Give me a home among the gumtrees …….. we all know the famous song. I’m not one for big city lights, more of a country girl but it’s still good to get dressed up and hit the city from time to time. Which is what we did.
To save battling with the traffic we got an Uber Pet to do a day trip into the city of Perth, dropped off at Elizabeth Quay. A great place to walk around with some interesting things to see. From here you can catch a ferry over to Rottnest Island.
We wondered around the city exploring all the things to see. For a city we were actually pretty impressed. WA does architecture very well, with lots of shaped bridges, sculptures, statues, some wonderful sites around town.
Bell Tower is one giant musical instrument. The Bell Tower includes the twelve bells of St-Martin-in-the-Fields.
We walked up Hay Street Mall.
Ye London Court is a sort of arcade/laneway that comes off the mall, which has old style shops and is very cute.
There were many heritage buildings.
The Tree of life.
Old Central Fire Station & Heritage Centre was a bit of fun. You could even try on some fire fighters suits and hats. Jess was also welcome.
Kings Park and Botanic Gardens is one of the world’s largest inner city parks.
It has a large collection of Western Australian flora and is a popular place for picnics, BBQ’s, walks and family gatherings. With great views over Perth and the Swan River.
Kings Park and Botanic Garden has more memorials, statues and honour avenues than any other park in Australia. We only had time to see a small section of it, it’s huge covering 990 acres or 4 square km’s.
Fremantle (affectionately known as “Freo”) is a vibrant, historic port city in Western Australia, located just 30 minutes south-west of central Perth. Renowned for its maritime history, preserved 19th-century architecture, and creative arts culture, it sits where the Swan River meets the Indian Ocean.
Fremantle Prison: A UNESCO World Heritage-listed site and the state’s only built convict prison. You can take history, torchlight, or underground tunnel tours. It would have been awesome to have been able to do a tour of the prison but dogs are not allowed.
It was original known at The Establishment, was built by convict labour between 1852 and 1859, the first prisoners moved into the cell block in 1855. Its name was later changed to Fremantle Prison in 1867, it remained in continual use until 1991.
From 1788 to 1868 over 167,000 men, women and children were transported from Great Britain to Australia as punishment for their crimes. For Britain transportation was not only a penal sentence but also a means of expanding it’s geopolitical influence. It further provided an avenue for British authorities to displace people from the lower classes, whom they labelled as undesirable, to the Australian colonies.
Surgeon Residence.
Magistrates Residence.
Monument Hill Reserve, Fremantle’s War Memorial. The main memorial at 14m in height is constructed from Donnybrook stone, was built and funded by the citizens of Fremantle in 1928 to commemorate the 59,330 Australians killed or posted as missing in action in WW1.
Fremantle is one of Western Australia’s most historic destinations. With its well-preserved heritage buildings, convict history. We were astounded at the how many amazing beautiful heritage buildings there were just in the main city area. Everywhere we looked down side streets, along the main street. All still in amazing condition and being used still by businesses. You could spend several days exploring them all.
Whalers Tunnel, In 1837, the Fremantle Whaling Company dug a tunnel through the cliff under the Round House so they could move whale oil from the beach directly to Fremantle’s main street.
Fremantle Round House is the city’s oldest public building, built in 1831. Originally used as a prison for convicts and colonial lawbreakers, the Round House has since been preserved as a historical site, offering visitors a glimpse into Fremantle’s early colonial history.
There is a daily Cannon Firing Ceremony at 1:00 pm, a tradition that dates back to the 19th century when it was used to signal ships in the harbour to set their timepieces.
The Roundhouse offers fantastic views over the Indian Ocean.
Although Bunbury and Albany are very similar in size we found them very different.
Bunbury has a lot of historic buildings, you can get a map or download one online of the Heritage Building Trail, we walked up the main CBD of Bunbury looking at a few of them.
Bunbury’s Old Post Office & Bonded Store, is a restored limestone building with a shingled roof and is the oldest building in the CBD. It is understood to be the original post office probably constructed with convict labour in the early 1850’s.
The Old Commonwealth Bank built in 1928 in a classical style no longer represented in Bunbury. In 1978 it was used by Telecom and accommodates Real Estate offices.
Rose Hotel one impressive heritage buildings. It is the grandest of the remaining gold boom hotels and was built in 1865 for Samuel Rose.
The Prince of Wales Hotel was first built in 1882 and remodelled in 1907. The decorative veranda dominates the streetscape and the place was highly valued as a holiday venue.
The Old Railway Station built in 1905. Passenger trains remained here until 1985 when the railway was moved out of town.
A beautiful arrangement at The Green Depot Flowers.
The CBD also has a lot of murals. You can pick up a map of the mural trails from the information centre.
We had the privilege of seeing some of these amazing artworks. The Old jetty in it’s working days
A seedling with soil gently cradled in someone’s hands.
The 3 photos above were all part of the one mural. The historical mural is on the side wall in Victoria St. You can see clearly the story it tells. The “Timber Workers” mural in Bunbury was painted by acclaimed Australian aerosol artist Jerome Davenport, widely known as Ketones6000.
An amazing mural of an aboriginal man. Part of a long mural off a lane way.
By Gemma O’Brien.
One most people would recognise from the kids movie “Cars” Mater.
The CBD also has plenty of cafe’s, coffee shops, eateries, pubs. One such pub was the Lone Star Rib House.
It caught our eye as it had a sign for a senior’s lunch of $20 which included a choice of 5 meals, with a drink and desert.
We ordered the Classic Mini Chicken Parmi served with salad and chips. Desert was cheesecake. It was all delicious and the perfect size. Service was amazing. The owner served us personally, taking us to our table. But first, I was outside with Jess at a table, when he came out and said that a helper dog like Jess was more than welcome inside. He said that we allow dogs and well behaved human owners. He even offered Jess a bone as a special helper dog.
He was such a character, with grandma working out the back. Highly recommend this place if you are ever in Bunbury.
Created by acclaimed artist Jon Tarry in 2000, the four-figure monument celebrates the region’s rich maritime history and ties to the ocean. Each of the four figures holds a different symbolic object representing the core identity of Bunbury:
A Ship: A nod to the port city’s maritime and industrial heritage.
A Fish: Represents the region’s vibrant marine life and fishing culture.
A Surfboard: Highlights the area’s popular coastal lifestyle and surfing community.
A House: Symbolizes the local community and the growth of the town
Bunbury also has some great beaches. A place you could easily spend a few days.
Busselton was one of the places I was very keen to see. I had heard so much awesome things from my mother, and on some youtube channels.
We got a really good special at Discovery Parks so stayed there for 5 nights. We had a few days over the stay of catching up with chores, washing and other bits. We also visited the famous historic Busselton Jetty taking the solar train ride along the 1.8km jetty.
Extending 1.841km out from Geographe Bay, the Jetty is a heritage listed icon for the seaside town of Busselton and is the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere.
When the Jetty was built in 1865, it spanned a total of 161m. However, over the next 100 years many extensions were made which led to the Jetty’s enormous 1.841km length that stands tall today.
Busselton Jetty officially closed as a Port in 1973 which ceased all shipping and government maintenance.
At the end of the jetty. You can also buy tickets for the Underwater Observatory which we have heard it is very good. With a real time view looking into the ocean around the jetty.
There are murals of whales on the boardwalk at the end of the jetty.
Following the decline of government funding and the crippling effects of Cyclone Alby on the 4th of April 1978, which swept down the coast and much of the first 700m of the oldest section aligning with Queen Street was damaged beyond repair. a community group was formed to raise funds for much needed restoration and maintenance.
Between 1987 and 2003, the community organisation now known as the Busselton Jetty Environment and Conservation Association (BJECA) raised sufficient funds to replace 50 per cent of the Jetty structure, establish the train service, and construct the iconic Underwater Observatory and Interpretive Centre.
In 2011, a $27 million refurbishment of the Jetty structure was completed with $24 million of this amount contributed by the Western Australian State Government and the rest contributed by the Shire of Busselton and BJECA.
The old Sea baths constructed in the area of water between the original jetty and the new Viaduct.
From the jetty some of remains of the Skeleton Jetty can still be seen.
After the Jetty ride we walked around the foreshore. Grabbed some breakfast. A great park with an awesome pirate ship play area. A big green space with tall pine trees, eateries, the information centre. A short distance from the town centre. With a really cool pirate ship play area.
We did a walk up the town. Some interesting things to see.
One night we came in and took some photos of the sunset.
After the sun had set and the jetty lights came on. It was a lovely mild night in town.
All up we loved our time in Busselton Jetty and it reminded me of my home area.
Pemberton is home to towering karri forests. A nature lovers paradise which would be fantastic to explore if you didn’t have a dog. So we were rather restricted on what we could do and see in Pemberton.
The town is lovely with autumn colours in full swing, something I don’t see very often where I live in Qld. So I love to see the changing colours of the leaves and how bright the reds can be.
We walked up the street taking photos of a few things of interest.
Then a very brief super quick detour to see the Gloucester Tree.
Before the introduction of spotter planes to look out for fires, a network of 18 fire lookout trees and towers were spread out across the south-west forests in Western Australia. From the top of these lookouts, foresters used to scan the landscape around them for the first signs of smoke.
Foresters selected the Gloucester Tree to use as a fire lookout in 1947. It was one of eight lookout trees built in the south-west between 1937 and 1952.
Today, the Gloucester Tree has retired from its duties as a fire lookout tree but people still climb it. No way would I climb that, I’d be “just beam me up Scotty”. Spikes just sticking out from the tree going up in a spiral, no mesh, nothing much to hang onto 61m tall. It is currently closed for climbing due to renovations of the new platform.
Original Lookout Height: 53–58 metres.
Reopening Height: Following safety works, a new platform is being installed at 37 metres, anticipated to reopen by late 2025.
Climb Structure: Originally 153 spikes (pegs) in a spiral staircase, with no mesh support.
Status: It is the world’s second-tallest fire-lookout tree.
There is also an Aerial Adventure with steps in a spiral up trees, rope bridges, zip lines & high rope courses, this was also closed when we were there.
The town of Ravensthorpe is home of the largest free standing lollipop in the world!! At Yummylicious Candy Shack.
It has an assortment of lollies that reminded me of some of the lollies we had as kids. Of course we had to buy a few. And some lollipops for the grandkids, I’m sure the parents will thank me 😂 They also have 15 flavours of ice cream.
Ravensthorpe is also know for its ‘Farm Gate Art Trail’’. Apparently the project currently has 32 locations. These fabulous sculptures, mainly crafted from farm scrap metal, are themed around local wildflowers and dotted around the country side. We came across a few on the way to Hopetoun.
Hopetoun is back on the coast and has that beach town vibe. Relax, chill and take in the beautiful water. Again the weather was not in our favour with overcast skies and rain.
We stayed a few nights at the free RV camping area, a short walk into town with easy beach access. You have to be self contained, it does have some bins.
Nice easy run to Kalgoorlie from Norseman. After stocking up on a few wares we settled in to the Kalgoorlie self contained RV park. You can stay here for 72hrs, camping is on gravel which was very handy when it rained. Bins, and toilets can be found at the near by park. On site is a dump point and drinking water. It’s a popular spot.
Star Date 22/4/26
We went exploring, visiting the Hannans North Tourist Mine first. One of the first registered mines in Kalgoorlie. With over 30 exhibits in Kalgoorlie’s largest open-air museum. Entry cost $20A or $17 concession, it is self-guided tour, with historical buildings from the 1920’s, plenty of gold mining equipment, you can go gold panning, and climb the modern day equipment aboard a 793C haul truck and 994 wheel loader.
Even though it is outside dogs are not allowed. Which personally I thought was disappointing and saw no reason why dogs could not go, if people were responsibility. The word being responsible.
We spent over 1 1/2hrs there and you could have spent more. On the eve of the 1st anniversary of Chris passing, I kept thinking how much he would have loved this place. He would have been right into it climbing and exploring all the machinery, reading all the history, he loved things like this.
There were automated stories, which were interesting.
Lots of old relics.
Old buildings and mining huts.
In the 1800’s the game of Two-up was born. Toss the coins games dated back to Roman times but the custom of launching two pennies from a wood bat seems to be Australian introduced. 1890 with the gold rush in Kalgoorlie it became the hub for all fans of two-up.
In 1983 two-up was legalised in Kalgoorlie. Only to be played in the two-up shed, all other establishments would face a $1000 fine. To this day it is still legal to play two-up in Kalgoorlie and remains only 2 places within Australia that can regularly host two-up games, Broken Hill being the other. The game is played every Sunday at the two-up ring in Kalgoorlie a 10min drive out of town.
So many things to see and touch, a highly recommended visit.
After having some lunch we went for a walk up the main street of Kalgoorlie. A lot of very old buildings, many old pubs, they certainly don’t build pubs like that any more with so much character. Unfortunately a lot of the buildings were also is disrepair and a lot of empty shops.
It’s a typical old mining town, people were friendly and helpful.
We also had a shower at Market Arcade a manned refreshment area. For $5 you got a shower, which included a towel and a bar of soap. The facility is cleaned after every use.
Another interesting place is Questa Casa the oldest brothel in Australia. Questa Casa is still operating but primarily as a historical tourist attraction rather than a functioning brothel. On their website is states. “Alas, at present there are no ladies offering their services from our premises.” Apparently the place is for sale or lease as the madams wishes to retire.
Yeah we did it, we crossed the Nullarbor East to West. I’ve achieved a bucket list trip for Chris and I, I know he would be cheering and doing fist pumps up there in heaven. I know he would be so proud of me.
Corrugated iron camels on the main roundabout in town.
So we stayed at the Norseman 72hr free camp. A fenced, some grassed area with marked large sites. Bins and a short walk into town. There is also a dump point and toilets not far away.
We arrived on a Sunday, pretty well all shops were closed, we were able to duck into the supermarket and grab a couple of things.
After lunch we did a walk around town and had a lemonade at the pub, as it was hot.
Mural on the side of the Woodlands Centre which is the Information Centre.
Even on Monday the place is pretty quiet, the Woodlands Visitor Centre was open so we popped into there.
There are several other murals around town.
Laurie Sinclair’s horse Norseman pawed up a very large nugget of gold, from there the town was born and name Norseman after the horse.
We spent 2 days here resting. But did have several bad storms, some very strong winds and dust storms.
Wow there are sure a lot of flies out here. If you were a Ferengi, from Deep Space Nine you might think they would make a great addition to a meal. I’d rather not, not keen on eating them, having them between my sunglasses and eyes, up my nose, buzzing my ears or swallowing one. Poor Jess isn’t impressed either, she has her own fly net.
Wearing a fly net constantly gets a bit thin, eating meals or drinking a cup of tea can be challenging. Many years ago Chris forgot he was wearing his fly net and drunk a cup of tea through the net, he also nearly blew his nose through it. Judy has followed his example many times, with the cup of tea that is 😂.
Over the next few days we continue to head west along the Nullarbor, not as much to see this side of the border. We stopped for the night at the Madura Pass. The Madura Pass lookout offers views of the Hampton Tablelands dropping down to the coastal Roe Plain.
The view
Drove along the Nighty Mile Straight (146.6km’s) Australia’s longest straight road.
Stayed a night at Baxter Rest Area which was an awesome large area, well off the road. Bins, dump point, table and chairs. So many little bays to camp in leading off the main entry road. But OMG the flies, they were still around when it got dark and first thing in the morning back again with a vengeance. If we were Ferengi we would have had enough flies to last us several days of meals. But since we are not Ferengi we could not wait to get out of there.
Just one of the unusual things you can see out here.
We called into the Balladonia Roadhouse, famous the US Skylab space research laboratory which burned up on re-entry on the 12th of July 1979 scattering fragments in the Balladonia area. Balladonia was rocketed to international fame for the point of impact of Skylab.
The day after Skylab returned to earth, Balladonia Roadhouse had a call from the American President, Jimmy Carter apologising for crashing the satellite in the Australian outback and offered the U.S Government assistance for any damage.
We stayed a night at Newman Rocks, a free camp area off the main hwy 142km’s east of Norseman. It is a large area with a bins and tables. Right at the back is an area of rocks, with a lagoon and impressive views. Again more flies and horse flies wow they would make a great finger food for the Ferengi, and the smallest mossies I’ve ever come across. Not much of a feed in them, sorry Ferengi.
Head of the Bight is a great place to see Southern Right Whales in the winter months from May to October. Outside that time the entry price is half price and is still a great place to visit.
Free camp area at the entry gate to the visitor centre.
A easy boardwalk leads you to the cliff edge with amazing views of the ocean and Bunda Cliffs.
Amazing views of the Bunda cliffs, our first glimpse.
A couple of small lizards heaving a fight.
The coloured one seemed to be loosing the battle.
Next was the sign for the Eastern End of the Treeless Plain. Nullarbor” is derived from the Latin words nullus (“nothing” or “no”) and arbor(“tree”), directly translating to “no trees” There was indeed no trees but small bushes. It is a really good road.
I was a little emotional at the sign, thinking of Chris and how much we both wanted to do this trip together.
The famous Nullarbor Roadhouse. We had lunch here and I bought a cute Emu with big eyes that will sit on my shelf at home reminding me of this trip. I’ve called in Nelly from the Nullarbor Roadhouse.
Photo of the original roadhouse.
Camels, Wombats, Kangaroos and dogs 😂 We have not actually seen any animals on the Nullarbor so far.
A few other signs at the Nullarbor Roadhouse.
Inside the roadhouse an amazing mural.
A sense of humour, love it.
Royal Flying Doctor Service R.F.D.S landing strip on the Eyre Highway.
The first scenic lookout of the Great Australian Bight showing the Bunda cliffs. Amazing, can see how the cliffs edges are falling away. A lot of the previous entry points to view the cliffs have been closed off deemed too dangerous.
We found a spot to camp for the night just off the road well hidden from sight.
