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MarkTula Exploring Oz
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MarkTula Exploring Oz

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  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Wave RockView from the topHippos Yawn

    Kulin to Wave Rock

    October 3, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    The drive from Kulin was interesting. We were a few days early for the Kulin Bush Races which is just as well. We did limited things trying not to exhaust myself and to get better sooner. Didn't work really but it is a slow process.
    Wave Rock is magic, considering how it took billions of years long to form. Really easy walk thankfully. There are more
    photos in the next blog from Hyden.
    We are loving the small country towns.
    Next stop is Corrigin. Have to love the names down here.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler

    Corrigin, Narrogin, Williams and Kojonup

    October 17, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 22 °C

    It seems we are in the Gin (more alcohol names for you) area for names. Then we move onto UP names. Williams is just there to throw you.
    Coming from Hyden we spent a few nights in Corrigin before going to Narrogin and day tripping to Williams to see the big Numbat.
    From Narrogin we go to Kojonup for a few nights then onto Thomson Brook Winery (which is free to stay if you are self contained as long as you buy a bottle of wine or port)
    We headed to Fremantle to do some touristy things.
    PS still waiting on the car fridge.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    The original blockOne of the 6 guard towers3 stories highEntry way to one of the yardsThe old locksCeiling of the chapelDrawings on one of the cell wallsThe inescapable cellDorm styleSolitary confinementWhipping postGallowsView of the bottom

    Fremantle Prison

    October 18, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 23 °C

    We arrived in Fremantle for a little touristy time. Today we visited the Fremantle Prison. The prison was built in the 1850's by the prisoners and was closed in 1991.
    The walls were all made by limestone quarried on site and nearly all other materials were bought in from Great Britain. The ships that brought the prisoners over were dismantled and used in the prison. The York stone floor was the ballast from the ships.
    There was no running water in the cells prisoners would do their business in a bucket that was emptied every morning up until it closed in 1991.
    We did two tours, the convict and behind the bars very interesting.
    Tomorrow we go to Rottnest Island.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Perth from the islandEnjoying the afternoon

    Rottnest Island

    October 19, 2023 in Australia

    We visited Rottnest Island and did the Rottnest Island Historical Train and Tunnel Tour. It was fantastic to learn more about the island history and how it was used for the war and how WA was major Naval base. The island has still 2 guns preserved for tourist to see. It was interesting to find out that there is 27km of tunnels on the island we got to see such a small amount of the tunnels.
    The tour was about 2 hours long so after lunch there was not alot of time to go around the island. It is so much bigger than i thought. The bus around the island takes about an hour without getting off. We saw a little from the train and then enjoyed having a drink and enjoying the quokkas. Some of them are very cheeky we had one try to eat his way into my backpack to get to some food. How he knew there was food as they were all sealed packets.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    This stone was found on the ship and they think this is what it would have made.

    Fremantle

    October 20, 2023 in Australia

    We visited the Fremantle Markets and the WA Shipwrecks Museum.
    The museum was great. It is a $5 donation entry. The main exhibition is the ship the Batavia. We have seen references to the sinking along the coast as we went. It was a massive ship. The piece they have on display seems big but when you see how small a piece is it is mind blowing. A great place to visit.Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    At Vasse
    The beach a bit cloudyBusselton JettyLooking down into the underwater observatoryAt sea levelBeer farm BreweryCape Naturaliste lighthouseWildflowersSmoke haze changed the colour of the sunWildlife at Peaceful ParkZygomaturus Trilobus at Margaret RiverCows at CowaramupMore cowsThe pub in Dunsborough

    Busselton Area

    October 26, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 20 °C

    We spent a week in the Busselton area. first staying at Yelverton Brook and then at Peaceful Park. They are both off grid with lots of wildlife.
    We did trips into Busselton, Dunsborough, Cape Naturaliste, Cowaramup and Margaret River. Everything is so close again a lot like Tassie.
    We took the train out to the underwater observatory. The jetty is the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. The observatory was a little disappointing but i think there were too many people on the tour. Another one off the bucket list.
    The trips to the other places were great.manages to find a brewery for lunch also. So many wineries in the area. We haven't visited any yet but we will be in the area again.
    We have moved a little south near Augusta staying at Alexandra Bridge Campground.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Alexandra Bridge Campground
    Tree reflecting on the Blackwood RiverGranny's Pool at LeeuwinGot the feet wetThe waterwheel remains. It was built in 1895 to supply water for the builders of the lighthouse3Cape Leeuwin lighthouseVintage fair where the VW were on displayLake Cave.Straws from the ceilingSuspended table1Hamelin Bay

    Alexandra Bridge

    November 3, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    We spent 4 days at Alexandra Bridge. It is an amazing campground. Our site was partially shaded. It is good to know we can spend 4 nights and still have enough power. In a low sun light setting.
    From here we went to Augusta, Margaret River, Witchcliffe, Hamelin Bay and Cape Leeuwin.
    The area is amazing. We managed to go to Lake Cave. It is one of the hardest walks we have done. There are 658 steps return. We did more in Karijini. Hastings cave in Tassie is longer. Lake Cave was so much harder i think because the steps were so steep. Going down was easy coming back once you are out of the cave going back up the sink hole you could take as long as you like. Worked well for us by the time we got nearer the top we had the whole place to ourselves. Beautiful!
    We are making our way back to Perth for the 4x4 show.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Driving in the south west reminds us of Tassie
    Sculptures in BridgetownVolunteer training in DardanupMemorial Hall in Waroona2Sunset over Coogee BeschPOW ruins in JarrahdaleSerpentine Main Dam

    Round we go again

    November 16, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    So we made it back into Fremantle for the 4x4 show, met some content creators we follow on You Tube and booked the car in to upgrade the brakes and the exhaust. But it also meant we had to go around again.
    We went to Mandurah and while there got the exhaust upgraded. A couple of days a little further east and then north to be in Fremantle again to have the brakes upgraded. So towns we stopped at Waroona and Jarrahdale. Just outside Jarrahdale is a WWII POW Camp ruins. It is amazing how many camps we had in Australia. See the camp board photo about the camp.
    We are now back in Mandurah waiting to see if our friend Pat makes it back before we leave again. Oh yeah in the middle of a heat wave. Thank goodness for a powered site.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler

    Katanning

    November 26, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 27 °C

    We made our way to Albany. A one night stop in Wandering (there isn't much there) and then a two night stop in Katanning. We were in Katanning at a weekend so much of it was closed. We had a walk around the town centre and i even got to ride in WW2 jeep. The jeep ride was amazing however no doors and no seat belts amd nothing to hold onto. Thankfully it did go very fast.
    Before we got to Albany. We had a coffee stop in Mount Barker. We went to the IGA hoping to get Pickling Onions (which we did i will be busy) and went to see what the butcher had. We got some yummy ham and local cherries.
    There is so much to do in Albany that i will cover it in a few blogs.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Mark and his mates. The flies are very friendlyThe caravan parks Christmas lightsThe Natural BridgeThe GapBoris the Bison at Handasyde's

    Around Albany

    November 28, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 22 °C

    We did so much in the Albany area. There are several blogs.
    The beaches are amazing we went into Two Peoples Bay and i waded into my knees. We followed that up with lunch at the Old Marron farm and we did have some marron. It is very nice.
    We went to Nicklup farm and bought the freshest stone fruit we have ever had. We also had strawberries and icecream from Handasydes, Metal Art Trail, the Gap and Natural Bridge (amazing), Dog Rock and the wind farm (you can actually walk under the turbines).
    So much we didn't see.
    We did go to a farmers market and bought the best cherries.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    1One of the locals basking in the sun

    Albany-the Whaling Station

    November 28, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 18 °C

    We visited the last whaling station in Australia. It was interesting to read about the history of whaling and how the whole animal was used. Not a very happy subject but one that i think needs to be talked about. It is amazing how the times change and what was the norm no longer is.
    Well worth a visit.
    We saw a couple of the locals basking in the sun. (See photos)    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    We came back a little time later and they were only in the 'S's

    Albany-ANZAC Memorial

    December 1, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 20 °C

    We visited the Desert Mounted Corps Memorial and the National ANZAC Centre.
    There is so much history in Albany.
    The walk up to the monument is easy lots of steps but also stops to read plaques. We did see a couple of lizards basking in the sun but no photos.
    When we visited the ANZAC Centre we were told it was at least half a day. I think you need probably 2 days. There is so much to see and listen too i got very overwhelmed. The sheer volume of stories. (We were given a listening device and when you clicked on an icon it gave you the story of the person.) I didn't take many photos in centre.
    I would go again the next time we are in Albany.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    DenmarkBeaches near DenmarkHad lunch at the DamKangaroos in the caravan park in WalpolePeaceful BayParked on the beach at Peaceful BayThe Ancient Empire Walk. The trees are massiveGiant Tingle TreeTour groupBellanger Beach

    Denmark-Walpole

    December 7, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    We spent a couple of nights in Denmark and Walpole each. Denmark was a rest time after exploring so much in Albany and knowing we had a couple busy days in Walpole.
    In Walpole we went to the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk which is amazing but the other walk we did here (The Ancient Empire Walk) was even better. Being at the top of the canopy was beautiful but being able to walk among the giants and see how large they are is awesome. There is a lot of information when walking among the Tingle Trees. Mark wanted to know where the fruit tingle trees were as there are both Red and Yellow Tingle Trees.
    We also did the WOW Wilderness Eco Cruise with Gazza. That man is the fountain of knowledge about all things. He is very funny and really into his science.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Kooka on the fence
    Sunset1All the lovely fruitLeaving ManjimupThe old craneThe view from our windowsLighthouse

    Manjimup and Bunbury

    December 12, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    We were all set to spend a few nights at Fernbrook Farm Stay until the flies got the better of us. We actually used our fly nets for the second time. As soon as we went outside we were swarmed. We did visit Manjimup and had a look around and also visited a couple of orchards and stocked up on some stone fruit and cherries.
    One night on Bunbury Jetty Rd free camping. Thankfully it was Tuesday so it was pretty quiet. We literally parked in a carpark on the side of the road with 3 other vans.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Peaceful Park
    YallingupYallingup Beach is beautiful but coldVisitors to our site at Taralea Farm6Sheep behind our sitePeppermint Grove BeachPlacing our gnome at Gnomeville1

    Taralea Farm Stay

    December 19, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    We came back to Peaceful Park outside Busselton for a week before going to Taralea for Christmas and New Year
    We visited Yallingup beach and had a swim and went to the chocolate factory. Oh and not to forget the brewery.
    We spent the 2 weeks over Christmas/New Year at West Dardanup (Taralea Farmstay) we have been here before.
    It is fair to say we had our share of stone fruit and cherries. We visited some beaches and we added our own gnome to Gnomeville. Early in the new year we moved onto Collie.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Sculpture around town
    Locomotive displayBlack Diamond LakeWellington Dam1Kaniyang Willman Suspension BridgeStockton LakeThe old police station

    Collie

    January 5, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    We spent a few nights in Collie. It is a good town bigger than we normally like but it still feels small. We found a couple of good cafes to eat at. There are a couple of wonderful lakes that are very popular especially with the locals.
    We visited Wellington Dam it was amazing.
    There are some fantastic murals in town and amazing old buildings.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    Sculptures around the farm
    Farm wombatSunsetWalk on the farmOld machinery at Cuballing

    LazeAway Farm and Caravan Park

    January 6, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    We were only going to stay three nights but ended up staying five nights. There isn't a lot to do (it was too hot). I would like to come back in winter.
    We did have a little walk around the park. It does border a nature reserve on two sides. In cooler weather we could do more.
    We had talked about our next destination being north we were making our way to Kalgoorlie. Until the heatwave. So we changed our plans and headed south.
    Next stop is Broomehill Village. We are slowly making our way to Esperance (but after the school holidays) then we are heading East.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    1

    Broomehill

    January 11, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

    We stayed at Broomehill for three nights It is a small town with only a cafe and a museum. The council runs a small caravan park, only about 8 sites.
    From here we did the Powerhorse trail. It was interesting to see the old tractors
    They have an interactive map that tells you about each tractor and who put it there.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler

    Porongurup

    January 16, 2024 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 22 °C

    We stayed at Porongurup near Albany for 5 nights. It is not far from the Stirling Ranges. We took a drive to have a look. Unfortunately it was either really hot or drizzling with rain. We visited Nicklup farm to get some fruit.Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler
    1

    Hopetoun

    January 21, 2024 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 28 °C

    This is a free camp on the Esplanade in Hopetoun. We can only stay 2 nights. It's still very windy but the beaches are beautiful. We drove into Fitzgerald River National Park and went to a couple of look outs. The coastline is amazing and slightly terrifying.Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler

    Esperance

    January 26, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    We stayed at Esperance for 5 nights. Toured the beaches found several to swim at now only if the wind wound die down. It didn't. We checked and our last day should be good for swimming and fishing/squidding. It wasn't we nearly got blown off the jetty. The water was super rough.
    On Australia Day we went to the celebration in the park and had a look around.
    From here we head back to SA.
    So long WA see you next time.    Read more

  • MarkTulaMarkTula Exploring OzTraveler

    LuckyBay, Hellfire Bay and Stonehenge

    January 27, 2024 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    We visited Lucky Bay, Hellfire Bay and Esperance Stonehenge. It was only about 65km from Esperance. To book into the campground at Lucky Bay you need to book 6 months in advance and it is $20 per person. No power or water.
    It is an amazing place though.
    We also saw Stonehenge it is a replica of the one in the UK how it would have looked when it was first built. It is built out of local granite. The sheer size and weight of each stone is amazing.    Read more

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