Sandy Cape W.A

Friday 16th May 2014. 

Started early with a 4am start. We were making the 500km trip to Perth so William could see a specialist & what better excuse to hook up our Tx6 Camprite Camper to the Navara. In the true spirit of not wasting an opportunity to get out there & explore somewhere new we were off.  We didn't arrive back into Sandy Cape till after dark which was a little test for us but I think we did pretty well for first time setting up in the dark.

After a chilly start to our Saturday morning we were off exploring the sand dunes, beaches, cliffs & other camp sites around Sandy Cape returning back to camp for a cuppa & some morning tea. 

After morning tea we made a picnic lunch, packed the fridge, jumped into the Navara & headed off on a bit of an adventure the First stop over was the Stock Yard Gully Caves. After turning off the black top onto the gravel we pulled over to air down our tyres as we had been told by locals that it was a 4WD only access. Travelling along the gravel road I was thinking where is the 4WDing to start & this was all too easy . Ah then there it was, a soft sandy track followed by a rugged, short, narrow 4WD track that had the boys all excited. Once there it is only a short few steps from the car park to the information bay, picnic tables & the start of the walking paths. Equipped with head lamps, torches & plenty of water we headed straight into the Stockyard Gully on our way for the cave.    

The East Entrance to Stockyard Gully Caves

Pays to have good torches 

Boys having a blast running climbing & exploring inside the cave

Stockyard Gully Cave West Entrance

Bee Hive at west entrance.

Too risky for us as Cathy is allergic to bees but we didn't disturb them & they we fine. After a few photos & a couple of minutes admiring this beautiful place, we decided to head back through the cave (much to the delight of our boys) to the information bay where we would have our lunch. We were blessed with the best weather to enjoy a packed lunch in the bush & there was not another sole in sight. What more could you want.

Beer with lunch. Y not

Lunch wahoo..

Rare moment. :)

After lunch it was 4WDing again to get out as we headed south back towards the Lesueuer National Park for a bit of a look around. Great spot but it is a true shame there is no camp ground in the park as it would of been a great place to pull up for a few days. The afternoon was spent with the boys playing with other kids around the camp ground at Sandy Cape while we relaxed and enjoyed a beverage or two.

The next morning we were up early again as I wanted to explore the coastline a bit more south of sandy cape as my uncle used to spend a bit of time there when he was a young bloke & I had heard stories of some old WWII Ammunition Shelters. The boys were excited as we were off road 4WDing again along narrow rocky & sometimes sandy boggy tracks. On our way we marked our MUDMAP with some weigh-points of some absolute cracking camp sites that we will be back to camp in the future.

It's a Shame this one was locked up.

Ammunition Shelter with a view

With reinforced walls of concrete a foot thick I think we'll be safe :)

Memorial for a young shark attack victim at North Head.

After exploring these historic treasures from our past, finding some great campsites to come back to & having some 4WD fun in doing so we headed back to camp as the Tx6 Camprite camper should have dried out by now which meant we were packing up to start our short journey home & this little adventure was nearly over : ( 

Sandy Cape Campground W.A 

WOOLEEN STATION, Murchison River 

                                2014 Easter Adventure

After looking for weeks on end through countless Forums & Blogs not to mention nearly going blind looking at #MUDMAP and #MEMORYMAP till the iPad goes flat we had a few chosen destinations in mind. 1. Murchison House Station in Kalbarri, 2. Wooleen Station 3. Sandy Cape, Jurien Bay. Good Friday was spent finalizing our plans and loading the #Tx6 CAMPRITE. The destination #WOOLEEN Station was chosen for the Remoteness, Red Dirt (dust) the Hot days, cool nights & just somewhere we could relax with nature experience the beauty of this part of the country and also had keep the boys busy.

First pit stop

We left Geraldton early morning & headed East 100km towards Mullewa (Home of the wildflower country) just as you come into the town we turned left onto the main street. We proceeded slowly up the main street now heading north along the Mullewa -Carnarvon road which is still black top for the next 55km then onto the gravel Yee ha.

When we hit the gravel we both thought of the Gnaraloo road but much to the surprise of both Cathy & Myself these are the Smoothest Gravel roads we had traveled on so thanks to both Mullewa Shire and Murchison Shire for such well maintained roads. 

66 km along the road we came across BALLINYOO BRIDGE (Constructed in 1932) Perfect spot to get out stretch the legs, have some morning tea and take a few photos.
After a quick inspection of the Navara & Camprite we continued on heading north for approx 22km where we turned right off the main road onto Twin Peaks - Wooleen Road. Traveling into Wooleen some 44km from the turn off you'll see some fantastic Country with changing landscapes just perfect for a photo or two.

Mum & the Boys on the Ballinyoo Bridge

Bowen05 Tx6 on Ballinyoo Bridge

Arriving at the Homestead

WOOLEEN Station Homestead

Boys have a look at old style Steam Power

We checked in with Frances at the Homestead & to our luck there was a vacant spot at the Murchison River Camp. So after a quick look around, collecting the essential station mudmap & letting the boys have a quick play with the sheep dogs we headed north another 16km to our campsite for the next four nights.

Looking West down river

Looking East up river

Straight out back of our Camp

It would not of been right if we did not show our boys some of the rich History of this area while here. We spent the next few days looking around the Station & exploring some of the other points of interest in the area. Some of the things on Wooleen are the Bower Bird Museum (a must see), The SHARPE Family Graves,Yewlands Pool, Gradagullya pool (swimming hole) and a visit to the Picnic Table out on the wetlands.

Sharpe Family Grave

One of the old buildings out this way that we explored was the old #Wooleen Woolshed (or whats left of it) and the other surrounding Buildings near by. These buildings are part of the #WOOLWAGON PATHWAY (a 3 day adventure through this part of the country).
Needing a bit of Diesel we headed a bit further North via a Station track to the Murchison Settlement where we topped up the tank, treated ourselves to an ice-cream and got some info on the Errabiddy Outcamp & the Errabiddy Bluff

Boys at the Old Shearers Quarters

Boys enjoying a climb

Boys at old Errabiddy Outcamp

A FLASH BBQ in the middle of no where

On the way back to Wooleen we stopped in at the Murchison Shire office & they very kindly opened the Museum for us to look through. Very Very good display of the history behind the Murchison region & the people that made it what it is today. A MUST See attraction.

The Last day was spent relaxing, letting the boys explore the area around our camp by river & just taking stock at how beautiful this land is. The arvo was welcomed with a cold bear or four Playing cards with the family. That night we Cranked up our Second our campfires for the trip where more cold beer was tasted (had to empty them somehow) & we all enjoyed a few toasted marshmallows, followed by the boys cracking a few packs of glow sticks making balls with them, then kicking them around the flat. That night Cathy & I lay in our Camper looking up at the billions of stars. Such a beautiful sight and it's true they are clearer & Brighter in the outback.


The next morning we had an early rise to beat the heat but much to our shock it was overcast with a horizon filled with black clouds. Its always sad when your packing up as you know we are heading home.

Checking out. 

Good Bye  WOOLEEN STATION :(    Thanks for sharing it with us.

 From Wooleen we headed back to the Carnarvon - Mullewa road turning left & heading south for 64km till we come to the New Forest - Yallalong road where we turn right heading East towards the coast. This way looked like more fun :) on the way home. We went through several pastoral properties (Stations) being New Forest, Yallalong, and  finally coming through the back gate of Coolcalalaya otherwise also know a as #MURCHISON OFFROAD ADVENTURE 4WD PARK MOA - where they were busy setting up for the 2014 Mud Nutz & Fourbys.

 Leaving the red dirt behind we hit the black top just south of Galena Bridge on the Northwest Coastal Highway. Turning left unfortunately :( we were now heading south towards Northampton were we stopped for lunch & a stretch, which is where the rain caught up with us washing off the red dust we had just worked hard at getting all over everything. I find there is something about the #Australia Bush, the Red dirt & the peacefulness that just helps sooth the soul.

811 km  4 Nights  5 Days

Till our next adventure.  

#BOWEN05 #NAVARA #CAMPRITE #Tx6 #WOOLEEN STATION #MURCHISON #MOA #RED DIRT #GOLDEN OUTBACK