Rossco's WA Trip

Headed south through Cape Range NP stopping at Turquoise Bay for a snorkel and Yadie Creek to have a walk up the Gorge. Saw a few black footed rock wallabies but are pretty eluisive shy little buggers. . .

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...018/05/188.jpg

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...018/05/189.jpg

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...018/05/190.jpg

Turned around for photographic purposes lol . . .

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...018/05/191.jpg

Timed it well with low tide and is shallow as otherwise you drive through pure salt water. .

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...018/05/192.jpg

Stopped at Boat Harbor Bay for lunch just south of Yardie Ck which was an awesome spot. . . Can camp there too.

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...018/05/193.jpg

. . .

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...018/05/194.jpg

Drive through to Coral Bay was very pleasant . . .

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...018/05/195.jpg

Attachment 75412

Attachment 75413

Attachment 75414

Camed in a little hidey hole in the dunes. Pissed down with rain and blew a gale in the night. . .

Attachment 75415



Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

I reckon you may have got lucky at Yardie Ck, when we were there for a week the lowest water was at least up to the top of the wheels at every low tide. If we head to there from the south, (& I think we might after seeing your pics) & levels are like you got I'd have no qualms about crossing & continuing northward through Cape Range NP.

Just showed your pics of the crossing to MrsTea who immediately commented "There'd have been no entertainment value in watching if the level had been down like that"

Yeah sounds like we were pretty lucky with Yadie speaking to a few others sounds like it is up a bit more. Wouldn't have been keen to go though if it were any deeper and salty. . .

Anyways back in Denham now after spending some time in Francious Peron NP, Steep Point area and Dirk Hartog Island. . . man this is a beutiful part of the world. . . .

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...2018/06/58.jpg

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...2018/06/59.jpg

Attachment 75461

Attachment 75462

Went to Monkey Mia also which I was expecting to be worse, as in touristy, but was a lot better than expected. Timed it well although there were a few people wasn't too bad the dolphins came in for a second feeding just as we got there, even got picked to give one a fish . . .

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

Luckily Francious Peron NP was reopened after the rain so headed in and camped at Big
Lagoon for a couple of nights. .

Attachment 75463

Attachment 75465

Attachment 75466

Attachment 75467

Attachment 75468

Went for a walk around and then through the Lagoon to the ocean. . . Massive Cormorant rookery between the Lagoon and ocean. . .Heeeaps of goats around too. . .

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

Headed up to the north and stayed at Gregories camp for a few nights . . . Pretty amazing up here is just like the Simpson desert meets beutifull ocean. .

Attachment 75469Attachment 75470Attachment 75471Attachment 75472Attachment 75473

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

Hot Tub was open too @ Francious. . . Pretty damn hot around 40 degrees. . .



Attachment 75474

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

Headed over to Dirk Hartog Island on the barge after staying the night on Shelter Bay. . .

Attachment 75475

Attachment 75477

Attachment 75478

Pretty awesome place, the only thing is some of the corrugations are a bit of a shocker but it's worth it, not to much riff raff over there. . .

Attachment 75479

Attachment 75480

Attachment 75481

Attachment 75482

Tough life lol, someone's gotta do it I guess . . .

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

Lighthouse @ Cape Inscription named after the inscription on a pewter plate left by Dirk Hartog the first european to set foot on Australian soil in 1616. . .

Attachment 75485

Attachment 75486

Attachment 75487

Attachment 75488

Coast typical of the north of the island, pretty rugged and beutiful. . .

Attachment 75489

Attachment 75490

Attachment 75491

Heaps of old turtle eggs on appropriately named turtle bay which is one of the largest breeding areas in Australia. Camped up here a couple of nights. . .

Attachment 75492

Remains of of an old tramway and winch used to build the Lighthouse in 1916 (circa). . . Was also a 70m jetty back in the day.

Attachment 75493

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

Attachment 75494

Attachment 75495

Mystery Bay on the west side covered in flotsom & jetsom. Pretty sad that even in the most remote places you can't escape the impact of humans. . . The day before spent waking the around the north picking up bits of rubbish as we went, pretty futile on this beach lol . . .

Attachment 75496

Attachment 75497

Nearly stepped on these buggers. Thought they were plastic till they started moving. . . Figured out they were sea snakes and didn't quite look happy so returned them home, must have got a bit carried away in the swell. Later figured out they were Olive sea snakes.

Attachment 75498

Attachment 75499

Attachment 75500

Attachment 75501

Blowholes on the south west of the island. . .

Attachment 75502

Attachment 75503

Camped near the barge to head back in the morn . . .

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

Got the barge early then spoken the day cruising back thru Edel land NP. . .

Attachment 75504

Doesn't need much explanation . . .

Attachment 75505

Attachment 75506

Attachment 75507

Zytdorp cliffs that run south from Dirk Hartog. . . Far out pretty bloody impressive ! !

Attachment 75508

Blowholes near Steep Point and False Entrance. . . Tide want right to get good water blows but the air rushing up from such a distance below is pretty impressive. .

Attachment 75509

Attachment 75510

Attachment 75511

Driving into Steep Point was mostly cruisy but had some sections of baaaaaaad corrugations couldn't even hit them with speed, but coming out was a relief to see the whole section just graded - haleluya ! ! ! . . .

Anyways back in Denham again (seem to be making it a base of late) but heading south unfortunately to cooler weather :( Off to Sandy Cape but see how we go some wild weather is on its way and may end up pubbing it again, either way can't complain . . . [emoji38]


Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

Looks Awesome Rossco!!

Edge of the World there mate!!

Attachment 75512

Yeah bloody oath. . . Been reading and just finished a book on the trip & wreck of the Batavia ship belonging to the Dutch on a spice trade mission around mid 1600's. . . Pretty interesting and crazy times can see why they called it a god forsaken land they would have stumbled across those cliffs and instant arid land a bit different to the green fields of Europe. . . Bloody beutiful country but. . .


Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Mate that is sensational! Truly epic.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

Yep... amazing place.

Arabs, Portuguese, Dutch, French, Spaniards all said... no water, no food, no pasture, no rivers, no mountains, no safe harbours, just miles of Cliifs and LOTS of Reef and incessant onshore winds just waiting for the next wreck...

How many must have said "Jeez, what a shytehole, about face Boys, it's back on the boat and GTF outa here".
Even the Poms only settled here in the 1800's to keep the Flag up the pole.

No need back then for mountains of Gold, Iron Ore, Lithium, Nickel, Diamonds, Alumina, Cobalt, Uranium and humungous Oil and Gas deposits :-)

Mate just scanned threw your trip photos quickly on tappa, will have to set aside some time to read in greater detail - looks like you’re having a great time, very envious!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How were the tracks up through Francois Peron NP to the Gregories camp Rossco? I know there would be a fair bit of soft sand, but interested in whether you think towing our Tvan up there would be easy or just an unpleasant hard slog? We were on trail bikes when there previously & didn't get past the homestead.

Tracks were really good got a little bit soft up the north bit but all good. Plenty towed campers & tinnies up there be fine i reckon . .

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Bit of an update, after not wanting to head to the south & cold and staying around Shark Bay a bit longer than intended had to head off south as most of the grey nomads headed north. Last night at Francois Peron rain came in and park was closed again as we left, made the most of the hot tub once again. Drove through the storms and booked a room online at the Jurien Bay pub for the night but by the time we got there was all shut up, bugger should have called them. Anyway back to the original plan and camped at Sandy Cape for the night and decided to pull the pin the following day and got a good deal on a cosy beach unit.

Went for a bit of an explore through Sandy Cape, tried getting through to Green Head but tracks stopped at the sand dunes. . .

Attachment 75562


Went up to Stockard Gully Caves which was pretty cool. Country was beautiful around here too, would be pretty good in wildflower season although there was still quite a bit around. .

Attachment 75563

Attachment 75564

Went out the following day on a charter to swim with Sea Lions off Jurien Bay which was really cool, just like puppy dogs of the sea. .

Attachment 75565

Attachment 75566

Attachment 75568

. . .

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

Stooped in at the Pinnacles and although touristy is pretty impressive. .

Attachment 75569

Attachment 75570

Attachment 75571

Selfie sticks out in force lol . . .

Stopped in at Wedge Island, funny place with heaps of crazy fishing shacks everywhere. .

Attachment 75574

Attachment 75575

[ATTACH]75576[/ATTACH

Was going to hightail it to Albany after getting a little behind schedule but ended up staying at Dryandra Woodland which was a nice little surprise. Saw a couple of bandicoots and a Woylie (Betong like creature). Originally were going to come through the south west corner more but ran a bit out of time, think will have to do a separate down this way too much to see ! !

Attachment 75577

Attachment 75578

Headed into Albany to restock and got a service done on the GQ. . .

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

Stayed the night at West Cape Howe which was a nice little spot. . .

Attachment 75579

Had a poke about Bettys beach and Normans Beach just east of Albany. . .

Attachment 75580

Attachment 75581

A few beach shacks at Berry's beach. Cool spot but decided to push on and headed to Waychinicup Inlet for the night. Awsome little spot with big granite boulders. . .

Attachment 75582

Attachment 75583

Attachment 75584

Attachment 75585

. . .

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

Went for a swim then the heavens opened again after being a cloudless morning at sun up. . .

Thought we'd take the back way on an un sealed road marked as Hassell Beach Road on Hema. Turned off and quickly became apparant was far from a road but turned into a wicked little 4WD track that recieved bugger all traffic. Track was supposed to head north back upto highway but hit private property, followed a track down to the coast then headed eat along the beach and finally made our way out about 30k of some of the softest sand I'd been on.

Attachment 75586

Attachment 75587

Was worth it tho spotted a massive pod of dolphins just off the beach having a play. .

Attachment 75588

Headed into Bremmer Bay as it was nearing the end of the day and luckily the mouth of the Inlet was closed so could cross into Fitzgerald NP. . . Was a very welcome sight to find a cosy fishing shack after a wet cold day and ominous clouds rolling in . .

Attachment 75589

Attachment 75590

Attachment 75591

Attachment 75592

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

Next day planned to join up with a track on the other side of the Inlet and as the mouth was closed drove over to pick up the track on the other side. Anyway track didn't present itself and beginning to learn is always an adventure following Hema. . .

Attachment 75594

Driving along the beach again and again were rewarded with one then another Southern Right Wales just off the beach, was pretty awesome watched them for ages. .

Attachment 75595

Attachment 75596

Attachment 75597

Attachment 75598

One even had a pod of dolphins playing with it ! !

Anyways kept heading east and popped out near point Anne in Fitzgerald NP. Drove north then along highway for a bit then came back into the park at the east end down Hamersley drive which was about 60K of massive corrugations, start to know when your on a parks road over here now . . . Popped out the other end onto bitumen then went to camp at Hamersley Inlet. Didn't like the look of the camp ground was very official but found a very nice little one marked as a bush camp on Hema not sign posted on the right a few K before the main camp, even had a dunny & table. . .

Attachment 75599

Road out to Hopeton had been washed out a couple years back pretty impressive. . .

Attachment 75600

Attachment 75601

Osprey . .

In Esperence now heading into Cape Arid tomorrow and across to the Nullabor, hopefully all is open, should be good ☺

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

Hi @Rossco the attachments on Post 59 and 63 don't display for me, either on the iPad or PC. Not sure if anyone else has the same issues.

Cheers Jack, yeah bloody tapa not sure why is doing that showing on the tablet i uploaded from but not on phone? ? (Grrrrrrrr)

Anyway, Stockard Gully Caves and surrounds. . .

Attachment 75604

Attachment 75605

Attachment 75606

Attachment 75607

Attachment 75608

(hope these work) . . .

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

Seems like they worked although Tapa not rotating them properly (arrrgh) . .

Sea Lions off Jurion Bay . . .

Attachment 75609

Attachment 75610

Attachment 75611

. . .

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

Whales of the beach @ Fitzgeralf NP. . .

Attachment 75612

Attachment 75613

Attachment 75614

Attachment 75615

Attachment 75616

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

Looking at these pictures makes me so jealous, I so need to get away.

Looks like things are open to Israelite Bay at least some of the tracks ih the south closed but all good.

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...2018/06/99.jpg

Had tea and enjoyed the open fire at the Condingup Tavern then camped at the footy oval across the road. Stopped in here years ago after driving through from Baledonia in a HQ Holden with a mate and remember it being a cool spot, is always good to revisit places as you remember them. . . Should be a bit better in the GQ was a bit foolhardy in the younger days but we made it and was fun ! . . .

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...018/06/100.jpg

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Rossco, I love that you have been finding the road less travelled all along. What comes through from your posts is your genuine appreciation for what you see & experience. We are a bit delayed getting away & your posts have been great to see, & kept my spirits up. Thanks. We are hoping to get away next week if we can get a couple of health issues sorted.

You’re a Trojan Cuppa mate, doctor 3/4 tick and on the road again, Spirits shall be lifted ;-)!
Time to 110km straight-line home Rossco bloke, Snow Season is awaiting for youz both apparently :-)!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Those Whale pics are Awesome Rossco. did you buy a Drone mate? how did you get those pics?

Cheers Cuppa, yeah really do love traveling the roads less traveled and think they're places where you get to discover things for yourself which makes is so special. Seeing those whales so close just to ourselves was a pretty awesome experience . . .

Just came out at Cocklebiddy today after 5 days of driving through Cape Arid and Nuytsland Nature Reserve. Didn't see another soul the whole time, was wicked & one of the best 4by trips I've done and has been on the list for a long time but one will defiantly revisit one day hopefully. Cruised up the road to Eucla to spend the night but yep @MB unfortunately sunny Mexico beckons and are slowly heading eastwards soon back to depressing reality.

Nicole got a Mavic Pro second hand (near new) Have been using it a bit more lately since we've been getting away from people. They're banned in National Parks which i agree with as they are a bit obnoxious to others especially if every man and his dog lets one loose. . . The whale pics were just taken from the beach with a telephoto the thing was that damn close could even have swam out to it, we did think of that lol . . .

I'll get some more pics up soon when i get a chance . . .


Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Cheers Cuppa, yeah really do love traveling the roads less traveled and think they're places where you get to discover things for yourself which makes is so special. Seeing those whales so close just to ourselves was a pretty awesome experience . . .

Just came out at Cocklebiddy today after 5 days of driving through Cape Arid and Nuytsland Nature Reserve. Didn't see another soul the whole time, was wicked & one of the best 4by trips I've done and has been on the list for a long time but one will defiantly revisit one day hopefully. Cruised up the road to Eucla to spend the night but yep @MB unfortunately sunny Mexico beckons and are slowly heading eastwards soon back to depressing reality.

Nicole got a Mavic Pro second hand (near new) Have been using it a bit more lately since we've been getting away from people. They're banned in National Parks which i agree with as they are a bit obnoxious to others especially if every man and his dog lets one loose. . . The whale pics were just taken from the beach with a telephoto the thing was that damn close could even have swam out to it, we did think of that lol . . .

I'll get some more pics up soon when i get a chance . . .


Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Woops didn't think post sent as had bugger all service but must have got through last night then tried again this morning so double post lol. . . After on & off wet weather since Denham thought it had cleared for a bit but rain came in again last night hopefully buggers off soon tho . . .

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Sooo jealous of your trip Rossco, can't wait for you to get home and feel the cold wrath and chop wood in the cold rain and get back to work...lol

Most of the pics except the 1s at Hopetoun & the whales didn’t come through , awesome read Rossco , great stuff mate

Sorry to do this but some more pics, rest assured it's is all rapidly drawing to a close and will be back to the rat race and routine of bloody work all too soon lol . . .

After fueling up in Condingup headed along Fisheries road into Cape Arid then stayed a couple of days @ Isralite Bay. . .


Attachment 75647

Attachment 75648

Attachment 75649

Attachment 75651

A fair maze of tracks around there with heaps of camping scattered around. . .

Attachment 75652



Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

Spent the day checking out some of the ruins around the area, pretty cool spot really. Wasn't quite what i expected it's not the most beautiful beach but definatly a cool spot. . .

Attachment 75654

Attachment 75655

Attachment 75656

Attachment 75657

Attachment 75658

Attachment 75659

. . .

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

. . .

Attachment 75661

Attachment 75662

The old telegraph stain is pretty impressive.

Attachment 75663

Pink lake . .

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk