Sand in your Pants Vs Red Dirt Boogers

We left the family behind in Perth and reacquainted ourselves with life on the road. The weather was getting far too cold so off we headed in search of some winter sun.

Leaving the cold of Perth Behind

Our first pit stop was at the peculiar rock formations known as the Pinnicles. The kids had a great time running in between the pillars and climbing on them getting a better view. It wasn't until we were on our way out that we noticed a sign saying, "Please do not climb on the Pinnicles". Opps!!

Blaise scaling the Pinnicles

Kids amusing themselves with lego

Waiting for parts

Television has become very rare since being on the road. Mainly because we never have good reception and secondly because we seem to be far too busy. However as we headed toward Geraldton I could sense a little urgency from Sime. We parked at the main port and tried the TV so he could watch the final of the State of Origin. Luckily we got it, we were staying put at least for the next 2 hours. The 2 hours we thought we would be parked at the Port turned into a full week. We fired the bus up in the morning and soon discovered there was a serious clutch problem. So there we sat, beach front with permission from the Port Authorities and waited for a part to come from the east. A chance meeting at the coffee shop saw us bump into the Leets from Coffs Harbour who had moved west. A few BBQ's and a bit of local knowledge saw some nice surf and beautiful landscape of the North west.

Waterfront stop at Geraldton

Bus fixed, we kept on our search for some warmer weather. Just north of Geraldton we passed through some beautiful countryside. A contrasting mix of of canola paddocks, red dirt and green grass. We passed pink lakes and some rugged coastline reaching the town of Kalbarri in enough time for Sime to fit in a quick surf at Jakes Point.

Pink Lake

Dakoda the photographer, Blaise the model

From Kalbarri we spent a day doing some international travel., heading to the Hutt River Provience. I'm sure you all have heard of this guy who declared war on Australia and when he wasn't taken seriously he staked his claim on his own land. Driving through the gates it did feel as though we were crossing to another world, a bizarre sort of mix of eclectic buildings and statues. The kids were over it after an hour so we got our passports stamps by prince Leonard and we were on our way.

Prince Leonard

Shark Bay World Heritage Area is home to the famous Monkey Mia dolphins. It is also home to the less famous stromolites, ancient rock formations which are specific to the area. Just another rock platform to the kids. Shell beach was another stop in the area. This beach has no sand but rather millions of tiny white shells which crunch under your feet. We spent the day at Monkey Mia and tried not to look too desperate when the volunteers were picking people to feed the dolphins. We didn't get picked but it was amazing all the same being able to see the dolphins so close.

Spot the Stromolite

Shell Beach

Cheeky Monkey at Monkey Mia

Monkey Mia Dolphins

A stop over in Carnarvon to fill up with water and get supplies before making our way to Quobba Point. Here we did a day trip up to a place called Red Bluff, apparently if your a surfer you will know where it is. Even had to stop and do a little bush mechanics on the 4wd after part of the shokies fell out. Sime commented while we were here that he could live here. I commented I couldn't, as beautiful as it was too isolated.

Bush Mechanics

Red Bluff

Back at Quobba we snorkeled everyday. All the kids, including Ryder and Blaise picked up the mask and snorkel thing really well. The coral was amazing as was the variety of fish life, tons of reef sharks, moray eel and even a sea snake which Dakoda almost trod on.

Quobba snorkeling was great

From Quobba we spent a few great nights exploring the Ningaloo Reef at Coral Bay and Cape Range National Park just out of Exmouth. Again the snorkeling was great and the water so clear and refreshing. Unfortunately I managed to lose the photos from this leg of the trip. We took the kids on the subsea glass bottom boat, missed the whale sharks swim by days so will definitely be coming back.

More snorkeling at Cape Range, Ningaloo Reef

Boys humour at a free water park in Exmouth

Leaving the sandy coast behind we headed inland from Exmouth to Tom Price, a mining centre in the middle of red dirt country. This wasn't our destination but was interesting to see such a mix of people from all over concentrated in a mining suburban town. Each dressed in high vis gear and steel capped boots and driving their trucks complete with orange flags. Our stop also coincided with the "The Nameless Festival" Tom Prices event of the year,  so everyone was in town. 

Fern Pool, Karijini

I thought the red dirt at Tom Price was intense but at Karijini National Park it seemed more red, more fine and definitely covering more surfaces including the kids. With water being a precious commodity clean faces, legs, arms and nostrils just wasn't happening. As well as the red dirt Karijini has some spectacular gorges and waterholes with cool clear water which are so much more refreshing after a hot walk. Circular pool so cool it literally took our breath away.

Staying out of the heat

Red dirt everywhere

We drove into Port Headland staying only long enough to check for school work, buy supplies and fill up with water. We settled at a free camp spot by the De Grays river. With the weather warming up finding this spot with shade and plenty of water meant an overnight stay turned into 5 nights. We had travelled some long distances and the fuel expenses were getting too much so a find like this helps so much. It was here we ran into our travelling friends from Coffs Harbour we met back in Ballarat and decided to travel the next leg into Broome and the Kimberley together.

The girls beauty regime

We zipped into 80 mile beach and spent the day collecting too many shells to practically keep and headed further north to Barnhill station. Here we not only had more beautiful shells and stunning sunsets but we also got there in time for the Sunday night shin dig and dinner. The kids had almost as much fun dancing as the grey nomads did. 

Going to miss the WA sunsets

Busta is looking well and truly lived in with either red dirt or sand building up under the seats. But housework is not high on the list of priorities, it never has been a favourite pastime of mine, so with a quick sweep and wipe we are off again to explore more beautiful parts of Australia.