Anticlockwise: Perth to Cape Leeuwin

We arrived in the WA capital in sunny but cooling weather, a bit of a shock after months up North. Travelling through the new Northern suburbs with their branding and extensive McMansion developments was an insight in to suburban growth these days. As we made our way further in to Perth the older, richer beach suburbs with big houses and big views showed where all the boom money has gone. We treated ourselves to a couple of nights away from the camper trailer with a a holiday park cabin - and while we love the great outdoors, one can't appreciate too much a bathroom in the cabin in the middle of the night. Just for something different we turn on the television - and wouldn't you know it, our first night watching TV in months and he ABC has got live coverage of the the Liberal Party leadership spill.

Our time in Perth was mostly a haze of restocking, washing, schooling, car servicing and airport pickups. We had to get sorted quickly as my parents would be joining us for the next week in Rottnest and Margaret River.

Quokka and Joey, Rottnest

An unexpected alignment of the stars also meant that Chris and I were able to go to a gig by The Waifs at Perth Concert Hall. Not only was it my birthday, and Nanna and Poppa had arrived to babysit, but the Waif were touring for the first time in years and this was their only Perth Gig. The band were nothing less than amazing (as usual) and with so many of their songs about road travel in Australia, their music is like a theme track for our own journey. (Check the Ningaloo to Gnaraloo video for an example).

The next day and a ferry ride to spend 3 active fun days on Rottnest Island cycling, walking and exploring. It was really nice to catch with my parents, Chris managed to find some good waves and the girls made friends with as many quokkas so as they could find. With no cars, we did a lot of exploring by bike and the girls and grandparents did well covering a lot of kilometres. Rottnest is unlike any other place that we've visited which somehow merges wild places with a modern town centre, a significant history and unique wildlife. One of my favourite places of the entire trip so far.

Cycling with the family, Rottnest

After a lovely stay on Rottnest we took the ferry back to pick up the car and trailer for the continuing journey south. We decide to approach the Margaret River Region from the north at a spot called Yallingup apparently meaning 'place of love' and made famous in the early 1900s by Caves House hotel as a honeymoon destination. Couples would spend two days on the train then another full day on a horse carriage from Perth to get here. Like us they explored the local limestone caves and coastal areas.

Yallingup - Pumping Surf!

We spent some time in the first afternoon getting lost amongst the coastal heath and wild flowers and adjusting to the now icey on shore wind. The coastal landscape differs down here from further north with more dramatic sea cliffs and lashing waves.

Chris managed to find himself some waves while my parents (apparently the swell was 'pumping' for days!) The girls and I explored the Ngilgi Caves, coastal walks and the Yallingup maze. My parents said goodbye after a couple of days and headed back to Perth for a flight home. I had been worried they might be bored while with us so had filled the last week with so much walking, riding and exploring that in the end I think they were looking forward to a rest.

Yallingup had the best surf themed kids park!

We spent a couple more nights in the region camped in the bush at Conto's in the heart of Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park. It was nice to be back in the bush again, no crowds - just beautiful camping and kangaroos everywhere. We explored further south including a visit to the Cape Leeuwin lighthouse. The tour up to the top of the lighthouse was a fascinating insight into local and Australian history and spectacular views of the south west coastline.