WESTERN AUSTRALIA CLUB HOLIDAY: August 22nd - September 25th
A large group of club members and family gathered on the Iron Knob Road corner, on the outskirts of Whyalla, to say their goodbyes and to see off a dozen club members with five caravans, on their recent club trip to Western Australia. There was an air of excitement, anticipation and perhaps some apprehension as some club members had never towed caravans for such a long distance. Some club members, not going on the trip this time (pictured), could not bear to be left behind.
This really was an adventure for everyone. We travelled for four days and crossed the Nullarbor at a very leisurely pace, stopping off road for four nights, camping out and cooking our meals around a campfire. We were captivated by the whales at Head of the Bight and amazed by the ruggedness of the coast at Bunda Cliffs lookout. We stayed for several days in Kalgoorlie visiting many local points of interest including the Super Pit, mining museums, earth quake shattered Boulder and also had a most interesting visit (with spouses), to Questa Casa, one of the local brothels in Hay Street Kalgoorlie! We then moved on to Fremantle staying at the very neat Fremantle Village Tourist Park for a week or so. From there we ventured in and around Fremantle and Perth using their free and excellent bus services and fast trains. While the weather was a bit damp in Perth, we enjoyed a cruise up the Swan River sightseeing in Perth, a visit to the amazing aquarium at Hilliary Boat Harbour, an almost full day tour of the old Fremantle gaol, a wander through a submarine, maritime museum, shipwreck museum, markets and many other points of interest. We also had a couple of unbelievably good seafood dinners at Ciceros on the Fremantle wharf.
After moving camp to Busselton, we visited the Margaret River area, venturing into the odd winery, lavender farms, chocolate factories, sundry art and craft shops and an amazing furniture factory at Streaters Fine Furniture. We also visited other points of interest at Cape Naturaliste, Canal Rocks, Sugarloaf Rock, Cape Leeuwin and the amazing Lake Cave and Raptor Park.
A highlight perhaps was camping out at Parry Beach for four nights or so under the Peppermint trees.
Places we visited in this area included Circular Pool, the amazing Sky Walk through the Valley of the Giants, the giant Tingle tree, Swarbrick Art in the Forest, the very tidy town of Denmark, Conspicuous Beach, Dinosaur world and bird park, Elephant Rocks, Greens Pool….the list goes on and on….not forgetting Elephant Rocks Cider Factory and The Honey and Mead shop near Denmark. Reluctantly we had to move on to Albany where we stayed at the Kalgan River Caravan Park. This also proved to be one of the highlights of the trip with all the vans backed up to the river where we could fish and simply enjoy the view and some of the local resident, pelicans, ducks, literally hundreds of kangaroos, rabbits and other birds. We had an excellent meal at the restaurant right at the Park entrance and enjoyed visiting the many lookouts like Mount Clarence which over look the town of Albany. We also visited Whale World, Middleton Beach and the Brig Amity in the harbour. After four days we moved on to Esperance enjoying another camp out on the Fitzgerald River at Jacup on the way. In Esperance we stayed at the excellent Pink Lake Caravan Park for the budget price of $22.00 per night. We visited all the local beaches and travelled down to Cape Le Grande visiting more truly amazing beaches like Lucky Bay, with the whitest of white sand of almost talcum powder fineness. Sadly we eventually had to head home and spent another reasonably leisurely three nights on the Nullarbor and on the road to Whyalla, camping out every night once again. Allan, Serge and Diana managed to complete playing the now famous Nullarbor Links Golf Course on the way home and received their Certificates at the Ceduna Golf Cub on their completion. But what about the fishing??? Well we did go on a charter out of Hilliary Boat Harbour with Blue Juice charters and one could say we were somewhat disappointed with the catches and fish on offer, compared to what is available at our back door in Whyalla. We did fish in the Kalgan river a few times and some KG whiting and just legal bream were caught. Some members also fished Parry Beach for little return.
In all the trip was a great experience, the scenery was amazing, the company was excellent, the meals were great, and the camping out was not to be missed. Apart from a tyre leak on the Coltesses van , some minor damage on a van from a kangaroo strike and an errant tensioning pulley on Allan S Landcruiser a/c system, the trip was trouble free and thoroughly enjoyed by every one. We also all enjoyed catching up with PJ again ( a social club member from NSW). Will we do it again???......you bet!.
The trip certainly did live up to expectations and more, and was very much enjoyed by all who participated . Even though a lot of time and consideration was put into the holiday preparations with purchases of gear, caravans and vehicles, several club members have already upgraded vans and vehicles again. In addition some other club members, no doubt encouraged by their experiences and perhaps the many stories which arose from the trip, have also decided to purchase a caravan or two. There will be a rather long convoy of vehicles and vans on future holidays if everyone is able to attend. Already some members are talking up a trip to the Northern Territory, Uluru, Kings Canyon and The Alice for next year. All club members should keep this in mind on the back burner along with any other suggestions for 2011 club holiday. As a club it seems we are building up a considerable knowledge base with regard to touring, caravans and the equipment either required or desirable and should be able to help out one another or friends looking for direction or information.
FOOTY TIPPING COMP 2010:
The Footy tipping competition for 2010 ended once again in a close result, with a draw for first place between Christel and Allan. However the average number of correct tips for the winner, is this year, only just over 5 games for each week of matches, slightly worse than last year. It seems that my last year’s suggestion for improvement,...that of simply tipping for the Crows and against the Power every week was not such a good idea after all. Other suggestions are welcome. As a result of the tie for first place, the prize monies for first and second places were added and split two ways with both winners receiving $110.00. The third place prize of $45.00 was won by Mick. As a result of the tipping competition this year, an excellent sum of $266.00has been added to club funds. All members are encouraged to take part in the tipping competition next year, as it provides a common interest and a friendly rivalry amongst the participating members. A big thank you to John Davis for organising this years competition and keeping us all up to date with an e-mailed copy of his running spread sheet each week.
WELCOME TO NEW SPONSOR:
The club has been able to secure another new sponsor for our fishing club in the last couple of months.
Troy and Andrea Taylor of The Elliston Caravan Park have joined our club as sponsors for the remainder of our 2010 - 2011 fishing season. Troy and Andrea are both well known to many of our members as we have seen them often at weigh ins during the annual Australian Salmon Fishing competitions at Elliston, going back many years and more recently the club and club members independently, have stayed at their excellent park while fishing in the general West Coast area. They have recently upgraded all the facilities, services, grounds, camp kitchen and BBQ areas and we are looking forward to staying in their park once again later this year when we undertake our Elliston long weekend fishing competition. On behalf of the club, I wish Troy and Andrea the warmest of welcomes.
