KALBARRI OF COURSE

We could never head north and not go to Kalbarri. Its one of those places we have become quite fond of and can see ourselves retiring here. As you approach Northhamptom make sure you take the scenic route to Kalbarri. This will take you past some nice green fields and pastures and then past the PINK LAKES. Apparently they mine these lakes for beta carotene and this is what causes the pink color.
Kalbarri is one of those lovely little fishing towns that has now become super popular with tourists who are attracted not only to the peaceful little river mouth with its idyllic fishing and swimming, but also the National Parks which boast some of the worlds most stunning gorges and lookouts.
We stayed at the Murchison Caravan Park which is nice and handy. The beach is across the road and the first thing we did on arriving of course was to get some bait and try out lizzy's new fishing rod. All she caught was a sweet little baby fish that was as cute as a button

NEMO"S FRIEND..

ITS STILL A FISH! IT STILL COUNTS.

 Trouble was she let it go but it kept coming back again. John also caught a blowie the size of a small cup. Lucky no one was depending on fish for tea. (not that I ever would) The sun came out after this and it was nice just sitting on my chair enjoying the warmth.

BLOW FISH RULE

The travelling tires you out and so early to bed. Its taking a little getting used to sleeping in the single bed but after my third night it's getting better.
We were up early the next day watching the pelicans getting a feed. Apparently it was started by a local nearly 30 years ago and it happens every morning at 0845 hours ever since. The kids love it and get to feed them as well.
I have taken a few pics of the area around the foreshore to give you a little bit of the scenery.

THE RIVER MOUTH

JOHN N LIZZY OUT FOR A KAYAK

HERE FOR A FEED

Next day we were out to the Parks. A 26 km drive brought us out to the famous Natures Window and Z Bend gorges.

HI THERE.

People come from all over the world to stand at  Hawks Head rock, a rocky protrusion that juts out from the tip of the gorge. Tourist dismiss the warnings and stand out proudly on this part of the rock for a fab photo. I could only just bring myself to walk out on the very protective railed board lookout without feeling as though somehow I would faint and fall head first into the gorge. John and Lizzy continued to laugh of course and when making our way out to the Natures Window there was no mistaking the coward that needed much coaxing to actually bring herself to make the precarious journey just to get the prized picture sitting at the window. Lizzy and John just strutted straight out there and many parents walked around cliff ledges with their children dangling and not a care in the world. In fact I heard one mother tell her little children to stand tall at the window to see if they could touch the roof (no parent at their side). At that point I had to stop myself from reminding her it was a sheer drop the other side and her children would not be standing very tall if they fell. However one look from John and all I could do was turn my head until finally she had her pictures and the kids were away safely from the window. 

GOING DOWN WAS EASIER I"M SURE

JUST NEED A MOMENT TO CATCH UP

Anyhow, enough of that. I have an inbuilt fear of heights so to me it was probably worse than it was to everyone else. The views were well worth the fear of high places and I'm glad to say we have the picture now to prove I was actually there.

JOHN VERY TEMPTED TO SHOW ME THE SHORTCUT DOWN TO THE GORGE

NICE VIEW

WE"RE HERE

                                                          HAWKS HEAD LOOKOUT

Susan, your boys would love the adventure of it all  and there is also  hikes around the gorges that take 2-3 hours to complete that I'm sure you and the family would thoroughly enjoy. The views are astounding. I know Chris Kate and Ian have been here before. 

ROSS GRAHAM LOOKOUT

NO TEMPTATION TO GO CLOSER!

THE WINDOW WAS OPEN

COME ON SONIA>> I WILL CATCH YOU!!

THE GORGES ARE REALLY STUNNING.


Walking up and down the lookout paths is a good walkout and a little hairy in some spots but well worth it.  I think that this is one of the better times to visit as its not too hot. A little while ago someone perished in the blazing heat. It can reach temperatures of over 50 degrees in the gorges so if you do go out there are plenty of warnings about heat and taking water with you.
The other nice thing is all of the wildflowers that are out. But will leave that for another day.

And so ends our couple of days in Kalbarri.
Coral Bay awaits'  Love to all
Sonia, John n Lizzy xxxxxxxx

  

GREENOUGH

Have you ever passed by a place at least half a dozen times and thought to yourself  "One day, I'm going to stop there and have a look around"?  Well Greenough, just south of Geraldton, is that place for us.

We've driven past at a 100kms an hour and each time I say to John how much I would like to explore that little old township, with all its limestone and rock buildings. Of course, each time we just sailed past. But not this time. There were no excuses and so shortly after leaving Dongarra, we were pulling in to this very historical site, parking the van and walking up to the doors of the very roomy old original house that now serves as the welcome rooms and restaurant/gift shop. That in itself was a lovely experience as the shop was full of things I would love to purchase and coffee and pastries to satisfy the best of appetites.

Having our own access to coffee and a bicky though we did not stop to enjoy their selection. We paid our family fee of $14 and entered the old town. The first building was a little old schoolhouse and just walking through the door made me visualize the children that would have sat behind the little wooden desks hard at work doing their school work.

THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE

TIME FOR SCHOOL

SCHOOLKIDS IN GREENOUGH

 There was a picture of one such group taken many many years ago and I could have looked at that picture all day. So we took a picture of the picture and that will have to do for now. The desks in this photo were still there.
 The gaol was also one of those places where you stop to reflect upon who walked the ground many years before you and just why were they there. 


 The courthouse was at the same site so once found guilty it was straight through the door and into the gaol. 

GUILTY AS CHARGED.  GO DIRECTLY TO GAOL AND DO NOT PASS GO!

The conditions must have been pretty bad. Even going to the loo was a hard task.

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THE TOILET AT THE GAOL

THE OLD STOREKEEPER"S RESIDENCE  (NEXT DOOR IS THE PRIEST"S HOME)

ST CATHERINES CHURCH.  STILL FUNCTIONING TODAY.

The rest of the town consisted of 3 beautiful churches (still functioning each Sunday), a town hall, several cottages, a priest's cottage which also doubled as an overflow for the local nunnery (the mind boggles), a boys boarding school and several other very old smaller limestone/rock buildings whose functions one just has to ponder. It was truly a nostalgic wander back in time and one I recommend to anyone passing through. Don't go past. Make sure you stop to reflect and enjoy.  It is well worth the cost of entry.