York to Alfred Cove

Day 70 - York to Alfred Cove

York, Fremantle, Alfred Cove, Bentley, Alfred Cove

Friday, 29 March 2013
Packed up and said goodbye to the Wollongong couple and then drove to Freemantle. Had a drive around and a walk with Tuka. Was going to Rotnest Island but found out it was going to cost $67 return and I would have to leave Tuka alone for too many hours. Decided to visit Curtin University instead.

On the way stopped at Thompkins Park in the suburb of Alfred Cove. It is located on the south side of the Swan River. Lots of people picnicing, walking and cycling. Tuka managed to get his feet wet in the river.

Drove to the Curtin University of Technology at Bentley, Perth. The uni reminds of The University of Wollongong with its mixture of old and new buildings surrounded by large trees and shrubs. Tuka and I had a walk around the quiet campus.

Drove back to Thompkins Park to stay the night as the parking area is off the main road and not next to any expensive houses. Went for a few walks with Tuka. Watched the black swans and the wind surfers. Later that night a man from the local security service said hello and told me he would keep an eye on the van during the night.

	Tuka at the University [Map]		Architecture & Planning Building [Map]
	Perth Skyline [Map]

Northam to York

Day 69 - Northam to York

Northam, York, Gwambygine Pool Conservation Reserve, York

Thursday, 28 March 2013
Cleaned the van in the morning and then packed up. While I was packing one of the owners was nearby with his chocolate labrador. Tuka and the lab had a play until it was time to go.

Drove to York, a small town about 40km from Northam and stopped at the Information Centre at York. It is housed in a room of the former Town Hall. The biggest town hall Is one of the largest ever built in country WA. I was given some informatiom and then Tuka and I had a walk along the main road. Lots of old buildings (late 1800s and early 1900s) and interesting shops.

Drove down to the Avon Park and then walked across the swing bridge across the Avon River. Originally built in 1853 by convicts but since then repaired and replaced a number of times. Had lunch at the park.

Then drove out to the Gwambygine Pool Conservation Reserve. The Pool is one the few remaining permanent pools of the Avon River. During summer the river doesn't flow but in winter it is suitable for grade 2/3 kayaking and occasionally floods the surrounding area including the Avon Park in York.

Drove back to York and up to the lookout on Mt. Brown. The lookout is 342m above sea level and provides nearly 360 degree views of the town and countryside.

Decided to stay in York that night as the parking next to the Avon Park allows a 24 hour stay for recreational vehicles. Later a caravan parked behind me. It was Wollongong couple I had met New Norcia. Talked to them and then later Tuka and I walked up to the main street and I bought a pizza for tea.

	Tuka and friend [Map]		Tuka and friend playing [Map]
	York main street [Map]		Old York Town Hall [Map]
	Swinging Bridge [Map]		Avon River at Gwambygine [Map]
	York as seen from Mt. Brown [Map]

New Norcia to Northam

Day 68 - New Norcia to Northam

New Norcia, Bolgart, Toodyay, Toodyay Free Range Emu Farm, Northam

Wednesday, 27 March 2013
Woke up early. Cold morning so jacket needed for me - pity Tuka doesn't have any hair anymore to keep him warm. Had breakfast, a walk and packed up.

Drove past rolling hills of farmland and finally reached Toodyay. Stopped at the park and had a cuppa and a walk along the Avon River. Looked at the Toodyay Miniature Railway and 'Newcastle' Station. Newcastle was the original name for Toodyay but was changed because of postal confusion with Newcastle, NSW. The Toodyay Miniature Railway was opened in 1996 and trains run for approx. 8-9 minutes on the 1.1 km long track.

Bought some groceries at IGA and then parked in main street. Went shopping in a shop that sold only things produced in the Toodyay area. Products include honey, olive oil and free range emu oil and emu oil soap.

On the way to Nordham I saw the Free Range Emu Farm. I called in and was greated by two labradors and a kelpie. They were very friendly and could smell Tuka. No was home so continued on to Nordham.

Drove to the Nordham and booked into the caravan park. Set up, did the washing and took Tuka for a walk. Found a dog exercise area and so exercised Tuka while watched by a sheep and miniature horse.

	New Norcia campsite [Map]		Farmland [Map]
	'Newcastle' Station [Map]		Toodyay [Map]
	The three dogs [Map]		Free Range Emu Farm [Map]
	Northam Caravan Park [Map]		Miniature horse and sheep [Map]

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New Norcia

Day 67 - New Norcia

New Norcia

Tuesday, 26 March 2013
Woke up in the middle of the night to heavy rain. In the morning Tuka's bowls full of water. Good thing he slept in the van that night. After breakfast we went for a walk in the eucalypt foest nearby. I found out later the Benedictine Community owns 20,000ha of land of which one third is bush - so plenty of land for walking. The town is entirely owned by the Benedictine Community. It was originally started as a mission in 1846 by two Spanish Benedictine monks.

Then went down to the Roadhouse and bought a loaf of the New Norcia Old Stone Mill bread. The bread was baked at the Monastery last night. Had a slice for morning tea - very good.

At 10am went the Visitor's Centre, Museum and Art Gallery and bought tickets for the Town Tour and Museum. Took Tuka for another walk and then came back to the Centre at 10.50 for the Tour. The Town Tour took two hours and a pleasant, friendly and knowledgeable guide told our group the history of New Norcia. Tour also provides access to locked buildings that are closed to the public. In St. Gertrudes College we joined a school group and were lectured by one of the monks. New Norcia is made up of 63 buildings of which 27 are listed by the National Trust so there is plenty to see.

In the afternoon I looked through the Museum & Art Gallery. It contains paintings by Spanish and Italian masters, gifts from the Queen of Spain, artefacts that span the life of the settlement, a history of St. Joseph's Aboriginal Girl's Orphanage (the original use for the Museum & Art Gallery) and a collections of botanical drawings by Charles Gardner, WA's Government Botanist from 1928 to 1962.

I took Tuka for a walk and then we went to the hotel a couple of glasses of Abbey Ale while I talked to a Wollongong couple travelling with a caravan anti-clockwise around Australia. Tuka and I then camped near the river along with a few other caravans and motorhomes.

	A clipped Tuka [Map]		The front of the Monastery [Map]
	Looking towards the Abbot's rsidence in the Monast [Map]		The back of the Monastery [Map]
	Abbey Church [Map]		The New Norcia Flour Mill and a well [Map]
	Inside the Flour Mill [Map]		Paintings showing the Aboriginal seasons [Map]
	St. Gertrude's College [Map]		New Norcia Hotel [Map]

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Herron Point to New Norcia

Day 66 - Herron Point to New Norcia

Herron Point, Claremont, Perth, New Norcia

Monday, 25 March 2013
Woke up at 6am and packed up, had breakfast, walked Tuka and on the way by 7am. Said goodbye to Wal and Marilyn, campers in a bus that I had spoken to a few times while walking.

In theory the 100km trip to the Claremont Showground where the Perth camping and Caravan Show was being held should be 75 minutes. What with an accident on the southern freeway, a breakdown and peak hour traffic it took 125 minutes to get there.

In the showground was told to park near some trucks so was near the entrance to the Show. The motorhome displays were much smaller than the east coast shows. Only Paradise and Jayco showing motorhomes. Lots of caravans, camping and 4wd equipment, accessories and tourist info though.
After a couple of hours at the Show I drove up to the Claremont Vet where Tuka was booked in for a clip. He met a very frisky young Golden Retriever but he didn't notice the cat on the bench. After Tuka was taken to be clipped I called in at the tyre place next door and arranged to have the rear tyres replaced.

Then caught the train into Perth CBD. Fast electric trains with carriages like those in Singapore. Bench seats against the wall and standing space in the centre. The Perth station is adjacent to the Perth Cultural Centre - "The State’s key arts, cultural and educational institutions reside within the Perth Cultural Centre". I manged to visit the Art Gallery of WA, the WA Museum and the State Library of WA. In the library I manged to buy three fiction books for 50c each - stock from borrowing section of the library that were no longer needed. Walked around the Murray Street Mall. Fountain in the mall would at times have four walls of water so you couldn't get out until one wall stopped. Also went for quick walk to the Swan River.

Back at Claremont picked up the short-haired Tuka and then the van and headed off to New Norcia 145km north-east of Perth. The dreaded peak hour traffic on the northern freeway caused delays but overall 145km trip was pleasant and I arrived about 6pm. Booked in to the camp ground at the Hotel ($7 per night for self contained vehicles).

"The Benedictine Community of New Norcia is the official title of the group of Roman Catholic monks who have owned and operated the small town of New Norcia, which is located 132km north of Perth in Western Australia, since 1847. New Norcia is Australia’s only monastic town, with the Monastery, where the monks live, work and pray, at its heart". I look forward to exploring it tomorrow.

	Art Gallery of WA [Map]		State Library of WA [Map]
	WA Museum [Map]		The Murray Street Mall [Map]
	Fountain in the Mall [Map]		General Post Office - built in 1923 [Map]

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Herron Point

Day 65 - Herron Point

Herron Point

Sunday, 24 March 2013
After breakfast and a walk I went kayaking. No wind so water flat. Lots of pelicans, darters and cormorants on the sandspit. Black swans and ducks feeding in the shallow areas. Hoping to see some dolphins in the bay but no luck.

Came back to camp, had a walk with Tuka, morning tea and then another kayak. While kayaking a horse and rider went past me in about one metre of water.

In the afternoon had a couple of beers with Pauline and Graham while Tuka ate some crab and left over bait. They then packed up and left late in the afternoon to go back to Perth.

	Pelicans and a swan on the sandspit [Map]		Cormorants and darters on the sandspit [Map]
	Pelicans on the sandspit [Map]		Tuka on the beach [Map]

Herron Point

Day 64 - Herron Point

Herron Point

Saturday, 23 March 2013
In the morning There was no wind so water calm. Went for walk, talked to Graham and Neil while they packed up. Said goodbye to them and then went kayaking.

Kayaked to the north where Graham and Pauline were crabbing from their kayaks. They told me they had seen some dolphins nearby so I went off to find them. I did find two dolphins chasing the fish in about 1.5 metres of waer. I followed them along with a pelican. After a while the dolphins turned aroundand swum under my kayak and next to it and then they took off to deaper water.

In the afternoon had a walk with Tuka and talked to some of the campers at the other end of the camping ground. Then had a few beers with Graham and Pauline while they cooked their crabs. Tuka was fed some biscuit by Pauline while we talked.

	Estuary in the morning [Map]		Dolphin chasing fish [Map]
	Pelican following dolphins [Map]		Dolphin next to kayak [Map]

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Herron Point

Day 63 - Herron Point

Herron Point

Friday, 22 March 2013
Took Tuka for a walk and then decided to go kayaking as there was no wind and water was smooth. Graham and Neil had already gone crabbing in their waders instead of with their kayaks.

Went kayaking to the north. Pelicans flew past me with one side of the V going on my left and the other on my right. I could hear the beating wings. Then more past me on my right hand side. Altogether about 100 pelicans flew past me.

Came back to camp and met some new arrivals in a caravan, Graham and Pauline. Talked to them and then took Tuka for a walk.

Then went kayaking again. Went down south past the sandspit with dozens of pelicans on it and then onto a little island. Stopped and walked around. Saw an osprey on a dead tree and a pied cormorant.

Back at camp took Tuka for a walk and then I talked to Graham and Pauline and then Graham and Neil. Tuka managed to get pats and food during the talks.

	Low flying pelicans [Map]		Pelicans on the sandspit [Map]
	Kayaking towards the island [Map]		Pied cormorant on the island [Map]
	Kayak on the island [Map]

Herron Point

Day 62 - Herron Point

Herron Point, Pinjarra, Herron Point

Thursday, 21 March 2013
Had breakfast and a walk and then packed up and drove to Pinjarra. There is a "large variety of community services and businesses in Pinjarra which makes this town a thriving community and an iconic attraction for visitors". I did some shopping, had a look around the town and then drove back to Herron Point.

Set up camp in a different spot with more shade. Tuka and I for a walk along the beach and looked at birds out on the estuary. It was low tide and calm so plenty of birds in the shallows and sand islands. I counted fify pelicans and thirty black swans. Also saw an Osprey perched on a dead tree.

After lunch I put the kayak together. Ready to go paddling when the wind came up and made the calm water choppy and mot very pleasant for kayaking. Instead went for walk and saw forty pelicans flying in a V formation about a metre above the water.

Decided to eat the rest of the crabs in the late afternoon. Tuka and I enjoyed the feed. In the evening Graham and Neil invited me over to their camp to drink port and talk. Tuka and I went over and I drank port while Tuka ate snacks and we listened to tales of their work and 4WD camping adventures.

	New camp site [Map]		Pelicans on a sand island [Map]

Binningup to Herron Point

Day 61 - Binningup to Herron Point

Binningup, Herron

Wednesday, 20 March 2013
Had breakfast, walk with Tuka, filled water tank and packed up. Left at 9am.

On the highway - civilization again - dual lane highway and police with radar. Turn off onto Heron Point Road and at 9.50am I am talking to the caretaker of the Heron Point Campground. By 10.10 I am set up and taking Tuka for a walk along the estuary past the pelicans, black swans and seagulls.

The camping ground is located next to the Peel-Harvey Estuary, a wetland of international importance. It does exist even though Apple Maps shows me located next to land.

Later on talked to two guys, Graham and Neil,  that were camped nearby. In the afternoon they asked me if I wanted some crabs. They gave me four blue swimmer crabs. That evening I cooked the crabs and then Tuka and I shared one.

	Looking north [Map]		Looking south [Map]
	Camping ground [Map]