Fitzroy River, Portland, Victoria {Free Camp}

Under advice from Tina & Paul who we meet at in South Australia {and no I have yet to find out who they are or a way to contact them} we headed to Fitzroy River.  A little way east of Portland, but still close enough to be able to spent the following day in town.


After setting up, having lunch and doing a little school we decided to head into town for a quick look around at the visitors centre.  Good thing we did as we discovered them setting up for a market right on the foreshore for the following day.  Odd timing we thought but then a lovely local man shared with us that they had a P & O Cruise ship docking for the following day and the town was going to be busy busy busy. 

Tina and Paul advised us that it was a lovely spot, free and loaded with koalas.  Well after our trip to town we headed home for some school and then exploring, we didn't see one koala and felt suitably ripped off!

After a slow start to the morning we headed into town, our first stop being a wander around the markets.  It was a lovely little market, we got some lovely hot coffee, a warm shall for me, a beautiful skirt for Kyla and the kids got twisted potato things.

Our first spot to explore was the local blowholes, sadly the swell wasn't there for us to see it but we did get to take in the coastline.  Loads of wind turbines and some lovely limestone tubes that looked like a forest.

 

Cape Bridgewater was our next stop.  We decided to tackle the walk out to see the Australian Fur Seals.  It was hard work, especially for the kids but it was well worth it to take in the coast line. I'm thankful that we had the zoom lens otherwise the seals would've been only tiny black dots to us!

 

       

 

 

We headed back into town, grabbed some fresh rolls and headed to the park to make lunch.  It gave us a chance to sit down, enjoy the sunshine and the view.

After we regrouped we decided to take a look out at the Cape Nelson Lighthouse. What a lovely spot, hats been maintained and the old keeper cottages have even been turned into accommodation.

    

After our full on day we headed home for a quiet afternoon.  We were all rewarded when we went for a walk, koalas.  I think, from memory the kids counted five and loved being able to see them in their natural environment.

 

 

What a beautiful spot that we could have easily stayed in for a few more days had time permitted, on the come back to list.  Next stop.....

Kingston SE & Robe SA {Travelling}

Leaving our over night spot relatively early for this trip, our planned spot for the night was Mount Gambier.

We drove through some lovely little towns on our way, some with only a handful of houses and some, surprisingly larger than I expected them to be.  We headed into Kingston SE to have a look around, of course at the giant lobster but also for a walk out on the jetty {what is a sea side town without a jetty}.  It was a pretty impressive 'BIG LOBSTER' and was surrounded by people taking pictures.  That said I have heard of people who travel the country specifically to look at all of the 'BIG' things.

 

 

Our next bigger location to checkout was Robe, which was much larger than I expected it was going to be.  What a beautiful place filled with lovely old buildings, I'm glad we decided to detour to check it out.

We explored the coastline, had a quick look in town and looked at the ruins of the old goal.

 

 

Whyalla {Caravan Park}

To say I was surprised by Whyalla would be an understatement.  It was much MUCH bigger than I expected, the town I mean and unsurprisingly it was filled with some beautiful old buildings {the high school looked amazing}.

We headed to the Discovery Park as it was right on the water front, I found it over priced {even with our Top Tourist discount} given the time of year but we still paid it. It did give us a great spot to watch the sunset, so that was nice.

 

 After setting up and going what felt like 100 loads of washing we jumped into the car to have a look around town.  The visitors centre had a museum attached, but sadly it had odd operating times and we missed out.  Instead we headed out to Point Lowly Lighthouse, which was beautiful.

  

 

The kids had a play on the park when we got back, even a nerf war around the camp kitchen which I used to make dinner {the wind down on the foreshore was too much for my poor little kitchen}.  After dinner we enjoyed a wander on the beach, taking in the sunset.

 

 

Tomorrow we head to Clare, a few days early to surprise our friends.


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The month that was

I've been terribly slack with blogging and even this post is a catch up {two weeks later I might add} but it is because we are too busy enjoying ourselves.

Hard to believe that we have been in Yallingup, parked up on the lawn in the paddock with my grandparents.  We've had a fabulous time, learnt lots of things and the smalls have caught up on their school work {excellent}.

We've learnt about all kinds of reptiles and Kaleb's writing is coming on really well.  Kyla has her moments but we are moving forward.  We have done craft, writing, readying and also even made some Damper

 

We have a day trip out to farm in Karridale, just for something to do.

 

 

 

Naps at Nana's, along with helping them pack up the house ready for a move.  I am amazed at the history that my Nana's has collected over the years, at the amount of 'stuff' that she has kept for so long.  Even found some newspaper notices about my birthday and the engagement of my parents from all those years ago.

 

 

A weekend to Perth to spend some time with J while he was finishing off a job.  Saw a foggy morning down there and also an amazing sunset at Cottesloe beach catching up with friends.

 We have afternoons on the lawn at the house, afternoons at the beach & for ice-cream, for a quick beer, a walk on the jetty and drives to lighthouses.

 

 

 

 

A wonderful surprise visit ANZAC Day from my sister & nieces & of course my Mum.  Was a great 24 hours actually and nice for Isla snuggles.

 

A day over to Donnybrook to catch up with another Aunty and also playing at the park in the morning {WOW what a park, be sure to check it out if are in Donnybrook}

 We survived some terrible windy in Yallingup, thankfully J was with us for this weather as I am not sure what I would have done, given we had to tie off to his ute.

 Can't wait for the next part of our adventure, onto Karridale we go.