Grey Nomads in Training

Camp at Malcolm Dam

We met our travelling companions in Kalgoorlie, where we had a pub lunch to discuss final plans before hitting the road. While we were in Kal we had another look at the Super Pit where they were blasting. That turned out to be quite anticlimactic. Our journey began with a drive by Ora Banda, where we were truly sad that the pub had burnt down, only a few months ago. We had a look at the abandoned town - Siberia where we watered the bougainvillea, which was planted by a mother for her stillborn son in 1902.

We set up in the dark at Goongarrie Station and camped our first night. We stayed near the old shearers quarters where we could use the toilet and shower. The next morning we went for a walk, looking at the old homestead and other remains. The 100,686ha station is 90km north of Kalgoorlie.

Willie is on guard

From there we took an off-road track (May or may not have been a short cut) along the train line towards Kookinye. Niagara Dam was our lunch spot for the day. There was only a drop of water in the dam, however it was an impressive structure built in the 1890’s. The dam was supposed to provide water for the nearby town of Niagara, however in the time it was built other water sources were found.

At the Grand Hotel Kookinye we were keen for one off the wood, but we had a hard time getting past the sturdy four-legged gate-keeper. The town is pretty much a ghost town with travellers stopping by the pub. The horse has been hanging out there for about six years and he has quite the character, originally being a race horse.

Remains of Gwalia

There was time for a quick look at the Gwalia Museum before we headed to Malcolm Dam to set up camp before dark. We saw lots of roaming animals near camp including cows and camels! The next morning we headed back to Gwalia to look through the old townsite, we were also keen to go back for a coffee and cake from the shop that was closed the day before. We spent time looking at the remains of the town, learning about its history. 

We had our coffee sitting in the veranda of Hoover House overlooking the mine that still operates today. Underground mining began in 1873 and continued until 1963 when the town was mostly abandoned, mining has stopped and started over the years and St Barbara currently run operation. The mine was first managed by Herbert Hoover, who later became the 31st President of the United States.

Storms rolling over Lake Ballard

On our way to Lake Ballard we stopped at Granite Creek for lunch. There we walked along the river bed looking at different pieces of quartz. Snake Hill offered us a great view of Lake Ballard and the storm rolling in. As we pulled up to our camp spot the rain began to fall so we were quick to set up before we were drenched. Artist Antony Gormley installed 51 sculptures over an area of 10 square kilometres in 2013.

After we got the fire going we wondered over to the lake and then slipped our way to the closest statue in the mud. We sloshed around the mud with child-like joy, not thinking too much about how to clean ourselves off before bed. That night we watched a Goldfields storm roll in and fortunately we were left unscathed.

Some puddles to splash in!

The next morning we made way towards Mt Elvire Homestead stopping at Ularring Rock for a walk and a few abandoned towns on the way. John Forrest passed through the area in 1869 and named Mt Elvire after his wife. It was a fun little off-road track that slowly climbed towards the top. From there we made our way to the next camp stop via Southern Cross for a fuel stop. We rolled in to Baladjie Rock and set up camp before the sun set.

This was probably the coldest spot and the next morning we were forced to explore on foot as we waited for our awnings to defrost (they were actually frozen). We climbed the mighty rock which overlooked farmland and salt lakes before packing up and moving on to Kellerberrin, our final destination. On our way we checked out the mine at Westonia and had lunch at the Ettamogah Pub (not so much on the way). We stayed at Keller two nights to watch some dirt track speedway action.

Walking back down Ularring Rock (would not recommend Ugg boots)

A Jam Packed Weekend

A year ago we got ourselves tickets to the Bledisloe Cup which we were excited about and we then decided to make the most of the weekend.

We drove up to Perth from Esperance in record time, we left early Friday morning and there was just no traffic on the road. As we arrived so early we had plenty of time for a bit of shopping and a nap before a big night out. We went to Fleetwood Mac and it was awesome. We got the train in and the arena was pumping with people.

A good view

Our seats were pretty good, straight in front and in the first tier so that little people can see! It was one of the best concerts I’ve been to. It opened with The Chain and the crowd went wild. Fleetwood Mac would not be a concert I would normally see, but it was worth every penny. I knew all the songs and I loved the live solos that only old-school bands seem to do. The drum solo went for at least 20 minutes!

Saturday was rugby night. We got the train in again and had a beer in the sun in the beer garden set up outside the stadium. We went inside and watched the women’s game before the national anthems, the Hakka and then kick off for the main event. We were front row of the top tier where we could see the whole game. The sound and effects in the stadium were incredible and well worth going to see something. I was excited to see my first live rugby game and I had no qualms with the unexpected result!

A birds eye view

To wrap up our action packed weekend we went for a game of golf before bussing it to the stadium for West Coast vs Adelaide. Again, this was an awesome game. We were in line with where we were for the rugby, but second row from the turf where you can hear the grunts and whistles. The only issue with sitting here was the sun was in our eyes for half the game. However, we left happily with a win. From this weekend, we were off on a week long camping expedition.

A close up view

A Sunny Holiday

I was very pleased to have a lovely family holiday away in Bali. We really needed a holiday to just chill out so that's what we did.

We spent some time by the pool, getting massages, eating amazing food, drinking, shopping and in true fashion we couldn't stay too still so we went on a few adventures too. This time we stayed in a villa and visited many places we had not seen before. We checked out Matahari Shopping Centre, Discovery Shopping Mall and ate at places like Strawberry Farm, Ling Ling and Potato Head (well just a drink there!)

Potato Head was all about sustainability, we weren't allowed to take in our disposable plastic bottles! The building was designed by Indonesian architect Andra Matin, it features colourful antique shutters salvaged from across Indonesia, and a display featuring salvaged thongs from the ocean.

Potato Head was swanky

The villa would have been very fancy when it was built, but it looked a little worn when we were there, never the less it was still lovely. The pool was very cold, however, there was a giant bath to plunge in.

We watched the sunset over a busy Kuta Beach, it was fun to watch all the people bustling around, but it had nothing on an Esperance sunset!

Lifeguards keeping watch at Tanah Lot

We hired a driver for a day and a half to take us to several places, some were a lengthy drive and there was alot of traffic. We went to Tanah Lot, an ancient Hindu temple in Tabanan. It was strange to walk through markets with shops like Polo Ralph Lauren and Quicksilver plonked in between them, and then to walk into the holy grounds. When we visited, the tide was high, so the temple itself was completely surrounded by the ocean. It was incredible to watch the waves crash against the temple. We were told that fresh water is found inside the temple and it is one of seven sea temples along coast where each temple is in eyesight of the next to form a chain.

The driver asked us if we wanted to see the 'Big Statue' so he took us to Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park in Badung. The park was only opened in August last year and it was very busy. It is devoted to the Hindu god Vishnu, and  Garuda. The Vishnu statue is 120 metres high and is the  15th tallest statue in the world, nearly double the height of the Statue of Liberty!

Garuda Statue

Big swing!

We stopped at a Bali Swing and surprisingly mum had a go on it with me! There, we also tried the different Balinese coffee and teas (something we have done many times). At Tegallalang Rice Terrace we walked down to the bottom and along where the rice was growing, it was a great opportunity to have a close up look.

At the Elephant Temple (Goa Gajah) in Ubud we were conned into buying sarongs. You have to cover your knees going into the temple, however, they provide ones to borrow when you pay to go in. It was built as spiritual place for meditation and has Hindu and Buddhist artwork.

All that rice!

With our sarongs 

The Tegenungan Waterfall was one of the busiest places we visited. It was a difficult walk down because we had already done lots of walking for the day and there were probably a thousand steps. It was nice to see and I enjoyed putting my feet in the cool water, but it was just so busy!

Three of our five travelers took a bike tour where we rode through a bamboo forrest, a traditional village and along rice fields. We began the day with breakfast on Mount Kintimani over looking Mount Batur, it is incredible that you can still see the lava scar from an erruption in the 60s.

Mount Batur

The ride was mostly downhill which proved very difficult for me as the bike I ended up with had almost no brakes! The ride finished at a secret waterfall which was truly spectacular. It was tucked away and we where the only ones there. Again there were many steps, but we could go all the way to the bottom where the river ran by.

Our secret waterfall

When we returned to Perth we had just enough time to catch up with all the cousins before heading back to Esperance. It was lovely to have us all gathered together, and hopefully, I could host a catch up in Esperance! Our next holiday has already been booked!