Heading north from Perth

1 - 3 July

Jurien Bay

We headed out to the coast from Willowbrook, about 25 kms, then onto the Indian Ocean Highway. This highway was only opened a few years ago giving travellers and alternate route north. It has opened up access to some small towns that are thriving as a result and the massive amount of development and new estates going in is incredible.  The best part about the highway is that only trucks working in that area can use it so we didn't have to battle many semis or road trains.

We stopped in at Cervantes for a quick tour of the Lobster Shack which was a bit disappointing as we all thought it might be as good as the Fresh Fish Place tour in Port Lincoln.

 

 

Then we pulled up in a local carpark, dropped the van and went for a look at a couple of local attractions including Thirsty Point, the Stromalites, which we didn't really see.

 

 

Then back to the Pinnacles. We had been told to drive around as you see more and you can't take caravans through.

Although it is just rocks sticking up out of the ground they really are spectacular. We played hide and seek and took lots of photo's. We even met a couple from Wellington NZ who are currently living in WA. I think we have met more Kiwi's than Aussies on the trip. As we were leaving Willowbrook Patrick was asked where we were heading and he very proudly told everyone we were going to see the "Freckles". So the Watson family will always refer to the Pinnacles as the Freckles.

 

Then back to hook up the van and head up the road to Jurien Bay. What a lovely little seaside town which we were going to spend one night at but decided a day at the beach would do us all the world of good so we stayed two nights. We were up early for a long walk and bike ride along the beach front. Then a leisurely breakfast which have been rare on the trip. We then had a wander around the shops, Patch and I got our haircut which he has been really looking forward too. Then back to the van for a play and lunch, Milly went back up the shops by herself on her bike to get a couple of things which she was really excited about even though we were a little nervous.

 

The kids and I then went over for a fish off the jetty. Unfortunately there were a lot of blowfish around who enjoyed eating our prawns. The most exciting thing happened when Milly thought she saw some fins in the water which turned out to be a little sea lion. It was amazing. This little thing just kept coming up to the surface, right underneath the jetty, seemed to talk to us then dive down again for a minute or two before resurfacing. It went on for about 15 minutes before Lincoln and Milly couldn't wait any longer for  TJ and went running back for her. They couldn't find her and were a bit upset that she was missing out. The little sea lion finally left after about 30 minutes which was about two minutes before Tonia turned up. Such a shame for her but an incredible experience for the rest of us.

The kids played on the beach and even paddled in the water for a little while we watched a beautiful WA sunset over the water. Then a BBQ for dinner, into bed and up early on our way to Geraldton about 300 kms up the road.