Thurs, 30th Jan, 2025 Bob & Margaret’s place, Dawesville to Kev & Linda’s place, Bunbury, WA (Koombana Bay & shipwrecks)

Min of 23, clear sky and light breeze.

Packed up then had a cuppa with Bob and Margaret.

Headed off to Bunbury for a couple of days with Kev & Linda then meander around for a couple of weeks. Onto the new highway which had nice murals on the overpasses.

We drove into town first for lunch on the ‘jetty’ which is now a rock groin. Very windy which is good as it is too be another hot day. Steve walked back to the beach to watch some guys with nets catching bait. He saw the different colour number on their boat so must be professionals.

Along to the end of the jetty to read the history information about the big crane and the jetty etc.

Good view around the bay from here.

Heard a big rumble and saw a truck dumping rocks to create a breakwater.

Back along the foreshore then into the car park for Mangrove Cove (opp the Dolphin Centre). There is a great looking lookout here. We had climbed the other lookouts on our first visit here. Lots of information too but sadly the signs haven’t been upgraded with all the other stuff they have done here - hopefully they are still in the works to be replaced. They tell of the shipwrecks that have been unearthed around here in the bay when they were mining the sand for minerals.

Great playground.

Nice wide path to the lookout and upgraded BBQ, viewing platform which is also a playground. Great idea.

Out onto the cantilever for view over the mangrove area. The walk through the mangroves is being fixed up too.

Had a play on the suspension bridge. Even Steve gave it a go!

Back to the lookout.

Now it was the sun and bird poop making the plaques hard to read as well.

Up the stairs to enjoy the views though the wind was trying to blow us off. Koombana Bay and Dolphin Centre one side and The Inlet (mangroves to the other).

More info as we head back to the car park.

Found a couple of poles with new info boards about a couple of buried ships.

Back out to Kev & Linda’s place. Chatted for a while then set up alongside the house where we parked last time. The weather is looking good tomorrow morning so will head out with Kev in his boat for a fish. A bit earlier start (5am) than with Margaret.

Kaylene and Rick rang for a chat which was lovely. Jon rang too - still in Sth Aust working.

Kev smoked some sea mullet he caught so we had a taste. Ok but I don’t like ‘smoked’ things too much. Steve had more of it but I still cooked us some dinner.

Warmer night, 8.30pm still 30 degrees and the wind has stopped. The road noise has lessened with the new highway taking a lot of the traffic from past their place.