Fri, 6th Jan, 2017 Kev & Linda’s, Eaton to Greenbushes Pool RV Camp, Greenbushes, WA (exploring Collie & Boyup Brook)

Overcast and windy still. No power in the house to start the day, lucky we have gas burners etc. Cleaned our room and bathroom and said our farewells to Kev & Linda. It was so great to spend time with them again.

Headed east up the Darling Scarp along the Coalfields Hwy to Collie. Sun coming out but it is a bit chilly – Steve even put on a second long-sleeved shirt. Stopped at the Info Centre to check out the displays. Three old trains that have been restored. The black one had a sad story.

A coal shovel.

Inside the Info Centre there was plenty of information. They also have a Replica Underground Mine that a retired mine worker tells of life in the mine etc. Dr Alexander Collie RN discovered the Collie River in 1829. The area was at first recognised as being useful as pasture lands for timber production, but with the discovery of coal in 1883, Collie’s direction was well and truly set. The declaration of Collie as a townsite in 1896 speeded the arrival of both resident population and associated infrastructure, such as the railway. It became an important town, supplying the State with coal.

Out the front were Polly and a miner’s statue.

Continued down the road checking out the buildings and the Kangaroo Paw – will have to get some and press it like I did with the Sturt Desert Pea.

Great mural near the historic railway station area. We kept walking down the street but should have gone over the railway bridge as a train loaded with coat went by – missed photo opportunity!!

The only surviving example of a mine entrance behind the coal skip.

A memorial wall lists all the miners killed in the Collie Mines from 1889 to 1995.

Across the road was the Miners’ Institute which was built in 1953 and some information about the unions. Unfortunately the sun is getting to the signs.

Past the RSL with a Leopard Tank and personnel carrier out the front. Down to the Collie River.

Info about the timber industry.

A swinging bridge provides access over the Collie River. Not sure when it was first built but a sign said it was rebuilt in 1972 and 1983 by the Apex Club – probably after big floods.

Stopped at a Betta Electrical to ask about cameras but he only had a $700 one. He said to try Target Country or the Post Office. Nothing in Target but the Post Office had 2 – a Fujifilm and a Canon. The Fuji had a bigger zoom so I thought it would be dear but it was only $149. The lady uses one and explained it so we grabbed it and a bag for it. Fancy that – would never have thought to check in a Post Office. 

Rang Daniel and had a lovely chat – he is doing some renovations at his home too and enjoying his break from work. 

Over the railway foot bridge which spans 120 metres. The original bridge was built in 1912. This restored one was reopened in 2013. Looking over the Old Goods Sheds then the Railway Station. Unfortunately no coal trains arrived while we were up there.

Great view over the town too.

Back to the van for lunch and set up the camera. It has a lot of different settings as well as ‘auto’ which I use. This fish-eye one might be fun.

With my new camera ready to go we headed 16km east of town to find the P&H electric coal shovel near the Premier Coal open cut mine. It is known as Shovel 6.

We walked back along the road to find a clearing to look over a small bit of the mine site. The big trucks rumbled past below us carting the overburden. Zoom working well!!

We think the big cable is the power cable for the shovel.

Across the road is a normal field. The wind is cold up here. Another dark cloud looming.

Back to the truck where I could look across to a plant and more trucks which seem to be carrying coal up to the plant.

Back to Collie past Stockton Lake which is a disused open cut mine filled with water for water skiing and camping. Because it is a disused coal mine the water is more acidic than other natural lakes and skiers are reminded to limit their time in the water so swimming as such is not recommended. Then we turned south, past Sherwood Forest – didn’t see Robin Hood, just a dead fox. Over an arm of Glen Mervyn Dam where people were camping and water skiing. Turned SE at Mumballup and headed to Boyup Brook. Spotted a heap of emus and their chicks. I was too slow for the first photo – hence it is blurry.

Boyup Brook itself was dry. Lovely little town. Drove down to the Blackwood River to try and find the Flax Mill but it is now the caravan park. Drove back to the main street and parked. Walked down to the Info Centre past some old buildings – This was Mr Lancaster’s butcher shop/store.

Boyup Brook is the Country Music Capital of WA.

The Info Centre is in the Agricultural Hall which opened 27 April, 1910.

A collection of cute animals near the entrance.

Local artist Sandy Chambers has created this hologram and a few others around town.

A couple pulled up in their car and chatted with Steve about their collection of 3000 teapots and gave him a card. Apparently they have so many they had to move out of the house.

Into the Info Centre where we collected some more brochures. One showing all the statues, holograms etc around town. These were made by Harvey from the Country Music Centre.

Interesting story – wonder if the vine is still growing.

Lovely rose garden.

Next hologram.

On the other side of the park was another one. They are amazing.

The 28s were having a great time in the bush.

Clouds are coming over again as we headed out to Harvey Dickson’s Country Music Centre and Rodeo, about 5km out of town.

The Centre was closed but we had a look around the rodeo area. They have lots of memorabilia and a huge collection of Elvis memorabilia.

He has used lots of timber to make artwork – turning trunks upside down to make a little room.

Someone made a ‘smashing’ arrival.

Wandered up through all the timber and bits of machinery to the top of the hill.

Reputedly to be the largest rodeo arena in Australia watched over by the huge Guitar Men – also made by Harvey from scrap metal (10 metres tall). Would be an interesting rodeo to attend.

Getting late so headed down to Bridgetown then around to Greenbushes (elevation of 372m - highest point on Darling Scarp). Found a spot in the free camp area beside another Nissan Patrol the same as ours.

Walked down to the pond with our drinks and nibbles and chatted with a couple from Woollongong who have been on the road 4 and half years.

The locals have set up a book exchange and a herb garden with a lemon tree that has just been planted.

Steve walked out onto the platform for a picture of the whole pond area which was a tin mining pit.

Cooler night up here on the Scarp so closed up the van again and out with the winter woollies!! No TV so got out the hard drive and started on the next series of Game of Thrones, thanks Daniel.