2012, October 1 / 6 - Bunbury to Margaret River

Trip Meter Reading Start –  6795

Interim Trip Meter Reading –  6883 (88kms)
Trip Meter Reading Finish –  7386 (591kms)

Filled Up Gelorup
LPG $0.88.5/ litre; 64.35 litres $57.21
Petrol $1.44 / litre; 29 litres $42.00

Accommodation
Margaret Valley Big Valley Campground; $26 p/n (adults x2) plus $5 p/n (kids)
Owners:  Kevin, Shelly and Kylie (marked 285 in Camps 5 book)
Beautiful. Great or kids, clean amenities, amazing and friendly owners – luved it!!!


The road to the sheep farm at Big Valley

Comments – Luke

This is a cone shell. You can die picking them up

Mon – Today we set up camp at a farm and there were sheep and goats and in a shed there was a free camp kitchen with a pool table.  We also got to hold baby goats and other people put an alastic band around there balls and gave them an injection so that after a while there balls drop off.  They also cried like babies. Ouch!
Tue – Today I went to a shell museum with over 30,000 shells.  I was in heaven.  A man that owned it got spierd by a cone shell. Ouch. After that we went to Augusta for lunch and looked at some beaches.  We then looked at Cape Leeuwin light house where the Indian ocean and the Southern ocean meat.  We also went to Hamelin Bay were there use to be a long jetty for loading timber on to ships.  After that we went to Margret River and grabbed some groceries than went back to camp.
Wed – Today Mum was feeling sick so she stayed in bed all day while me and Dad went to the “Amaz’n Maze” were me and dad had a couple of races through and it was 1.2km.  We did it a couple of times but after that it killed.  After that we went back to camp and played some pool.
Thurs – Today we had a look around town and did some shopping.  Then went to Gracetown and Prevelly beach to have a look.  After that we went back to camp and fed goats.
Fri – Today me and dad went to the Jewel Cave and went down 50 m near Augusta we saw heaps of different types of crystles they also found a tazy tiger skeleton down there.  After that we went back to camp and met up with our friend Scott.


Luke discovering Jewel Cave, Margaret River

Sat – Today Scott came with us and we visited two wineries.  After that we went to the chocolate factory and tasted free samples.  We also went to a silk worm farm to see how they lived.  We then went to a lollie shop and bought some licorice then went back to camp.


Beautiful Hamelin Bay

Comments – Mum and Dad
1.10.12 – We left Gelorup and said our goodbyes to Helen and Kim and headed south (about an hours drive) to set up camp at the Big Valley Campground (10km E of Margaret River on Wallis Road). 

Mark, Kim and Helen Blythe, Nicole

2.10.12 – Today we decided to do a day trip as far south as Augusta today.  First stop was the Shell Museum (of course) to view the Bellview Shell Collection.  The owner had collected shells since he was 3 (he is now in his 70’s.  We spent some time there as Luke has a huge interest in shells and has his own collection (now 2 large boxes under his bed in the van).  We proceeded to Witchcliffe and picked up a couple of second hand marine and shell books for Luke.  Augusta is a gorgeous place (especially when the sun is shining); the wild flowers heading out to the lighthouse at Cape Leeuwin were absolutely gorgeous including the view along the beach over the old water wheel below the lighthouse.  Taking the Cave Road home via Hamelin Bay, Boronup Karri Forest and through the Margaret River Township was a beautiful drive; large forest lands meeting the rugged bays into the Indian Ocean.



Augusta, WA

3.10.12 – The Amazing Maze (cost $32 x1 adult x1 child)

4.10.12 – As I had been sick, we had an easy day walking around the Margaret River township with a nice lunch at Dome before heading west to explore the beautiful bays and foreshore areas of Prevally and Gracetown.
5.10.12 – Today after a doctor’s appointment, the boys decided to have a day out revisiting Hamelin Bay and Jewells Cave.  Today was a beautiful sunny day and Mark was amazed at how calm the waters were at Hamelin Bay were compared to the first day we visited.  This afternoon, Uncle Scottie rocked up to join us for a couple of days camping at the farm. 
6.10.12 – Cashed up (not) we headed out to visit the Berry Farm; Silk Road; Bootleg Brewery; Sandleford Winery; Chocolate Factory and Cowarmup township

Bootleg Brewery for lunch on the lake

Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse