As we drove up the swan valley, the houses gave way to vineyards.
As the hills flattened out and the land grew drier, we quickly found ourselves back in sheep wheat.
Having explored the areas to the south and east, it is time to explore possible work opportunities in the north.
Barely out of town and it was time for a quick snack stop on the banks of the Avon River at Walyunga National Park.
The rapids were blessed with the makings of a slalom course, all it needed was another two feet of water.
As we drove up the swan valley, the houses gave way to vineyards.
As the hills flattened out and the land grew drier, we quickly found ourselves back in sheep wheat.
From our first night's camp in
Moora, the small country towns flew past quickly.
Dalwallinu,
Perenjori, and then Morawa for the night.
Morawa had a patch of grass for the tent and a disused catchment nearby that made for an interesting morning cycle.
Then it was on again, Mullewa,
Mingenew,
Three Springs, and
Carnamah.
That lead us past the first major tourist stop, Coalseam Nature Reserve (for lunch).
West Australia is the largest police jurisdiction in the world. We picked up a phone book that covers the northern half of the state, and it is smaller than a Sydney street directory. The population here is sparse.
We found a path to the coast, through Coorow (K'roo), Eneabba, and Leeman. In addition to beaches, there are also more points of interest between towns, many only accessible by 4WD. The caves in Stockyard Gully National Park offer an interesting walk along a riverbed.
After Green Head and Jurien Bay,
we climbed Mt Lesuer, and descended in Drover's Cave National Park.
Cervantes
offers a lake edged in stromatolites, and access to the pinnacles of Nambung National Park.
From there it was south through the sandy heath and along the beaches to Lancelin.
For the last few km, the coastal heath was ablaze, the result of overnight lightning strikes.
From there is was an easy run down to Perth. While kayaking on the lake in Yanchep National Park, we spotted our fourth osprey in as many days.
In this foray we only found one person offering services in this area. In addition to computer help, they also offer signs, and thai food. Does that hard disk come with a green curry on the side?