It didn't take long before we left the tar behind, aired down and hit the red dirt again. Today we are heading just a short distance north of Broome up on the Dampier Peninsula.

  • Alisha SmellieBig LapTraveler

    Quondong Point Camping

    Sep 17–20, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    We stumbled upon the most beautiful spot to park up Mabel. Views down the coast, turquoise blue water, sunsets, access to sandy beaches and some of the only trees for shade in the area! We were very spoilt with this free camp. The best place to explore this area of the peninsula.Read more

  • Alisha SmellieBig LapTraveler

    Beach Days

    September 17, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    It's been forever that we have enjoyed time at the beach, the salty air, cool breeze, sand beneath your toes and warm water. Oli and Mum spent a wonderful afternoon playing, cooling off and enjoying being back by the coast.Read more

  • Alisha SmellieBig LapTraveler

    Dinosaur Hunting 🦕

    September 18, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Not far from camp we went on the hunt for dinosaur footprints, and we found them and other prehistoric relics. How wonderful to spend some time exploring together ❤️

  • Alisha SmellieBig LapTraveler

    James Price Point

    September 18, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Where the red cliffs meet the turquoise ocean. James Price Point was going to be our stay over, but instead we just visited to see this spectacular piece of the Australian Coastline.

  • Alisha SmellieBig LapTraveler

    Willie Creek Pearl Farm

    September 19, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Fascinated about the pearling process, mum was excited to visit Willie Creek Pearl Farm, and given Olivia was free to tag along, it gave Dad the opportunity to have a few hours hours alone. Mum and Oli cruised the creek, saw a live oyster being opened to discover the pearl inside and enjoyed morning tea watching the tide roll in. Dad enjoyed a few hours beach driving, getting stuck in super soft sand, digging himself out followed by a coffee and reading on the Willie Creek deck. What a fabulous morning, topped off with a beautiful piece of jewellery from the showroom.Read more

  • Alisha SmellieBig LapTraveler

    Singing Lessons

    September 20, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    Olivia loved sitting in the Cafe at Nanna & Grumps' Hotel singing songs together and dancing in the chair 🎶

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