NINGHAN STATION OUTBACK TRIP

 

Murchison Station bush-camping (Kalbarri)

I think this is our third visit to Kalbarri, and God willing, it won't be our last. Still probably my favourite place in Australia. We were blessed to also have my folks along, with my mum having just turned 70 a couple of days before.

A warning that there are some repetitive photo's, but the place is so beautiful that you can't help it.

Checking in at the homestead before we crossed the river to search for a suitable camping spot.

We also stopped at the new Skywalk (very cool indeed!), Nature's Window and also did the Z-bend hike again.
What a place?! Awesome.

The view back to the little cafe at Skywalk (I think it actually detracts from the whole things).
Still, the stone and steel work has been beautifully done, and fits in with the surroundings.

My folks with Karin and Eugene.

Taking it all in.

A short rest stop near Nature's Window.

...and another rest stop..., haha!

I was very glad my folks had made the 7 hour trek from Perth to come see these sights first-hand.

The river valley/flood plain where we ended up pitching camp.
We were surrounded by hundreds of Ghost Gums, with hundreds of birds, Roo's and Goats.
We even had a Emu walk through camp at night, and we never even saw it! 

Home sweet home. The Outdoor Connection "Breakaway 450" dome gazebo was awesome!
It packs small, does not weight too much (12kg) but provides heaps of room and shelter.
We will be using it a heck of a lot more moving forward. A1 product and an Aussie company too.

We camped next to this large gum tree.
Tip: Never camp under the trees if you can help it. Branches break off often, and
could spoil your sleep (or worse).

Starry nights under the Southern Cross, with a camp fire crackling away. Heaven on earth.

Sunrise. Warning, several more photo's to follow, but how awesome was it?!

A short ~2km hike down the coastal cliffs just South of Kalbarri. This one was called Rainbow Valley.

This poor chap lost a fight for territory, losing both his pincers. 
Doubt he survived long, as without them he can't get food to his mouth.

Gene hanging on some of the near scarlet rocks on the way down the Z-bend gorge.

At the bottom of the gorge, looking North-East...

...and South. These are out of camera JPG's, with now saturation applied, so the rocks are that red.

Ninghan & Maranalgo Stations - Near Paynes Find, W.A.

As the school holidays began, Karin and I decided to shoot up North for 4 days, after which we'd return for a week-long trip to Murchison Station, just outside the beautiful coastal town of Kalbarri.

Ninghan was good again, but Maranalgo Station, just on the Northern edge of Lake Moore, was spectacular too. The photo's never do it justice.

On the way North we stopped (for the first time) at New Norcia. It is a very interesting town; worth the stop.

A little lizzard in our bag of firewood. One of the few
signs of wildlife in the winter. Quite unusual I though, seeing how cold it was (very!).

Something new; well two things really. The first is our new Coleman lanterns. 
It runs on Lithium batteries, so can give light for ~86 hours on one charge. Nice!
We also tried some hikers freeze-dried food. It was entirely edible, but no 
match for a steak on the fire and a foil-wrapped potato cooked in the embers.

A very chilly start to the morning, and yes, it had rained again! Aaargh!

Nice! Mt Stirling in the background, so it is a bit artsy-fartsy.

It is still a month before the wildflowers will explode into the landscape, but there
are already signs of the beauty to come. In person the display was stunning.

Karin chasing some Roo's down the hill. Aside from the hills, it is pretty flat out here.

Karin on Watharagabbing Hill with Mt Singleton behind her.

At the Paynes Find Roadhouse you can get a meal for next-to-nothing. Bargain!

If you want to see Lake Moore in all its glory up-close, you must enter Maranalgo Station.
You can get to the Northern (spectacular) edge of Lake Moore from here.

Just WoW!

What remains of a Roo after a summer exposed in the Outback.

Our camp on Maranalgo Station. We caught up with Byron (station manager) who kindly
gave us permission to camp the night. 

A wider shot. The Sony struggled a little in the low light.

Aside from our fire, there was no moon and no light whatsoever. "Hello darkness my old friend!"

Bush TV has great reception in the Outback.

Sunrise in the Outback. Pretty darned good!

Ninghan Station - 7 June 2021

After watching Ronny Dahl and Torbs visiting this station, we just had to go see it for ourselves. At just over 5 hours from home, it is quite close. Greg, Briar, Sandri & Mitch joined us on this trip, and it was also Greg's shakedown trip with the Jayco Flamingo pop-top caravan. There is a video of this trip on Youtube too.

On top of Bulgaburra Rock, looking towards Amphitheater Rock.

A Drone shot looking North across Lake Moore, and we were fortunate there was water in it
after some recent heavy rains.

Home for three days. We were camped at the base of Mt Singleton (background),
near the old farm shearing quarters, which had warm showers and flushing toilets.
At $15/night it is very reasonable.

Greg & Briar in the creek bed right next to the homestead.

About a third of the way up Watheragabbing Hill (474m), with Mt Singleton (678m)
in the distance.

Inspecting on of the large, intricate ant-nest entrances. The ants are huge (6cm or so) and
not to be messed with. 

Greg next to his 'Tuner.

Standing atop one of the several mine-shafts/wells on the farm. No fence around it, just as it should be.

Parked at the base of Amphitheater Rock. I had the Rhino Rack awning out
to dry it in the breeze, after some rain the night before. June-Aug are
the rainy months in Southern WA, so it is par for the course when bush-camping.

There are several water crossings on the farm, which have
nice firm bases, so good fun. Just drive slowly (Mitchell!)

A beautiful, flat spot next to one of the few windmills on the farm. We had hoped to
spot some Brumbies, but all we saw were some Merino's and the obligatory Roo's.

On top of the best lookout on the station; Sidetrack lookout (~410m).
It has a spectacular view over Lake Moore (below).

Our final morning, enjoying some rusks and coffee before we packed up.
Just look at that red soil; dark, deep red. Amazing.