After two weeks in the city, we loaded up our Toyota Tarago mini-van and headed inland. We had to get used to driving in Western Australia as the distances between towns is significantly greater than on the east coast. At the end of the first day, we had driven 887 km and were in Kalgoorlie. En route, we stopped briefly at Wave Rock, but after forty minutes of enduring the flies and the heat, we were back in the van with the air conditioning on full blast. By the time we arrived in Kalgoorlie and checked into our hotel it was 7:30 pm and we needed something to eat. Unfortunately for us the restaurant in our hotel was closed for the holidays and after a tour around the city it became apparent that our options were limited. We ended up at an excellent Indian restaurant. No problem for Craig, Lynda and Tom, but kudos to Peggy, Jenna and Kristin for trying something new. Kalgoorlie was the site of the gold rush in the late 1800s and mining continues here to this day. It is a quaint little town with plenty of shops and sights to see. The morning of day two started with a visit to the Super Pit lookout, then we headed over to the Mining Museum. It was such a relief to go underground into the mine to a cool 25 degrees C and get away from the stifling heat. The outside temperature reached 43 degrees C that day, but according to the locals, it wasn't that hot. Maybe not for them, but some of us felt like we were melting. We all appreciated a dip in the pool at the rec centre at the end of the day.
Our second destination was Esperance, a mere 447 km away. The day after arriving we drove out to Lucky Bay in Cape Le Grand National Park. It is rated as one of Australia's most beautiful beaches. The sand is pure white, the water is a brilliant turquoise and you can often find kangaroos on the beach. We didn't see any while we were there, but there were plenty of them (and emus too) in the scrub alongside the road. We celebrated New Year's eve in Esperance after a delicious meal at a Chinese restaurant, except that maybe we didn't actually stay up until midnight. The next day we were up early and on the road again, headed for Albany.
Albany was a pleasant surprise. After 5:00 pm, most of the towns in Western Australia are deserted, but during the day, the main street in Albany was bustling with activity. Jenna and Kristin were able to purchase some souvenirs and Lynda stocked up on books. We spent the afternoon at Whale World, Australia's last operating whaling station which was decommissioned in 1978. After a guided tour and a series of movies, we toured the Cheynes IV Whale Chaser. Later that evening, we drove out to the Albany Wind Farm. It is quite a spectacular sight to see the twelve turbines along the rugged coastline with the sun setting in the background. Even the girls were impressed.
Day seven found us back on the road, heading towards our final destination, Augusta. We stopped at the Valley of the Giants Wilderness Discovery Centre to do the tree top walk. It is located right in the middle of a forest of Tingle trees and at certain points the walkway is 40 metres above the ground. Our next stop was the Gloucester tree near Pemberton. It is a 72 metre Karri tree and one of eight old firewatch stations in the area. The real excitement surrounding this tree is that you can climb to the top of it via 153 spikes that encircle it. We appreciated the opportunity to get out of the van and exercise our arms and legs. It was an invigorating climb and once you make it to the top, you are rewarded with spectacular views from the platform. We arrived in Augusta in the early evening and settled into our two bedroom chalet. From the rear deck we were able to watch the kangaroos and a herd of Black Angus steers in the paddock.
Unfortunately Craig came down with a serious case of the flu and had to stay in bed for two days. While he was sleeping, we toured around the Margaret River area. We went to a chocolate factory, a cheese factory and a candy factory. (Needless to say, our wallets were significantly lighter after these stops.) We also did a tour of the Lake cave, swam and sunbathed at Redgate beach and spent hours shopping. Grandma and Uncle Tom even made it out to a meadery where they sampled wine and liqueur made from honey. A little something for everyone.
Craig rejoined us for our final day. We drove to Busselton to see its jetty, which at 1841 metres is the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere. It is currently being refurbished so we were only able to walk the first 200 metres. We enjoyed a picnic lunch by the water, then made an impromptu stop in town so our navigator could get his bearings. Uncle Tom parked right beside a surf shop to the delight of the girls. They scooted inside and were successful in finding the "rashies" they had long been searching for. (Hurray, the shopping is finished.) Before heading over to Yallingup to see some beaches we made a much needed stop at Simmo's Icecreamery and Fun Park, located on the outskirts of Dunsborough. Mmm, mmm, good!
On our way back to Perth we made one last stop at the Dolphin Discovery Centre in Bunbury. Unlike Tin Can Bay these are the more commonly known Bottle-nosed dolphins. As naturally playful creatures they swim into the bay to check out the people who are standing waist deep in the water waiting for them. They made two appearances while we were there. While you are not allowed to touch them, it is an amazing privilege to be able to be so close to them.
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Our road trip has come to an end. The total mileage for these twelve days was 3388 km. Sadly, our return to Perth means the return of Grandma, Jenna and Kristin to Canada. It was a pleasure having them here, and we hope that they will cherish these memories forever, as we will.
View Photos
Our second destination was Esperance, a mere 447 km away. The day after arriving we drove out to Lucky Bay in Cape Le Grand National Park. It is rated as one of Australia's most beautiful beaches. The sand is pure white, the water is a brilliant turquoise and you can often find kangaroos on the beach. We didn't see any while we were there, but there were plenty of them (and emus too) in the scrub alongside the road. We celebrated New Year's eve in Esperance after a delicious meal at a Chinese restaurant, except that maybe we didn't actually stay up until midnight. The next day we were up early and on the road again, headed for Albany.
Albany was a pleasant surprise. After 5:00 pm, most of the towns in Western Australia are deserted, but during the day, the main street in Albany was bustling with activity. Jenna and Kristin were able to purchase some souvenirs and Lynda stocked up on books. We spent the afternoon at Whale World, Australia's last operating whaling station which was decommissioned in 1978. After a guided tour and a series of movies, we toured the Cheynes IV Whale Chaser. Later that evening, we drove out to the Albany Wind Farm. It is quite a spectacular sight to see the twelve turbines along the rugged coastline with the sun setting in the background. Even the girls were impressed.
Day seven found us back on the road, heading towards our final destination, Augusta. We stopped at the Valley of the Giants Wilderness Discovery Centre to do the tree top walk. It is located right in the middle of a forest of Tingle trees and at certain points the walkway is 40 metres above the ground. Our next stop was the Gloucester tree near Pemberton. It is a 72 metre Karri tree and one of eight old firewatch stations in the area. The real excitement surrounding this tree is that you can climb to the top of it via 153 spikes that encircle it. We appreciated the opportunity to get out of the van and exercise our arms and legs. It was an invigorating climb and once you make it to the top, you are rewarded with spectacular views from the platform. We arrived in Augusta in the early evening and settled into our two bedroom chalet. From the rear deck we were able to watch the kangaroos and a herd of Black Angus steers in the paddock.
Unfortunately Craig came down with a serious case of the flu and had to stay in bed for two days. While he was sleeping, we toured around the Margaret River area. We went to a chocolate factory, a cheese factory and a candy factory. (Needless to say, our wallets were significantly lighter after these stops.) We also did a tour of the Lake cave, swam and sunbathed at Redgate beach and spent hours shopping. Grandma and Uncle Tom even made it out to a meadery where they sampled wine and liqueur made from honey. A little something for everyone.
Craig rejoined us for our final day. We drove to Busselton to see its jetty, which at 1841 metres is the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere. It is currently being refurbished so we were only able to walk the first 200 metres. We enjoyed a picnic lunch by the water, then made an impromptu stop in town so our navigator could get his bearings. Uncle Tom parked right beside a surf shop to the delight of the girls. They scooted inside and were successful in finding the "rashies" they had long been searching for. (Hurray, the shopping is finished.) Before heading over to Yallingup to see some beaches we made a much needed stop at Simmo's Icecreamery and Fun Park, located on the outskirts of Dunsborough. Mmm, mmm, good!
On our way back to Perth we made one last stop at the Dolphin Discovery Centre in Bunbury. Unlike Tin Can Bay these are the more commonly known Bottle-nosed dolphins. As naturally playful creatures they swim into the bay to check out the people who are standing waist deep in the water waiting for them. They made two appearances while we were there. While you are not allowed to touch them, it is an amazing privilege to be able to be so close to them.
.jpg)
Our road trip has come to an end. The total mileage for these twelve days was 3388 km. Sadly, our return to Perth means the return of Grandma, Jenna and Kristin to Canada. It was a pleasure having them here, and we hope that they will cherish these memories forever, as we will.
View Photos
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