2022 North West

Our State borders opened earlier this year (3 March), but COVID is still around, so we decided to stick to travel within Western Australia. Read more

Follow Insights Calendar Photos Share

Trip start
August 10, 2022
2022 North West
Home to Moora
August 10, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C
Day 1: We left home at about 1100, with fingers crossed my back was going to be OK. We decided to give it a go😀!
We drove North of Perth where we went through areas with beautiful canola paddocks and then the wildflowers started. We are probably a few weeks early for the full beauty though.

We had Dinner at The Drovers pub- and it was beautiful and they had alcohol free gin! Woohoo! To go with the high strength drugs I'm on, I'm dopey enough without adding alcohol 🤣🤣.Read more
0 likes
2022 North West
Moora to Mellenbye Station
August 11, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
Day 2: We froze last night, (it was about 2 degrees!), so walked around town to find a little heater to buy! We will definitely be putting a diesel heater in the van!

We set off and drove through lots of little cute towns, and had a picnic lunch in Carnamah. Just out of town we stopped to look at the beautifully restored MacPherson's Homestead.

We decided to book into Mellenbye Station for the next 2 nights. A working Cattle Station about 70km out of Yalgoo. We loved everything about it. Individual Fire Pits, heaps of space between sites, Donkey Showers, happy hour in the Campers Kitchen.Read more
0 likes
2022 North West
Mellenbye Station
August 12, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Day 3: We woke up to clear skies, after another really cold night!

There are a couple of self drives on the Station, so first up we drove out to "The Rock" a very long flattish rock with lots of waterholes and a big "Gnamma hole". The rock was surrounded by wildflowers and we saw 3 x huge kangaroos. On the highest part, a large horse statue was looking out over the paddock! Not sure how they got it out and up there!

Next stop was "The Lake" a huge body of water with about 100 Black Swans swimming on it, and lots of seagulls (WTF are they doing there!!).
We drove up the lookout and sat and watched the swans and had lunch.
We had a walk through the old station buildings- they've turned the shearing quarters into a ball room! It's stunning at night, but only if you like the aroma of sheep manure and wool!

We finished the second night like the first, toasting marshmallows and Kim enjoyed some Noooky Delight! (And that's a Port!)

All the pictures are on Mellenbye Station.Read more
0 likes
2022 North West
Mellenbye Station to Cue
August 13, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 25 °C
Day 4- Mellenbye Station to Cue- the weather is getting warmer and Kim is in shorts 🤣🤣🤣 (isn't he always!).
We drove through places we'd been to before- and so many of the old buildings in Yalgoo and Cue built around the late 1800's to early 1900's look like they are falling apart- its so sad, once they are gone that's it!

The exceptions are the Race Course in Yalgoo and the pub in Cue- called the "Far-Cue Bar"- where we watched the Derby.
Just a quiet day enjoying the sunshine! Something we haven't seen much of lately😍Read more
0 likes
2022 North West
Cue to Karalundi Station
August 14, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Day 5: Cue to Karulundi, we passed through Meekatharra and had our fingers crossed that the Caravan that makes awesome coffee and food was open. It's been on the market for a couple of years. Our luck was in! So if you're looking for a change it's only $250k for the business and a 3 bedroom house. 🤔

We've come back to Karalundi, which is a lovely school for indigenous kids, with a Caravan Park attached. We stayed here last year, and liked it so came back again.

We set the van up and drove out to Bilyuin Pool, another beautiful spot that we will camp at next time. We cattle watched for a few hours, and that is as much fun as people watching, that we both love!

Then, back to Karalundi, we had a short walk out to a rocky area to have a play with the drone, just a very chilled out day.Read more
0 likes
2022 North West
Karalundi to Newman
August 15, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
Day 6: We headed back out yo the Karalundi Hill, and put the drone up, and found a big GOD written I'm stones on the ground.

We headed up the road and stopped in Kumarina for a drink and then headed into Newman to spend 2 nights with Craig.Read more
0 likes
2022 North West
Newman
August 16, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 31 °C
Day 7: We headed out to The Capricorn for lunch, after we had a big walk in the morning.

The the three of us headed the newly restored "Mia Mia" and caught up with our future Son in law- Guy for dinner.

The company and meals were great!Read more
0 likes
2022 North West
Newman to Buddah's Overnighter
August 17, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
Day 8- We moved onto our next stop. Google Maps had us all ready for a quick stop at Auski Roadhouse, then 40km (about half sealed/half gravel) to "Buddha's Overnighter."

We got to the point on the map where it should have been, and there was nothing! So luckily, Wiki Camps had the correct position! Another 40km of gravel - but totally worth it! We drove along the back of all the Ranges of Karajini- such a pretty drive.

We found the camping ground easily, and it is one of the best places we've ever stayed! and it's free!! (Sue McCartney - you would love it🥰), the camp areas are really well spaced, and the sun sets on Mt Sheila and rises over Hamersley Range. The colours change on the rocks as the sun moves- its amazing to watch.

We headed over to Hamersley Gorge, but unfortunately, it was getting a bit dark, so we will return tomorrow.

I think this is the only Gorge we haven't been to before, so I was a bit dark that I couldn't go down, but we will definitely come back, just to stay at the camp ground again.

This is Iron Ore mining country, and we followed a drillers track through some more beautiful countryside. The photos don't do the place justice.Read more
0 likes
2022 North West
Buddha's Overnighter
August 18, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
Day 9: Sunrise was beautiful, and the changing colours of Mt Sheila were beautiful as the sun came up over the Hamersley Range.

We had a walk around the campground, and after coffee, we headed back over to Hamersley Gorge, and Kim took lots more fantastic photos.Read more
0 likes
2022 North West
Budha's Overnighter to Cheela Plains
August 19, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Day 10: We left Buddah's Overnighter after watching another beautiful Pilbara sunrise and headed into Tom Price for fuel.

Then it was onto another new place for us called Cheela Plains! This is another huge working cattle station.

What an Oasis! In the middle of all the red dust. We camped around a big central grass area, next to a crazy cat lady!

We booked in for dinner in the big dining room. They have a chef and a pastry chef, and the 3 x course meal was brilliantRead more
0 likes
2022 North West
Cheela Plains
August 20, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
Day 11: Cheela Plains has a walking trail and we followed it to "The Cave", where lots of little birds have made nests hanging from the roof, next to small stalactites.

We did the self drive 68 km return trip, in the Beasley River Gorge and stopped at the stunning "Wall", Kim climbed up all the rocks to the top, and took some great pics. Then onto Mussel Pool, Peaimatha Soak, and then on the way out to Munderie Spring all are permanent water holes for the cattle. He then spotted his workmate and his wife camping on the best spot out here. overlooking Woongarra Pool- #53 if you want to book.

We headed back to the dining room and had another awesome dinner! and then a walk around the camping ground.Read more
0 likes
2022 North West
Cheela Plains
August 21, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
Day 12- A relaxing day. We walked back out to the cave and took the drone out for a bit of a play.

Then we just lazed around on the lawn and read our books, listened to some music, and waited for dinner in the dining room again 🤣Read more
0 likes
2022 North West
Cheela Plains to Minilya Free Camp
August 22, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
Day 13- Today we travelled to Bullara, a place we both love. We set up, and we're all set for the traditional damper around the campfire tonight, when I realised what the date was, and I had completely stuffed up my flights to Perth to see the Neurosurgeon about my back.

So we packed up again and drove south. We pulled into a free camp at Minilya (along with about another 1000 people🤣🤣), and a million bugs!

We took 1 x whole photo today 🤣Read more
0 likes
2022 North West
Minilya to Exmouth via Carnarvon 🤣
August 23, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Day 14- After yesterday's stuff up with my plane flight times, poor Kim is driving me to Carnarvon from Minilya so I can fly out a few hrs earlier and make it 🤣🤣🤣What a stuff up, I am blaming the drugs I am taking. (All legal😀)

So I got to Perth on time, jumped in an Uber, went and had an XR, then went to the specialits rooms!

He didn't look at my back, but did have a look at my MRI and said the only way to fix it is an operation! So, did I really need to fly down! If only the clerk had asked him if I could have a tele health consult! She just told me a flat-out No! Anyway, 14 Sept is D-Day! Can't wait to get it fixed!

So I caught the train back to Maree and Tony's place and enjoyed a catch-up with them.

Meanwhile, poor Kim got to Exmouth, set the Caravan up by himself, and meandered around town. He reckons he lived having the bed to himself last night 🤣🤣

Neither of us took any pics today!Read more
0 likes
2022 North West
Exmouth
August 24, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Day 15- So I had a bit of a walk into Guildford, and then drove out to Midland and did a little bit of shopping in Perth and then caught a taxi out to the airport in the early afternoon.

Kim, headed out to the lighthouse and got chatting to some older ladies while they all tried to spot the migrating whales!

He picked me up in the late afternoon, and we met up with one of Kim's workmates- Gary Backshaw at Whalebone Brewery for dinner!Read more
0 likes
2022 North West
Exmouth
August 25, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Day 16-We've had a fantastic time here with lots of relaxing and heading. It's very uncommon for our holidays 🤣

We've spent lots of hours sitting in different spots watching so many whales, breaching and blowing!

We've done lots of tours and hikes here before, which helped make us think we weren't missing out by just sitting around!Read more
0 likes
2022 North West
Yardie Creek and Ningaloo Coast day trip
August 26, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
Day 17- We've had a fantastic time here, and today was no excetion, with a day trip out to Yardie Creek and all the bays on the way back. Osprey Bay and Turquoise Bay were stunning. We've spent lots of hours sitting in different spots watching so many whales, breaching and blowing!

We've done lots of tours and hikes here before, which helped make us think we weren't missing out by just sitting around!Read more
0 likes
2022 North West
Exmouth
August 27, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Day 18- a big walk around and through the Marina and along The Town Beach today and started the day off today.

We spent a few hours out at Bundegi Beach as well, then dinner at the pub!

Just another relaxing day 😍Read more
0 likes
2022 North West
Exmouth to Winderabandi
August 28, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 24 °C
Day 19- Only a short 154km drive today, but 50km is on ungraded really rough dirt roads! Google wanted to take us one way, but luckily, the gates were padlocked, or we would have had to take the van over the rugged Cape Range National Park.

We had the music cranked up stopped regularly to make sure we hadnt popped a tyre or window!

We were glad to arrive at the most beautiful camp sites with our friends Karen, Scott, Anne and Dane already set up.Read more
0 likes
2022 North West
Winderabandi
August 29, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Day 20- Our van is only about 10m from the beach. it's such a perfect way to wake up.

Dane drove us in his "Troopy" out to the Norwegian Whaling Station Ruins- we had a lot of fun as the sand dunes tried to bog him! But Dane won!

We christened the new SUP's, luckily we had a little seat on mine, so I could enjoy the fun too.
Kim, Karen & Scott all mastered the art of standing up and looked very professional.Read more
0 likes
2022 North West
Scones with Jam & Cream 🤣
August 30, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
Day 21- Today involved lots of relaxing, reading, sleeping, and eating- Karen and I tried our hand at making Scones in the camp ovens! The first batch turned out like charcoal fire starters, but the second batch weren't too shabby with a generous dollop of jam and cream.

We headed down the beach to Dane & Anne's van, they are the care takers for 3 months! Lucky buggers!Read more
0 likes
2022 North West
Winderabandi
August 31, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 26 °C
Day 22- another day of relaxing, SUP's, eating and drinking.

We have been so lucky with flat, minimal wind mornings.

It will be sad to keep moving.
0 likes
2022 North West
Winderabandi to Coral Bay
September 1, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
Day 23- We sadly said goodbye to our 4 x camp mates and set off mid-morning! We had to stop at the turnoff (where the gravel ended) and pump all the tyres back up on the ute and van.

We called into Bullara and had morning tea, and then headed into Coral Bay.

We've got ourselves a great little spot opposite Bill's Bar.Read more
0 likes
2022 North West
Coral Bay
September 2, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 23 °C
Day 24- We walked south again today to get our 10 000 steps up, and later we watched some lazy black clouds on the horizon looking like they were throwing the rain down, but they didn't cross the coast.

Coral Bay is the ultimate relaxing holiday destination. The car is parked up and we are just walking everywhere!Read more
0 likes
2022 North West
Drone Pics at Coral Bay
September 3, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 22 °C
Day 25: Lots of walking and playing with Dolly the Drone #2 today.
0 likes