Wed/Thursday 8th and 9th August 2012 Broome to Eighty Mile Beach

Trip Meter Reading Start – 0 (restarted as Mark stuffed up somehow)

Trip Meter Reading Finish – 411 km
Total Km Travelled – 411 km

Filled  up Coles Express Broome
ULP $1.68 per litre; 55.54 litres @ $93.58
Gas $1.159 per litre; 64.48 litres @ $74.73
Filled up Sandfire Roadhouse
ULP $1.882 per litre; 64.3 litres @ $121.00
Accommodation
Eighty Mile Beach Caravan Park
$35 per night unpowered (extra $7 per child, if you tell them); we had the unpowered area all to ourselves and backed closest to the sand dunes; nice green grass, no shade but the temperature was perfect not too hot or cold and perfect for the 80w solar which ran our engel 38 litre fridge all day.  If you don’t need power I would recommend the unpowered camp site as you have more privacy and room and it’s cheaper.

Comments- Luke Baker
At 80 mile beach we camped behind a sand dune; we also looked for shells on the beach.
The next morning me and Dad got up very early and looked for shells.  We walked for miles and came across lots of beutifal shells.  After that we went fishing but we didn’t catch anything.    But a man beside us caught 2 stingrays.  We also drove along way up the beach and came across a seasnake.  It had nice strippy pattens.

Comments- Mum and Dad
Reluctantly left mum and dad in Broome as Dad had to see the Doc on Friday to see whether they can continue their trip.  It was a long straight drive down to the turnoff to 80 mile beach with a 6 km dirt road drive in to the camp ground.  We stayed 2 nights as we promised Luke he could look for shells.  This is one of the few places that you can keep shells legally. 

Well Luke found plenty of shells alright, a couple of bucket loads  Luke promises me he is going to make a big shell picture frame (he better) because I spent 3 hours cleaning and sorting them into sizes into clip lock bags so they didn’t stink the van out.

3 hours before high tide and about an hour afterwards there are about one fisherman per 15 metres up and down the beach as far as you can see.  Of course, we had no luck catching anything, however we took a drive up the beach and I must say even though you could see a mirage either way it was beautiful white beach with more shells than you could ever imagine.  On the other side of the dunes was the cattle station with herds grazing away no more than 100 metres.  Unbelievable!  If it were the East Coast there would be highrises and resorts; this is what makes the west side of Australia so unique; I hope it stays this way for my children and their children to enjoy.

Wednesday 1 August to Tuesday 7th August to 2012 Broome




Flowers - Quandong

Trip Meter Reading Start – 10381

Trip Meter Reading Finish – 11011
Total Km Travelled –  630 km

Comments -  Luke Baker
Wednesday - we took Nan and Pop down to Broomes Shipping Wharf to see if anyone caught anything.  We also went to a headland to see some dinosaur foot prints but the tide was too high.

Thursday - Today we took Pop to the hospital cause something was wrong with his knee.  We also went shopping and I bought a $50 dollar bionicle.  after that we went back to camp and watched the stair case to the moon.  Witch is the moon beam shinning on the sand flats at low tide.

Friday - Today we went shopping.  We also picked up Pop from the hospital and the Doctor's didn't know what was wrong with his knee.  We watched the staircase to the moon again.  We also went to look at the markets this only happens when the stair case to the moon appears.  I also bought a freshwater parl shell with deformed pearls for 20 dollars.



Luke's catch at Crab Creek

Saturday - Today we went shopping and bought Pop 2 walking sticks.  I also rid the full length of Cable Beach while Mum and Nan walked.  After that we wentback to camp and watched the stair case to the moon.

Sunday - Today we went with Erin and Jake to Crab Creek where we had a fish.  I caught a fish, but we didn't know what it was.  We also went to James Price Point where they want to drive for gas.  We walked along a beach that was there and found a shell approxametly 10 cm long.

Monday - Today Erin and Jake left.  We also went to a cinima in Broome and watched Batman the Dark Knight Rises.  It was a very good movie.

Tuesday - Today we went down to the beach for a swim.  After that we dropped pop off at the hospital for an x-ray.  We also had lunch at Cable Beach at a restaurant.

Comments – Nicole and Mark Baker

We decided to stay on at Broome and just relax and feel normal for a little while, that is, watch tv, cook nice food, walk on the beach and try not to overdo it.

Most people have commented that Broome is overrated, but as a long stop over we have found it very convenient and a great place to relax.  The beaches, ok, don't have waves but are beautiful.  It is the turquoise colour of the water that is amazing and inviting.

There is the odd saltie swimming up and down the coast, so there is no room for complacency if you decide to go in for a swim.  Cable beach has flags and lifesavers; however, not sure how they can make the beach croc safe? 

We explored the Port; the water was an awesome turquoise colour and the tides rush in and out; plenty of good fishing for Queenies and Mackerel off here.

If you want some race action, Broome is the place to be between May and August; The Kimberley Cup was a huge event with the racecourse adjacent to the southern end of Cable beach.

Of course we were lucky to witness the stair case to the moon which occurs once a month on certain dates when the tide here is at it's lowest exposing and lighting up kilometres of sand/mud flats at a time when the moon is rising up from the horizon.  It creates an illusion of steps rising up to the moon. 

Our Lumix instamatic does not do this
justice, but you get the idea

We tried our luck fishing along Crab Creek Road.  You turn off to the right before you get to the turn off to Cape Leveque.  Our trusty falcon was able to rip through the graded sand road with ease; Luke caught a fish second cast but that was all the excitement we got fishing wise that day.  We saw the rooves of a couple of back packer vans under the incoming tide amongst mangroves on the way out.  The silly buggers took them down on the beach at low tide and drove out around the mangroves (where the mud is) and bogged.  The tides ripped through them a couple of hours later writing them off.

As it was just on lunch we headed out toward Willie Creek farm along the Cape Leveque road.  We bypassed the farm at the turnoff to Quandong which is marked as a free camp on the Camps 5 book.  We were surprised to see vehicles without 4wd capacity in there with their vans; so for the confident driver with a normal van and AWD you could free camp in here if the road is as good as it was today.  Camps along here all have their own private ocean views, however the swimming here is not as good as where we are at Roebuck Bay. 

James Price Point - those cliffs in the background are up to 100 m high

Driving further north, to where all the anti gas protesters are set up, to James Price Point was an easy drive and the Falcon did not let us down.  The roads were not corrugated and were wide.  The scenery was spectacular.  The red high cliffs meeting the turquoise waters was amazing.  The photos speak for themselves.

So, where the bloody hell are ya?  James Price Point and not one person on this beach....Amazing!

Tuesday 31st July to 2012 Broome (PCYC to Roebuck Bay Caravan Park)

Trip Meter Reading Start – 10381

Erin, Jake and Luke enjoy the free water park
at Roebuck Bay Beach (next door to our campground)

Trip Meter Reading Finish –
Total Km Travelled –  km

Comments -  Luke Baker

Today we moved into the Tarplee’s campground where I played with Erin and Jake down at the beach all day.

Comments – Mum and Dad

We fluked a spot at the same park as our friends (The Tarplees) this morning.  Can you believe that this massive park of all sites, the only site to vacate was directly across the road from them (The Tarplees)....omg I can pretty much well see Al under her annexe from my cafe dining table (scary huh?)....Mum and Dad also moved over to a small site with their van, and 2 levels up overlooking the beautiful turquoise waters of the Roebuck Bay town beach.  The great thing about this location is that is close (walking distance) to beach, shops, Apex Park which has a full water and dry playground and cafe....here we are going to be able to see the Staircase to the Moon on the 2^nd of August.  This only happens once a month and people travel all over to see it....Lucky for us we are on a well located site (location, location, location)...Powered site for the night $39 p/n plus $5 for kids (not bad for the location and convenience of a beach being 150 m from your front door.

Luke and his Dad enjoying drinks at high tide Roebuck Bay Caravan Park

Today, Scott came home from hospital and is on strict bed rest for another week at least....poor Al is itching to move on, but pneumonia takes a while to recover from so best to be stuck in Broome.

This afternoon we headed back down for another look at Cable Beach for sunset; the northern end was packed with tourists and camels (too much for us) so we headed back to the southern end to drive safely onto the beach without the crowd...hmmmm lovely.

Sunday 29th & Monday 30th July 2012 Broome to Cape Leveque (return)

Luke with one of the locals who's family run the Whale Song
Cafe; her dad is also a school teacher at Beagle Bay

Trip Meter Reading Start – 9,819
Trip Meter Reading Finish – 10,381
Total Km Travelled –  572 km

Comments -  Luke Baker

Today (Sunday) we travelled along a rough long sandy road on the way to Cape Leveque.  We stoped at a cafe and had lunch overlooking the ocean.  When we arrived at Cape Leveque we stayed in a safari tent overlooking the ocean.

Today (Monday) we drove to Broome with Nan and Pop and stayed at the same campground that we did last time.

Comments – Mum and Dad

Mum was terribly excited about our overnight stay at Cape Leveque.  We booked a safari tent (our accommodation) back in Fitzroy Crossing; there was an overnight gap and a family safari tent including a fully equipped kitchenette, bathroom, full size fridge, state of the art bbq. 

We set off again early (by 7.30am) as we did not know what we were up for in the way of the condition of the 200 km of road to Cape Leveque.  Surprisingly it was mostly sandy and not badly corrugated like alot of the unsealed roads we have driven on. 

Our first stop was the Sacred Heart Church with its beautiful pearl shell altar built by local aboriginal people and the Pallotine Monks in 1817.  It is located in an aboriginal community at Beagle Bay.  Entry is free; donations are appreciated.

Back on the main road we turned left to travel a further 66 km return to visit the Whale Song cafe run by the local Beagle Bay school teacher and his wife.  The view from the tin cafe over the ocean was gorgeous with colours of red turning to white into the blue sea.  We enjoyed  our hot coffees and home made apple cinnamon muffins.

Another 3 km from the cafe we came to Middle Lagoon.  We were asked to pay $8 per vehicle for visiting.  As we were only there to have a look we turned around and snuck into a camping ground area overlooking the lagoon to take some photos.  It was absolutely awesome with it’s white sandy bay and turquoise waters (hard to believe crocs may be in there!);  you can camp in the shacks on the beach which are equipped with camp fire/ovens and picnic tables or upgrade to something more sophisticated.  The thing that is great about this place is it is really quiet and low key; minus any potential yuppies wearing gold necklaces.  We were disappointed that we  weren’t able to spend a whole day here...next time eh?

After viewing paradise we headed to Cape Leveque to book into our accommodation and enjoy dip at the swimming area of the cape.  Words cannot describe how beautiful and untouched this place is.....sunset was spectacular with the light on the red red cliff faces bound by the whitest sands I have seen in my life! Unreal...

At $330 for 4 adults and one child (a bit steep, I know) for the safari tent; the view made the pain of the cost go all away.....The tent was equipped with 3 single beds and one queen.  The bathroom and kitchen facilities enabled us to make lunch, dinner and breakfast easily and conveniently (saving money); drinks and cards on the deck was wonderful and relaxing after a long day driving and exploring.....well worth it!

Our safari tent (Maarnong) perched on the hill overlooking
the swimming beach

Enjoy the photos.....



Tide ripping out at the aboriginal community of One Arm Point

Friday 27th & Saturday 28th July 2012 Derby to Broome

Trip Meter Reading Start – 9541

Trip Meter Reading Finish – 9819
Total Km Travelled –  278 km

Filled up Broome

$1.685 p/litre $90.00 (53.42 litres)
$1.159 p/litre $74.67 (64.44 litres)
 

Comments -  Luke Baker

Friday, we called into the Boab Prison tree where they locked up aboriginal people inside the tree.  They used them to dive for pearls.  When we got to Broome we met up with Nan and Pop and took them to cable beach to watch the sunset.

Saturday, we had a look at Rowbuck Bay were the Tarplee’s were camped.  When Jake, Erin and I walked along the beach at low tide we saw heaps of cone shells that were alive.  We went into town and had a look at the history of pearling.  We went to a bottle shop and a man gave me a free harmonica.

Comments – Mum and Dad

Friday; on our way out of Broome we visited the Boab Prison Tree.  Before Derby was established in 1883, aboriginals from the West Kimberly were kidnapped by settlers connected with the Pearling industry as they wanted divers and workers for their boats.  They were held in the Boab Tree until boats arrived and were pretty much well slaves.

As you can’t book for a site in Broome we paid for 3 nights at the overflow park at the PCYC in Roebuck Bay ($30 p/n unpowered $3 per child). 

Saturday; we stocked up on essentials and visited the Tarplee family who were camping at Roebuck Bay one block from the PCYC.  Scott had been admitted to hospital for 3 days for pneumonia which meant that they would be staying here longer than they thought.  The kids were glad to catch up again.

We are aiming to try and book into the same park, however as they don’t take bookings you have to turn up before 8 at the office and hope to fluke a site.  We will try after we have finish our two day trip to Cape Leveque when were back Tuesday.

Friday 27th & Saturday 28th July 2012 Derby to Broome

Trip Meter Reading Start – 9541

Aboriginal men kidnapped and taken as slaves by early settlers

Trip Meter Reading Finish – 9819
Total Km Travelled –  278 km
Filled up Broome
$1.685 p/litre $90.00 (53.42 litres)
$1.159 p/litre $74.67 (64.44 litres)

Comments -  Luke Baker

Friday, we called into the Boab Prison tree where they locked up aboriginal people inside the tree.  They used them to dive for pearls.  When we got to Broome we met up with Nan and Pop and took them to cable beach to watch the sunset.
Saturday, we had a look at Rowbuck Bay were the Tarplee’s were camped.  When Jake, Erin and I walked along the beach at low tide we saw heaps of cone shells that were alive.  We went into town and had a look at the history of pearling.  We went to a bottle shop and a man gave me a free harmonica.

Comments – Mum and Dad

Luke in front of the Boab tree that they inprisoned Aboriginal men

Friday; on our way out of Broome we visited the Boab Prison Tree.  Before Derby was established in 1883, aboriginals from the West Kimberly were kidnapped by settlers connected with the Pearling industry as they wanted divers and workers for their boats.  They were held in the Boab Tree until boats arrived and were pretty much well slaves.

As you can’t book for a site in Broome we paid for 3 nights at the overflow park at the PCYC in Roebuck Bay ($30 p/n unpowered $3 per child). 

Saturday; we stocked up on essentials and visited the Tarplee family who were camping at Roebuck Bay one block from the PCYC.  Scott had been admitted to hospital for 3 days for pneumonia which meant that they would be staying here longer than they thought.  The kids were glad to catch up again.

We are aiming to try and book into the same park, however as they don’t take bookings you have to turn up before 8 at the office and hope to fluke a site.  We will try after we have finish our two day trip to Cape Leveque when were back Tuesday.

Thursday 26th July 2012 Derby (exploring Windjana Gorge & Tunnel Creek)

Up close and personal with some local Johnson Crocs

Trip Meter Reading Start – 9169
Trip Meter Reading Finish – 9541
Total Km Travelled –  372 km

Comments -  Luke Baker

Today we took Nan and Pop with us.  At Wynjana Gorge you can walk along the creek right next to Jhonson’s fresh water crocodiles.  At Tunnel creek we walked 750 metres through the mountain from one side to the other along a creek with a torch.  We had to walk through

Comments – Mum and Dad

A 472 km return trip from Derby into Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek via Gibb River Road was planned for the day. Anything under 500 k up here in the top end is considered a short day trip; we took off for an early 7.30 pm start so we could enjoy sunset at the Derby Jetty Cafe for dinner. Half of the road from the turn off onto the Gibb River Road to the turn off to Windjana Gorge was sealed; the unsealed parts were corrugated but not as bad as the eastern part of the Gibb River Road. An easy walk into the gorge and along the sandy river areas where we could get up close with the Johnson Crocs. Freshies are harmless unless they feel threatened so we kept a good 4 metres away.  Some we saw were up to 3 metres long.  They don’t get much bigger than that like the saltwater crocs that can get up to 7 metres.

The gorge was shady and pleasant to walk through.  As usual photos don’t do it justice.  The gorge is part of an ancient Devonian reef system created over 375 million years.  The gorge walls are over 100 metres high which were carved out by the flowing of the Lennard River over millions of years. 

Tunnel Creek National Park was a rough corrugated return 70km drive further along.  It has the oldest cave system in WA.  A creek flows through a huge water worn tunnel beneath the limestone of the Napier Range.

Water flowing over stone to create a beautiful curtain 

We walked 750 metres through the tunnel wading kneed deep through several permanent pools to seen ancient stalactites and stalagmites and beautiful curtains of glimmering flowstones.

TIP – take a really good led reliable torch and good sneakers as the cave is home to bats, olive pythons and the occasional freshwater crocodile.

Tunnell Creek - Of course Brucey had to fall in...Stop laughing Betty!

Poor old dad (Brucey) sunk in some mud as he was wearing crocs and fell in; it was the highlight of our day (too funny – poor dad lol).  Luke really loved exploring the cave it was so dark in there and for young boys a real adventure.

We treated ourselves to a hot shower at camp and a beaut restaurant experience at the Derby Cafe at the Jetty......If your on a budget and you want a treat, this is the place to go.   Meals range from $15 up to $36 and they are very generous in size (so can be shared).  Alcohol is BYO and there is no charge for corkage

Windjana Gorge

Fossilised mollusc in rock at Windjana Gorge