8-10 2016 Denham, Chapman Valley, Mullewa, Kalbarri, WILD FLOWERS

South of Billabong

I left Waroona mid August and travelled up via Middle Road to Three Springs, then on to Denham to stay with friends. The wild flowers every where have been amazing especially the Wreath flowers out of Pindar.

Galena Bridge

Three Springs has a 'caravan park' run by the shire. It is free but for a $10 bond you get the key from the Shire office and then have use of the toilet and hot showers. There are a couple of taps there. Also public toilets that may be locked at night?

Galena Bridge overnight camp is a very popular place. A large camp on the south and a smaller one north of the bridge. Picnic tables, toilets and dumps on both sides.

Pink Lake, Port Gregory

North of the bridge is Nerren Nerren overnight camp also with facilities. Plenty of parking off the seal but I wonder if it may get boggy in the rain and there are a couple of drains that may catch a caravan. I was tempted to go and hide in the scrub to the south but the trees were a bit low and close in places.

I stopped at the Linga Longa caravan park for a few days so I could see the Pink Lake and go to Hutt Principality. Lovely people but basic amenities, no TV, limited phone.

Yuna Hall

Behind the Yuna Hall is a free camp with toilets. Unfortunately the pub is shut for now - there are only a few houses but quite a busy school. Lovely drive through the Chapman Valley at this time of year. Once again no TV, limited phone.

The camp at Tenindawa was great - phone and excellent TV there. Lots of places to park in the scrub. No facilities or I would have stayed longer. Was also windy but it has been like that for weeks it seems.

Northampton gravel pit

On to Mullewa CP for a couple of nights so I could leave the van. Extremely busy during the wild flower season. Cannot book either - so get there early and hope there are powered sites if you need them. Headed up to Wandina one day but struck the gravel and had another 25km to go - too hard :) Went to Pindar and up the 10 km of gravel to see the wreath flowers instead. A stunning display for over a km along both sides of the road.

From Mullewa I headed to Ellendale Pool. Lovely spot and a big pool for kayaks etc although care needed when swimming. Honesty box to pay $5 pp,pn. Quite a few there. Sealed winding road in from the south down to the river.
Next stop was Eneabba at the oval. $5 pp pn also but  you get toilets and hot showers at the Rec centre. Ranger collects the money in the morning. Pub is walking distance and meals also available at the Miners Camp some nights.

 Lake Indoon was the next stop.  I was assured that it was OK to take the caravan along the track to the left. Almost off roading at the end turn around but managed ok. Stayed there a night. I was told the has not been water in the lake for a few years so the locals are enjoying having their playground back again. this year.

On down to Seabird. There is a dump at Cervantes but only during the Tip hours. The Shire has sealed several rest areas south of there and there is a toilet and dump on the west side of the highway about half way between there and Seabird.

Spent a lovely couple of weeks with friends near Seabird who welcome travellers. We did the Neergabby fireworks night over the long weekend. Thousands come to it each year. Pity it is not a camp area though.

A couple of other friends to visit before heading back to Waroona to help with the show. What a busy time that is. So much work by so few people. Great to see some younger ones helping now. I spent Friday in the hall helping take the entries then displaying them In bed by 11 pm! Not used to 8 hours on my feet any more. Back on Show day as a steward in the hall for much of the day then back on Sunday to help sort the tables for next year. Was great to catch up with so many of the locals I have got to know of the past 9 months.

Have another part time job at the Pinjarra Paceway helping check in the drivers and trainers on a Monday - until they get a permanent person to do it. Have a house sit until the end of November so probably wont add much to the blog for a while.