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!

Lily, shorn, and not looking like a little black Merino anymore

 

Karijini 2020 Trip - WA at it's "Gorgeous" best

Well, I will start by saying that no photo or video can do this part of the Pilbara justice. It just can't. When you physically stand in these gorges the sense of awe is palpable, and leaves you with no doubt about the immense power behind it's creation.

Wow! We made it to the famed Pilbara. Betty the faithful Trailblazer looks on...

A (very) common sight up North; 4-Trailer Road Trains. Not so bad on the tarmac, but man can they be daunting when they approach at 80km/h on a dusty outback road (which is also very common). My advice; just pull over and let it pass.

Sadly, this is something else you will see North of Cue/Mt Magnet. Lots of Wedge Tail eagles killed while eating dead Roo's (or similar) on the road.

..and this was a small, juvenile bird...

A large dump truck parked at the Southern entrance to Newman. Very impressive!

 

Joffre Falls

Knox Gorge

Joffre Gorge Lookout

Handrail Pool