From Kalbarri to Fremantle

Monday 31st August - Wednesday 2nd September.

After leaving Kalbarri our aim was to hug the coast while making our way down to Geraldton. Along the way the landscape has become more manicured with fields of fluro yellow grain and colourful wild flowers.

     These fields are everywhere making for a dynamic landscape.

     This is why our national colours are green and gold. Until this trip I have never come across so much gold in our vegetation, it is everywhere.

    The colour palate is so varied.

We past what is known as the Pink Lake, which is really named Hutt Lagoon. As we were driving past we pulled over to get a good shot of the lake. And as soon as we stopped the sun came out and the lake turned to a brilliant pink. This is near the township of Port Gregory.

   The pink hue is due to the presence of the carotenoids producing algae, Dunaliella Salina, a source of Beta - carotene, a food-colouring agent and source of vitamin A. It is truely amazing to see and these pics are not enhanced at all, what you see is the real thing.

We called into Geraldton, collected supplies, had a look around the town(a big country town) and visited the memorial to HMAS Sydney 11. If you are in Geraldton this memorial is a must to visit. Just walking up to the front of it you can feel a presence, a moment of reverence. 

    It is a beautiful, well thought out and immaculately presented memorial.

I put this pic in as some of you might be able to click on it and enlarge it so as to read the inscription. For those of us that can't, however, I won't bore you with too much of what it says but would like to let you know a little of it.

This memorial comprises many symbolic elements expressing the tragic loss of HMAS Sydney 11. The precinct is based on a circular plan, symbolising totality, wholeness, infinity, eternity. 

The Wall of Remembrance has the names of the 645 men lost engraved into it. 

The Sanctuary is the centrepiece and inspiration a heart of the entire complex. The Dome is composed of 645 stainless steel gulls, representing those lost.

The Waiting Woman Sculpture, appearing almost real, leaning anxiously into the wind is a moving site. Her gazed fixed patiently forever on the far horizon, she is the all encompassing 'Waiting Wowan' grieving for her menfolk.

The Pool of Rememberance has been the last element added to the memorial. 

   This was added after the memorial was finished and it symbolises the finding of the HMAS Sydney11 on March 16, 2008. 

    This again is very hard to see and I had goose bumps reading this when I read that the Waiting Woman gazes at the exact compass bearing of the ship and she was placed there before the ship was found.

This was a very moving experience and a must see if you pass through Geraldton.

After Geraldton we stayed the night at another coastal hamlet called Port Denison, a sleepy little place just below Dongara. This was Monday night.

Next day we continued along the coastal road heading towards Perth. We called in at a number of places along the very rugged coastline just for a quick look and an all important break in the many miles that we do at times.

     Not the best pic, just to illustrate how close we were to the coast for miles with no human habitation.

 Leeman was the first stop where we made brekkie and watched the fishing boats bob around in the small inlet. Jurien Bay was the next stop for the all important coffee and before we hit our destination for the night we had a look at a place called Cervantes. All of these places are right on the coast and at this time of year are quiet deserted. Not as deserted, however, as Ledge Point were we stayed for the night. We drove into this hamlet and drove around it for probably 10 to 15minutes( we saw the whole place in that time)and did not see a single car or person. It was like the town had been evacuated. 

Wednesday, our next day on the road, was another one of meandering down the coast road and calling into places before we hit Fremantle.

Yanchep, was our first spot where we had brekkie in the van overlooking the ocean. Some of you may remember Alan Bond built a large marina here to maybe host the 1987 Americas Cup, however, Freemantle was chosen instead. It seems a nice town with great beaches. Called into Scarborough, where Eli and Caitlan lived when they were in Perth and walked around the beach area. 

    Scarborough Beach on a colder, overcast day.

Driving a little further south our lunch stop was an expensive restaurant sitting on the beach at Cottesloe, very indulgent but very nice.

    Cottesloe Beach

From Cottesloe we finally arrived at our caravan park at South Fremantle. We chose this for a number of reasons. One being it was a recommendation from a travelled traveller, it is right on the busline  straight into the city of Fremantle which is not far away and there are not many caravan parks in and around Perth.

Looking forward to a few days exploring the area.