The drive from Silent Grove campground to Bell Gorge (Dalmanyi) is about ten kilometres along a flat bumpy track that winds through the scrub with another three creek crossings.
We were first to arrive in the car park, then we walked the rocky well- marked trail for about two kilometres down to the gorge.
Beautiful Bell waterfall, we think, is The Perfect Waterfall. We crossed the fast flowing Bell River then up and over the escarpment, then rock scrambling to the swimming hole below the waterfall.
Mick swimming at Bell Gorge waterfall
The water was dark grey, fairly clear, and refreshingly cool, not cold at all. We had the pool to ourselves until we saw the next pair of trekkers peering down from above the waterfall.
Back at the river above the falls I luxuriated in a clear fast flowing spa pool. By then lots of other people had arrived carrying their colourful noodles .
Susan having a spa at Bell Gorge
Back at Silent Grove we packed up and drove to the Imintji Community Store for fuel which was $2.80 per litre.
We travelled on the dirt ‘comfortably’ at about 70 km/hr over this section. The ranges were interesting and pretty. One roadside cutting signposted as “Profile of Queen Victoria”.
Profile of Queen Victoria
Our next stop was at Mount Barnett Station Roadhouse. We paid at the busy shop to stay two nights at Manning Gorge campground.
The campground was fairly busy with lots of caravans and camper trailers. We set upon the dust under the scrappy trees then walked to have a look at the Manning River. Our friends @ville2vans were there with their caravans happy to have made it this far.
Orange dust and orange shorts at Manning Gorge campground
The river was a welcome relief after the heat and dust of the road and we had a dip then sat on the rocks in the middle of the stream taking in the scene and letting the little fish exfoliate our feet, while watching the swimmers and trekkers. (I’ll explain this in the next post for Day 4)
Manning River
That evening we paid $25 each to attend a dance performance by the local aboriginal children. It was held in a sandy part of the dry river bed. With recorded audio of singing, sticks, and didgeridoo the children ran their routines while an aboriginal lady explained the dances over a microphone.
Dance performance at Manning River
The performances went on and on repeating the same dances and so after about 1 1/2 hours we left while the dancing continued into the night.
After our sprint across the continent, it didn’t take long to relax into ‘broometime’.
At the Discovery Parks Holiday Park we were lucky to be allocated a beachside campsite that offers uninterrupted views of Roebuck Bay. And it is an ever changing view as the tide gently flows in and then way out every day revealing sand flats.
Beachfront site at Discovery Parks Broome
The first day we drove out to look at the famous Cable Beach. It was Sunday and Little Nippers had just finished. The beach was full of activity, people enjoying the warm winter weather. The very next day the beach was closed due to a three metre saltwater crocodile seen cruising casually in the water heading north. It was only closed to swimmers for 24 hours.
Cable Beach
We felt unhurried about exploring, content to sit in our deck chairs watching the bay. Boats go back and forth, ships, and tenders servicing the moored boats. Jet skis, kayaks, and an Everglades craft whir past.
Close by is the airport and we see all kinds of aircraft, seaplanes, passenger jets small and medium, helicopters, and a military plane.
Mick is periodically tempted by the fish jumping in the shallows in front of us. He spent several days trying to catch one, until the unseen conditions changed and the fish went off the bite.
The pool at this caravan park is resort quality and we have spent some hours lounging, reading, and dipping.
Lazing by the pool at Discovery Parks
We drove north to the Willie Creek Pearl Farm and joined a tour which was well presented and interesting. The things I didn’t know about pearls! During the boat tour of the creek we saw a crocodile lazing on the banks. It slid into the water as we approached, disappearing into the chalky depths.
Willie Creek Pearl Farm tour
By chance some friends are travelling ahead of us in two caravans and we met up in Broome. A mutual friend, Scruff, urged us all to go to Matso’s Brewery to try the Mango Beer and Chilli Beer. Lunch with the group was great, the weird beers not so much. Mick and I went back on another night and had a hot Spicy Margarita.
Lunch with friends at Matso’s Brewery
We went to the town market twice, visited Chinatown, climbed around on the colourful rocks at Gantheaume Point, looked with scepticism at the dinosaur footprints, saw the sunset at Cable Beach, and walked beside the iconic camel train.
Exploring the rocks at Gantheaume Point
Broome has provided a welcome easy holiday in warm weather. I feel rested.
Dinosaur footprints at Gantheaume Point
The Gibb River Road beckons. Our friends have gone ahead already and we might catch up with them again somewhere.
Travellers arrive in the caravan park who have obviously just completed the 660 kilometre dirt road, as their vehicles are coated in red dust and their faces have an expression of jubilation and relief. Mick has spoken to a few and feels as prepared as he can be.
Camel train at Cable Beach
The Peninsula Development Road in Cape York of Far North Queensland looms large in our minds, a memory that is clear and holds residual anguish.
Still the rough road is before us, and if we want to experience the vistas, waterfalls, and waterholes of The Kimberley, this is the way.
We have changed our rig totally. We traded in the Triton for an Isuzu MUX that has more power. And we sold the Royal Flair Aussie Mate for a lighter rig: a Skamper Kamper Dingo. We are sacrificing the luxury and convenience of the caravan with a lighter tent top camper trailer. It will be interesting to see how we like this change.
New rig
We aim to visit the places we had initially planned to visit in 2020 but missed out on due to the pandemic which caused border closures and a forced change of plans. We are heading for the Northwest of Australia.
Once again, I am using the Wikicamps app to plot and log our trip. However, experience informs us that the best laid plans can often go astray.
Trip Plan Part Two
It took a whole year to finally get the repair work done on the caravan. We are not sure if this was because of supply issues during the pandemic, or slack attitude of the repairer, or lack of follow-up by the insurer. Or perhaps a mixture of all three. In the end the repair work did not cost much. We were happy to move the caravan on once the repair was completed and we had retrieved it. We hope the new owners enjoy the caravan as we did.
Royal Flair Aussie Mate
It also took a whole year to get delivery of our new car; supply and demand issues we hear. In the meantime, we enjoy precious time spent with our family, granddaughters and friends.
This trip will not be an extended lifestyle choice, but a winter escape and exploration of some beautiful and warmer parts of this country. And we go with experience and knowledge, rather than as newbies.
I plan to write blog posts about our travels here, however I am aware of the lack of internet access in some of these remote places, so some of the posts will be added after the events. And we can be followed on Instagram @mickandsues
The realities of life on the road with a caravan can be ignored in Social Media (SM). What appears idyllic and glamourous has its difficult side that does not get promoted. In the interest of being authentic this list has some of the things not seen and must be faced:
– Free camps are few and far between and usually crammed full of RVs of every shape and size. The camera shots for SM carefully aim for their exclusion. What might look like a gorgeous spot in the middle of nowhere, may have fifty other RVs behind the photographer.
On the road in WA – pre pandemic 2020
That perfect vivid photo you see on Instagram has had a filter or two applied. Colours #IRL are usually not as “insane”. Even without the filters it can be hard to modify to a gorgeous clear still aqua sea from the ubiquitous brown dirty choppy waves.
Roads are bumpy – sealed and unsealed.
There can be hours and kilometres of boring scenery between the ‘good’ spots. In Australia this is absolutely true, and you often think to yourself that it might be a better option to fly there rather than drive.
Barkly Highway Australia 2020
Smells and sounds not seen in a beautiful picture can ruin the experience for those there #IRL. At 1770 the reek of dead fish sent us on our way not waiting to take those iconic sunset pics. Some locations smell bad.
Beware of the ‘waterfront’ site; when the storm hits waves might come crashing over your caravan.
Waterfront sites Lang Lang Victoria 2020
A beautiful native bird can startle you awake in the middle of the night with its blood-curdling cry. The Australian Bush Stone-Curlew is common in northern Australia.
Bush Stone-Curlew Cooktown QLD 2020
You might need to elbow your way through a crowd to get that closeup of a kangaroo, turtle, or crocodile in the wild. Often the numbers of people in the crowd outnumber the wildlife unfortunately.
Looking at crocs at Cahill’s Crossing East Alligator River Kakadu Northern Territory 2020
You will always need to find a public toilet, and a dump point for emptying the portaloo. These are usually listed on Wikicamps.
Not all towns cater for cars towing caravans. You might drive in and drive out without finding anywhere to stop. Thank goodness for the ‘RV Friendly’ towns.
Some places are too windy, too hot, too cold, or too dry.
Free off-grid RV park in NSW 2020
Some places are inauthentic and trying hard to be something it is NOT. Wave Rock in WA costs $15 just to stop, and above the rock, out of sight, is an ugly manmade concrete dam wall.
Swimming in Australia can be problematic due to sharks, crocodiles, currents, underwater rock formations, and jellyfish. Obey the signs for your own safety. Again, SM photos are deceptive.
Warning sign Esperence WA 2020
Internet and TV connection is spasmodic. Do not rely on either. Carry some cash.
Radio connection in your car is sparse and random.
Country music is everywhere.
Water pressure, toilet facilities, and showers, in caravan parks vary considerably. You need to drop your standards.
Free off-grid RV park in QLD 2020
You still need to do the chores. Food shopping, buying fuel and gas, finding a doctor or dentist or skin specialist, and laundry. It might be a holiday, but …
The car and caravan will need maintenance: tyres, service, new windscreens, fixtures refitted, wheel bearings, and regular cleaning.
Bare feet might look carefree, but you will need various footwear to protect your feet for different reasons: boots, sandals, thongs, runners, closed-toe shoes, etc.
Caravan parks are often full, crowded, cramped, and expensive. Some are difficult to drive in to and get out of.
You will hear and see your neighbours: talk, shout, sing, swear, cry (babies), fart (old men), cough, snore (old women), and give unwanted advice and opinions.
Free off-grid RV park in QLD 2020
Fares, fees, and tickets can be expensive. Many of these are not optional. The Jardine River Crossing return for a car with caravan was $130 in 2020 to cross about 100 metres of shallow, pristine, crocodile-infested salt waters.
School holidays are a difficult time to be on the road as all of the campsites are full. Book ahead for these times or plan to stay put for the duration.
Travellers vary and have different expectations and lifestyle habits: grey nomads, backpackers, families trying hard to be full-time ‘social influencers’, not-quite-retired couples, pets, homeless people, Europeans, permanent residents of caravan parks, drifters, motor-homers, expert and longtime caravanners, surfers, the regulars who come to the same spot every year, and many others.
Travelling in the Year of the Virus 2020 has had some advantages and disadvantages: restricted travel, less people travelling, closed attractions, less people at famous spots, safety measures such as distancing and hand sanitising, closed borders.
Sometimes you will become friends (and then SM friends) with your neighbours and at other locations you might not even speak with those camped next door.
Free off-grid RV park somewhere in Australia 2020
Missing family and friends. You will observe locals enjoying picnics with family and feel invisible and homesick.
Flies and mosquitoes.
Dust.
You will still need to lodge your tax return.
Trust your instincts, go with the flow, enjoy every moment, and be kind and friendly to everyone you meet.
Who knows what 2021 will bring? More travels? More restrictions? The vaccine rolled out?
Captain James Cook was a courageous man who “left nothing unattempted”. His barque, the HMS Endeavour beached at the then-to-be-named Cooktown on the 18th of June 1770.
Statue of Captain James Cook in Cooktown QLD
The museum in town exhibits this history in a wonderfully curated display of stories and objects, including a big anchor and cannon from the ship, recovered by divers in 1970. The book of “Cook’s Journals” is also there in a glass case with selections printed prominently on display walls.
The aboriginal story is shared alongside this story about Captain Cook and his time in this area, offering balance and respect for all of those people in Australia’s past.
The museum building has a unique history of its own as it was originally built in 1889 as a convent for the Sisters of Mercy. Perched on the hill, the views from this heritage-listed building are magnificent across the Endeavour River. A visit to the museum is a must when in Cooktown.
The population here increased during the gold rush of the 1870’s attracting many Chinese and this early influence is still evident in the local culture; the smells wafting at the Saturday morning market attract people to wonderful locally made Asian foods.
We arrived at Cooktown relieved to be back on smooth roads, and keen to clean our vehicles and restore order to our home on wheels.
The caravan park we chose is beautiful with gorgeous tropical trees, plants and birds. We decide to stay until the end of the school holidays. Bush Stone-Curlews dash around hiding behind trees and shrubs. All sorts of cheerful birds call out from the treetops. A pair of Tawny Frogmouths live in the tree next to our caravan, returning to sleep through the day. There are no dogs here and so the birds (and non-dog lovers) can live stress free.
Bush Stone-Curlew (Screaming Woman Bird)
The old town is situated beside the Endeavour River and has great public facilities such as fishing platforms, a free water park, exercise equipment, paved walkways, parks, bbqs, and seats.
We walk up to the summit of Mount Cook stopping at the lookouts to catch our breath and take in the panoramic views. On a clear day the Great Barrier Reef is visible. We stroll around the beautiful Botanic Gardens, something every town should have I think.
We drive out to Finch Bay, the Annan River, Quarantine Bay, and up along the Endeavour River. It is a pretty area with epic mountain ranges all about. Mick goes fishing at the wharf and other places. He catches a few too small to keep and one far too big to land.
Cooktown QLD
Then the wind arrives! Gale force waves like trains thundering past rock our caravan all day and night. We’ve not experienced wind like this since our camping days at Wilson’s Promontory in Victoria. And then a bushfire breaks out to the west of the town. We had heard fire sirens in the afternoon but couldn’t see or smell smoke. Our son in Victoria asks how we are and tells us of the fire. When we look it up online we see it is serious and people have been asked to evacuate. We think that the owners of the caravan park would advise us if necessary. That night I see a red glow in the sky to the west. The wind direction has been from the east and we are not in the path of the fire for now. The next day a fellow camper tells me that she has seen on the app that it is under control. We have no Internet connection for half the day.
As well as the older grey nomads who wander this land filling caravan parks and free parks, there is a growing number of families doing the same thing. These are young parents with their children. The children are probably “home”-schooled. Inspired by the Trip In A Van family, who have been doing this for about five years with three children, and now making the cost-of-living ends meet, they all proudly advertise their Social Media handle on their rigs and covet a life of sponsorship so that they can sustain this lifestyle choice.
It was funny to return to our campsite in Cooktown one day to find the Trip In A Van family setting up beside us. We said hello, compliment them on their YouTube videos, and wish Justin well with his fishing escapades.
The next day we start the slow journey south. We hope the state borders will be open for Christmas.
The oysters disappeared faster than the cold drinks while we sat in the hot shade of the Oyster Bar at Darwin Waterfront. There is a lot going on in this area and invites relaxing with a drink and a bite to eat while watching all that is happening.
Waterfront Darwin NT
A manicured sandy beach is watched over by lifeguards and is a safe protected area of the sea where large scaly sea reptiles cannot enter. Lovely green grassy slopes have large wooden lounges placed under shady trees for anyone to use. Locals gather in bikinis and board shorts enjoying the day where normal winter temperatures are in the low to mid 30’s (Celsius).
In the corner is a wave pool where children bob around on plastic tubes waiting for the next artificial set. A short jump across the walkway and there in the sea water large barramundi and other fish look up expectantly waiting to be hand fed.
Further out the large sea wharf is home to big industrial tugs and other boats, secured for the high tidal variations of the swirling murky green waters. People drive out and fish from the high platform. Another restaurant offers shade beer and exceptional sea views.
Earlier we had visited the War Museum at East Point which documents and curates the bombing of Darwin by the Japanese back in 1942. We watch the interesting film then wander amongst the displays of vehicles, guns, uniforms, and many other artefacts including the Vietnam War, and the two World Wars.
War Museum East Point Darwin NT
We seek out the library which is in the exquisite building of the Supreme Courts. Inside it is cool in the grand empty foyer that has uninterrupted views out to sea. Inside the library there is an excellent exhibition about Darwin and the Northern Territory, and we sit to watch another old news reel that celebrates Darwin of the 1950’s.
Library and Archives Building Darwin NT
We visit family of family who live in Darwin and enjoy a lovely afternoon on their deck in the hot shade, chatting, eating mud-crabs, and drinking beer, admiring the rainforest backdrop.
The caravan park where we are staying is 25 kilometres from the Darwin Waterfront at a suburb named Virginia. It is small crowded, has a small swimming pool, and a noisy busy laundry. There are permanent caravanners, noise from the Stuart Highway, and too many dogs. I had looked at the reviews on Wikicamps and this caravan park certainly had better reviews than the other caravan parks in and around Darwin. Surely Darwin can offer more than this though. After the gorgeous spacious caravan park at Katherine, this one disappoints.
We get our car serviced, complete our tax returns, and get ready for a trip out to Kakadu.
We have now spent eleven weeks in lockdown on the small farm in Riverside near Horsham. That is the same amount of time we had previously spent on the road. We hope we can move soon and prepare for that. Mick has checked the bearings on the caravan wheels. I have made some initial enquiries at caravan parks hoping for some positive action soon.
This time here has not been wasted or a failure but fortuitous in many ways. Mick celebrated his 60th birthday with our family at home on the Mornington Peninsula. We walked through our youngest son’s new build project. We spent precious time laughing and playing with the little granddaughters. Mick played golf with his mates. I had a much-needed haircut.
Precious time with family
We both caught a cold, probably from the granddaughters, and had a CoViD-19 test that was uncomfortable, necessary, and negative.
We visited friends who have a large property near Wycheproof, and it was nice to stroll around in the winter sun amongst the Mallee eucalypts surrounded by green grass.
Mick’s brother had unexpected heart surgery, so it was lucky we were here for support and to help gather the firewood for these cold days in the Wimmera. The farm animals are used to us now and allow us to pat them.
Wimmera Days
We bought a new heater for the caravan to endure the -1⁰C frosty nights, and we snuggle up re-watching Game of Thrones on DVD. So, no adventures, no walks in the wild, no swimming or snorkeling, while patiently waiting for the Government to give the signal that we can move again.
My heart goes out to the decision-makers in government who have applied themselves to this huge problem with diligence, hard work, sacrifice, and genuine care. It must feel a bit like herding cats. We have supported their efforts by following the rules, staying home, only making day trips once that was allowed, self-isolating when necessary, keeping distance, using hand sanitiser, downloading the app, and trying to remain positive and self-sufficient.
We were in Cue of the Western Australian goldfields when the Northern Territory Minister announced they were closing the borders for possibly six months. This put a pause to our travel plans as we were heading north and planned to eventually cross over into the NT and then to Darwin.
Then the Western Australian Premier stated that “Anyone planning to travel to Western Australia – DON’T!” Yes, well what about all the people who were already in Western Australia travelling around in caravans and vans? His message placed an attitude of “you are not welcome”.
Then both the South Australian borders and Western Australian borders were going to be closed on Tuesday 24 March. So, we decided then and there on Sunday at 3pm to pack up and make a dash for the border. It would be a close call as we were a long way away: 1,643 kilometres.
I really think that the state premiers did not consider the caravanners at all and made no concessions for us. We don’t have a home to return to because it is currently rented out. And many caravanners just own their caravan and that is their permanent home. If the premiers had said to the travelers that you have 72 hours if you wish to return to your home state, otherwise make plans to stay somewhere for a while that would have been a sensible prospect. We considered going to the coast near Geraldton where we might have to stay, and I even contacted a caravan park and paid a deposit. But of course, we didn’t know how long it would be and if either of us did contract the virus then it would be difficult being so far from family, etc. So, we dashed.
We travelled for three and a half days nonstop except for nighttime roadside stops to sleep. We didn’t shower and our only contact with other people was a brief hello at roadside stops, petrol stations, and buying food and coffee. We travelled 3,440 kilometres to arrive at Mick’s brothers house in Horsham where we can self-isolate effectively for fourteen days.
The unseen problem for the travelers was that the announcement stated the border as the place of closure: South Australia by 4pm. So, we assumed like everyone else that this meant the actual border at BorderVillage near Eucla.
On the Tuesday morning we woke early at 4am and so decided we may as well drive on to the border crossing that was only about 300 kilometres away. We drove in the dark through fog watching for kangaroos. It was tense. Hundreds of caravans and other vans were camped at the roadside stops as we passed.
At the border there was nothing, no checking, no stoppages and we drove straight through into South Australia. There was a long queue of caravans waiting to be checked coming through to Western Australia. We were confused, until I received a message from a fellow traveler who said they got through the checkpoint at Ceduna okay. Ceduna! At the other end of the Nullarbor Plain! That was at least five hours away: 482 kilometres!
We dashed. The road on the Nullarbor Plain is narrow with no aprons, uneven and windy in places. And there were literally thousands of cars, caravans, vans, road trains, and wide load trucks speeding for the borders in both directions. It was so dangerous. If the State Premiers had stopped to think they would have seen the absurdity of mobilizing all these people unnecessarily. I’m sure most of these people would have been happy to stay put in a designated place if given the option. So instead all these people were just adding further potential for spreading the virus across the borders.
How many got caught out thinking they would make the border in time only to realise belatedly that the check point was not actually at the SA border, I can only guess.
We made the checkpoint at Ceduna with forty-five minutes to spare, weren’t questioned by police, didn’t have to fill in a statutory declaration, and didn’t have to officially commit to the fourteen days of self-isolation. But all those travelers behind us – where were they going to self-isolate?
I took photos of the sky as we traveled. Beautiful rainbows splashed across the sky several times and I took this as a promise of right decisions and good things ahead.
Sky while traveling across borders
We arrived in Renmark close to the Victorian border and got into a caravan park there. The lady spoke to me over the phone as she was in the office behind the closed door. She asked if our caravan was self-contained, which it is. And although we could use the caravan park amenities, I think she was preparing for a time where the park closes and the caravanners must fend for themselves on site. It is a lovely caravan park on the banks of the Murray River and in different times we would stay longer. But in the morning, we decided to get over the border into Victoria at least just in case they decide to close that border too.
Sky and landscape while traveling across states
In contact with our family, we decided to head for Horsham where we could be self-sufficient and self-isolate just to be sure we hadn’t picked up the germ in transit somewhere.
We are lucky to be able to park our caravan, hook up to power and water, and have the use of a little cabin that is on the property. We really appreciate this in these challenging times. We shopped for groceries at the local store, and now are into our own lockdown.
Back to Victoria
After a good sleep I got up to do some yoga, have a shower in the caravan, and do some clothes washing, while Mick washes the mud and red dirt off the car and caravan.
Our planned once-in-a-lifetime Big Lap of Australia ended. Hopefully Mick and Sues Aussie Adventure can continue in the future once this virus pandemic has run its course (and we survive).
Clouds cluster and the sunlight vanishes. The two-story building stands empty and alone in a stony field. The front façade made of grey stone veiled under a patina of red dust. White wooden front doors that once welcomed members to this lodge, now closed forever.
Masonic Lodge Cue WA
Eight darkened windows arranged in perfect symmetry aside an elaborate portico that extends to the roof and is donned with a tower-like cap. French doors once opened onto a small verandah above. Decorative white painted iron filigree now rusting with neglect. Red dusty corrugated iron covers the faded green roof and other external walls.
I ignore the call of the crows as I reach for my camera. Through the lens, a blur; was that a movement behind the upper window? I lower the camera and look to check; nothing. The crows cry out. I take two photographs and turn. Suddenly I feel the flap and puff of feathers against my face as the crow swoops. I look up and the second crow swoops aiming for my face below my hat. I dash along the empty street with hands above my head to ward off the black spirits as they pursue me. I need no further convincing. This is just one of several haunted houses in this once prosperous gold-mining town of Cue.
Gold was discovered here in 1892 and the town was named after Tom Cue who registered the claim. Like other towns in the goldfields region of Western Australia, Cue was a hive of activity during the early 1900’s. Nowadays the town still operates despite a main street of empty shops. Large mining concerns operate in this area and road trains barrel back and forth through town all day and night not slowing to the 60 kilometre limit. Some of these long-wheelers have five trailers attached.
Tourists like us also visit especially during the cooler months of the year. The main attractions are gold-fossicking, aboriginal rock art, heritage buildings, and the wildflower season. At the moment it also has a secondary attribute as a remote recluse during this COVID-19 pandemic.
Peppermint green water of Geographe Bay, neon green grass, and eucalyptus green leaves of the gumtrees at the caravan park; Peppermint Grove is aptly named and is an oasis located within the dry salt inlets and marshes of the strip of land between Busselton and Bunbury.
Peppermint Grove Beach WA
The Australian Ringneck parrot shares the trees at the campground with a family of magpies, an occasional kookaburra, and hyperactive wattle birds. The Australian Ringneck has a green body, black head, and a distinctive yellow collar. This variety of parrot is not seen on the Mornington Peninsula where we call home. Each time I try to take a photo of one, it is gone before I am ready.
It was very relaxing surrounded by all this green and the campground is spacious set out generously on the grass under the pleasing variety of eucalypts. Also no dogs allowed which added to the serenity. A new variety of eucalypt caught my eye, with its bright yellow flowers and red bud caps. I looked it up and it is an Illyarrie Red-Capped Gum (Eucalyptus Erythrocorys). The bees and birds were loving it as much as me.
The beach fronts onto the large Geographe Bay and stretches into the distance in both directions. The water is a gorgeous shade of green distinctive as the Indian Ocean. It is perfect for swimming as it drops quickly to a nice depth. Few people were on the beach.
A walk down Busselton Jetty cost us four dollars each for the privilege, and we passed on the train ride and aquarium. We wanted the exercise and like walking out on piers, and we had visited that aquarium once before on a previous visit. It is a lovely foreshore area with designated netted swimming areas, cafes, and a great playground. Local school children were having swimming lessons in one section of the netted swimming areas.
Busselton and Bunbury WA
We took a day trip to Bunbury which is an interesting location as it has the beach front to Geographe Bay, another inner bay with a large industrial port, then a deeper inlet. The parks along the beachfront, bay beach, and inlet are nicely set out with bike trails, swimming areas, boat ramps, parking, and lookouts. We had lunch at the Back Beach Café looking out to sea where quite a few large ships idled. Bunbury is not a pretty town but it is interesting.
Mick & Sue's Aussie Adventure 