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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
    1

    Milligan Island Camp Grounds

    September 10, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 19 °C

    We spent a lovely 3 days at Milligans Island. Not sure why it's called that as we weren't on an island. Great council run camp ground.

    No ocean views as the sandhills blocked the view. But only a short walk along a good track to reach the beach. Found lots of new wild flower. Had a paddle...The water was a bit cold.

    A lovely spot to kick back and relax. We were informed by a group of children that they hooked 96 squid the night before.    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Wildflower @ Wongan Hills

    September 14, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    We went exploring this afternoon. Found a few new flowers. Plus a lot of the flowering shrubs are coming into full bloom. Making a stunning display.

    * Resurrection Plant
    * Orange Immortals ( about to bloom)
    * Little Podolepis
    * Honey Bush
    * Bushy Dampiera
    * Mat Cottonhead
    * Showy Scholtzia ( stunning in full bloom)

    * the last 3 photos are Kangaroo Paws growing the main street of Wongan Hills    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Wongan Hills

    September 14, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 15 °C

    We are currently at Wongan Hills Van Park. This is our last night. Have had a relaxing 4 days here. Starting to feel much better after my fall at Kalbarri.

    Graham has been fluffing around with the diesel heater. I have been taking it easy. Poured rain and blow a gale yesterday. Did go out for a drive this afternoon to Dingo Rock. Was a nice drive through the farming area. Deep in the wheatbelt. Did a couple of short walks. More bees, it's very heartening to be constantly seeing so many of these important little insects. Plus final managed to snap some photos of the Port Lincoln Parrots. Have been seeing lots of them for the last couple of weeks.Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Northam

    September 16, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    We have been free camping at Northam the last couple of day. The have a lovely RV site on the Avon River. Only takes about 10 vans.

    Northam is a large town with all the stores you could wish for... even a Bunnings for Graham.

    Have had some lovely walks along the Avon River. Plus crossing the suspension bridge. There is suppost to be white swans but yet to spot any. Some interesting street art. Including the silos. We were both quite taken with them.    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler
    1

    Toodyay

    September 17, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    Did the drive out to Toodyay this morning. About 21ks out of Northam.
    What a lovely little town on the banks of the Avon River.

    We really enjoyed walking around checking out the beautiful old building. Plus there was a market on as well.

    The Christmas store was our favourite. We spent ages exploring all there extraordinary goodies. Might have pick up a couple of little items to send back for a certain little lady.

    The bakery was devine had a yummy morning tea. Plus just loved all the doggys in the hardware window.

    There was also a miniature train running in the park. I think Graham was tempted, but there was a big line up.

    Was blessed with a beautiful sunny day. The first in a few days. Was lovely countyside to drive through. So green.    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Wildflowers...

    September 17, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    @ Rugged Hills Nature Reserve. Out of Toodyay.
    What a wealth of amazing new finds. Including 3 carnivores plants. The Pink Fountain and Common Butterfly Triggerplants and the Pigmy Sundew.

    * Showy Dryandra ( Photos 1 & 2)
    * Sapphire Starflower ( Photos 1 & 2 )
    * Pink Fountain Triggerplant
    * Straight-leaved Guinea Flower
    * Bossiaea Linophylla - Eggs and Bacon
    * Common Butterfly Trigger Plant
    * Pigmy Sundew
    * Roadside Tea Tree    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Wildflowers

    September 17, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    @ Coondle West Nature Reserve. Out of Toodyay. Both places we explored today were full of great new flower finds. Very exciting.

    * Prickly Plume Grevillea
    * False Boronia
    * White Candles ( Photos 3&4)
    * Slender Podolepis
    * Grass Trees. Some of the biggest ones I have seen.    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Rockingham

    September 20, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    We have been in Rockingham the last couple of days.

    The van is in for a service today. Yesterday Graham installed the diesel heater.

    Have been exploring while waiting on the van. Visited Point Peron. There is a great lookout over the ocean. Very spectacular with all the craggy cliffs. Spotted a Commerant drying it's wings below the lookout. Plus a pair of singing honeyeaters.

    Then off to Lake Richman for a stroll. There is a tower to view the lake. Would have been great to do some bird watching if we had binoculars.

    The waterfront park is lovely...Plus the sun has come out again after more cold, grey days. We had a great fish and chip lunch. Plus huge ice cream cones. What else would you have by the sea.
    Was lovely to watched the dolphins playing.

    Was after 6 by the time the van was ready to pick up. So late into tonight's camp a Herron Lake. Lucky it was only about 70Ks down the road. I hate setting up at night.    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Flowers @ Rockingham

    September 20, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    @ Lake Richman. We came across some lovely flowers in this area. None were WA wildflowers, but were interesting.

    * White ramping-fumitory (not a WA wildflower. Though it was stunning.
    * Callistemon ‘Kings Park Special’
    * Soursob. (Weed)
    * Prickly-leaved paperbark
    * Pink rice flower ( native to East coast)
    * unknown
    * assorted Grevillea ( photo 7 & 8)    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Bird's @ Herron Point

    September 21, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    Had lots of feathered friends drop by this morning for breakfast. Graham was making his morning toast and a very cheeky Port Lincoln Parrot showed up. Peaking under the awning into the van.
    He was soon joined be a number of his friends. A pair of magpies. Some bronze wing pigeons and red wattle birds.

    The Port Lincoln Parrots and Magpies were very tame ate papita seeds out of my hand.    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Giants, Thrombolites & Flowers

    September 21, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    @ Lake Cliffton.
    We had a fantastic afternoon exploring here.
    We found our first Giant of Mandurah. We have been looking forward to visiting them. Was a 3.5k return walk. A nice easy track to walk. Plus we had a couple of excellent wild flower finds...
    Our first Orchid... Pink Fairy
    Plus a Flame Pea. Another new find.

    The other attraction here is the Thormbolites 'The most striking things about the thrombolites are their limestone colour and rounded shape. The thrombolite-building micro-organisms are too small for the human eye to see and resemble the earliest forms of life on Earth' It was fascinating to view these from the specially built boardwalk.    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Giants of Mandurah

    September 22, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    A big day had hunting Giants today. All up we walked about 8ks.

    Our first Giant was 'Little Lui.' We also spotted 2 wombats here. A lovely walk through Marlee Reserve.

    Next was 'Saba's Song'. A little disappointing as he is looking out to sea on the estuary and can't see his face. But a fantastic setting. There were people with boats getting an excellent view.

    After a brake for lunch we were off to find 'Santi Into' at Halls Head. A bit of a rolling walk up and down hills. Not to bad as it was a nice concrete path, with a ocean view and breeze.

    The last Giant was 'Yaburgurt Cirkelstone'.
    Some idiots burned the original one down so he had to be rebuilt. Lucky he was only a few meters from the car park as we were running out of steam.

    'Thomas Dambo is the world’s leading recycle artist. He was taught from a young age about the value of recycling, sustainability, and unlimited imagination. And so to share that message and inspire people to get out into nature, Thomas creates larger-than-life sculptures from recycled wood, and places them all over the world. This is the first time his Giants have appeared in Australia though!'    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Preston Beach Free Camp

    September 23, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    We are here for 2 nights. Lovely free camp by the sea. Max 24hr stay. Was only half an hour down the road from Herron Point where we were the last 3 nights.

    A popular beach to drive on. We have the steady hum of air compressors from the day parking area.

    There are the biggest cuttlefish we have ever seen on the beach. Put my thong next one so you can see how huge they are.

    Just having a quiet day after our big day yesterday. Off to check out the local fair tomorrow and the National Park.    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Yalgorup Lakes ...

    September 24, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 15 °C

    @ Preston Beach.

    We went exploring around the lakes and national park in the area today.

    Beside mozzies that loved Graham. We found an emu by one of the lakes. Managed to grab a photo as she took off around the lake. A lot of roos including the cute pair in the photo. Plus Shelducks, don't think we have seen these before. A very pretty duck.

    Also found some new flowers
    - Dampiers Rose
    - Red Striped Yellow Tailflower
    - Pepper Flower
    - unknown.

    Had great neighbors here not 😔. Had the security freaks on one side. Outside lights on all night. All the gear and no idea on the other. Parked taking up enough room to fit 3 vans in. Luck we normally have excellent neighbors.    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Pinjarra

    September 25, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Free Camping in Pinjarra tonight. A 24hrs stop. Nice and grassy...but a bit wet in places.
    Doing some stocking up before heading inland a bit. WA school holidays started.
    Great old engine on the tracks behind us.Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Edenvale Heritage Precinct

    September 25, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    "Home to historical and culturally significant buildings, the Edenvale Heritage Precinct is remnant of a nineteenth-century village retaining its character of heritage architecture, homestead gardens, timber fences and barns. Located in the heart of Pinjarra's town centre and along the gentle Murray River"

    What a relaxing way to spend the afternoon. It was a joy to stroll around the old buildings and gardens. My favorites were the rose garden and the old school house, now home to the local quilters. Many of the other buildings homed other arts and craft groups. Plus a tea room.

    We also walked through the park to the suspension bridge over the Murray River. Then up the main street. All a short walk from our free camp.

    Pinjarra is a lovely town well worth a visit.    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Serpentine Falls

    September 26, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Had a lovely drive out to Serpentine Falls from Pinjarra. Such lush green pastures. Lots of stunning race horse studs. Its a big area for the racing industry.

    We picked up some sangs at the local butcher and packed a salad. A perfect day for a BBQ. A lovely shady picnic area under the gums. The BBQ were spotless.
    Then did the walk down to the falls. Only 600 meters so not very taxing.

    Plus found some great flowers
    - blue leschenaultia
    - purple flag flower
    - short-spiked gravilla
    - borya nitida labill (pincushions)
    - parrot bush (banksia family)    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Waroona

    September 27, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    A first for us. Free camping on an old basketball court. In the showgrounds at Waroona. Just here overnight.

    Some fantastic murals on the showground buildings. Will go for a walk up town later. Found this fantastic store that sold lollies and the owner loved crocheting so she had a corner of yarn. Plus did light meals and giftware. Had all the bases covered.Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Australind

    September 28, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Another great free camp. This time by the water at Australind. Only a very short distance from Bunbury.

    Went exploring down to Bunbury yesterday afternoon. Great beaches, and interesting lookout towers. There were 2 but my photo of one went missing.
    We went back to the beach this morning for a swim...well I went for a 🏊‍♀️ but Graham chickened out. Was a little big icy even for me. Was rewarded for my bravery with a coffee and muffin. Lucky we went to the beach this morning. Blowing a gale this arvo. Tucked up nice and cosy in the van.    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Olive Hill Farm

    September 30, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Camping in the middle of an olive grove tonight and tomorrow night. Near Margaret River. Graham is watching the ALF grand finals and I am enjoying a little sunshine and working on a crochet blanket for the van.

    The olives are very tiny.    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Bridgetown & Karri Gully

    Oct 3–5, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    We just overnighted in Bridgetown. Had a great free camp area for only 24hrs...the big plus was free power to a lucky 2 vans... you guested, we got on early and grabbed one. Was a cold, wet day so no real photos. We shopped. I cooked ... a big pot of pumpkin soup. As we had power baked a cake and did a roast for dinner. Love our airfryer. Did find the best quilting and yarn store. Would move here just for it 😁😁😁

    We moved on to another 1 night stay. Karri Gully. A pretty pull off and picnic area. There was what looked like a great walk. But freezing cold and raining so not temted to explore.
    I was pleased to find a pretty purple bush I had been seeing with nowhere to spot and grab a photo.    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Orchids

    October 3, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    On our way to Kojonup, we had to make a look stop. Luckily, it turned out a great place to pull up.

    Found our first spider orchids
    Photo 1 & 2
    Plus, Cowslip orchids also first time.
    Photos 3, 4 & 5
    Also found the following
    * Trigger plant.
    * Common Velleia
    * Vanilla Lily    Read more

  • Tanya SimmonsAround Oz 2023-24Traveler

    Kojonup Rose Maze

    October 5, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    This has to be one of the most beautiful rose gardens we have every visited. The air is full of their fragrance. Amazing rose hedges alive with blooms. The most spectacular trellis roses, most over 70 yrs old.

    Worth visiting here just for the 🌹    Read more

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