August 10, 2023
Steve and I started our trip north from Jurien Bay early this morning. We drove to Geraldton and then continued north to a little camp site in the Canola fields. We were impressed with how well the 4G booster has performed since we moved it from the bullbar to the roof rack. This trip will be the first real test of our new solar setup.
August 11, 2023
After a good night’s sleep back in the countryside, we headed to Coronation Beach. We enjoyed walking along the beach tracks and driving a little south along the beach. We stopped at a great lookout at the camping area to take in the view of the beach and the ocean. Then, we watched the sun set over the ocean before heading back to our campsite for the night.
August 12, 2023
Steve and I were eager to drive the back roads and explore the area near Sandy Gully. We also wanted to revisit a lookout we had discovered many years ago, which was just as breathtaking as we remembered.
From there, we headed to Horrocks, a small coastal town known for its beautiful beaches and white sand dunes. We spent the day exploring the dunes and watched the sun set over the beach with a stormy sky. Unfortunately, the local store didn’t sell any red meat burgers, so we enjoyed a delicious Thai dish from our freezer.
August 13, 2023
We left Horrocks and headed to Port Gregory, a cute little port town on the Aussie coast. We took a walk along the waterfront and checked out the boats and the views.
Next, we drove to the Pink Lakes of Hutt Lagoon. These salt lakes are known for their amazing pink color, which is caused by a type of algae. We found a great spot to watch the sunset over the lakes, and it was incredible!
August 14, 2023
We left the Pink Lakes and hit the back roads again. We passed by the old Hutt River Province, which is no more. It’s a shame, but at least we got to see it before it was completely gone.
We finally made it to Kalbarri National Park and checked out Island Rock and Natural Bridge. They’re both pretty cool rock formations, and we had a lot of fun exploring them. We even found a campsite nearby.
August 15 – 17, 2023
We pressed further north to the township of Kalbarri, which had been badly affected by a cyclone just a year earlier. Despite the damage, the area was still beautiful, and we had a wonderful time exploring it on foot. We took in the stunning views and pictured cliffs, and we were amazed at how resilient the community had been.
August 18, 2023
Today we explored Kalbarri National Park, where the Murchison River carves out a deep, twisting gorge through the red sandstone. We started with a walk on the Kalbarri Skywalk, two suspended walkways that offer jaw-dropping views of the gorge and river below.
Next, we hiked down to Nature’s Window, a rock formation that frames the Murchison River as it winds its way through the gorge. It’s a sight to behold.
After lunch, we strolled a few kilometers along the start of the Loop Walk, which takes you through some of the park’s most stunning scenery. We saw towering cliffs, lush greenery, and even a few kangaroos.
In the afternoon, we took a walk to Z-Bend, another lookout point with stunning views of the gorge. We watched the sunset over the red sandstone cliffs, and it was one of the most beautiful things we’ve ever seen.
August 19, 2023
Today we went back to Kalbarri National Park and just hung out at Nature’s Window. It’s such a beautiful spot, and we could have spent the whole day there.
It was a bit of a shame that there weren’t more wildflowers this year, but we still had a great time.
August 20, 2023
We returned to Kalbarri National Park today and hiked along the Murchison River near Natures Window. The views were incredible, with red sandstone cliffs towering on either side of the river.
On the way back, we checked out the black boys in a recently burnt area. Black boys are a type of tree that is native to Western Australia. They are known for their black trunks and spiky leaves.
The burnt area was still recovering from the fire, but the black boys were already starting to grow back. It was an amazing sight to see, and it reminded us of the resilience of nature.
August 21 – 22, 2023
We went back to Kalbarri to grab some supplies and then headed to the eastern section of Kalbarri National Park. We spent two days exploring the area and checking out the different views.
The eastern section of the park isn’t as popular as the western section, but it’s just as beautiful. The landscape is wild and remote, with huge cliffs, ancient gorges, and lush greenery.
In the morning, the cliffs were bathed in golden light. At midday, the shadows cast by the cliffs made the landscape look really dramatic. And in the evening, the sunset painted the sky with shades of orange, pink, and purple.
We also spotted some wildlife during our stay, including kangaroos, emus, and an echidna.
August 23, 2023
We said goodbye to Kalbarri today and headed towards Geraldton. We decided to take the back roads through the Chapman Valley.
The Chapman Valley is a beautiful region located between Kalbarri and Geraldton. It’s known for its rolling hills, vineyards, and wildflowers.
We drove slowly through the valley, taking in the scenery. We saw fields of golden canola, patches of wildflowers.
August 24, 2023
Today, we did some last-minute shopping in Geraldton before heading back home to Jurien Bay. A great little trip away. We also caught up with Ken and Jude on the south side of Geraldton.
