Kalbarri to Perth

Leaving the beautiful town of Kalbarri behind us we drove down the coast and stopped at a place called Hutt Lagoon near Port Gregory. Hutt Lagoon is also called Pink Lake due to its distinctive pink colour. The pink hue is created by bacteria (Dunaliella salina), which becomes trapped in the salt granules.

Maddi Mermaid on a rock

Hutt Lagoon otherwise known as Pink Lake

A side trip took us through Chapman Valley and some very scenic rolling hills then on to Coronation Beach which was a lovely council run campground with basic facilities right on the beach. Our afternoon walk along the beach ended up with the girls a little wet as they tempted the waves more and more until Ella was knocked over by one, still fully dressed and loving it.

Tig strolls along Coronation Beach

The beginning of tempting the waves

Maddi knocked over this time

Clothes and all but they had a ball.

I love photos of our girls holding hands

Coronation Beach Council Campground

The next morning it was onto Geraldton to collect mail and refuel. Locating the Caltex on the map was one thing but getting the rig to the diesel pump was a whole different story, with Thea directing traffic Tig maneuvering through the tight turns we were happy to be back on the road.

Maddi reading a book we collected in the mail

Lunch was called at Greenough Central Historical Township where we wandered the dozen or so well restored, turn of the century buildings. The kids had a great time with a school building complete with desks and an exam that needed a little modification for each of the girls to complete. There was also a courtroom where we ran mock trials to everyone's amusement and the community hall where the three kids put on a performance. 

The school house

Tig the teacher

Maddi the student

He is so cute sometimes

Bloomfield Court in session

Anglican Church

Community hall where the kids performed

More buildings in the distance

A little detour off the main road took us to the nearby Alinta Wind Farm. This particular wind farm has 54 turbines which produces enough energy to supply approximately 60,000 homes. Each blade is 41 meters in length and rotates at a regular 14.4 revolutions per minute, the blade tip is travelling at 220km/h. They are huge and a very peaceful sight although they are actually quite noisy up close. 

Fields of cows and turbines

I loved the purple flowers and the overcast sky 

Once back on the main road we headed down to a free camp spot called Cliff Head North where we pulled into the sea side rest area just before sunset and with a very light drizzle. With the youngest two asleep in the back of the car Tig and Maddi jumped out and went for a search along a two-wheeled track along the foreshore. The radio call came back to Thea telling her to drive the rig up as they had found a beautiful secluded spot. It was a little tight making the turn to get in and a little shrub pushing/pruning was achieved using the van but the enjoyment was having a great view and we didn't need to share it with anyone. With the van parked for the night Thea got onto making dinner while Tig and Maddi went to explore the shore. On Ella's waking she decided to join the others and headed across the piles of dried seaweed. Unfortunately she choose the wrong path and as Thea watched from the van door Ella stumbled, sank, screamed and quickly clawed her way out of a bog of seaweed and stale salt water. Tig and Maddi ran down the beach to a hysterical Ella covered in smelly gunk down her legs and arms and missing two thongs. After Tig managed to calm Ella down, operation recover thongs took place. Thankfully Ella had left one thong on top of the swamp as a marker so Tig new roughly while standing ankle deep in it where to dig with the shovel to uncover the other. With two thongs recovered it was a warmish trug wash off for both girls and Tig before pyjamas for all. Kai however slept through the whole ordeal, which was probably quite helpful so as to avoid a second victim to the smelly swamp. 

Cliff Head North camp

Maddi using the binoculars to see an mining rig offshore

Maddi making her way across the seaweed litter

How Ella looked when Tig reached her

The swamp with shoe marker

Tig the thong rescuer

Typical Ella all smiles now

The fantastic sunset we had from our door

The rain seemed to set in the following morning as we made our way further down the coast stopping at The Pinnacles. The Pinnacles is one of WAs famous icons and was a must stop on Thea's list. On our arrival at the National Park gate we where told we could drive or walk around The Pinnacles but to drive the marked circuit we would have to unhook the van and leave it in the car park. We decided to park and have lunch in the van first before making a decision and also see what the weather was doing. After lunch we put on raincoats, grabbed the umbrella intending to walk to the Visitors Centre and at least the first lookout. Thankfully as we started our walk around The Pinnacles the weather improved with patches of blue sky seeping through and not one drop of rain. We spent about an hour walking the 1.5km loop taking photos and playing 'Going on a Bear Hunt' around the limestone structures. Each of us took it in turns being the bear and making a foot print path through The Pinnacles for the rest of the family to follow to the bears hideout. The bear would often jump out at the hunters with a big scary growl. 

Three cheeky monkeys in raincoats

Cars driving through The Pinnacles

Bear Kai hiding from the hunters 

Three hunters searching for Mummy bear

Kai practising his name in the sand

After our Pinnacles play park we continued down a new stretch of road and into Perth, or more accurately Fremantle for a few days. Just enough time to get the car serviced, clean the bikes thoroughly and catch up on the washing. 

These were lazy days around the caravan park and included a walk to South Beach while Tig picked up the car followed by dinner on Fremantle's cappuccino strip in a very kid friendly restaurant complete with colouring in competition. 

South Beach Park

The next morning we all rode back to South Beach Park (they have excellent bike paths in Fremantle and in fact for what we saw, Perth as a whole) before heading into Perth to the GPO for mail. In Perth we met up with Grant, Jenny and Kee Chan for an early dinner and to formulate a plan for the next week and a bit while they join us through the South West corner. After dinner we did a quick food shop in preparation for leaving Perth. 

Girls ride across the railway line

Thea and passenger Kai

Meeting up with Kee Chan in Perth City

The boys get straight to playing together

Early the next morning Tig took the car to get roof racks installed so the kids bikes could go on the roof and hopefully be used more. While Tig was gone Thea packed up the van and had everything ready for a late departure. We drove back into the city and pulled up just outside Kings Park where we met up with Grant, Jenny and Kee Chan and their motorhome. After a play on the play equipment and picnic lunch we loaded up and drove out of the city heading south to the Margaret River area. 

New roof rack

Kai and Kee Chan hand in hand

Grant, Jenny and Kee Chan's motorhome

Next up you can read all about the South West Corner from our guest blogger, Grant.

Until then…

Tig & Thea