Australia - Western Australia Day 150 ( 14,188 miles)

During our time in Southern and Western Oz many people had said we should visit the area of Esperance and the surrounding National parks. We found a nice campsite and explored the local area for a few days. The coastline was stunning loads of pure white sand beaches, crystal clear water and very few people.



The Richardson family, Peter, Rachel, Grace, Theo and Hannah, Aussie/Kiwi's who are on a 2 year exploration of Australia. With their 4 wheel drive and trailer tent they have managed to may a comfortable and mobile home for the family whilst educating the children along the way. A lovely family, great company with a spirit of adventure to be admired.

Above and below are photo's of the Cape Le Grande NP, we last time we saw sea this colour was in the Maldives.







In between Denmark (no not that one) and Walpole there are big areas of forest containing huge Karri and Tingle trees, both are types of Eucalyptus. It was interesting to see and the wibbly, wobbly walkway was fun and a whole lot sturdier than ones we will encounter in Asia!

John being a hobbit!

The Margaret River area of West Australia has some pretty towns and is a well know wine region. We didn't linger as we cannot buy much and John is always the designated driver! We had dinner in a village called Pemberton they had really gone overboard with the spray snow and cotton wool Christmas decs!

We came across this bush fire and were just about the rush in with the 6 litres of water we were carrying when we saw a man either commiting arson or purposely spreading the fire. Turned out to be the latter he was burning the low growing bushes between the trees. Quite a job to get it right in the very dry conditions.


This lighthouse is in Augusta at the point where the Southern and Indian Ocean's meet, we could of got better photo's if we had been closer but being frugal travellers we saved the $1o entrance fee!

A random piper in a carpark in Margaret River, he played a tune, those of us around applauded and he got in his car and drove away! Think he may have been warming up for a wedding or something.

John crating the Tenere for it's 3rd flight of the trip. Big thanks to Richard and all the staff we met at Worldlink (our shipper in Perth) they were efficient, friendly and nothing was too much trouble.



Our last week in Oz was spent in the Perth area with Sharon and Craig, friends that Vic and Stew met when they moved to Sydney. They all share a love for the Moto GP and although Sharon and Craig are now living on the west coast they all meet up for this event.

Even though they had never met us and had no idea what nasty habits we might have Sharon and Craig shared their home, food, wine and local knowledge with us (hence the picture above restocking at the winery!).

Thank you so much we had a great time with you both.

Close to Perth is the small city of Freemantle which has a nice harbour and historical buildings (old by Aussie standards). The town was name after a Captain Freemantle who landed a ship here in 1829 to begin preparation for the Swan River Colony. There is a big Maritime and shipwreck museum that John loved.

Freemantle town, reminded us of New Orleans.

Although we were here for a week we hadn't actually managed to get into Perth city centre! On our last day Sharon and Craig drove us around the wine region for a few tastings and then into Perth to view the city from Kings Park.

The DNA tower in Kings Park.

So it's sadly goodbye to Oz but excitingly hello to SE Asia, first stop Kuala Lumpar!