For the record, I have clipped my heal on the caravan step 36 times since we left. I swear every time and my heal is constantly bruised. As Matt regular reminds me; the step is in the same place as yesterday! Although having the time of my life; it is painful at times!
We were really looking forward to reaching Esperance and relaxing for a couple of days after a couple of big days on the road. In Esperance we stayed in a quaint, little caravan park Bathers Paradise Caravan Park on the outskirts of town but still on the coast. It was a great park and while not the most popular we were attracted to the park based on WikiCamps comments which praised the staff and the 'feel' for the park. We had some caravan/hose problems but found a friendly neighbour who spent the morning under our van and fixed it for the cost of a Mars Bar. I'm sure Matt, being so handy, would've handled it on his own but felt the desire to entertain his elderly neighbour. And we finally had television reception discovering after almost 10 days on the road that you need to switch the aerial on! We took it easy in the morning and then travelled to Cape LeGrand and spent the afternoon kicking the footy (again) and swimming at Lucky Bay - one of the most amazing, secluded beaches. We were going to take the 1.5km hike up the Cape LeGrand Peak but when we arrived Tom informed us he had forgotten his shoes!
Kicking footy at Lucky Bay - Nick proudly wearing an old James Frawley jumper - I guess he was lucky last year!
Cape LeGrand National Park is just over 50km from Esperance and features rugged coasts and white sandy beaches. You could easily get lost wandering around the park exploring the little coves and beaches. We spent a lot of time at Lucky Bay (8/10) and then toured Hellfire Bay (5/10) and the Whistling Rocks at Thistle Cove. You can stay at Cape LeGrand but it's our understanding that the parks are quiet small and you have to get in early to get a spot.
At Lucky Bay - it had the whitest sand, kangaroos and a unique coffee van on the beach. Apparently the kangaroos come on the beach to eat the sea weed.
We left Esperance and drove 480km to Albany. Another relatively big drive. After settling in to the Big 4 Middleton beach, we spent the following morning at the National ANZAC Centre (8/10) which was fantastic - a definite highlight of the trip so far. Each of us received a card/profile of a war veteran and you followed their story around as you travelled through the centre. It was a great morning with the kids and was definitely a good school history lesson. Because of the competitive nature of our family we played a game based on the profile of the card we were given. The person who had the ANZAC who died had to sit in the back back boot and cook dinner. Sorry Dad!
Ready, aim and fire. At the amazing Anzac memorial such an interactive memorial that catered for all ages.
After touring we went to Two Peoples Bay. Just when we thought we had found our perfect beach; we found an even better one Littles Beach (9/10). It was amazing and we spent a good couple of hours playing and swimming until it started drizzling with rain.
Littles beach in Two Peoples Bay is our most favourite beach so far!
Brotherly love at Littles Beach
We left Albany and travelled 400km to Margaret River stopping on the way to visit the Denmark Chocolate Factory (not quite Mars Chocolate but very enjoyable and fascinating to see the chocolatier at work) and to walk the Tree Top Walk (7/10) in the Valley of the Giants. However not everyone completed the walk.......The Tree Top walk is a 600 metre walk reaching up to 40 metres high. Matt navigated the entire 600 metres without letting go.
Now I know you will think that's Tom in the front but it's actually Oliver Queen (arrow). Nick has knocked off three seasons since we left Ballarat and Tom has a new super hero.
At the Tree Top Walk, Tom had absolutely no fear; ran through the whole trek without hanging on. There was a rumour that Matt let go for a second but there's no evidence to verify that....
Post Tree Top Walk the nerves had calmed and everyone was happy to pose for a photo!
We toured the Valley of Giants which had a whole lot of hollow trees. I couldn't understand if these trees were stable..... There didn't seem to much left of them allowing them to stand.
The trees were huge!
Tom very rarely whinges about tired legs keeping up with the rest of the family. But when he does this is where we normally find him. #brotherlylove
At Margaret River we stayed at the Margaret River Tourist Park which was a great location but it didn't have a good feel about it. It's interesting trying to determine what makes a good park and we have been caught listening to people and taking their advice when they do not necessarily look for the same things as us. While at Margaret River we happened to stumble on the Margaret River Surf Pro and spent the morning watching the professionals.
At the Margaret River Surf Pro - we were tempted to join them but thought we would just get in the way
On the second day at Margaret River we had a sick child with gastro (it was always going to happen). However it did not stop us playing tourists and we travelled around with one of us staying in the car with Tom while the other toured with the rest of the family. We went to Cape Leeuwin in Augusta which has Australia's tallest mainland lighthouse situated at the most south westerly tip of Australia where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet.
Smile!
Following Augusta we toured some underground caves which the kids found interesting - and it was also a bit of a workout with a number of stairs.....
The drive from Margaret River to Port Augusta - amongst the spewing and pooing - was a little bit more exciting and attractive than the Nullabor!
Are they stalactites or stalagmites???
Anyway we are off to Perth for a five nights - it's been hectic so it will be nice to hang around and maybe I can start reading one of the 13 books I bought.....
The Stevens x
#makingmemories