Well it was back to city life. Although Perth isn’t as big as the eastern cities it is definitely not just a ‘big country town’. We drove Bertha into Perth, right through the guts of town and north to the Joondalup suburbs where our friends Belinda and Adrian live. School holidays were upon us and using a bit of reverse psychology we predicted that this was the best time to enjoy the city when everyone else was on holidays. We would get a chance to check out some of the city sights and not have to contend with the big crowds. We soon found out that compared to Sydney and Melbourne this was not a busy place at all.

We parked Bertha in the Quintons’ driveway and made ourselves at home for the next couple of weeks. After 4 months on the road it was good to be in one place for such a time to do some of the ‘normal’ things people get up to in the suburbs. Apart from visiting the local swimming pool every couple of days to get in some laps (kids also loved the water slide!), shopping and relaxing, we took the familys dog ‘Vader’ for walks in the morning. Vader is such as placid and friendly dog that Aimee even felt comfortable around him. The kids also learned to appreciate just what is involved in owning a dog, something they are hoping for in the future.

In the first week we were there we went into town a couple of times to visit the local attractions, including Kings Park and Freemantle. Fremantle is like a cross between St Kilda and Darling Harbour – very touristy but it is all about the location. Chris even got to pay homage to two of his favourite identities – the resting place of ACDC’s former leader singer Bon Scott and the ‘Little Creatures Brewery’.

It was nearing Anzac Day and the family decided to head back down to Albany to celebrate the day. This place was the last the Anzacs saw of Australia as they left for the Gallipoli campaign. We left the van and raced down there the day before and stayed the night at Belindas friends – Sarah and Luke. We ended up staying there for a couple of extra nights as all our camping gear got completely drenched. Sarah and Luke were very hospitable (thanks very much guys) and the kids got on like a house of fire. In between the rain we also managed to get out to East Bay – a beautiful camping area about 40 minutes east out of Albany. However the nights (and days really) were now very cool and thoughts of migrating north for the winter were very much upon us.

Eric and Liam were now back at school and for our last days were in Perth we took the opportunity to get some things done, including repairing the van as well as purchase items we might not see on the road ahead. Compared to other states, Western Australia, in particular Perth, is very expensive and something we have to get used to in the months ahead. We took the kids on some more outings including visiting the Perth Aquarium, Sci-tech and the Dinosaur exhibition. Chris was also lucky enough to hook up with a fishing friend of one of his work colleagues. A successful day on the water meant that seafood meals at the Quintons continued for the rest of the stay.

In all we had a great time in Perth. We were very fortunate and honoured to be sharing the Quinton household. We got to see how life is like on the ‘other side of oz’; we got to meet their wonderful extended family and friends; and we got to try some new goodies (Maple syrup) and gadgets (Thermomix!). Most of all we enjoyed the good company. Thanks for looking after us guys and make sure you look us up next time you come across to the east!!!

We headed out of Albany with a smashed rear light courtesy of a reverse collision in a Woolworths car park. These tight areas are notorious for car dings and with our big car we have to be careful whenever we are in built up areas. The quote to repair the ding was over-inflated ($1500), so we bought a copy tail light ($90) and will have the car repaired when we get back home. Anyway, it is very likely that it may happen again this trip. First stop out of Albany was a town called Denmark, which was very alternative and the beaches reminded us a lot of those back home. The gourmet trail had caught up to us again with plenty of wines, ciders, olives and small goods to try. We free camped along the side of the road in Walpole for a couple of nights to check out the local beaches and Karri tree forests. These areas were full of tight twisty steep roads and 4wd tracks. The trees were magnificent and the scenery and greenery so different to what we had experienced in the last few months. This area and those we were about to visit is pretty much the playground for Perth people due to its close proximity and vast changes in landscape.

On the way to the Margaret River region we headed away from the coast and stayed a couple of nights in a new caravan park in Manjimup. This is a rural orientated town and famous for its local produce. As usual we made full use of the parks facilities to wash ourselves and recharge the batteries in preparation for some more bush camping to come. As it was expensive (over priced more like it!) to stay in caravan parks around Margaret River we made a beeline for the National Park just south of the famous town to grab a spot as the Easter school holidays were fast approaching. The campsites were in a great position and amazingly most of the areas were empty, but not for long. We were also fortunate enough to be in the area at the same time when the Margaret River Surf Pro was on. Surfing was not a sporting event that we had attended before, but were so glad we got the opportunity to witness such a world class event in these beautiful surroundings – and yes it was all free (kudos to the organisers).

Joel Parkinson (World
Champ 2012)

Margaret River is the Byron Bay of WA with its upmarket restaurants, boutique shops and real estate prices rivaling that of Sydney. But beautiful and chic it is!. The first few days in the area we concentrated on the southern section around Augusta and Hamelin Bay. In the mornings we would hang out at the beach while in the afternoons when the wind got up we would do some sight seeing (and wine tasting!). The weather now in contrast to Albany was perfect, reaching the mid to late 20s each day. It was also Salmon fishing time with many punters lining the beach and participating in the frenzy. We enjoyed a couple of hot fishing sessions. In particular one morning when we were the only people on a beautiful beach, a pod of dolphins (around 10 of them) rounded up a large group of salmon and drove them into the shallow regions. What a sight it was with the dolphins almost beaching themselves and fish flying everywhere. While this was happening Chris was frantically casting lures into the salmon pack, trying not to snag a dolphin – definitely a national geographic moment and salmon patties for the rest of the week (of course not one of us had a camera at the time).

Later on that week we parked ourselves in the northern section of the region at a beachside town called Busselton. School holidays had arrived and we rang ahead and secured a site in a Christian camp (Camp Grace), which we had been advised of earlier in our travels. This was not a biblical experience, but the gods were still shining and great sunsets to match. Belinda, Eric and Liam from Perth joined up with us again to sample the delights of this trendy region. Activities included snorkeling at Busselton Jetty and learning to surf with an ex pro at the famous Margaret River mouth. We were lucky it was a small day (surf wise). The kids had a ball and are now looking forward to getting the opportunity to do it again. Adult activities included wine, chocolate, olive and smoked produce tastings, plus a few afternoon sessions at the local breweries. The gourmet food experience across southern Australia was now taking its toll – kilograms being piled on since the journey began. We were ‘flourishing’! It was now time to beat the crowds and recuperate (detoxify!) in the big city of Perth.