Missy J and Noodle

Jurien Bay @ Sunset

Travellers

Sunset over Jurin Bay

Jurien Bay-Waiting for sundown

 Jurien Bay is a quiet little cove with a small white beach south of Geraldton. No ammenities here just passionate fishermen and a fair few caravanners. We managed to score a beach front spot in a camping area so the sound of waves lulled us to sleep at night.
  The sea was murkey and the water smelled of something awful, decomposing, dead sea stuff. There was a recent coral spawn and this created the mucky muck in the water.  We didn't bother with snorkeling as the water was cloudy and fishing was off all though Mr. M tried dispite the poor odds.   Sunsets were again a highlight. I think these must have been my best sunset pictures so far. Next Stop...The Pinnacles.

New Norcia

An hour and half drive inland from Perth  is a Catholic lease hold of 20000 hectares known as New Norcia.  New Norcia is a monastery currently home to 8 catholic monks. New Norcia has it's own hotel, school, church, petrol station, as well as relics of other buildings of days gone by. These businesses are all owned and run by the Monks.
  In it's hay day some 20 years ago, many more monks lived at the monastery. The school, which is has long been closed was a highly regarded boarding school for Perth and surrounds. It was also a school used for some of the stolen generation.

The major monk business today is sheep.  Dry and barren, the rolling country side feeds enough sheep to fund the settlement however the monks also grow olives and make wine and excellent wood fired bread.
A fee will get you a tour of the monastery, schools, and church but the highlight would be the creepy feel of the hotel. No doubt it is haunted according to Mr. C.

More Fremantle

Fremantle

As a suburban area just outside of Perth, Fremantle boast a cafe culture and young, smart atmosphere. Saturday morning there is a market down at the square. The streets were bustling with twenty/thirty somethings with a slight alternative lifestyle feel. Nothing generic here. A good place but not a single caravan park that allowed dogs so we ventured forth after our short visit at the markets.

Caravan Park Kids

Perth-The Beautiful

Sparkling shiny Perth is the most remote capital city in the world. The streets were squeaky clean and the infrastructure and city planning was a stand out.  No crowds,traffic flowed easily, plenty of parking, wide streets, landscaping, trees, parks.  The beaches around

the city followed suit. Perfect and clean. Warm, white sands, clean air and seas, lots of excellent surf and  beautiful tan young bodies sporting the good life.  What a city.  I think I could have eaten off the streets it was so clean.

  With all that going for it, all that was right, it lacked a little character. Just about every couple blocks another strip mall with a few fast food restaurants, a big W, and a few other franchise  stores. It all looked new as if everything had sprung up in just the last ten years. On the wake of Australia's mining boom, I reckon it did.

Busselton Jetty

Busselton Wa is a little seaside town which is  distinguishes itself from the other little seaside towns by its mile long jetty (seen in the background of picture).  The town itself is quaint and full of cafe culture. During the day the heat drives everyone inside but as the sun drops as well as the temperatures the jetty comes alive with fishermen, crabbers, and squiders looking to catch a feed. We spent a few evenings fishing off the jetty catching buckets of squid and crabs. The highlight was walking the shallows of the beach at night with a flashlight spotting the sea life that comes out at night. Tragedy struck as Missy J stepped into the claws of a crab. No toes lost.

Town Beach...Note the shark net!

Bush Shack Brewery

On the only route to a renowned surf beach is a unassuming brewery.  Just a small sign at the beginning of a long red dirt drive lined with gums trees notes the Bush Shack Brewery. It was obvious that this was someones dream. A  house and a couple of tin sheds, a play ground and a large covered patio with mismatched chairs and tables presented themselves. Basic but distinct and unique. The inside was even more fun then the outside but my camera's flash wasn't feeling like cooperating on the day so the photos didn't turn out.

The beer?...not as good as the atmosphere

Bush Tucker (by Miss J)

Red Sky Outback

Goodnight Sun

Turtle Crossing , Albany, Emu Point

Wave Rock.

This post is out of order due to Blogger issues but non the less it was worthy of a post. We were here in March. Wave rock is located in the red center about three hours north of Albany. If your an adventure seeker you can go off the beaten path enroute and follow the farm roads along the rabbit proof fence which will lead you close by.

The rock itself is a marvel. I dare anyone not to strike the old surfing pose for a snap. Also...dare to go out without a fly net.