Great views in Kalbarri

The plans for the morning were to wake up and get another bit of school done before letting Hamish have a play with his new friend and checking out later than normal.  We even told Ian and Gwen that we would follow them for the first bit as they were going to the most haunted house in WA.  In the end we slept in a bit so pretty much just as Hamish finished breakfast and got dressed his friend James turned up for a play.  Not one to stand in the road of letting the kids play I decided school could wait for a bit and let him go.

Before long we were waving Hamish and Kayla’s friends James and Sarah off (oh and their parents of course) and then hitching on ourselves.  There just seemed so much happening when we were hitching on and Jason attached the Hayman Reese bars that I didn’t feel like I got to double check everything.  Obviously we check the main things every time but it just seemed a bit out of whack for some reason.  So off we headed out of the park behind Ian and Gwen.  You know that way we could blame them for holding up the traffic!  The boys saw a caravan and camping show and had a great chat about how I wouldn’t let Jason go because I was worried he would come back with all these toys for the van.

Making our way to Kalbarri.

See it isn't dry and dusty just yet.

After about 30km down the road we waved goodbye to Ian and Gwen as they turned into the haunted house.  We continued on and took the scenic drive to Kalbarri.  We had been told that pretty much as soon as you went north of Perth it was like desert/barren country, but I can tell you it certainly isn’t.  Well not yet anyway.  The drive was so pretty and we even passed another “pink” lake.  At first we were so disappointed as it was not pink at all, but by the time we got to the other end it definitely was.  However there was nowhere we could pull over with the van to get a photo of it.  Maybe we will come back.

The rest of the drive into Kalbarri was really nice following the ocean, and there were all these turns into clifftop lookouts.  We had already decided to just focus on getting the caravan into the park and set up.  Then eat some lunch and go out exploring.  Originally we thought we would go straight to Natures Window but because the weather prediction was for some more overcast weather the next day I wanted to get out and see the cliffs whilst the sun was out making the ocean a pretty blue.  So we packed up and headed out.

Rugged cliffs.

It was amazing looking down but glad the kids stayed in the car.

Every now and then you would get a little beach you could go down onto.
 

Not too bad of a view but the ocean was quite rough.

There were about seven different places to turn into so we knew we were definitely going to be out for a while.  Oh and let’s not forget about the flies who were ever so friendly.  I think the best way to describe it was another fellow travellers comment about Kalbarri being the only place where everyone is wearing a fly veil.  Jason and I took turns doing the lookouts as we just decided it was easier and safer to leave the kids in the car.  At two places there were even beaches you could walk down to.  Jason walked down to the first and then I did the second, called Pot Alley.  That walk was pretty cool as after the first 200 or so metres the path followed where the water would run down in a storm. 

The path down to the beach.

Jason admiring the view.

Yep the car looks good with this backdrop too.

Quick take off the fly veils and have a photo.

From there we had one more lookout we wanted to do and we thought it was safe enough for the kids to get out and do this one.  I don’t honestly know what we were thinking as we know our kids don’t walk well in the afternoon.  However I am stubborn and these kids were coming on this walk.  Okay Kayla was fine with it as she was in the stroller but Hamish just did not want to go for a walk and let us know about it all the way to the lookout.  Then I managed to coax Kayla into getting out of the stroller and letting Hamish in, but then Kayla wasn’t happy.  So I got Kayla to sit on Hamish’s lap and took them back to the car.  Talk about knowing how to ruin a beautiful walk.  I think we may have also turned some young couples off kids for a few more years at least! 

We walked all this way for a stunning view, pitty the kids weren't keen.

Back in the car they were happy so we drove into town and got an ice-cream each before returning to the caravan park.  Jason and Hamish completed a bit more school whilst I took Kayla to the playground.  There I met another little boy who told me all about how he was travelling to and then I met his parents up near the pool and had a quick chat to them and another traveller who we had met in Port Lincoln and had seen their car in other towns but not got to chat to again until now.  Mind you it was a quick hello really as Kayla started to head off so I followed.

The evening was a bit rushed trying to get dinner cooked and the kids showered as they were obviously tired from the day.  Once we had settled them in with cartoons, Jason and I went over and chatted to Ian and Gwen, but it didn’t last long as Hamish came over wanting us to come back.  He doesn’t like to be left alone even though we were just right there on the other side of the van.  So Jason came back, did the washing up and got the kids into bed.  I am very lucky and I must say it was nice to have a few wines and a good chat.

Sunday was a beautiful day and we are so getting use to waking up when we feel like it.  Mind you it is still super early compared to a lot of people but as long as the sun is up then I am happy to get out of bed.  I am normally the first out of bed and try and catch up on the blog or some other job that needs doing.  Just as long as it is quiet and doesn’t wake the kids.  Jason normally then gets up and makes me a coffee.  Then we are ready to face the day when the kids wake up. 

Our plan for the day was to do some school before heading out to the Kalbarri National Park with Ian and Gwen to check out Natures Window and also the Z Bend lookout.  Hamish easily did the session of school.  It did help it was about lizards and I said we might be able to spot one today on our walk.  Then it was a matter of packing up some food and hanging out the washing so we were ready to go when Ian and Gwen were ready.  Jason even let down the tyre pressure as we knew half the road was gravel so best to lower them down from the towing tyre pressure. 

So before long we hit the road and led the way out.  Obviously all the bitumen was easy going but then before long we ran out of that and onto the gravel road we went.  I think personally I would call it more sandy with lots of corrugations.  When I say lots, I mean the entire road and then the odd pot hole.  Still at the right speed it wasn’t too bad at all and compared to some of the other roads we have done it was a bit like a highway.  The road can still be done in a 2WD but obviously they were taking it a lot easier. 

Making our way into the National Park.

Kayla modelling her Nonna Net.

Hamish so excited to do another walk.

Lucky Jason managed to convince him to turn on his rocket shoes.

We headed straight for Natures Window as we had always wanted to do it and had seen so many photos of everyone else there, it was finally our turn.  Hamish however wasn’t keen to walk at all but there was no way we were letting him out of this one.  Jason managed to convince him to put on his rocket launchers and off they went.  Of course our main choice of fashion today was the fly veils as the locals were extremely friendly.  Jason even took a few pictures to show just how many we had flying around us or on us at one stage. 

Making their way to Natures Window.

Stopping for a rest and to wait for Mum and Dad.

It was really nice going out with Ian and Gwen for the day as it meant we could actually get a family photo, and we could take one for them too.  Natures Window is really impressive.  I mean you obviously see the gorge and view before you get there but for a natural rock like that to nicely frame it all is pretty special.  The kids really enjoyed it too but I think I had a few mini heart attacks when Kayla would walk too close to the edge. 

Now this is such a cool thing.

A photo with all four of us.

My cheeky monkeys.

The view without us blocking it.

We opted out of the 8km walk, okay let’s be honest, we never even considered it.  Getting Hamish to walk the 1km round trip was enough for us and even though it was only 25 degrees at the time it felt a lot warmer out there.   So off we headed and made a quick stop at another lookout.  I decided to give the kids a break and stayed in the car with them whilst Jason, Ian and Gwen walked the 500 metre round trip to the lookout.  I certainly enjoyed the break from the flies for a bit.  From there we had one more stop on the road, so off we headed along the corrugated road for 11km to do the Z Bend lookout. 

Making our way back to the car.

On the road again.

Of course this one was a 1.2km round walk to the lookout and we had considered doing the 2.6km round trip to the bottom of the gorge.  By now we knew that was just a stupid idea and we were not going to get down there.  Firstly it was just way too hot to consider it and we really weren’t prepared as you would need to take lots of water and snacks to get the kids through it all.  Maybe if you came out early in the morning, around 8am it would be nice to take your time and get down which would be the easy bit, then we would need double the time to get us all back up to the top.

Hamish at the z bend lookout.

So narrow at this part.

A family photo with us all looking.

As it was the 600m walk to the lookout it felt like it went on forever.  There was a mixture of carrying Hamish, then carrying Kayla and then making both of them walk but eventually we got there.  Poor Ian and Gwen, they will probably never want to come out again on a day with us.  It is a peaceful quiet walk with our lot.  The walk certainly rewards you though with a wonderful view out over the gorge and it is just stunning.  Of course the railing put in to protect people from falling isn’t the best for young kids who could easily slip under it but I am happy to report we came back out with two kids so all is good. 

Having a bit of fun.

Some of the native flowers that were out.

The trip back was slow as the kids were collecting rocks.

Giving a lift to a few flies.

It was a bit overcast so it would have been interesting to see the view when the sunlight was shining on the rocks, still as it was the view was spectacular.  By now it seemed to be warming up a lot and we were starting to get a bit hungry so we all decided to head back into town.  Only another 13km of corrugated road and we were back on the bitumen.  As we were leading the way we did let Ian know that we had hit the bitumen so he could get excited and he did point out how much quieter it was in the car back on the black stuff.  Whatever you do don’t let the road turn you off, in a 4WD it is nothing bad and it is so worth doing this place.

Ian and Gwen were going out for lunch so we decided to head back to the van for lunch as we had some leg ham and salad that we thought we should eat instead.  Talk about a healthy morning with all that walking and then a salad for lunch.  I say morning as we then ate ice-blocks and chocolate for lunch.  We were really hoping Kayla would fall asleep on the way home as we were wrecked but it didn’t happen so there was no rest for us.  The kids seemed to get a second wind so we spent most of our afternoon at the playground or pool.  One of the families we had met in Fremantle (Hamish’s friend ‘James’) rolled in later in the afternoon so we had a quick chat to them before heading back to the van to do a little bit more school with Hamish.

School seems to work a lot better this way and when it is a big session on a subject he isn’t keen on, I now just break it down into smaller more manageable parts and give him breaks in between.  Spreading it out over seven days is certainly helping a huge amount too.  Both kids seemed really tired in the afternoon so we did an early shower for them and put on a movie.  Our plans for an early night changed when Darren came over and asked if we did happy hour on Sunday nights!  Silly question, we don’t discriminate against Sunday.  So after they had dinner and showered the kids they came over and we all sat around outside chatting until about 9:30pm.  We really enjoyed their company and swapping our travel stories.

Even after the late night before I still managed to get up nice and early and enjoy the peaceful morning before the kids woke up and the day started.  Of course being a Monday it meant we were back into the school week and on air lessons.  Whilst Jason did the lesson I took Kayla all around the caravan park to entertain her and stop her from interrupting the lesson.  It was a little chilly too as the wind seems to have picked up so I am certainly glad we are only heading north to try and avoid it all.

The afternoon before Ian and Gwen had told us that they were thinking of heading out to the Province of Hutt River.  Jason really wanted to do it so we asked if we could tag along.  I wasn’t sure what to expect as it all seemed a little strange to me and I was worried we were going to be entering some cult compound and might never come back out.  Okay that might be a slight exaggeration but still it seemed odd in my opinion.  So we did a bit more school and when we were all ready we headed out.

My first impressions were that this Prince obviously had some money as 30km road into his place was fantastic and in such great condition.  Mind you there was certainly no Buckingham Palace on his property.  Unfortunately, at the moment he is away but one of his sons showed us around and explained a few things.  I personally didn’t get to hear much of it as the kids wanted to look at and touch everything.  Now I will admit that it was definitely interesting and hearing how he took on the Government and won through finding loopholes in the law is great story.  This meant that he could start his own province, pay no taxes to the ATO and fly out of the country on a Province of Hutt Valley passport.  He was obviously a very intelligent man too as there were all these science equations around which went right over my head.

They had their own stamps.

Money too.

No tax for him - lucky.

Their government office.

You can actually get your passport stamped here or even have visas to visit, so we bought the kids a visa each.  I was going to buy a sample of their stamps and currency but totally forgot about it in the end.  For a small little province that I had never even heard of they have certainly rubbed shoulders with some high up people.  There isn’t a huge amount out there but what is out there is certainly interesting and if you are into the science or whatever equations they are you would love it even more.

The kids and their visas.

At the entrance.

For my science friends.

Ian and Gwen then had to head onto Northampton so we decided to take the longer and more scenic route home and check out the last two Kalbarri gorge lookouts.  It was certainly the long way and the gorge lookouts were nice but after what we saw the day before it was always going to be hard to beat.  The plan had been to go out for a nice pub lunch but as it was nearly 2pm by the time we got back into town we decided against that as they probably wouldn’t have been serving lunch.  Instead we will do it tomorrow with a few more of the local attractions.

The rest of the afternoon was a combination of watching the kids play in the caravan park and knocking over some school work.  It is quite easy when we break it up but I think it is going to be a huge adjustment for Hamish when eventually he is back in a classroom and has to sit still for so long.  As we were all tired from our big days of sightseeing we opted for an early night and put the kids to bed on time.  Jason then kicked off the downloading of the next Walking Dead season.  Telstra has kindly given me a bonus 32GB of download for the month on my phone.  Obviously I would never use that so we are trying to make the most of it all.

Thankfully for our last full day in Kalbarri we didn’t have too much to go out and see, so instead we pretty much opted for a quiet day where we tried to get a fair bit of school work done as we had a big drive ahead of us the next day.  So after Hamish’s on air lesson we headed down to the pelican feeding which was great.  They only ask for a gold coin donation and this is to buy the fish to feed them as the people that run it are all volunteers.  We learnt a bit about them and then each of the kids and the adults too if they wanted got a chance to throw them some food.  Hamish and Kayla thought it was great.

One of the friendly locals.

Hamish paying attention to the talk.

Of course he loved throwing them food.

We then retreated to a nearby café for a second breakfast.   It was delicious and we certainly enjoyed it and the kids got to eat the hash browns so they were extra happy.  I did however have to try and do a phone reading lesson with Hamish which was a bit hard as there were way too many distractions around so that probably wasn’t the best move, but believe it or not that was one of the better reading lessons we have had of late.  He just needs to slow down and take his time.

Back at the caravan park I focused on doing school with Hamish whilst Jason cleaned out the car.  Yep that job hadn’t been done for a while so of course it took forever, but at least he had the little vacume that he had borrowed from Ian.  All was fine until Jason broke the little clip to hold it together.  Of course Ian and Gwen won’t let us buy another one so we are either going to just buy then one or enough alcohol to see them through the rest of their trip. 

As the day slowly wore on I think we just seemed to get more and more tired.  I totally understand what my Aunty said about travelling being tiring.  It is good to have these days of rest so that we can prepare ourselves for the next big leg and get more ahead of school as I we will be lucky to get one or two sessions done tomorrow.   So the rest of the afternoon we chased the kids around the playground before finally convincing them to come and watch a dvd in the van.  Finally some rest for us.