January

We started out in South Australia, celebrating the beginning of the new year in Kangaroo Island before heading to the Barossa Valley where we sweated through a heat wave.  Onwards to the Eyre Peninsula where we had a wonderful time along the coast visiting Port Lincoln, Coffin Bay and Streaky Bay before heading across the Nullarbor towards Western Australia. Hitting extreme temperatures as we arrived in Norseman and Kalgoorlie we made it down to Esperance just in time for Australia Day before spending a week at Lucky Bay in the Cape Le Grand National Park.

Pelican Feeding – New Years Day – Kingscote KI

The Big Rockinghorse, SA

Sunset in the Barossa

Relaxing

Emus in Lincoln NP

Oyster Farm in Coffin Bay

Murphy’s Haystacks, SA

The Nullarbor

The Bight

The Nullarbor Plain

Inside Australia Sculputres at Lake Ballard, WA

Kalgoolrie open cut mine

Esperance

Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grande NP, WA

Kangaroo on the beach, Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grande NP, WA

This is how you do a day at the beach, Lucky Bay

The statue of the horse for which the town was named, Norseman WA

February

We left Esperance following the coast staying at Fitzgerald River NP for a few days before heading to Albany where we visited the ANZAC museum and did a cruise on the river.  Denmark was our next stop where we explored both the natural forests and amazing food produce of the region. Our final week was spent in Margaret River where there was a surprising amount of things to do.  As well as the famous wineries were amazing beaches, lighthouses and limestone caves.

Albany

Albany

Elephant Rocks near Denmark

Tree Top Walk near Denmark

The Gloucester Tree near Pemberton

Tree hugging

Hamelin Bay, Margaret River Region, WA

Stingray in Hamelin Bay, Margaret River, WA

Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, Margaret River Region, WA

Laurence Winery, Margaret River

Busselton

Beach, Margaret River

March

We made it to Perth and Fremantle fitting in a visit to Rottnest Island.  As we were ready to leave a storm was forecast so we made a short detour inland before heading up the coast to see the Pinnacles.  Geraldton’s memorial to HMAS Sydney II impressed us before we travelled internationally to Hutt River Province.  Our last few days of the month were spent in Kalbarri exploring both the amazing cliffs inland and the spectacular coastline.

Freemantle Prison

Cuteness. Quokka’s on Rottnest Island, Perth

Riding a bike is the only way to get around on Rottnest Is.

Sculptures by the Sea, Cottesloe Beach, Perth

Sculptures by the sea, Cottesloe Beach, Perth

The Big Ram, Wagin, inland away from the storm

The Pinnacles

Kangaroo on the walking trail at the pinnacles

HMAS Sydney II memorial in Geraldton

Underthe dome of souls, HMAS Sydney II memorial, Geraldton

Hutt River Province

Natural Bridge, Kalbarri Coastline

Natures Window, Kalbarri NP

The Murchison River, Kalbarri NP

The flies were horrendous in Kalbarri!

April

We spent a good part of April around Shark Bay.  At first staying at Hamelin Station we visited Steep Point – the western most point on mainland Australia.  Shell Beach and the ancient stromatolites.  Then our friend Katy came to visit over ester and we visited Monkey Mia, swam with and sailed with dolphins as well as having a few nights out.  We kept heading north and visited Coral Bay where we snorkled over coral right off the beach.  Unfortunately we caught the tail end of a storm so cut our time in Exmouth short and headed inland to Tom Price and the breathtaking Karijini National Park.

Shell Beach

Shell Beach

Eagle Bluff

We Made It – Steep Point

Katy and Emma

Denham

Dolphin at Monkey Mia

Dolphin riding the bow wave

Denham

One of the shots before the camera fogged up completely

Joffre Falls – Karijini

Fortescue Falls – Karijini

Kalamina Gorge – Karijini

Craig Karijini NP

Dingo on the road to Tom Price