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Around Oz 2023-24
  • Tanya Simmons
  • Tanya Simmons

Around Oz 2023-24

An open-ended adventure by Tanya Read more
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  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Yule River

    August 1, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Free camping tonight south of Port Headland. Another beaut camp. Had a little mishap, Graham keep driving up the track alongside the dry river bed. Looking for the perfect camp. Reached trees growing close to the track. I commented we will not fit through there. It turns out I was right. Trying to back out without wiping out a part of the van or car proved tricky. I was running from side to side...front to back making sure we were clear. Lucky others trying to come the same way saw our problem and helped. Was much easier with people to watch all sides while Graham backed out.

    Stopped at Port Headland for supplies. Has not improved since we were here last. If anything it's even more ugly. I think it's the only place we have been to I truly dislike. All in all not our best day. But ended nicely with steaks on the fire for yummy steak burgers. Tomorrow will bring new adventures.    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Pilbara Flora P1

    August 3, 2023

    These flowers were all photographed on the Tom Price Karratha Rd. We had stopped at a pull in area for a cuppa and lunch.

    * Hook-Seed Sida
    *Tall Mulla Mulla
    * unidentified 😪. This exquisite flower was tiny. Smaller than my little fingernail
    * Stuart Dessert Pea. These were growing all along the road side.
    * Sticky-Leaved Goodebia.
    * Two-Nerved Wattle. Named for the 2 prominent veins in the leaf.
    * Rough Bluebell.
    We have one of these at our current camp site. It is visited by a Carpenter Bee 🐝. Trust me when I tell you it's huge. They are 15 - 24 mm.    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Pilbara Flora P2

    August 3, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    These flowers are around our campsite (Miliyanha Campgrounds) @ Millsteam Chichester NP.

    * Silky Batchelors Buttons.
    * Warty Apple Bush. Has an apple smell.
    * unknown
    * Yellow Hibiscus
    * Desert Velvet Firebush
    * Sticky Senna
    * Tassel Top
    * Weeping Mulla Mulla
    * unknown    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Snappy Gum Dve

    August 4, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    @ Millstream Chichester NP.
    Went out this morning to do the Snappy Gum Drive. Unfortunately about half the drive was closed due to flood damage.
    We did get as far as where the Fortescue River crosses. The pipes in one of the photos is water from Harding Dam that supplies water to towns in the Karatha area.
    You can see were the water comes up to in the floods by the debris wrapped around the trees.
    We also spotted a pretty Velvet Scurf-pea growing in the area    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Deep Reach

    August 4, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    @ Millsteam Chichester NP
    Enjoyed an afternoon dip at this beautiful spot on Fortescue River.
    WA national parks really do an excellent job. Great picnic area, gas BBQs, excellent walking track, spotless loos. Plus a exceptionally swimming area with steps and rails for us oldies. Will definitely be have a few more swims while we are here.Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Millstream Chichester NP

    August 5, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Another place we have never been before. It didn't disappoint. This beautiful NP is between Karratha and Tom Price.
    Hats off the WA national parks there really do an excellent job.

    Lots more beautiful wild flowers to add to my list of finds. The road sides driving in are a carpet of colour at the moment.

    The Fortescue River runs through the park. Deep Reach is a stunning stretch of the river where you can swim. We were speechless the first time we went down for a swim. So much water in what is basically dry arid country driving in. We even bought back an old family camping tradition and went for a pre breakfast swim.

    We were hoping to also visit Python Pool for a couple of days but it's in a different part of the park quite a distance away. The campground near it was currently closed and the road in very poor condition. So have given it a miss.

    We had originally planned to continue south down the coast. But no vacancies for weeks at the places we really wanted to go. Apparently really cold down south and people trying to escape to warmer areas. We are still in shorts and tees.
    So will head inland following the inland flower trails. Tom Price will be our next major stop.    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Fortescue River Road Camp

    August 6, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 31 °C

    Heading south from Karratha today.
    Free camping again. On the Fortescue River. Very windy this afternoon. No fire to cook dinner tonight.

    Stopped in a Karratha again for the usual supplies fuel, water and food. Plus the BT50 got a car wash. Was even too dirty for Graham 😂

    Campsite found on Wikicamps, but is also a sign for Fortescue River Road at the turn off.    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Gravel pit

    August 7, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Gravel Pit is a most unfortunate name for these offen excellent free campsites. They are usually old road work sites where machines and gravel was kept while roads were upgraded.
    There are no amenities, so you need to be self contained. But are usually very large fairly flat areas. Offen with a pleasing outlook.

    We are at this one tonight about 12k after the turnoff to Tom Price on Nanutarra Rd.    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Beasley River Rest Area

    August 8, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    Still travelling up the Nanutarra Rd today. Didn't travel very far. I think only about
    150 Ks. Had a late start this morning. Didn't leave till 10.30am 😴
    A completely different landscape to last night's. The river is currently dry here, but must be enough water to support some big gums and other larger trees.

    Have been flower spotting again. Some new, some I can't find names for and some I have seen before.

    * Photos 1 & 2 . Downy Corchorus.
    1 is a plant I found today not flowering yet
    2 is a photo from my book of same plant.
    * Samphire Pigweed
    * unknown
    * unknown
    * Slender Petalosrylis    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Tom Price

    August 9, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    We have been in Tom Price for 4 days. Car needed a service.
    We free camped out at Not Daz and Shaz's Rest Area (wikicamps) just out of Tom Price on Karijini Dve for 2 nights while waiting on parts to arrive.
    Then moved into the Tom Price Van Park Friday. While the car was at the mechanic.
    Was great to catch up on the washing. Been ages since we were somewhere to wash all the big stuff. Last time we stayed in a van park was Wyndham 21 days ago.
    Got out the airfrier and did some baking, plus a lamb roast for dinner and pizza for lunch.
    Very stunning views from the van park and some friendly galahs were always hanging around.

    Heading toward Newman tomorrow. Then off chasing wildflowers again.    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Interesting Lookout...

    August 13, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    On the road to Karijini from Tom Price.
    Beside a nice view there are 100s of memorials to people that have passed away. Most mainly messages on stones from family to some very professional. Was a very moving place to stop.

    Plus I found a new flower.    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    North of Newman

    August 13, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Back free camping again tonight. About 10ks North of Newman. Wikicamps have it down as North Newman rest area, but really just a parking bay with room to camp out the back.
    Got the fire roaring again tonight. Will pop a lamb casserole on the hot coals.

    Basically just heading south over the next few days to Morawa for the wildflower festival.    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    North Gascoyne River

    August 15, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    A very early start today. The car had to be in at the machanic in Newman by 6am. Had to have the front brakes and rotars? replaced. They were the only place that had all the parts. Let us part the van out the front while they did the work. Back on the road about midday.

    Stopped at North Gascoyne River for the night at about 4pm. A late pull in for us.
    What a pretty spot to free camp. So many flowers most I have seen before but a couple of new ones. Unfortunately not in my book. Road yesterday was lined with flowering shrubs ... stunning against the red soil.

    Flies have been annoying the last few days. But that's life in the bush.

    Still heading south.    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Peace Gorge

    August 16, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 20 °C

    'Once called the Devil’s Playground, these stunning rock formations and large boulders were chosen as the site of a picnic that celebrated the end of World War One in 1919. Since then it has been known as Peace Gorge.'

    This amazing place is just a few minutes out of Meekatharra WA. Was a wonderful place to free camp. Was a little cool and windy, but we still enjoyed exploring. The flowering shrubs growing against the rocks were spectacular. So pleased we stopped here to explore.

    We did drop into the local IGA ... milk was $12+ for 2lts 😱The highest price we have ever seen. But there other stock wasn't to badly priced. I feel for the locals that have to pay these prices everyday.    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Wide load

    August 17, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 13 °C

    You never no what you will see on outback roads.

    Had some new tipper trays for the massive mine toppers go past this morning. Have to move right of the road for these beauties. We had just pulled over to do a driver change when this pair came along. The 3rd lot we have had go past.Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Lake Nallan

    August 17, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 15 °C

    Lake Nallan is about 20ks north of Cue. Was another great find on Wikicamps. We pulled in for a look and morning tea...ended setting up camp and staying the night.
    Found 2 chairs just up from our camp. A nice sunny spot out of the wind. It's amazing that we were chasing shade when we set up camp up to just a couple of days ago. Heading south and some cooler days we are hunting a sunny spot.

    These darling tiny tiny pink/purple flowered succulents are starting to spring up here. Not in my current book. We are heading out of the area it covers. Time for a new book 😉
    We were also visited by some adorable King Quails ... The first time we have seen them in the wild. Not quick enough to get any photos 😪    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Cue

    August 18, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    After leaving out excellent free camp at Lake Nallan this morning we head about 20k south to Cue.

    What a gorgeous little town. Full of wonderful sandstone buildings. It had, we think the best RV water fill up we have ever seen. 3 separate taps. Lovely picnic tables. Beautiful landscaping. Plus plenty of room to park and go for a walk around.
    Unfortunately this town that has poured so much into make their town so inviting had hardly a shop open. Except a op shop and a tiny general store. They were all boarded up. They did have a very impressive visitor center and 1 pub that opened at 5pm.

    Heading south about 17ks we were treated to the sheep statues on the salt flats. Plus I found another new flower. I think it might be a Dampier Pea.    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Wurarga Dam

    August 18, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    We are official in wildflower country 💐.
    Camping tonight at Wurarga Dam. Another interesting spot. We have found some great spots lately.
    We turned west after going through Mount Magnet. A nice butcher here, plus an IGA that didn't charge $12 for milk.
    Heading west down the Geraldton - Mt Magnet Rd. We found this little beauty about 75k east from Mellewa...our detenation tomorrow.

    There is old rail track passing through this area. Our best guess is the dam was built to supply water to the trains. There is also the remains of on old rail bridge.

    Plus some new flowers. We were excited to start see more and more as we drive today. Looking forward to getting into Mellewa tomorrow and hopefully picking up the wildflower book for this area.    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church & Priest

    August 19, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    'Designed and built by priest architect Monsignor John Hawes during his 22 year stay in Mullewa. The church is considered to be one of his finest designs and is classified by the National Trust.
    Attached to the church is the Priest House, which was Monsignor Hawes’ home for many years. It houses many of his personal effects.'

    This appsolutly stunning church is well worth a visit. If one of the guides are on-site stop and have a chat. It's is fascinating to learn about the talented Monsignor John Hawes and his beautiful churches.    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Wreath Flowers

    August 20, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    'Wreath flowers (the scientific name is Lechenaultia Macrantha) are very rare and unique flowers which can be found only in the Mid-West region of Western Australia, flowering between August and October, depending on seasonal rainfall. These circular shape low lying plants grow on sandy soils, often on the side of the road. One of the biggest displays of wreath flowers can be found near Pindar, east of Mullewa (mainly along Pindar-Beringarra Road). '

    We were very excited to find the wreath flowers at Pindar. They are just coming into flower. Hope to see some in full flower somewhere.    Read more

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