Days away; 105
Stops made; 53
Distance travelled; 19,261 km
Fuel used; 4,377 litres

Economy; 22.7 litres per 100km (12.4mpg!)
Mechanical issues; 2 flat tyres, blown headlight and collection of random screws in the caravan.
Favourite place; many possibles, but unanimously far north Queensland and Gulf of Carpentaria, especially Lorella Springs.
Best surprise; Nullarbor.

Selection of DVD’s played;
Trolls x 11 (We had to ban this for a while in the middle)
Shimmer and Shine x 6
Moana x 5
Frozen x 5
Jumanji x 5

Everyone excited and up early for the final leg. We left the park at 8am deciding to go out for breakfast on our last day. We drove through the town to a little cafe near another of the caravan parks. Great breakfasts all round and some of the better food we have had on our trip. Left Dongara in the sun looking forward to a return one day.

Gradually more overcast and rainy as head south. Past Leeman, Green Head, Jurien Bay, Cervantes and Lancelin. All looked good for future visits.

Finally the freeway and excitement could barely be contained, especially Estella and Vivienne as we hit Swanbourne. Luckily the rain held off for 45mins so we could get things sorted. Everyone was freezing and kept saying “is it still raining?” After 4 months of 30 degrees and sunshine it is going to be an adjustment. Nevertheless everyone safely back home.

Straight run from Shark Bay area to Dongara, stopping at Murchison River crossing for lunch which would be a great campsite. Kids enjoyed feeding the ducks.

Went around the outskirts of Geraldton and arrived at Dongara by 4pm. None of us had been here before and we were all very impressed. A bigger town than I expected and a fairly pretty place. We all thought we would like to return for a longer trip.

Right behind the caravan park was a wide beach with beautiful fine white sand, although a bit of winter seaweed.

The caravan park was also really nice and well looked after. Loads of kids were all playing on the jumping pillow, so everyone was happy.

Leisurely departure, towards Canarvon. Went to Bumbacks Jams and Preserves on way in, along with a farm shop. Loads of market gardens either side of Murchison River. Then went into town centre to check out Canarvon and grab some lunch. Canarvon seems to be quite a nice place and had a good playground that the kids appreciated.

Onwards and last minute decision to go to Gladstone jetty camp on the mainland side of Shark Bay. A jetty built in early 1900’s to ship wool and sandalwood south. It really is nowhere near any towns.

Lovely spot with really clear water just north of the marine sanctuary, but quite shallow so difficult to fish. We were really lucky with no wind and still warm when we got there, but it is definitely getting colder, especially at night.

Nice early start for a long slog to Warroora Station, about 30km south of Coral Bay (booked out so far in advance for school holidays). A few long drives now on the way back to Perth. Crossed back over the Tropic of Capricorn and then promptly when back again as the road went north again. Had to let all the tyres down again on the way in to the station, but lovely location right on the beach.

As soon as we arrive the kids are down on the beach exploring the rock pools, with Robbie finding an octopus in the rocks. This sparked an existential debate about killing animals, as we had all just eaten dinner. So we let it go again much to Robbie’s disgust.

Next day we went to Turtle Cove in the morning and saw a few turtles. Sandy Point in the afternoon. Both were really great beaches with nice starfish at Sandy Point and a multitude of nice shells at both. Reef not quite as good as I had hoped however and really few fish.

Despite this the location was lovely, just very windy.

Windy in the morning at Cape Keraudren. We left site fairly early, but then went for a walk at the end of eighty mile beach, collecting shells, so only really left at 10am.

Went to Port Hedland to have a look and saw the ships being loaded and had lunch in the town. Didn’t seem to be too bad a place.

After lunch drove on to Karratha as not alot of other options. Arrived late, but got there just before the caravan park closed. Kids immediately went to play with a hoard of other kids.

Next day was windy and we went to see Hearson’s Cove which, with the wind blowing was full of kite surfers. Yet more shells collected. Went on to see the gas plant on Burrup peninsula, but unfortunately the visitors centre was closed.

Went on to Dampier and kids loved seeing a huge mine train come past, running to 277 trucks and so long you cannot see the front of the train from the rear.

After lunch in Karratha we went to Point Samson for a play, ice cream and fun exploring of the rock pools. Point Samson is the holiday resort of the Pilbarra.

Managed to leave the site alot easier than getting into it. Headed down the coast to stop at Cape Keraudren, at the far end of Eighty mile beach. A free camp, was really popular with loads of people, but nice location next to the water and good rock pools, although fishing a bit harder as everyone was in the water. Robbie gave it a good go, but not successful today. Kids then off playing with other kids exploring rock pools.

Really nice open camp area, but a bit windy. Enjoyed meeting some other families also touring around. Could easily have stayed longer, but have to get back.

Just out of Derby is a huge boab tree called the prison tree where they used to chain up the aboriginal people. Alot of questionable behavior back then.

Couple of hours to Broome and when we get there we find a car/caravan wash to get as much of the dirt off them as we can. Took about 90mins and massive improvement.

On to the caravan park and wow, very narrow road and short site makes parking very tricky, but we make it. Loads of grey nomads here, with some telling us they come for 4 months every year in the winter.

Afternoon went down to the ocean. Pacific ocean to Indian ocean completed, there and back again!!!!

Nice beach with gentle swell ideal for kids on boogie boards. The kids were very impressed tgere were bo crocodiles and they were finally allowed to swim at a beach again!

Amazingly we sat down on the beach just behind one of Edwina’s school friends (Amy and Gary) and their kids.

Next day we went to get Robbie some new novels at the charity shop. Great place for cheap books! Then afterwards went to the beach for the afternoon and went out for dinner with Edwina’s friends family.

Last day we went to get a new fishing rod after I managed to throw the last rod into the Pentecost River. The Toyota garage very kindly agreed to sqeeze us in to look at the car. Unfortunately it needs a new light unit as you ridiculously cannot just replace the bulb. They couldn’t do it in the timeframe, so said to wait till Perth.

Finally afternoon spent on the beach messing around and digging holes. The beach was amazing and we could definitely spend more time here.

Next morning we all went on a day trip to horizontal falls. A 30 min seaplane ride out over amazing scenery.

Then a very organised day of jet boat rides through the falls on the falling tide.

This was followed by a swim in an enclosure whilst they fed some nurse sharks, golden trevelly and bat fish.

Short nature cruise followed by barramundi lunch.

After lunch there was time for a further jet boat ride through the falls on the in coming tide this time.

Then scenic seaplane home, with Robbie being allowed to sit next to the pilot, which he was delighted at.

Overall a great trip.

Nice to have a good shower and shave. Saturday was spent washing and cleaning the caravan after the dust, with a trip to the wharf mid morning to walk on the jetty at low tide. Derby has the highest tidal movements in Australia, up to 10.5m, and the 7th most in the world. Trip to supermarket most welcome and then back to the jetty in the evening to see the sunset and high tide. Everyone really impressed with the change in the water level. Dinner of fish and chips at the wharf.