We are on holiday!

Saturday 27th August 2022

We all slept in a bit today, then after a slightly too relaxing breakfast in the camp kitchen we weren’t on our way until 11! The skies looked threatening all morning and finally erupted in a brief but heavy downpour just as we were finishing packing. Just enough to make our bags a bit damp!

We drove through intermittent showers across Shark Bay, which meant we didn’t stop at any of the places we thought we might look at on the way out. Though we probably didn’t really have time anyway! We did stop on the roadside where the vegetation had changed into a coastal health and was so wonderfully diverse! I think it is my favourite vegetation type, just for the amazing diversity of plants. I had a bit of a look around and took advantage of Otis being asleep in the car and took a few photos!

Around 2:30 we stopped in at a free camp on the Murchison River – a beautiful and very popular spot before the turn off to Kalbarri. I wanted to have a look at Kalbarri National Park but hadn’t secured any accommodation. I had tried Murchison station yesterday but they were full. I had thought I’d try a few more on the drive, but we had no reception at all once out of Monkey Mia! The free camp looked beautiful, and there were a couple of nice free spaces. Though we were a little bit worried about security – the roadside stops are typically 24 hours only (that we’ve seen), so we are assuming they have high turnover, as well as day visitors. We were looking for somewhere to set up for two days so we could head into the park. Whilst breaking the 24 hour rule didn’t concern us too much, leaving the tent and trailer behind for the day did. We decided to push on for Kalbarri and hoped something was available.

We drove into Kalbarri and pulled into the first caravan park we took notice of! Given how late in the day it was I didn’t feel up to researching our options. The park had one free site, so we took that. Richie set up the tent and I took the kids to a nearby playground. The caravan park is a little quirky and dated, but in the most amazing location in the middle of town, across the road from where the Murchison River meets the sea! The kids had a great time at the playground, which resembles a massive ship. The river looks like it could be an amazing spot to fish (especially since our freezer is now full of cockles and pipis!). Hopefully the weather clears up tomorrow. 🤞

The skies opened again just as we left the playground. We took shelter in the pub, and Richie came to pick us up. We did a small grocery shop at the IGA, then spent the evening sitting out the rain in the camp kitchen. We ended up retiring into the tent early and watched a movie!