Geraldton to Perth then onto Esperance
Spring is in the air, only a week away, and with WA being famous for magnificent displays of wild flowers all through spring we were hopeful of seeing some early seasonal blooms. To enhance our chances we chose a slightly longer 100km route from Geraldton to Perth along a section of the 'Wild Flower Trail' which criss crosses through large areas of central and southern WA. Maps of these trails are readily available and under 'normal travel free circumstances' wild flower enthusiasts flock to WA traversing the wild flower trails.
So our detour had us head east from the coast at Dongara, 65 Km's south of Geraldton, for a short 55 Km hop to Mingenew and onto the wild flower trail south for 322 Km's to the outskirts of Perth. The one 'minus' we had as to the success or otherwise of this venture was spring being just around the corner. Would we be too early? Yes we were, but it was worth the chance. We saw early signs but nothing compared to the displays on offer in full season. In fact, we saw more wild flowers further north from Coral Bay to Geraldton which made sense with the weather being warmer. Despite this the detour was worth while for what the country side had to offer.
We saw examples of much varied flora, along with wildlife, on our trip too which I will dedicate the final Blog of this series.
East to Mingenew
Mingenew cafe
We chose to stay south of Perth for our 3 night stint, in a park cabin 10 min's south of Freemantle at Woodman Point, next door to Coogee Beach, not to be confused with Sydney's Coogee. We stayed locally except when catching up with family for lunch, one day being with Ngaire's niece and her family and lunch the next day with my nephew and his partner.
We had visited Perth in 2015 on a 10 day fly-drive holiday and explored the south west from Albany along the coast and back up to Perth. Our short stay on this occasion was more a rest stop and catch up.
Great park and cabin
Scenes in walking distance to our cabin.
Heading to Esperance. Must be winter?
Coffee break, Blue Wren Cafe, Dwellingup.
Dumbleyung Lake Nature ReserveSouth Coast H'way to Esperance - H'way No 1
Our motel roomFrom the backdoor Foreshore opposite our motelShipping waiting for tugs into port.
A bit different - coppers pull up in the middle of the road and start breath testing. No signage or traffic control, just flashing lights.Stormy walk for takeaway. Esperance hosts a local museum that is the best we have ever encountered through regional Australia. The range and extent of the exhibits has to be seen. A must do if visiting.
A 'VC' up closeBorn in Subiaco 1918, farmed at Esperance after the war and died in 1989. Awarded VC for action against the Japanese in North Borneo May 1945
Coastal scenery
Esperance was in the top 5 of places we stayed but after a too short 3 night stay it was time to head a little further north before turning right onto the Nullarbor.
