Clare Valley {Caravan Park}

Our drive from Whylla took us along the coast for a short while, meaning we could stop in and take a quick look around Port Augusta, Port Pirie and a lovely town called Crystal Brook {Justin found 'the house' in this lovely little place}.

We eventually arrived in Clare at the Discovery Caravan Park just before 2pm.  It was great to be able to surprise our friends Dan & Ant by coming a few days early {actually Ant didn't even recognize us}.  Our original plan was to stay for two nights, giving us a full day to explore but after our first day out we decided we would need one more, so extended our stay to three nights.

Saturday morning we did a little school work, the kids had a play with some other children and we headed into Clare to have a look around at all of the historical buildings.  What a building main street they've got but disappointingly so the visitors centre didn't really share that much information {or provide that much more}.  Thankfully, through our research we got to take the kids the the history museum that was set up in the old goal.  Kaleb was pretty happy to explore around in there and also the grounds too!

 

   

  

After that we headed out to a little town called Mintaro.  It is what they refer to as a historical town and after our look around I can see why.  The history that they have and have maintained is amazing.  We had lunch at Riley's Winery which was in a quaint little building that was made in the early 1800 {as were many others within the town ship}.  Given how hot is was, we only walked a little before hopping the car to finish off the rest.
 

 

 

 

We all needed the swim when we headed back to the caravan park and we meet a lovely family from Gwaler who we spent the rest of the afternoon with.  The kids even hired one of those driving carts to share with their new friends. A love;y dinner with Dan & Ant before we went back to prepare for our exploring tomorrow.

Sunday we had a slow start to the day and after a little school we packed up and headed out to Burra. Yet another town in this region filled with history and thankfully for us the people are working hard to maintain it, they are proud of where they live.  We started at the visitors centre, where they gave us the map and key to take off on our Historical tour of Burra.

 

  

            

            

 

My most favourite part, well the stand out parts would be the cellars in the cider house and the 'homes' in the creek beds.  Hundreds of people lived in the creek beds, in make shift houses due to the shortage in housing in the area.  Sadly many died due to the poor living conditions they faced.

Drafty's Camp Pemberton {National Park}

What a magical spot hidden down the 'Heartbreak Trail' in the Warren National Park.

Pemberton has always been special to me after spending so much time with friends down here as a teenager and even though the town seems smaller/slower the area is still magical.  There are so many national parks in the area and they have some wonderful things to see in them, they are great to explore at anytime of year.

We ended up picking Drafty's Camp as it had much large camping spots to set up in, heaps of loos {with water/soap to wash your hands} and the biggest camp kitchen I have seen in a national park yet.  Well worth the $16 a night that it cost us to stay here.

 

We spent our days schooling, swimming in the river, exploring more of the national parks, catching up with good friends {not nearly for long enough, as always} and just relaxing in the Forrest.  The Karri Forrest is a magical places and the shear size of the trees is breath taking.  The only down fall of our time spent here was that the tress where all in flower which in turn meant we became meals for the march flies {I have honestly never seen so many in all my life}

Next stop Windy Harbour, for some work.

Ironstone Gully {Free Camp}

We had no real plans when we left Karridale, other than wanting to stop in and see my grandparents one last time before we moved further away.  It has been nice spending so much time with them over the last 12 months, I have loved it and I know that the smalls have loved it.

So we picked a spot on the map and headed there, this spot was about 14kms out of Donnybrook on what would normally be a river {after plenty of rain}.

It was nice enough.  Surrounded by trees, with BBQs and a drop loo.

We parked up and set to do some schoolwork for the afternoon.

Next stop was a surprise visit to my grandparents, of course after a play at the fabulous Donnybrook park.

Pemberton {Boxing Day}

After a wonderful Christmas Day we decided to get away from Manjimup for the day and headed to Pemberton to see the sites.

Growing up I spent a lot of time in Pemberton with family & alone.  It is my ideal location, lots of wonderful trees, water and close to the ocean for the odd occasion I want to visit.  Justin & I have not been since we had the smalls, infact the last time we visited would have been our honeymoon back in 2004.

Lots has changed but for the most part it has all stayed the same, all be it at this time of year a lot drier.

 Beedalup Falls

 

I can't for the life of me remember then name of this place but it was a lovely looking swimming hole

Warren River Lookout

The Cascades

The Bicentennial Tree

Big Brook Dam

We will get back to Pemberton in 2013 to spend some more time looking around/exploring but also to visit to some good friends.