Tag: Western Australia

Taking Directions, WA5 Comments

Lost in Translation

Itching for Hitching

When we checked in at the Big4 caravan park on the beach at Port Denison in WA the receptionist told us that the sunsets have been good and that we should grab an empty box and watch the sunset with a glass of wine. To explain that: a box is a cabin and WA law prevents you from drinking in an outdoor public place. So we took her advice and toddled off with our drinks to the verandah of an empty cabin and happily drank legally while watching nature put on a stunning show.     Continue reading Lost in Translation

Places, WA3 Comments

Chookinup Flats

Itching for Hitching

At Nannup in Western Australia’s tall timber of the south we miss our turn off so we just take the next available road which becomes quite interesting if not a little bumpy. We see hand written signs for “Chookinup”. Well I guess everything around here ends in UP anyway. Eventually we find a free range chicken farm with hundreds of chooks scratching about in the dirt. Their hen houses are old caravans! Which only goes to show, that not all caravans end their lives up on blocks at old seaside caravan parks with signs nailed on the front declaring “This’ll … Continue reading Chookinup Flats

Places, WA4 Comments

Of Time and Tide

Itching for Hitching

The historic Derby wharf stretches out into King Sound in an arc. This was a cattle export wharf in the early days and our van park backs onto what was once the legendary cattle route to the wharf. The causeway across the mud flats that joins the town to the wharf is about a kilometre long and once held a railway line. We arrive at high tide and the pier is busy with fishermen casting lines and tossing crab nets. The wharf cafe is gearing up for curry night. The mangroves are almost submerged in murky water. This place must … Continue reading Of Time and Tide

Places, Point of Interest, WA11 Comments

Salmon Holes, Torndirrup National Park, Albany

Itching for Hitching

We are intrigued by a place on the map called Salmon Holes. We discover that the steep, wet and slippery granite rocks are covered in fishermen and they are hauling in large salmon. The salmon apparently take refuge in the calm waters of this spot. They maybe calm waters for the salmon but they threaten the fishermen with every wave and over the course of the next few months of our travels through WA three fishermen are drowned at this place. Continue reading Salmon Holes, Torndirrup National Park, Albany

WA, Well Bugger Me!2 Comments

Renewing the Dead

Itching for Hitching

As it is only a short drive from where we are taking in the views at Kings Park in Perth, I drag poor Brian to the historic Karrakatta cemetery to find the graves of his great grandparents, Michael and Elizabeth Flynn. They had originally left Melbourne for the Kalgoorlie gold rush arriving in 1907. We find Elizabeth’s grave but not Michael’s, only the section where it should be. I get chatting to a woman who is photographing headstones for her website. I love those people their work is priceless when you live in another state or another country. She tells … Continue reading Renewing the Dead

Point of Interest, WA, Well Bugger Me!2 Comments

The Waterwheel at Cape Leeuwin

Itching for Hitching

Not far from the Western Australian town of Augusta, at the very south west corner of Australia called Cape Leeuwin, there is an old water wheel that once provided spring water for the Cape Leeuwin light house keepers. It is now calcifying and turning to stone. The water still flows and drips over the waterwheel. The water is sweet. Continue reading The Waterwheel at Cape Leeuwin

Farm Stays, WALeave a comment

Nambung Station

Itching for Hitching

I think I found Nambung Station on the internet while researching our WA trip. It was only 22kms off the main highway along a very good dirt road. As we drove through Moura I rang ahead just to make sure that they were still accepting guests. When we arrived the manager Sonia greeted us warmly with a freshly baked cake. The camping area is large, flat and well grassed. Water is available and a dump point, there is even an airstrip. I’d like to see Big4 and the other formal parks try to match that. From our caravan we could … Continue reading Nambung Station