Tues, 6th Mar, 2018 Bob & Margaret’s, near Mandurah to Elachbutting Rock, east of Bonnie Rock, WA (exploring)

Lovely clear morning though still windy. Packed up and moved the truck and van down to the park ready to head off. Went for a final walk down to the beach for our last view of the Indian Ocean, probably for this year.

Down the stairs onto Florida Beach, even got our feet wet.

Looking up the beach then back to the other section of Florida Beach.

Gary headed off to pick up his new little caravan. We had a cuppa with Bob and Margaret. Farewell to ‘Meeow’ who is very comfortable in her pot – good spot to keep an eye on the visiting dog (Gary’s from Port Hedland).

Spotted a couple of blooms on the WA version of the Rose of Sharon. More like a hibiscus.

Last sniff of Margaret’s beautiful roses.

Bob and Margaret ready so off we went heading north to Perth then up the Darling Scarp on the Great Eastern Highway heading to Northam. Very hot already and with all the load the truck’s temp climbed up as we crawled up the scarp but all good when we plateaued out.

Stopped for a lunch at El Caballo which was/is a Spanish-styled resort and equestrian centre. 35 degrees in the van.

Checked out the little cottage across the road. It was built in the early 1800s and used as the Station Master’s cottage as part of the horse exchange for the mail run etc like the Cobb & Co. In this heat it could have had a few more windows but the walls are very thick so it is probably nice and cool inside.

Continued along following the Golden Pipeline – taking the water from Mundaring Weir all the way to Kalgoorlie.

Across the Avon River as we headed around Northam (which we explored in Feb).

West of Meckering we crossed the 1968 earthquake fault line. The road is smooth now and all the paddocks have been levelled after the big upheaval.

Stopped at Meckering for fuel – a lot cheaper than in the city. Meckering was originally known as Beebering, but explorer John Forest renamed it and the official declaration of the townsite took place on 17 Feb, 18877. Checked out the big camera which is a camera museum.

Chatted with the owner – he has hundreds of cameras, movie cameras and so much more and lots of knowledge of the history of the area etc. We didn’t have time to check out the museum but he said I could take photos of the earthquake photos he had on display. The fault line in the paddocks, the bent railway line and the main highway.

I joined the others in the park and checked out the bent railway line and information. Hard to photograph these shiny panels.

In the gazebo was a piece of water pipeline that was pushed into itself by the earthquake.

Lots of info too. The earthquake near Cadoux was 1986 where this one was 1968.

Beautiful tree in flower outside.

Nearby was a beautiful memorial rose garden – so much nicer than a cemetery.

Steve found some old machinery to check out.

A nice memorial to the earthquake too.

Continued following the pipeline. It splits in two for a bit then goes back to one big pipe again. The train line runs along the other side of it – which I was on when I did the train trip from Kalgoorlie to Perth and back last April/May.

Lovely big salmon gums line the road.

Pulled into Cunderdin which was named by explorer Charles Hunt in 1864. It was settled following the building of the railway in 1884. Checked out the replica Tiger Moth in which the young men of these parts learnt to fly during WW2.

Further down the road is the Ettamogah Pub – like the Qld one on the Sunshine Coast and I think we have seen another one somewhere too.

Pulled up under some shady trees for a cuppa under the big water tank and opposite the No. 3 Pump Station which is now a museum. Lots to check out here but we aren’t stopping and it is a ‘bit warm’ to be wandering around these displays. Bob and I stuck our heads inside for a quick look and I snapped a few photos of one of the displays.

A few kilometres east we crossed the No. 2 Rabbit Proof Fence – well the sign said we did as we didn’t see any fence. Forgot to mention all the rabbits we saw when we drove in late Sunday night.

Next town along the highway was Kellerberrin (the chap at the camera place said the ‘in’ on the end means water). A few old buildings still standing, Post Office est 1912.

Continued on, passing the No. 4 Pump Station east of Merredin (we checked that out on a previous trip).

Four of the silos are painted – not as good as the Victorian ones.

Turned off just before Merredin and headed north-west to Nungarin then we turned north to Mukinbudin – altitude of 310 metres, area of shire is 3413 sq km with a population of 555 though Mukinbudin township population is 274 and there is 1020km of roads in the shire.

Drove through as we want to get to Elachbutting Rock to camp tonight which is still 70km further on. Passed some historical sites which we will check out tomorrow. Will have to look up one which was the 2016 World Record Balloon Landing (off Wikicamps) into one of the fields here. We think we remember hearing about it on Macca on the ABC Radio.

Reached Bonnie Rock but the bitumen road detoured around the town so will check that out tomorrow.

Onto dirt road as we turned east. Past Beringbooding Rock then we turned onto the No. 1 Rabbit Proof Fence (north) for a bit then we eventually arrived at Elachbutting Rock entrance. Had a quick look at the sign but missed the ‘arrow’ bit and headed off towards the campground on the other side of the rock. The sun was getting ready to set but I wouldn’t get any sunset photos as there is a big cloud band in the west blocking the sunset. When we got to the end of the main road we found the ‘No Entry’ sign but as it was late we figured we wouldn’t have any problems.

Found the campground and parked up in the shadow of the rock. I was told it had a wave better than Wave Rock so will check that out tomorrow.

Checked out the info board before getting a drink and enjoying the cooling evening under the blanket of stars watching the satellites pass overhead. Big drive today, did 550km.

Cold shower at 9pm as it was still 31.7 degrees in the van and the water in the pipes is warm. Watched some of our photos from Feb 2016 before retiring. A mopoke was calling to his friends – nice sounds of the bush.