Back to Nature, Wanerie, WA

 

23 September 2015

 

Back to Nature Caravan Park

 



 

We were following our Sat Nav and the coordinates we had logged in to it, but we once close to our destination we realised that the final road we were travelling down was the wrong one!! We stopped after being on a red dirt track for approximately 500 metres. Helen thought it best to telephone Sheila the camp ground owner. Sheila knew exactly where we were and explained the correct route to take!!

Once on Sheila and Harry's land and taking our time along the track we came upon a very nice grassed area all ready for the many caravans' that would be here this weekend, (a public holiday on Monday). Harry met us and guided us to a nice shady spot, close to some semi permanents. It seemed to take forever setting up as we couldn't get the van level until we were allowed to dig some soil out which would enable us drive the caravan wheels into the holes, thus having a nice level caravan. 

 

This caravan park is approximately 60kms from our son's place, but, for us, it will suit, and also it is very reasonable as most of the parks in and around the city are quite a bit more expensive. We are also looking at the facilities that Harry and Sheila have for storing our van. It does seems likely that we will stay at Jon's house which makes it easier for us to see Kyan and help take and pick up from Kindy.

 

We were given the loan of a firepit from Neil who has a semi-permanent caravan on site he also told us about the short walk along the path and up the hill where we could view the evening sunset and the many kangaroos that come to graze in the evenings. After chatting with other semi-permanents, we took our drinks, camera and  did the walk to see the sunset. Helen spotted the various wild flowers again at the top of the hill and took a few shots. Once again, the sunset was amazing but we weren't lucky enough to see the 'roos

 

Looking back to the campground

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over the to the following days the caravan park became busier and busier. We were lucky to have Jon and our grandson Kyan with us for a few nights too. It is a really good park and has fantastic amenities with a really large under cover outdoor area where people could get together for a drink and chat.

Richard soon motivated our little grandson to collect wood for the fire... it was sooo funny seeing him use his knee to break the twigs.

 

 

 

Breaking twigs

 

 



 

It would soon be the end of the month and a complete fire ban across the state of WA, so Richard was determined we would have as many camp fires as possible. 

 

 

 

  

Jon had his own sleeping accommodation just outside the awning of the caravan. Kyan slept in the caravan with Grandad and Grandma but in the mornings he did go out and found his daddy in the tent. 

Our closest beach is at a small place called Guilderton it is where the Moore River meets the sea and this inlet is ideal for small kids. So, we decided to take a run out there with our fishing gear and some beach chairs where we could have some time in the water. Here Kyan was once again on form, running in and out of the water.



We had a really great week here at Back to Nature. Before we knew it we would be leaving to go to our house sit, which is in the hills to the east of Perth. Unfortunately, the distance to Jon's house is again 60kms.

Gidgegannup here we come!

Mingenew to New Norcia

Mingenew, Morawa, Dalwallinu and New Norcia

 

Western Australia has over 12000 species of Wild Flowers and here we hope to see some of them and the spectacular colours along the way.....

17th September
Our journey to Mingenew for a two night stay, is quite short this morning and we decided to have a stop on route at a small tourist point of interest called Depot Hill. Here, we had a walk along a made pathway and saw such beautiful sight of Gods own creations, an area that looked like a blanket but with the most amazing colours, it was stunning. This area only takes about 30 minutes to walk and take photographs which is a must. 
















 




Many different colours

 













We found the little Shire Caravan Park where we managed to get hooked up to electricity, surprisingly, as there is an Expo in town and we expected the CP to be full.  We set up and then took off on a little tour of the area, we climbed up to the local lookout on Mingenew Hill, then looked at the Expo but Richard wouldn't pay the $20 each entry fee!! We found the wonderful bakery that everyone talks about on Wikicamps and had a coffee but we didn't succumb to the amazing looking cakes, the bread looked very good too.
A trip the following day (Friday) was taken out to Coalseam Conservation Park a journey of 120kms round trip. Here, we found two new camping grounds, one near the old Miners shaft sites. So much history here and so many flies, once again our headnets were used.



The fly nets are absolutely essential here!

The Coalseam Park has been laid out really well by the Conservation people and we had a walk along another pathway that again showed amazing views of this area... there was the Irwin River that had no water just the dried up river bed.  Today is Friday so this evening we decided to treat ourselves and partake of the caravan parks evening meal of fish and chips at the cost of $34 for the two of us, very nice too.




Stunning wildflowers

Morawa
On our travels south we had many conversations with other Grey Nomads as to their journeys into the WA wildflower regions and it is during these conversations we were told about the very rare and beautiful Western Australian Wreath flower. The plants flourish on disturbed ground, at the roadside, where a grader has been levelling the dirt. Flower fanatics come from all over the world to catch a glimpse of these beautiful plants that's if they can be  found. We found the Morawa Shire CP, it is being looked after by Bronwen and Ken who have a 3 months contract. Bronwen never stopped, the CP had some very nice cabin/unit accommodation that is used by various people who come to the area and here this week would be the school dentist and their assistants....
Whilst Richard organised and set up the caravan Helen ventured out to the local IGA as it would close at 12:30, it is Saturday in the outback!! Helen also found a very nice Tourist information office with a lovely lady who generously gave us a mud map of the area and she pointed out where our Wreath flowers would be found, we had two places to visit. We were soon on the road, it was as the lady said about 34km trip to our first location, no one was on the road this afternoon it was very, very quiet.
 

A very rare Wreath Flower
 



Another amazing Wreath flower










We were so pleased we had actually found these amazing plants. We looked at our mud map and plotted another route along red dirt roads to find the next location of wreath flowers. On route we spied a few more motorists, obviously looking for the same plants and flowers that we had found. We stopped at a touristy spot and found a large cairn that is said to have been erected by an explorer John Forrest and his Aboriginal companion.



We found this Cairn, a tribute to an
early explorer, Sir John Forrest.









 

 

 

A top of this hill was again the most amazing abundance of wildflowers.

 

 

 



We ventured on and looked intently for our next wreath flowers, we thought we had missed them or they just weren't around, so we decided to drive very slowly and at last we sighted another row of them. We think ourselves extremely lucky that we have seen this wonderful species.














Our next town for one night is Dalwallinu and what a lovely little town and once again we visited the Information office for a local map and any info the kind ladies who work in these remote offices, could give us. We had intended to have a good look around the area but we made our way to the local Hotel and had a spot of lunch and ended up talking for over 2 hours to a lovely couple from Mandurah. They too are touring the local area by using Bed and Breakfast establishments. We swapped names and emails and said goodbye, hopefully we will see them again.

Dalwallinu, the main street and another old tractor!

New Norcia
Even though we have been to WA a number of times and have relatives here, we have never heard or been told about New Norcia until recently on our travels. It was a must visit for us. We arrived early, well for us 11a.m. is early. We found the camp ground and set up using what looked like a cricket wicket as a nice slab for us to step out on. We had some nice neighbours too. We knew we had to book for the tour that was at 2pm and so headed off to the Information Centre and Museum where we could book and pay for the tour and our $10 for the campground. We also received a voucher for 10% off for food at the Hotel and so we decided to treat ourselves once again this evening.

Our pitch and the cricket wicket!

New Norcia is the only Monastic town in Australia. It started in 1847 by two Spanish Benedictine Monks, the town has amazing Spanish architecture, including two schools, an Abbey and Old Mill, a wine press, a hotel and the Monastery. At the moment there are 11 monks in residence including the Abbot, the schools are now closed but are used for visiting school parties and accommodation. Some of the buildings were used as an Aboriginal Orphanage, there is now a Museum and Art Gallery. There was an exhibition of past competition winners who had loaned their works of art. These paintings, mostly, depicting representations of many verses from the Bible.

The Good Samaritan, Helen's favourite

Another area of the Museum showed paintings that have been bought and collected by the Monks over many years. It was quite something and we highly recommend a visit.


Our walking tour of the town took 2 hours with our guide giving lots of useful information on how the town began. Back at the Information office we placed our order for bread (to be collected in the morning) that is baked to the original recipe of the first monk who resided here. Please take time to Google the town, you will be fascinated.

We enjoyed a very pleasant meal at the hotel and a nice evening with some people from our tour.

The Monastery

The tomb of Bishop Rosendo Salvado
of New Norcia

The Old Mill

Picture of the boys orphanage

The next morning we left late as Richard once again went off chatting to some new neighbours who arrived early. They are Kiwis too... again swapping of names, emails etc was done and we headed on our way further south to a Bush type camp for a week, here we will be closer to our son and Grandson. After this week we head off to our house sit for the month of October!