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MarkTula Exploring Oz

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Day 911
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
🌬 23 °C
Altitude: 9 m
Australia Church Hill -32.054914, 115.75284432°3’18” S 115°45’10” E
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
TravelerHope you are feeling better. Loving the photos and updates.
10/18/23Reply
TravelerGetting better every day thanks
10/18/23Reply
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Day 910
Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at 3:12 PM
🌬 22 °C
Altitude: 14 m
Australia Catherine Point -32.081361, 115.76041932°4’53” S 115°45’38” E
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
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Day 899
Friday, October 6, 2023 at 9:21 AM
☀️ 23 °C
Altitude: 285 m
Australia Hyden Rock -32.450044, 118.86407832°27’0” S 118°51’51” E
Photos from Hyden
October 6, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Some great sculptures in Hyden. It is a small town. A very small town. Not as pretty as some but very friendly people.
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Day 896
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
☀️ 19 °C
Altitude: 300 m
Australia Hyden -32.443656, 118.89776132°26’37” S 118°53’52” E
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
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Day 896
Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at 10:25 AM
☁️ 15 °C
Altitude: 309 m
Australia Kulin Golf Club -32.669669, 118.16064432°40’11” S 118°9’38” E
Dardanup West to Kulin
October 3, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
I have been sick for a couple of weeks so i am behind on blogs. Starting the catch up.
We left Sandy Cape and went to Wanneroo just north of Perth to get the car serviced and do a couple of jobs. Tried to find someone in the area to fix the fridge in the car. 2 to 4 weeks to look at it. However if we drive 180km to Bunbury they can look at it in about a week so we drive to Bunbury. We stayed at Taralea Macadamia Farm Stay (where we will stay at Christmas) and then decided to go to wave rock. We are taking it slow and we stopped at Towerrinning Lake, Dumbleyung and then Kulin. From Kulin we drove the Iron Horse Highway to Hyden (only some of the photos of the highway are in this blog).Read more
TravelerHope you are feeling better
10/18/23Reply
TravelerBetter still tire easily and have cough and sneezes
10/18/23Reply
TravelerTake care
10/18/23Reply
TravelerThanks we are
10/18/23Reply
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Day 886
Saturday, September 23, 2023
🌬 18 °C
Altitude: 5 m
Australia Sandy Point -30.184117, 114.99773130°11’3” S 114°59’52” E
3 3 5
Geralton to Sandy Cape
September 23, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 18 °C
We left Denham and overnighted at Billabong Roadhouse and Galena Bridge before coming into Geraldton/Cape Burney. We had a few nights for my birthday. We did go to the markets and saw a pet goat.
We then moved onto Port Denison. We wanted to squid and fish however it was so windy and cold. We did give it a go but no luck.
From there we went to Milligan Island campground just outside Green Head. It is a beautiful area. We did try fishing again Mark got a couple of puffer fish but that is all. It is a great little campground.
We are at Sandy Cape outside Jurien Bay. Stopped here on the way up and had a relaxing time. So much busier this time as it is a long weekend and school holidays. Still a great stop.
Next we headed into Northern Perth to get the car serviced and catch up with family. From there we will start heading to Kalgoorlie.Read more
Traveler Showing some leg there 😂😂
9/26/23Reply
TravelerSexy hey
9/27/23Reply
TravelerNo comment 😂😂😂
9/27/23Reply
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Day 872
Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 10:31 AM
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Australia George Wear Park -25.929839, 113.53820325°55’47” S 113°32’18” E
Denham
September 9, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
We made our way into Denham for 3 nights, stopping at Shell Beach on the way. The water at Shell beach is nearly twice as salty as the rest of the ocean.
We explored Denham and had a try again at squiding (only 1 little one caught). We went to the Ocean Park Aquarium. Our guide was amazing. His knowledge of the local sea life was astounding.
There are so many beautiful beaches here.
We visited Monkey Mia i was underwhelmed. I expected so much more. Everything had a cost to it. Even to visit it cost $15 per adult per day and then a site fee if you stay overnight. We came to see the dolphins but they didn't come in to shore. There is a regulation that they can only run dolphin experience in the mornings and only if they come into shore.
On the way back from Monkey Mia we stopped at Little Lagoon. It is beautiful.
Next we are going to Geraldton.Read more
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Day 871
Friday, September 8, 2023 at 10:55 AM
🌬 23 °C
Altitude: 11 m
Australia Steep Point -26.144575, 113.15914726°8’40” S 113°9’33” E
Steep Point
September 8, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 23 °C
From Carnarvon we moved onto the Overlander Roadhouse for a couple of nights so that we could day trip out to Steep Point. The most westerly point of Australia. It took us 2 and a half hours from the roadhouse. About 80 km of gravel/sandy roads/tracks.
We debated for a while if we would go out to Steep Point. After watching a few Youtube videos we thought we would be fine and should try.
The road starts off good and then turns into a sand track. At one point we were driving on the beach. The wind on the day was howling and could almost blow you over the cliff. Amazing drive well worth it. We stopped off at the Nor 6 memorial (Prawn trawler that sank on her maiden voyage).
Only 2 more points to go (North and East) sometime.Read more
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Day 864
Friday, September 1, 2023 at 2:33 PM
☀️ 23 °C
Altitude: 5 m
Australia Beagle Hill -24.492214, 113.41955624°29’32” S 113°25’10” E
Quobba
September 1, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
We left Exmouth and made our way to Quobba campground and blowhole. We found a spot not too close to other people.
I tested the new snorkel and fins. The water was a little merky but it was great.
We drove up to the blowhole at low tide it was fantastic and then up to the lighthouse for sunset.
We met Karen and Malcolm and Karen became my snorkel buddy. We have met some fantastic people on our travels.
We moved onto Carnarvon for a couple of days to top up and get a couple of jobs done.Read more
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Day 858
Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 1:15 PM
☀️ 30 °C
Altitude: 33 m
Australia Exmouth -22.12055, 114.06413322°7’14” S 114°3’51” E
Charles Knife and Shothole Canyons
August 26, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
We went for a drive to Charles Knife Canyon and Shothole Canyon.
We drove along Charles Knife Canyon first. This drive is along the top of the canyon looking down. It is spectacular. We loved looking down the canyon. It starts from nothing and grows to the magnificent height. The views are amazing. I haven't seen anything like it before. Karijini is completely different.
Shothole Canyon you drive along the bottom of the canyon.
It is not as big as Charles Knife but still specky, driving along the bottom and the walls straight up each side. The colour variation is beautiful.Read more
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Day 857
Friday, August 25, 2023 at 11:28 AM
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Australia Cullen Park -21.934592, 114.12920321°56’5” S 114°7’45” E
Exmouth
August 25, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
We spent a week in Exmouth beautiful water, good snorkeling and wonderful Canyons(next blog).
The weather was hot during the day but still cool enough to sleep at night.
We went to Whalebone Brewery for lunch and saw many beaches. We were able to see whales in the distance but no photos.
I have taken up snorkeling and swam some beautiful beaches. Many videos of fish and coral but none of turtles yet.
We got up early one morning to go fishing. I am glad we are not depending on our fishing skills. Beautiful sunrise though.Read more
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Day 850
Friday, August 18, 2023
☀️ 29 °C
Altitude: 17 m
Australia Exmouth -22.673094, 114.03263122°40’23” S 114°1’57” E
Bullara Station Stay
August 18, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
We had heard so much about Bullara Station we were excited to be there.
We made sure to be there on a Friday for Burger Night. They cooked 350 burgers and fed everyone in 45 minutes. The most they have cooked is 450 burgers.
Bullara is still a working station and the accommodation is only open from April to October.
There is so much to do. Three different walks and a 4wd track to Exmouth Gulf (the property borders). The sheep roam freely around the campground (they have a couple of calves they are hand raising that they hope will do the same when older). There are cattle and horses in the paddocks bordering the campground. We did the beer bottle walk and it goes through the paddock with the cattle.
Every night the campfire is lit and three nights a week they do a damper it is very nice.
We also booked in for dinner and had the lamb rump. All the produce is from the local area as fresh as can be.
We had a wonderful time and met some lovely people.
I forgot to mention the scones they are amazing.
We also did a day trip out to Coral Bay. The water is so clear and a little cool. We didn't swim but loved walking in the shallow. The fish come straight up and swim around your feet.Read more
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Day 847
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
☀️ 29 °C
Altitude: 276 m
Australia Kents Bore -22.966867, 116.98345622°58’1” S 116°59’0” E
Cheela Plains Station Stay
August 15, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
We are slowly making our way to Bullara Station. It is about an hour south of Exmouth.
We spent 2 nights at Cheela Station. It Is beautiful. Green grass communal area. Camp fire lit every night. 360° sunset lookout and a self drive tour of some of the property. The rock colours are amazing.
We would come back to Cheela station it is very relaxing.
Cheela Station is seasonal only from April to October. The bush camp and everything we saw on the drive is underwater during the wet season.Read more
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Day 845
Sunday, August 13, 2023
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 598 m
Australia Ashburton -22.257356, 117.98620622°15’26” S 117°59’10” E
1 1
Karijini National Park - part 3
August 13, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Hamersley Gorge after looking at the reviews we decide to only go as far as the look out (steep uneven steps and a bit of a climb). When we got there and saw how close it was to the first pool we decided to give it ago. There was a spa pool further on but by all accounts it is freezing also.
We managed the climb great but it was treacherous no photos taken until we were on semi level ground.
The wall faces were amazing. The pressure on the rocks must have been amazing to get the curves.
Warning a lot of photos of gorge wallsRead more
Traveler Loving the rocks
8/17/23Reply
Traveler Wow
8/17/23Reply
TravelerWhat a lovely spot, so much to see
8/17/23Reply
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Day 844
Saturday, August 12, 2023
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 790 m
Australia Mount Tom Price -22.767931, 117.78218322°46’5” S 117°46’56” E
Tom Priceine Tour
August 12, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
We came back into Tom Price to stock up and do the mine tour.
It was great to be able to see the
mine (unfortunately it was in maintenance mode so not a lot of movement happening). Our tour guide was very knowledgeable. We did learn that the ore trains and some of the mine trucks are autonomous (driven by staff in Perth near the airport). The trains will only have a driver on board when they are within a kilometre from the mine or the town they are going too.Read more
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Day 841
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 655 m
Australia Fortescue Falls -22.476736, 118.55233322°28’36” S 118°33’8” E
2 1
Karijini National Park - part 2
August 9, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Dales Gorge is amazing. There is the Rim walk (which we did), the Gorge Trail (which we didn't do), Fortescue Falls and Fern Pool (which we did).
We did Fortescue Falls and Fern Pool first.
There are 280+ steps down to Fortescue Falls and then a 300m, grade 4 walk to Fern Pool with a very cold swim at the end. The steps were even so it was a relatively easy walk.
Fortescue Falls is at the bottom of the steps but still a rock climb to get to the water.
Fern Pool was beautiful but cold we jumped in and started to swim out to where the sun was but it didn't get any warmer. Mark decided to get out the cold water was breath taking and not in a good way.Read more
Traveler How good is that…
8/17/23Reply
TravelerThe rock formations are stunning
8/17/23Reply
Traveler Another fabulous one
8/17/23Reply
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Day 839
Monday, August 7, 2023
☀️ 27 °C
Altitude: 693 m
Australia Ashburton -22.486678, 118.47698922°29’12” S 118°28’37” E
Karijini National Park - part 1
August 7, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
We spent 4 nights at Karijini. We were camped up in the overflow area. Only 25 spots and you could choose where to park.
We decided that we wouldn't try to kill ourselves and walk all of the gorges. We will do the walk to Fortescue Falls and Fern Pool. Then from Tom Price we did Hamersley Gorge. (Part 2 and 3)
For this blog we only went to the lookouts to take photos. I am loving the camera on my new phone.
We went to Three Ways Lookout at Dales Gorge. Circular Pool lookout also in Dales Gorge. We drove over some of the roughest gravel roads yet to see Joffre Gorge and Knox Gorge.
We are amazed by the colour change of the gorge walls and how fertile the walls are.
Karijini is an amazing place to visit.Read more
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Day 836
Friday, August 4, 2023
⛅ 25 °C
Altitude: 728 m
Australia Tom Price -22.698008, 117.78705322°41’53” S 117°47’13” E
1
Tom Price
August 4, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
We made our way to Tom Price. I was a giddy school girl. We got stopped by a train and we got the warning through the UHF radio. I don't know if it is the only place that does it. (See the first video)
We stopped at Albert Tognolini Lookout to see Munjina East Gorge. It is spectacular we are expecting big things from Karijini National Park.
As we drove up to the caravan park we passed by a calf wandering along the road and saw more in town later that same day. When i asked at reception i was told there is a wild herd of about 30 cattle that roam around the area. They are going to try and round them up and take them to a station.
Some amazing sculptures in Tom Price but very little to do. We did see the large tip truck.
We did a day trip out to Paraburdoo. We went to see the Big Green Mining Truck and the Red Dog Memorial (he was born in Paraburdoo and his owners left when he was 18mths old and they moved to Dampier). We have now seen all three memorials.
On the way back we saw another wide load. We have been stopped by a few now.
We are going to Karijini National Park for 4 nights and then back to Tom Price we are booked in for a mine tour.Read more
Traveler Love it
8/10/23Reply
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Day 834
Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 6:38 PM
⛅ 22 °C
Altitude: 16 m
Australia Pretty Pool -20.308164, 118.63910620°18’29” S 118°38’21” E
Staircase to the Moon - Port Headland
August 2, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
We come back to Port Headland to stock up and watch the Staircase to the Moon.
You can see the Staircase to the Moon in the Pilbara and Kimberly Regions.
Staircase to the Moon is a natural phenomenon which occurs when a full moon rises over the exposed tidal flats.
It is amazing however we were missing a few steps due to the low tide and cloud cover.
Our next destination is Karijini National Park and Tom Price mining town.Read more
Wow, you certainly have gotten around. What’s Port Hedland like these days? I lived there for a few years in the 70’s. Camping in the region was always wonderful 😊 Enjoy [Leanne]
8/3/23Reply
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Day 829
Friday, July 28, 2023 at 5:41 PM
🌙 22 °C
Altitude: 20 m
Australia Cape Keraudren -19.964692, 119.77011119°57’53” S 119°46’12” E
Cape Keraudren
July 28, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 22 °C
We left Barnhill and spent a night at Sandfire Roadhouse before coming to Cape Keraudren. We stopped and looked at Pardoo Roadhouse which was destroyed during a cyclone (it used to be the place to stop for fuel).
We are here for two nights. We have fantastic water views and all we have to do is watch the tide come in and out. (We have a hard life.)
Cooked dinner over the campfire. It tastes good.Read more
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Day 826
Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at 12:15 PM
🌬 23 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Australia Church Hill -18.366036, 122.03635618°21’58” S 122°2’11” E
Barnhill Station
July 25, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 23 °C
We stayed at Barnhill for 3 nights in the overflow area it was perfect. No one is too close unlike the other areas. They have a fantastic kitchen where you can preorder dinner and pick it up at a specified time. They also make bread. OMG the fruit loaf was yummy. The pizzas are the best.
They have activities on different days. Even had a DJ one night while we were there.
We did go swimming however it was cold and a little rough. (See the video of where we swam). We need to pick a better spot next time we go swimmingRead more
TravelerLooks and sounds like a great spot
7/30/23Reply
TravelerIt is very ti stay a while.
7/30/23Reply
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Day 823
Saturday, July 22, 2023 at 4:36 PM
☀️ 28 °C
Altitude: 48 m
Australia Station Hill -17.921747, 122.21032217°55’18” S 122°12’37” E
Broome
July 22, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Broome reminds me of Darwin when i was growing up.
Not exactly pretty but the sunsets are amazing.
We visited the markets and China Town.
We stayed 30km out of Broome at Roebuck Plains Roadhouse Caravan Park. It is next to the highway but has grass sites and we could wash the van.
We went to Cable Beach at sunset and saw the camels.
Broome is our turning point in our trip we are heading south again.Read more
TravelerWe love Roebuck plains and the food at the roadhouse is so good
7/30/23Reply
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Day 819
Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at 2:17 PM
☀️ 24 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Indian Ocean -19.753333, 120.67166719°45’12” S 120°40’18” E
80 Mile Beach
July 18, 2023, Indian Ocean ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
We stayed at 80 Mile Beach for a few nights to relax.
We did some more beach driving and enjoyed the sunsets. It is not recommended to swim due to sharks, stingers and crocs as it is 3 hours to Broome.
The sites are grassy, the first time in a long time.
They have a market where visitors can have a stall i made Nougat and gift boxes.Read more
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Day 818
Monday, July 17, 2023 at 10:35 AM
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 24 m
Australia Lawson Well -20.31629, 119.42319420°18’59” S 119°25’23” E
Point Sampson and Cossack
July 17, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Cossack is a beautifully restored historic town. There is a cafe, information centre with a store and some accommodation. Other buildings are used to hold exhibitions.
It is an amazing town to walk around. We also visited the old European and Japanese cemetery. The ocean views are spectacular.
We saw the memorial for Red Dog as he was buried in the area.
Point Samson is just down the road only a small tourist town. Very pretty there is a park with some great sculptures.Read more
TravelerWe spent time set up in Karratha back in 2017 and done heaps out of there
7/29/23Reply
TravelerThe buildings are amazing
7/29/23Reply
We spent quite a bit of time there cause yes they are certainly amazing and the history as well [Carol]
7/29/23Reply
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Day 818
Monday, July 17, 2023 at 8:38 AM
☀️ 19 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Australia BHP Billiton Marrapikurinya Park -20.310836, 118.57468320°18’39” S 118°34’29” E
Port Headland
July 17, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
We stayed technically in South Headland at the Golf Course. Red dirt everywhere.
We drove into port Headland and saw a bulk cargo ship come. The size of these ships are amazing. There are a few green spaces.
Strike park had a vast amount of information about the Aboriginal pastoral workers strike of 1946.
We also saw the animal sculptures and the outdoor miner museum.Read more
TravelerLast year and 2017 we were here
7/29/23Reply
TravelerCaught up with Shaun L last year
7/29/23Reply
TravelerThe golf course is pretty. Who is Shaun L?
7/29/23Reply
Lawson [Carol]
7/29/23Reply
TravelerMark remembered in the end
7/29/23Reply
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