Said farewell to Steph and Moira, then dropped Pete off to collect a hire car while I bravely drove our beloved Miouwbus back to the depot. Even managed to reverse into a parking spot! Waited for Pete to arrive with the car, and waited, and waited … he must have done a bunk, thwarted immigration and found a way of staying in Oz!
We bade farewell to our little Miouwbus, who had looked after us so well for 4500 km. And no, we weren’t the only ones to name the motorhome!
Hired a car for the rest of the day and headed south to Mandurah. Spotted a flock of pelicans flying over us.
Spent a couple of hours in Mandurah, then ended up back at Moira’s for a final cuppa!
At the airport security was tight and we were both frisked for explosives.
Now its 8.20 pm and we are being dragged kicking and screaming out of the country.Two sad, reluctant travellers, heading back to cold, rainy Blighty, but hey, no worries mate,
WE WILL BE BACK!!

A day of packing cases and cleaning Miouwbus ready for our departure tomorrow.
Moira and Liam came over to Steph’s and we all enjoyed a final meal together – a lovely end to our holiday.

Took Miouwbus in to have a new windscreen fitted, and caught the bus into Perth. Visited the Perth Mint and watched a gold bar being poured. Bits of gold flew off whilst it was being poured but we didn’t manage to pick any up!
Went to London arcade, a cross between The Shambles and old London, although it’s only about 20 years old.
Had a nice sightseeing tour of Perth on the free bus.
Back at Steph’s for our last few days.

Discovered a large crack in the windscreen, over 12 inches long! Grew at the rate of over 1 cm per 100 km – good job our final destination of Perth was only 350 km away.
Took a final look at Wave Rock, then went to Mulka’s cave, site of aborigine handprints and legends.
Staying just outside Perth, handy for tomorrow’s visit to the repair depot!

First visit of the day was to York on banks of river Avon, Western Australia’s oldest inland town.
Next stop – Beverley.
We were lucky to see an echidna cross the road in front of us.
Overnight at Wave Rock, 340 km east
of Perth, in the heart of the wheat plains. Late afternoon stroll around the rock and came across a roo with her joey.
Flies are a pain – put our mosi nets to good use!

Headed inland today. Stopped en route at New Norcia, home of the Benedictine monks.
Total change of scenery – massive wheat fields and areas of grazing, almost like English parkland.
Overnight in a quiet bushland campsite at Toodyay – full of wildlife and birds.

Long trip south today to Geraldton. Scenery changed from nothing as far as the eye could see to scrubby bush, wild flowers and eventually wheat fields.
Ocean liner moored at Geraldton is Aussie’s largest cruise ship.
Watched the sunset over the Indian ocean, then ate mince pies (well, they were playing Xmas music in the supermarket!)

Sad day today – started heading south back to Perth.
Crossed Tropic of Capricorn, nothing to see but termite mounds. Arrived in Carnarvon not long after lunch. Campsites are empty, town was closed – the end of the tourist season.
Tried to buy fresh mangoes from local growers, but even their stalls were shut! Did see some beautiful azalea-like flowers though.
Highlight of the day was Miouwbus clocking up 20,000 km – 3000 of them with us!

Last day up north.
Returned to our favourite snorkeling beach, then visited Jurabi beach where the huge turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. Saw several females resting on the beach, in an attempt to avoid the males!
Spotted a pretty red flower – the Desert Pea. Apparently we were lucky to see it in flower.
Baby Osprey has fledged!
Watched an Emu with 5 small chicks (well, small compared to mum – they were pretty big!)

Headed back into the national park again, for a day of sun and snorkeling. First stop was Oyster Stacks, lovely coral and fish, but getting too shallow for comfort. Went back to Turquoise Bay, and tried the sheltered bay. Saw another shovel nosed ray basking in the shallows. Good snorkeling again, followed by a spot of sunbathing. Both of us look like lobsters now!
Drove along Ambush Alley, named after the local Roos who hide in the roadside bushes after 4 pm each day and hop out on un-suspecting tourists! Ha, fooled ya, we left at 3.30!
Stopped at the lighthouse lookout on the way back – watched whales breaching – awesome!
Kangaroo steak for tea – delicious!

Day trip into Cape Range national park today. Spotted an osprey nest on top of transmitter mast, both parents there, and chick about to fledge.
Looked at fish chart in info centre and confirmed yesterday’s ray as a shovel nosed ray.
Walked along Yardie Creek, very scenic but really hot.
Cooled off with a brilliant drift snorkel in Turquoise Bay. Huge shoals of small and large fish – stunning. Could hear them pecking at the coral! Swam over a blue spotted ray – his barb was there!
Had near miss with Roos – one now nursing a bruise and a bald patch – his fur is on our bumper!
Roo steaks were on the menu for tea tomorrow anyway!

Relatively short drive to Exmouth today, as far north as we intend going. Hit a temperature PB of 36 degs!
Stopped for a swim at Bundegi Beach, a beautiful deserted bay, apart from the 6foot long bull-nose ray lurking in the shallows! Waited until it moved along the beach before we went in! Treated to a display by dolphins, with half a dozen fish jumping out of the water trying to avoid being eaten. Then to cap it all, 3 whales appeared and entertained us for ages. Some people pay to see what we were seeing!
Nice campsite – shame about the venomous snakes …

Strolled along the beach to Skeleton Bay – saw about 30 baby sharks swimming in the shallow water. Liz had a paddle, but soon got out!
Another afternoon of snorkeling, saw Manta rays and shoal of huge brightly coloured fish. Fortunately the mummy sharks stayed away!

Morning run along deserted track through the desert. 27 degs, just too hot!

Relatively short drive today, so took detour to blowholes at Quobba. Fantastic coastal scenery – waves travelled through small caves and erupted through blowholes. Best pictures equals getting wet!
Then, just 1km south, we found a quiet lagoon type beach, with the most amazing pool for snorkeling. So many fish, all different sizes and colours, they came right up to us and even nibbled our toes!
Passed what looked like an ice rink – in 26 degs heat? Turned out to be a salt lake!
Another long straight road, more emus and lizards with a death wish, arrived at Coral Bay. Liz went straight in for another snorkel – not as good as previous place, but still fun.

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