Starting to head towards Home .

Apr 22nd

It was a lovely sunny day, so we took the bikes into Mandurah to explore the posh part of town. There are lots of cycle tracks around the city. We started at the visitor centre and used the cycle maps, which weren't that great. We got lost, but it didn't matter. We discovered places that weren't on the map. Our first stop was the War Memorial, where we happened to see Dolphins for the first time this trip, swimming around the Mandurah Estuary, with lots of tourist boats driving up to them.

We then went back to where we started on the other side of the estuary and followed the route out to Dolphin Cove. A mega tourist area, where the estuary flows out to the Indian Ocean.

Pinjarra Road Bridge over the Mandurah Estuary

Playground Hall Park

Pigeon without feet

Dolphin Quay Mandurah

Sculpture

Dolphin Quay Mandurah

Dolphin swimming in the canals of Dolphin Quay

Treviso Mews, Dolphin Quay

Dolphin Quay

Mandurah War Memorial, Memorial Park

Apr 23rd

Today was giant hunting day. We visited a few of the Mandurah Giant Sculptures that inhabit the area around Mandurah and beyond. One part of our journey took us to Lake Clifton, where the Thrombolites live. These are one of the earliest living organisms. They are around 2000 years old. This is the largest thrombolite reef in the southern hemisphere.

The hidden giant Jyttes Hyttes is one of the walks in this area. Along the track, we noticed an Orb Spider in its web, and then on the way back, with the sun behind us, there were hundreds of them stretched between the trees across the track. They are known locally as Christmas Spiders.

Hidden Giant Jyttes Hytte

Giant by the Sea- Sebas Song

Giant over the Ocean - Santi Ikto

Giant Yaburgurt Winjan Cirkelstone

Thrombolites - Lake Clifton

Christmas Spider (Orb)

Christmas Spiders (Orbs)

Apr 24th

We left Mandurah today, heading for Coogee Beach. On the way, we stopped off to see another giant on the northern side of Mandurah. He is called Little Lui and is near a swamp with millions of mosquitoes. It was a quick walk with plenty of swatting.

Giant Little Lui

Paperbarks in the Swamp Marlee Park

Paperbarks in the Swamp - Marlee Park

Sunset Coogee Beach, WA

Apr 25th Anzac Day

We took the train to Perth, and we wanted to see Kings Park. Like Melbourne, all the public transport within the city is free. We caught a bus to Subiaco near the last Mandurah Giant to make the full set. Who would have thought we're Art lovers?)

It's in the heritage area of Subiaco, which is a very leafy and peaceful suburb.

We started at the far end of Kings Park and slowly made our way to the Botanical Gardens, then back to the City. Unfortunately, many paths in Kings Park are closed, especially the walkway with the glass bridge. 😞

We caught the bus back to Perth CBD, and the joint was jumping, sailors everywhere and a venue near the Mall playing loud dance music that had a queue all the way down the street. They were still queuing when we passed again hours later.

Giant - Bille Bob (The last of the Mandurah Giants)

Subiaco War Memorial

Tobruk War Memorial, Kings Park Memorial Gardens

Fountain Kings Park Botanical Gardens

Queensland Bottle Tree - Kings Park Botanical Gardens

DNA Tower Kings Park

Views of Perth from Kings Park Botanical Gardens

Row of Lemon Scented Gums Kings Park Botanical Gardens

View of Perth from Kings Park Botanical Gardens

Penguin Sculpture - Elizabeth Quay

Elizabeth Quay

Views of the Perth Skyline from Elizabeth Quay

The compulsory photo.

Apr 26th

We rode our bikes into Fremantle to get a Sunday Roast with Yorkshire Pudding. The ride is along a dedicated cycle/pedestrian path that follows the coast from Coogee Beach. It winds past South Beach and all the way to the Fremantle docks. We stopped off at the Fremantle Markets, which were so busy you could hardly move. Then it was off to the Old Courthouse Hotel for a delicious Sunday Roast of Pork, roast potatoes, veges and a large Yorkshire Pudding.

At the Fremantle docks, we were surprised to see the new Spirit of Tasmania V. It arrived from Leith, Scotland, on the 23rd April. It's in port for border security. It will be leaving in a few days and will dock in Geelong.

The abandoned South Fremantle Power Station

Cycling back to Coogee

Unusual Grand design

Must have been blown off course.

Feo Market Stall

Cycling to Freo

Apr 27th

We left Coogee Beach today and are starting to head for home. We're now in York, it's the oldest inland town in WA. Reminds us a little bit of Clunes but more vibrant. There are lots of great old buildings. We took a stroll around town and visited the Motor Museum.

Town Hall ANZAC poppies.

The Crockadile Dundee Ute.

Wierd Fibreglass Pushy. Made in WA.

I'm not a fan of the Riley front.

Town Hall circle.

Apr 28th

It was a very wet day, and we did a couple of the town self-guided history walks with our raincoats and brollies.

Former Hospital York (now a private residence)

York Suspension Bridge 1888

York Flour Mill

York Post Office

York Courthouse

Coat of Arms in Castle Hotel Painted by Convicts

Castle Hotel York

Apr 29th

The weather has improved markedly. After a bit of maintenance on the caravan, we set off for a drive to Beverley, a nearby country town. We walked around some lovely historical buildings. The railway station is now a gallery for visiting artists. We were invited by the artists in residence for a preview of their art display. The lady weaved baskets and trinkets from vines, and her husband made colourful hats and shopping baskets from recycled baling twine.

Beverley Town Hall

Beverley Court House

Apr 30th

We're now cruising through the wheat belt. We took the back roads from York via Quairadling to the town of Bruce Rock. The back roads were deserted, which made for a pleasant drive. The little towns on the way have a lot of character. We don't know why, but Bruce Rock has a homely feel. It's a lovely little place. It has the widest main street you have ever seen. Four lanes plus cycle lanes wide, and there isn't any traffic.

We've met a few new people to chat with here in Bruce Rock. According to one of the locals, there is a rock called Bruce, but don't waste your time; it's nothing special.

Quairadling Bull.

Quairadling treasure. Apparently, they've been parked here for over 10 years.

Another shed full of old cars

Bruce Rock Hotel

Commemorative Mosaics on the Main St of Bruce Rock.

Bruce Rock Shire Office.

Bruce Rock Murals on the side of the supermarket.

May 1st.

We are staying in the WA southern Central Wheatbelt and heading for Hyden, the home of Wave Rock.

We have ummed and ahhed about going to Wave Rock many times, as we thought it was just another bloody rock. However, it turned out to be well worth the detour. There is more in the area than a weathered rock. We walked around the rock, saw the Hippos yawn, then over the rock to see the Hyden water catchment. They use the rock to catch water with a series of concrete walls that divert the flow of water into a low point at the base of the rock. This supplements the drinking water provided to Hyden.

Then later in the afternoon, we drove out to the Humps and Mulkas cave. This cave has Aboriginal art and over 450 handprints painted on the ceiling and walls of the cave.

Mural in Narembeen, another small town on the way to Hyden.

Narembeen Public Hall.

Iron Draught Horse, Narembeen.

Hippos Yawn, (Linda for scale.)

Wave Rock. (Ken for scale.)

Water diversion wall.

Handprints Mulkas Cave

We call this Garden Gnome rock near Mulkas Cave

A feast.

May 2nd

This morning, we continued our journey through rock country. Every five minutes, there's a turnoff to someone's rock (Allens Rocks, Harry's Rocks, etc.).

We're staying the night in Lake King. This area is known for its salt lakes, crops, and sheep. We did a town bush walk, which was very poorly labelled but quite diverse. It starts off walking through all the old rubbish dump sites for Lake King, then through the salmon gums and termite mounds, and then the water diversion system for flood mitigation.

Pub Christmas tree.

Lake King.

Old rubbish dump in the bush

Salmon Gums

Termite mounds.

Moss circles.

Home Made tractors.

May 3rd.

We are on our way back to Esperance. For a last look at the WA coast. We stopped in at Ravensthorpe to stretch our legs and did a town walk. We arrived in Esperance in the afternoon, set up camp and relaxed before heading to our favourite brewery, Lucky Bay Brewing.

Big Boxer engine.

Ravensthorpe. (Dad Joke)

May 4th.

Today was a lazy holiday day. Just bludging.

Caterpillar conga line.

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