Leonora {Caravan Park}

We had a drive around Wiluna before we headed into town.  Another of those was once bustling towns which was now eerily quiet. A quick drive showed not very much and it was time to keep making tracks to Leonora. Although we did see the start of the Canning Stock Route, that was something!

One night turned into two because it was such a lovely, friendly little caravan park {and at $30 a night that made it easier}.  We had a lovely dinner at the local hotel with a friend who was in town for work, with plans for dinner together the next night too.

We had a great wander around town, grabbing a few bits for lunch before we took off to take the 'old Laverton road' to see another part of the Golden Quest Discovery Trail.

 

 

It was an interesting drive into Laverton and very hard to believe that, again running right along side this road there was a train line.  One of the stops showed the old train station platform and also a building, still standing and in a wonderful condition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When we arrived in Laverton we headed to the Tourism Centre which also has a museum attached, so we sat and watched the movie on local history and had a wonder around the interactive displays.  It was very informative and my museum loving children really enjoyed it. I loved seeing all of the old magazines

 

 

We also went for a drive to see the start of the Great Central Road.  Which they did have grand plans to bitumen all the way from here to QLD, but only parts got done as the road usage proved to be not a popular route.

We headed back to Leonora on the main road this time, with a stop in at an old mine {which looked to be starting up again}.

 

 

Wednesday saw us pack up early with a planned visit to Gwalia before heading to Kalgoorlie.

Meekatharra {Caravan Park}

A place where my Mum & Grandparents lived for a time, another one of those locations that in the early to mid 1900's was bustling with people is now all but forgotten.  I've passed through town many many years ago but this time, on our journey to Kalgoorlie we decided that we would stay the night to allow us time to explore the town before we kept moving.

 

 

We stayed at the town caravan park, which was surprisingly busy considering.  Nothing fancy but for what we paid and where we were you really can't complain.

Monday before we headed off we took a drive around time, reading the signs, taking in the sites and more importantly looking over the 'Old State Battery' where my grandfather had worked for may years.  There wasn't much left there but it was still great to see it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Right now to continue our journey to Leonora via Wiluna.

Newman {Caravan Park}

We rolled into Newman at 5pm after our day exploring, tyre changing and driving.  The smalls certainly had had enough of being in the car when we finally arrived, actually if I am honest I think that we all had.

We stayed at Keegan Caravan Park, which was a big park and used partly as a mining camp.  That said we had a nice spot, close to the amenities and even better the use of the washing machines and dyers was FREE {perfect time for sheet washing}.

Friday saw us heading for a drive around town, checking in at the visitors centre, driving to the town lookout and of course organising two new tyres.  It was a reasonably warm day so the smalls enjoyed a swim in the pool in the afternoon.

 

 

 

Saturday, 'Grandfinal Day' meant that we only had the morning before J wanted to be in front of a TV somewhere that had beer on tap!  So we headed out to check out the town lake, Kalgan's Pool and Three Pools.  It took much longer than we expected and there was certainly some 4WDing involved but we had a great morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The original plan was to drop Justin at the tarven to watch the game but we all decided to stay and enjoy a nice lunch.  It turned out to be another warm afternoon so when we finished up it was time to head home for a cooling swim, well for everyone but me.

 

 

Sunday it was that time again and we packed up to start making our way to Meekatharra for the night.