BOWEN 05

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

We started our 2014 South West WA trip a bit late but hey that is another story for around a camp fire. Packed & ready Saturday 4th January 2014.

#BOWEN05 #Tx6 CAMPRITE

Geraldton to Fremantle. We stayed two nights at the Fremantle Village caravan park. Saturday 5th had us visiting the Fremantle Prison with the "Doing Time tour". Then we were off to the Fremantle Maritime museum for some more incite and history. Kids were disappointed we could not tour the submarine (too young apparently) but still had a good time.

The Naughty Cell

Making a run for it

Monday 6th - Had us packing up & then heading for Donnybrook for the boys to get rid of some energy at the awesome Apple Park followed by lunch. From there we headed for Bunbury staying at Glade Big4 Caravan park. As it was a Special Day (our Wedding anniversary) we glamped it a bit & I decided to take Cathy and the boys out to tea to a beaut little micro brewery called the "MASH" Micro Brewery where we had another awesome meal & tasted more of their great beers... We also used this stop over to top up the fridge and freezer and give Cathy her last bit of retail therapy.

Donnybrook Apple Park

Bunbury Glamping

Tuesday 7th - With a bit of a sore head we packed up and headed for Yallingup. We were booked into the Caves Caravan park for the next 4 nights. We used this as a base to start the first part of our South West adventure.

Wednesday 8th We took the short drive for a look at the famous Yallingup Surf Break then proceeded to Ngilgi Cave Yallingup. We experienced our first underground adventure. This was awesome & the three boys had an absolute great time. Would recommend this cave for anyone with younger children. Our afternoon was spent learning about the Cape Naturalist Lighthouse & the history behind it with a guided tour.

Boys sitting on a hand carved wooden Echidna

On our second morning in yallingup we woke to an awesome morning, so brekkie then we loaded every one into the Navara & went to Point Picquet where had great morning relaxing in warm sun, swimming in some of the clearest turquoise water & testing out the new Finn Gizmo Kayak. After lunch we treated the kids to a play at the AWESOME Dunsbourough Xscape Fun Park where they continued to burn of all that energy for the whole afternoon. If were ever back down that way we’ll spend the whole day there, as they have BBQ’s, shaded areas, take a way food if your into that oh and ice creams. # www.xscapeatthecape.com.au

Friday 10th We made the short journey to Busselton for another day trip. We journeyed on the Busselton Jetty Train (1.8km long trip ) out to the underwater observatory, where the boys had a great time spotting different fish, other sea creatures including a diver. Yep we also caught the train back. It would be a long walk back with three small children.

Saturday 11^th saw us packing up & leaving Yallingup heading for Margaret River Township for a bit of a look around, a bit of shopping & Lunch. After lunch we headed of to find our next Camping spot. We had a few picked out.. After bypassing the first one we settled at Alexandra Bridge Campground where would spend the next 4 days. We stopped in at the Karridale Tavern more than once for a coldie or two J

Lunch @ Margaret River

Alexandra Bridge Camp

Over the next 3 days we visited Mammoth Cave, Lake Cave (Thanks to our Awesome Guide Krusty) & Jewel Cave. While in the area we called into check out Conto's Camp Ground "Definitely one well be back to".
We took a day trip to Augusta to check out the Cape Leeuwin Light house & where the Southern Ocean & the Indian Ocean meet. While there we also took the opportunity to stock up the fridge - freezer & stop off at the Bakery in town (a must do).

Entrance to Lake Cave

Rare Stalactite table

Entrance to Mammoth Cave

Entrance to Jewel Cave

Christopher

William

Daniel

Jewel Cave. Some of the worlds longest straws (stalactite)

Tuesday 14^th. Packed up and left our Campsite for Pemberton Caravan Park were we will be catching up on washing & having a decent shower. On the way we decided to check out Drafty’s Campground . A 4WD ONLY Track & an awesome camp site but we decided to continued onto Pemberton for the showers and Washing. (Definitely on our list of places to get back to though)

Our Three Boys

Wednesday 15^th we are heading to Big Brook Arboretum Camp Ground for the next 6 days. Great campground - run by DEC. While there we spent a lot of time swimming, kayaking, fishing and just relaxing by Big Brook Dam.

Thursday 16th We had a bit rain on the 16th so we hibernated in & around our Camp which was good just to to kick back n Relax. Between showers I took the boys for a walk down to the Big Brook Dam just over 1km away through the Forest. On the 17th we loaded the boys into the Navara for a bit of a tour around the Area. This would have us following the “Karri Forrest Explorer” Drive, sampling some of what the area is best known for. BIG TREES ,Superb Forrest & Beautiful Scenery

Must be famous. My Chair in Pemberton Park

Cascades. Just out of Pemberton

Gloucester Tree

Saturday 18^th Day trip. We headed towards Denmark for the “Valley of the Giants” Tree top walk & Ancient Empire Walk. After this we took the scenic route around to Bow Bridge were we continued onto the Dinosaur World & Bird Park just out of Denmark W.A. This was a real treat for the boys as they all love Dinosaurs, Birds, Lizards & Snakes (new to Mum n Dad). Plan your trip around the handling & feeding time. Well worth it. The boys had a great time handling the snakes lizards & birds.

Sunday 19^th Time for Mum & Dad to kick back n chill out for a day after a busy week exploring some of what the SW W.A has to offer. This gave the boys a chance to explore the natural FORREST (also includes other tress from around the World) around the Camp and play with other young children in the campground which kept the entertained for hours.

This is where our trip was cut Short. We were supposed to spend the next few days in & around Bridgetown but I had injured my back while packing up so it was off to Perth we went. An overnight Stay in an on site Cabin a bit of School shopping (retail Therapy for Cathy) then back to Geraldton. On the way home we stopped off at the “Pinnacles Desert Discovery Center” just South of Cervantes. I had been there as a Teenager, so though I would I would take Mum & the Boys to experience the same. I was HOT compared to what we had just been living in down south with Temps now at 40 + degrees “we felt it”.