Day 68. Quinninup

A full day of fun; climbing trees and playing in the sand

We woke to a fog shrouded valley this morning. It was freezing, so the heater was pulled out to warm up the van; which didn’t take that long luckily.

First thing; Scarlett and the kids took off looking for kangaroos to feed. Unfortunately for Scarlett, she was carrying the food to feed them with. A young male thought Scarlett looked pretty good and decided to ‘hug’ her. Paul, one our new friends, luckily was with the kids and pried the kangaroo off Scarlett and helped her back to the van for some 1st Aid. She ended up with a few scratches on her neck, back and shoulders from the little bugger’s claws. Ouch! Our Scarlett certainly has been in the wars during this trip of ours. She has fought off swans, had to run away from huge pelicans, almost walked on tiger snakes, fallen down ladders in whaling ships, and now been scratched by a very amorous young male kangaroo. It’s certainly been character building for her!

The kids on the tram

We all packed a picnic lunch and headed off to ride the famous ‘Pemberton Tram’ through the tall Karri tree forest. The ride was really pretty, but I must admit that I thought it was a little expensive for what it turned out to be, and I don’t think it lived up to the hype I have heard. Don’t get me wrong, it was enjoyable, with a very informative tram driver. He over explained everything; and I mean everything. I think most of us ‘switched off’ to his commentary after 30 minutes. However, the kids had a great time, and we did the trip for them anyway. Most of our days are planned around what can the kids experience each day! There was also a great looking steam train at the Pemberton Station, but it only operates on weekends. Due to the danger of bushfires, it doesn’t operate during the hot summer months unfortunately.

It's all too hard for Bec

After the tram ride, we headed into town to a local park where we all had lunch and decided on a plan of attack for the rest of the day. The kids played on an old steam train, while the adults enjoyed their packed lunch and talked. Bec took this opportunity to upload her daily blog for yesterday, as we have no service where we are presently staying.

3 x families travelling together in WA

Next we visited the ‘Gloucester Tree’; which was once a bush fire lookout back in its heyday. The lookout is 61 metres up the tree, and the only way up is via metal reo bars that have been drilled into the sides of the tree. There is no real protection from falling, and there are signs indicating this everywhere. Scarlett desperately wanted to climb the tree, but Bec and I were quite firm this wasn’t going to happen. Jace (another friend we have hooked up with), and I decided to try and master the climb to the top. I must admit it was quite a feat, but worth the views when we finally made it to the top which were amazing. It was quite chilly at the top, due to a fair breeze blowing. This then made the tree sway a little, which only added to the adrenalin rush.



Scarlett and an old logging Drey









Going up...





We decided to head back down, and just as we started to descend I heard Bec call out from below that she was heading up. With no room to pass on the climb, we stayed at the top and waited for her to join us. Not long afterwards, Bec made it to the platform at the top buggered, but ecstatic at the same time. I think she really enjoyed the massive challenge of climbing this iconic tree. We took a photo or two, and then started the long climb back down to Terra Firma. It was a good climb and I’m glad we did it. Let’s see what Bec thinks tomorrow when she wakes up!

4wding in the sand dunes



The kidsplaying on the sand dunes

Next we were off to have some fun. We ‘hit’ the extraordinary Yeagerup sand dunes in D’Entrecasteaux National Park, which was not too far away. I was a little hesitant at the thought of it at first, but it turned out to be a lot of fun, and Scarlett absolutely loved it. We made it up some of the dunes, but my Pajero was just too heavy and overloaded (not to mention I had it in H4 and not L4) to get up two others that our friends in their Pajero and Prado did with ease. I haven’t driven on sand like this since I visited Stockton Beach (NSW) over twenty years ago, and it was good travelling with two other 4wd’s for the safety factor of having aid if anyone got in trouble. We were all there to help each other, and it worked out really well. On the way out, we stopped at the last sand dune and let the kids ‘toboggan’ down the sand on bogey boards, and pieces of cardboard. Scarlett was having to so much fun, she didn’t want to leave. Unfortunately it was getting dark by this stage, and we still had over an hour or so to drive to get back to our van.

Late afternoon on the Yeagerup Sand Dunes

Bec and Shane at the top of the Gloucester Tree

Scarlett having a go at climbing the tree

We had a huge day today! We’ve had so much fun with our new mates; we’ve decided to stay in the area for an extra day so we can do some more exploring together.

posted by Shane

PS: Tonight my Brother-In-Law; Adam, and his beautiful partner Courtney are having their Engagement Party back in NSW. I just wanted to add that we are missing you guys like crazy; and wish we could of been there to celebrate with you. We hope you have a great night, and I promise to have a drink or two around the camp fire over here in WA for you! Cheers! Love Shane, Bec and Scarlett!