Heading East

After heading through up country we spent a couple of days in Esperance.

Then headed back across the Nullarbor.

 Through the Gawler Ranges.

And on to the Flinders Ranges. We had planned to spend more time there but the skies opened while we were at Wilpena. We sought advice from the ranger who said "Go back to bed with a hot water bottle". The road north was closed due to flooding and the dirt roads were unsafe.

We decided to head through the Southern Flinders to Peterborough where we learned about its railway history at Steam Town. We then spent a couple of days in Broken Hill where we visited galleries and had tea at the Palace Hotel which was featured in Pricilla Queen of the Desert.

Tonight we are in Cobar and heading north toward Lightning Ridge tomorrow.

Down to Up Country

We have heard of people going 'up country' now we know where to find it. We traveled down to Lesueur National Park.

Then down to Nambung National Park to explore the Pinnacles desert. 

Further down to Dryandra where we stayed at Dryandra Woodlands Park and went on a guided nocturnal tour of Barna Mia, a predator-proof sanctuary for endangered marsupials including Bilby, Boodie, Woylie and Marla. Barna Mia is at a secret location within the park and its only when you book for the tour that the location is disclosed.

Down, down and we came to Kojonup (a  wildflower hot spot). We think Koji, as locals refer to it, is the capital of 'Up Country'. Exploring google maps to decide on our next destination we found that a majority localities in the area end in up. There is Changerup, Dinninup, Kulikup, Jingaup, Mobrup, Chowerup, Jackitup and lots more ups

We chose a route past the Balicup Lake and Jebarup Nature Reserves and have spent the last two nights at the Mt Trio bush camp in Amelup on the edge of the Stirling Range National Park.

Here we have been on a guided walk to Orchid City.

Tomorrow we will head into the national park and then eastward through Toompup, Ongerup, Needilup and Jacup

Heading Southward

After our sojourn in Coral Bay, we have been gradually heading southward. Spent a couple of days exploring the highlights of Shark Bay ... dolphins at Monkey Mia, Stingrays at Eagle Bluff, stromalites at Hamelin Pool. At Shelly Beach we saw shells and along the road we met a Bobtail Lizard.

Further down the road we found the famous leaning trees of Greenough and visited the abandoned village which is now managed by the National Trust. We camped last night at Western Flora Caravan Park which is set in bushland in the middle of nowhere. And guess what! ... there were more wildflowers.

Coral Bay

We crossed the Tropic of Capricorn and arrived in Coral Bay on Monday and have propped for a while. Have snorkeled off the beach, toured the bay in a glass bottom boat and explored the Ningaloo Reef James Bond style on a sea scooter tour.

Tomorrow it will be more snorkeling and kayaking before continuing the journey south on Saturday.