Sea Topaz - Western Australia

Western Australia

Sea Topaz

Duncan Briggs

Wed 2 Mar 2011 02:14

We just had the one day in Perth initially, then set off south to meet up with Neil in his beach cottage in Dunsborough. As usual he was the perfect host, showed us around the area and fed us well. We, well mostly Duncan and Neil, did a lot of talking. We carried on further down the coast visiting Margaret River on the way. We camped in Warren National Park under the giant trees and saw Pemberton and the Gloucester Three. We also managed some more wine tasting and the best lunch sofar in Australia. Unfortunately we had to go back to Dunsborough as Duncan had a dental problem and Neil had arranged an appointment with his dentist for Monday morning. It was hot and the cottage is in such a lovely spot that we decided not to go back south again, as planned, but stay and rest a few days, prior to going back to Perth to meet Ant and Hatty off the plane from UK. We had a lovely few days with Ant and Hatty, doing some sight seeing, wine tasting and enjoying good food. We managed to meet up with Anne and John Jackson, friends from Nigeria for an evening meal and then set off north to explore the coast there. We did not know how far we would get as Cyclone Carlos was threatening the area we were going to. First stop was Geraldton, where we were very impressed with the museum. We learned a lot about the history of Dutch VOC ships, especially the Batavia. What a story that is!

We carried on to Carnarvon not knowing if we could go any further due to high winds and flooding, but all was good. By the time we got there the roads further north were open again. So we carried on to Coral Bay. There were several area's were the water was still running across the road, but the Hippie Camper had no problem going through those. The wind was still strong, so we took it gently.

In Coral Bay we found nice air-conditioned accommodation (it was too hot to sleep in the van), but found that most places were still shut down as a result of cyclone Carlos. We snorkeled on the reef (that is right off the beach), but no boat trip to the outer reef (all the boats were out of the water). We did manage to get a few hours on a quad bike for a sunset tour; that was great. As there was no point in staying any longer we set off south again for Kalbarri. The trip was much easier, less wind and hardly any water on the road so we managed to do this long haul in good time. Kalbarri was very hot though and the Murchison river was still very swollen. So again the canoe trip down the gorge, which we had hoped to do, was cancelled because of all the rain further inland and the height of the river. We did see some of the scenery, which is spectacular.

The next stop was Cervantes, famous for its pinnacles in the desert. We visited those at sunset. From there we worked our way down the coast, stopping in various places, including Lancelin, famous for windsurfing.

It is nice to be back in Perth, no more flies, which were a right pest the last few days.

We are enjoying the Anderson hospitality again and staying in Neil's house in Claremont, while he is convalescing from his knee operation at Tim and Michelle's.

We are due to fly back to Adelaide on the 5th to pick up our car and continue the Australian journey. Direction Sydney and then back to Bundi.