Kununurra to Exmouth

Hi all

Late again with Blog but we have been out in the sticks in WA  

On the way to Kununurra we stopped in at Lake Argyle, We had a look at the dam wall and surrounding area and did the Sunset cruise on the dam, where we saw lots of fresh water crocs and other wild life.

We had a good look round Kununurra and Wyndham the highlights were The Grotto Prison Doab Tree, Five Rivers Look out, Emma Gorge Zebeedee Hot Springs and we touched the Gibb River Road but it was too rough turn back after 200 meters.

Then we drove to the Spring Creek free camp where we took a helicopter fight over the Bungle Bungles better than driving over the very rough road, Lee enjoy the helicopter fight may because I was in the next Helicopter and not in hers.

Then we head down the Highway to Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing where we dropped of the caravan off at the caravan park and went down to Geike Gorge for the river cruise the scenery was wonderful, we had Barra, Chips and Salad from the Pub, it was nice but only a small serve for $15 each.

Next stop was Derby and visited Windjana Gorge and walked close to crocks on river bank, the next day we took the seaplane from Derby to the Horizontal falls which was awesome and then had a Barra Lunch then more runs thought the falls and a river cruise then sea plane back to Derby, end of a Fantastic day out. Even meet up on the trip with Ron Atkins and wife some of you may know him from the Forrestfield days.

We head for Broome but parked caravan at Roebuck Roadhouse which was 30km from Broome and took day trip into Broome, we had a good look around the Broome highlight. On the last day we were heading back to the caravan a noticed a large plum of smoke on the horizon which was the bush around the Roebuck roadhouse and it was still burning as we drove in No damage to any caravan as the Ses guys hose down all the vans .

Then down the road to Port Hedland and Karratha the gas plant was well worth a look then when to Dampier to see the statue of Red Dog by the info board.

Visited many bays on the way down to Exmouth and did some great free camps

Picture not in any order

 Outflow from Argyle Dam

 Lee does not drive car but OK with boat

 Crock having a laugh

 View from lookout Wyndham

 Old Aboriginal drawing

 Lee having a rest in a Tree

 Bye dear I think I am OK

 Shot of one gorge in the Bungle bungles

 Sea Plane from Derby to Horizontal Falls

 The water goes in on the high tide between two breaks in hills and then comes out when tide drops

 Lee, would not get in the other side of the cage where the Sharks were

 Rob Atkins and his wife Anne with the both of us, what a surprise and shock to see him on the bus on pick up from our Caravan Park

 Not a lot of room between the wall of the horizontal falls

Give me a lift, I been waiting hours 

Hi

We have come to the end of our house sit in Humpty Doo in which we have had a great time looking after the 2 cats Neil and Milton and a lovely cross kelpy Scooby, who loves to play fetch, beach and chewing up balls and frizzbies, Scooby loved the beach and we took him there four times and he loved it.

Lee's sister flew in from Townsville the day before her birthday to surprise her and yes Lee did get a shock to see her, We went to the Casino for lunch and to play for a few hours on the pokes.

We showed Lynda some off the sights in around Darwin while she was her some of the included Litchfield National Park,

Lee flew up to Bali to meet up with our daughter Kasey. They had 6 days up there. We left Humpty Doo, and drove through Kakadu, where we did the jumping croc cruise.Very interesting. We saw 20 crocs. Jabiru is a very green and tidy little town. On leaving Jabiru we made our way down to Katherine and turned right to W A. We are now parked up at Big Horse Creek Camp for a few days, then will head to Kununurra. Slowly working our way back to Perth for Xmas. Will keep up dating the blog and keep you all informed of our travels

Regards to all

Lee & Jim 

 Large Termite mound

 Wangi Falls

 Mindil Markets

 Lee and Sister Lynda

 B52 Bomber Darwin

 Auto Museum Darwin Rolls Royce Ute travelled on 53 Sand and Ice Deserts of the world see list of
desert names on back of ute

                                      
.

Regards to all

Lee & Jim  

Travelling to NT May - June 2014

Hi again it been a while since the last blog update, but we are have passing thought some places that have lots to see and do we have travelling with some other caravanner's from Port Augusta up to Katherine and there are lots of places that don't have internet service in the middle of the land and when they did the happy hour took over.

After a couple of nights in Port Augusta we headed up to Woomera,where we stayed for 2 nights. (doing the tourist thing and driving out to Roxby Downs and Andamooka.) Next onto Lake Hart,Glendambo and then a free camp at Bon Bon. Great little spot. We then headed to Coober Pedy.

In Coober Pedy we met a couple from Ballina, and decided to travel together for a while. We did a few tours, and went underground. Very unusual place. On leaving C P, we headed to the border of SA and NT. and did a free camp right on the border. Our next stop was Kulgera, on the turnoff to Uluru. We spent 5 days at the rock, but did not climb it. The local people requested you did not climb. (I think Jim was pleased, he did not have to do it. Kings canyon was an amazing place. Jim did the rim walk, which took 3 and a half hours. While we were in that area we met up with a good friend Bob from Cranbourne Victoria. We managed to have a couple of days with him and his sister Barb.

On our way to Alice Springs we stopped at Finke River free camp.

Alice was an eye opener, it was better than I had expected although the locals do seem to gather in the river bed during the day.

While we where there, we did all of the gorges,(Glen Helen, Ormiston, Serpentine, Ellery, Bighole and Standley Chasm. ) all magnificent. We left the caravan park at 6 30am and got back at 6pm. On the road again, Gemtree, Taylors Creek, Tennent Creek, and a free camp at Banka Banka station.

Then on to Mataranka for a few days of rest, and recouped in the hot springs. Katherine was our next stop , and the beautiful Katherine gorge.

Next stop Hayes Creek, where we visited the old Grove Hill Hotel. Just as we walked out of the hotel, the Ghan train went past. What a awesome sight.

We are now at Coomalie Creek, about 85 kms from Darwin,.this is a beaut little place right next to Litchfield National park. Then we go into Humpty Doo, to do a house sit for a month, as it's just off the Arnhem highway we will be able to visit Kakadu from Humpty Doo.

Places and thing s we have been doing in April 2014

Hi again, Places and thing s we have been doing in April 2014

Lee flew back to Perth (not on her broom) she had to have some tests done and see the grand-kids, she had to have more test in Adelaide and they were OK next tests in 6 months.

I stayed with Bob in Cranbourne and help him with some odd jobs around the property. We took a few days to pack up, then we were on the road again.

Our first stop was one of our favourites, Laanecoorie free camp, (a beautiful spot on the Loddon river), where we stayed for 4 days. Our friends Maree & Ron were there, with the wine chilled. Our next stop was at Hopetoun, at Lake Lacselles free camp on the lake. We had a bit of rain and ended up staying a week.. the camp has good amenities with hot showers and town water. We met a very interesting young man called Chris and his pet dog

Fido. Chris made us some scones for morning tea, Fido liked to come and visit. On the road again, stopping at Murrayville for 1 night (good spot only $10 Powered site), then on to Renmark where we met up with Gail & Keith, good friends from Perth. After a few nights we moved onto Gawler and stayed 1 week. While in Gawler we caught the train into Adelaide (free with our seniors card) and had a good look around. We went out to the whispering wall, which is just outside town, it was amazing and should be a must do for an visitor to Gawler.

Had 5 days left on a travel auction at Mannum so headed down that way. The caravan park is on the river, and it is great to see the river boats going up and down. The Murray Princess is a sight to see. The bird life is abundant, we even had 2 black swans near our door. From here we will go to Port Broughton, on the Yorke Peninsula, where we will have 5 days, before heading up towards Port Augusta then onto Coober Pedy, and Alice (plus all in between). Jim has had Shingles, on his right arm, and has visited the docs a couple of times. Hopefully this new medication will work.

So now it is full steam ahead and on with our travels.  

That's all for now folks be safe Jim and Lee

 Happy hour at Laanecoorie  

 Our Caravan at Lake Lascelles right next to the lake

 Murrayville hotel turn right to caravan park great place to stop over

 Pelecan with Carp in throat in Renmark

 Lee broke it in Adelaide 

 Whispering wall must see when near Gawler SA

 Murray Princess

 Our Caravan at Mannum Caravan Park near Bird Sanctuary

 Black Swan, looking for directions to WA

 Lee asking Black Swan to look at me, look at me 

Another great picture of our Caravan 

Things we did in March 2014

Hi All

We hope this blog finds you all safe and well, We left Cranbourne and headed to the Melbourne port to board the Spirit of Tasmania which we had to be there for 5.45am as there was a cruise ship in port at the same time so we were advised to be there early.

The we departed on time and sailed down Port Phillip Bay towards the heads and into Bass Strait it was very calm sailing, Lee rang our friends, Andrew and Helen who live in Lonsdale, to let them know we were on our way to Tasmania, they went down and wave a towel from the Point Lonsdale jetty.

We past thought the heads and the sea became a little more choppy but then well past the heads it was quite calm again, we had recliner seats on the ferry as it was a day sailing and we could walk around and read.

We arrive in Devonport and the next day we went down to Launceston to book in to the motel and then go and pick up our friends Rocky and Sue, from the airport.

We had three nights in Launceston where we had day trips out and about, the highlights were Cataract Gorge, Tour guild around Town, Drive up the west side of the Tamar River and then over the Batman bridge, while we were taking photos of the bridge and a car pulled up and in it was a old work mate Danny from Perth, fancy seeing him at the bridge.

We continued up the east side of the Tamar river to Low Head and then back down to Launceston to have a few drinks.

We then toured east to Scottsdale, St Helens where we were to stop for the night but there was no accommodation left in town, so we contained down to the coast to find some room for the night, we found a house to rent for the night in Swansea.

We then headed for Port Arthur where we spent 2 nights, there is a lot to see and is very interesting, the entry ticket is for two days so we took advantage of this offer.

We then headed to Hobart for three nights the highlights were Mt Wellington, Cadbury Chocolate Factory, Old Hobart Town, Constitution dock where we saw Wild Oats yacht and the air walk in Huonville,

We then moved on to Strahan, passing though New Norfolk, Hamilton, Ouse, Lake Stain Clare and Queenstown look like moon scape from the old gold mining days.

Strahan, We did the Gordon River cruise which was awesome day out and a wonderful lunch and great commentary along the way by the Captain.

We left Strahan and head for Cradle Mountain but on the way the weather changed and the rain came we only managed to get some good photos of the mountain,

We then headed fro Burnie for the hight but again no room available so we found rooms in Somerset, the next morning we head west to Stanley to see the Nut and other highlights.

Then back to Launceston via Devonport, Latrobe, Deloraine Hadspen to drop of Rock and Sue in the morning at the airport. After saying goodbye to our friends we went back into Launceston for lunch, then drove to Perth. A little place, but at least we can say we have been there. The next day we headed back to Devonport via Sheffield. A pretty place with lots of muriels painted on the sides of buildings. We even had our photos taken with a baby Alpaca. (so cute). We finally sailed at 7.30 pm , and we were glad we had booked a cabin for the night. The trip to Melbourne was smooth .

Hope you all stay safe and well till next time

Regards Jim & Lee

                                                                   On the ferry

                                                      Point Lonsdale

                                                             Arriving in Tasmania

                                                            Ships Masts in Launceston

                                                            Cataract gorge

                                                               Cataract gorge

                                                        Low Head Light House

                                             Tree of Carving with the Sculpturer

 Pinky the beer drinking pig

                                   
                                           Tassie Devil

                                       Can you see my halo (they don't call me JC for nothing)

                                               It's a bit windy and cold on top Mt Wellington

                                                           Air walk Lee at the end

                                           Lee with her friends (even the dolls are bigger)

One little old lady drives this mean machine, the Water Buffalo Horns are 28 years old