We stayed at Big Valley, like so many of our travelling mates had. Its a beautiful sheep station that also has a small caravan park attached. At the time it was being run by the owners daughter Kylie, she became Charlotte's new best friend. The kids 'helped' Kylie with the sheep and the chooks. Every day it was a drama to get back in time to collect the eggs. They also have a dog and a pet goat that thinks its a dog, Trixie and Tex. It so beautiful, fresh and lush green around here, a really fabulous place to stay. Had quite a few nights sitting around the camp fire chatting to other travellers.
Margaret River is known for its great surf breaks, being cool surfer dudes we had to check it out. We arrived at Prevally Beach to find very packed car parks, it was a sunny day with lots of waves. We walk over to the look out and Mark proclaims, "what a great break" like he knew what he was talking about. I laughed, he got insulted and said he did know! I had to apologise, but he still did sound funny saying it!!! Went and had a nice walk along the coast admiring the gorgeous scenery.
Due to the landscape and lots of other scientific thingies, there are a lot of caves in the area. Mark and I haven't been to a cave since we went to the Mole Creek cave in Tassie as kids. Jewel Cave was awesome. Had such a great tour, our guide was pretty funny. So cool to see the looks on the kids faces. The Stalagmites and Stalactites were amazing.
Almost at the end of the tour they had a big piece of rock that they lit up. It turned bright green and Jake of course proclaimed it was Cryptomite, and where was superman!! Am sure he's not the first 7 year old boy to say that.
South of Margaret River is Augusta. We went and had a look around, just a nice small town. Had a lovely picnic lunch by the sea. There was a fish and chip shop that smelled really good, but I had brought salad to make wraps, so we were good. Only to find out from our travelling mates that that place had the best fish and chips they had ever had. You can imagine how peeved and sulky Mark was at missing out!! Poor boy :) We also went and had a look at Historic Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. It is situated at the most south westerly tip of Australia, standing at the point where the Indian and Southern Oceans. But you had to pay to get up close and see it, us being tight just took photos from a distance.
After Augusta we went to Hamelin. Our friends the Beesons had been here earlier in the year and had amazing photos of calm blue clear ocean and big stingrays around their feet. We were so excited to go, but alas it was not our day. It was sunny, the ocean was blue, but the waves were big and crashing on the beach. No way we were able to see the giant rays :( It was then my turn to sulk!!
Busselton is about a 40 min drive from Margaret River. Were went there basically to have a look around and to walk the Jetty. When we arrived we found out you had to pay, only a few dollars but we had no cash on us. And of course Eftpos was a $10 minimum. So I went bugger that and stepped through the gate, Like lots of other people had down while we were there. To take a few photos instead. Only to have the ticket lady yell at me, cranky old crow. Apparently you cant take the photos unless you pay to step a foot through the gate!! So Mark went and brought a book so we spent $10. I felt like a naughty kids :( Anyway we had a nice, but windy and cold walk 1.8km to the end of the Jetty. The kids then spat it and wanted to catch the train back, but we are on a budget, so made them walk. It really is an impressive jetty, just a bugger about the staff they employ!
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| Come on kids I'll be the train driver |
From Bussleton we went to Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse. Did a short stroll around and checked out the view. Tried spotting for whales but no luck.
Now I should mention what we really did mostly at Margaret River, eat and drink!! We visited all seven Breweries, Mark was in heaven. Mark insists I mention them all by name, Cheeky Monkey, Bootleg, Bush shack, Eagle Bay, Colonial, Duckstein and Cowaramup. His favourites being Eagle Bay, Colonial and Cowaramup. And he wasn't impressed with Cheeky Monkey's beer, but its a nice place though. He made sure he did a very thorough job of taste testing all of the beers in each place. I spent a lot of time being designated driver!! But I didn't mind, he loved it and it was nice to see Mark so happy and passionate about something. Luckily each brewery has a kids area and lots for them to do. His idea and dream of having his own brewery is not fading. Apparently there is a course he can do in Perth, pity it cost $8,000.
So in amongst going to breweries we managed a few wineries too. I bought a few bottles, the wine was rather nice. Mark thinks some of the reds aren't as nice as the Barossa wines. We went to the Watershed, Hay Shed Hill, Brookwood and a few more. We also sampled the delights at Providore, Margaret River Chocolate, Yahava Coffee, Cookie shop, Olia Bello, Margaret River Gourmet Delights, Millers Ice cream, Candy Cow and also to the Margaret River markets. Yep so we had a great time. Lots of yummy food and rinks for us :)
We went to the town of Cowaramup, can you guess why they named it that?? Lots of cows everywhere, real ones and a lot of statues too. Had a nice but cool picnic lunch at the park there before exploring the area.
And now one of our favourite parts of our time in Margaret River Jester Flats. As everyone probably knows, Charlotte is just a little horse mad. We found out about a great stable and riding school near by called Jester Flats. Charlotte and I went for a trail ride through the country side and down a lane. I haven't been on a horse since high school, you can imagine how nervous I was, I almost backed out. Am so glad I didn't, had such a great time. Charlotte rode up the front with the instructor most of the way. Her horse was a little slow apparently, but she loved it. My horse got spooked on the way home and suddenly bolted. I managed to hold on but instead of pulling on the reins I yelled at it to stop like it was a naughty dog! I eventually pulled it up, Charlotte said I looked hilarious bouncing up a down! Charlotte loved it so much she wanted to go again. We ummed and arrhhed as it was pretty expensive. In the end we said yes but it was an early birthday present, thought that was fair. Mark went with her this time, he also had a blast. They even got to trot, they were both rather proud! So if your ever in Margaret River, we can definitely recommend Jester Flats. So you can imagine, now more than ever every second word out of Charlottes mouth is about horses. She just wants to be a country girl with a horse. She said when we stop this trip she wants to have a horse but she will need to be home schooled. She thinks it would be ideal to spend the day in the stable with her horse and assures me she can still get her school work done!!
Whilst we were staying at Margaret River we met the Rath family from Sydney. We had a great time chatting about travelling and life on the road. Kids also had a lot of fun. Especially Charlotte and Ruby, they spent a fair bit of time playing around Big Valley. They were both rather upset to say goodbye. You never know we may see them again on the road.
Well that's pretty much it for Margaret River. It was a fabulous ten days, could have stayed a few more days we liked it that much. Its just such a beautiful place with so much to do and see. I think we will have to come back one day! But onwards and up wards towards Perth for us now.
