Torah the Explorer Season 4 Written By Torah Edited and Created by Torah’s mum (Lisa)

Episode 10

Day 183 to 184 – Friday 25 September 2015 to Saturday 26 September 2015

Travel: Denham to Hamelin Station Stay (106 km)

We went to a place for 2 nights, it was called Hamelin Station Stay. We watched the football

and went bird watching and looked at a shearing shed.

And mum would like to add..... This was such a lovely place to stay and kill some time, while we waited for the wind to die down to visit Steep Point. It has a historical shearing shed and a dam filled with bird life and you can borrow some binoculars. And of course the AFL prelims were on... Day 185 to 186 – Sunday 27 September 2015 to Monday 28 September 2015

Travel: Hamelin Station Stay to Steep Point (200 km)

Today we went four wheel driving to Steep Point. It had a beautiful beach and we went fishing

and we caught a flat head.

And mum would like to add..... We really enjoyed our time at Steep Point – the most westerly point of Australia. The wind didn’t settle down as much as we had hoped, but the beaches were beautiful. The fish were biting and kept us busy, and the cliffs views were spectacular.

Day 187 to 191 – Tuesday 29 September 2015 to Saturday 3 October 2015

Travel: Steep Point to Kalbarri (200km)

Today we went to Kalbarri and it had lots of goats. I went tin the pen and I found 5 new baby

goats and they were adorable!!! It also had a river to swim in.

And mum would like to add..... We stayed at Murchison House Station for 3 nights, then into town for the 2 nights. The station stay was nice, we camped right on the river. But it was the goats that stole the show. It was like a kids play pen. Torah spent every waking moment playing with the goats. They were adorable. We did a day trip out to the National Park and did the compulsory look outs – very nice but how do you compare it to the places we have been. We also spent a bit of time playing in the river – Steve was happy to be in fresh water again. We sent 2 days in town, only so we could watch the Grand Final. It was very interesting being in a WA pub watching a VIC team play a WA team.

Day 192 to 193 – Sunday 4 October 2015 to Monday 5 October 2015

Travel: Kalbarri to Geraldton (155 km)

Today we went to a town fair and it had lots of rides and we did lots of

jobs.

And mum would like to add.....Geraldton was our first big town in a while so after the town fair, our time was consumed by errands, grocery shopping, and a car service. Our site backed onto the jumping pillow – so Torah was off playing most of day, in between errands.

Day 194 to 195 – Tuesday 6 October 2015 to Wednesday 7 October 2015

Travel: Geraldton to Dongara/Pt Denison (70 km)

Today we went surfing it was fun, then we went to do archery, it was fantastic. The place we

stayed had a jumping pillow – so I had lots of fun.

And mum would like to add..... Pt Denison is lovely quiet seaside town. We went to an adventure park and had a crack at archery – with live size targets – a bit of fun – but the flies were terrible. We also hired some surfboards one afternoon, Steve and Torah gave them a good crack – not too much luck though. But a lot of fun. We had a site again that backed onto the jumping pillow, so we basically didn’t see Torah.

Day 196 to 197 – Thursday 8 October 2015 to Friday 9 October 2015

Travel: Dongara/Pt Denison to Lancelin/Ledge Point (70 km)

Today I went on a pedal cart, and went sand boarding on the big sand dunes, and we also went

four wheel driving.

And mum would like to add..... Ledge Point was one of the biggest caravan parks we stayed out. Great park, but it was just crazy being there during WA school holidays. Steve and I would be in bed and hear kids running around everywhere (yes we were in bed early – it is getting too cold without a fire). So we enjoyed all the joys the park had to offer, jumping pillow, pool, rec room, pedal carts. We also hired some sand boards and spent the morning at Lancelin sand dunes. Spectacular views, great fun sand boarding, but it was hard work climbing back up the sand dunes. Torah and I had quite

a few runs, Steve gave up and went exploring in the dunes. We had fun trying to get the sand off our hot and sweaty bodies. We then went for a four wheel drive, but it was tricky as there were people, cars, bikes and buggies everywhere, so you couldn’t go flying up a sand dune.

Day 198 to 200 – Saturday 10 October 2015 to Monday 12 October 2015

Travel: Lancelin/Ledge Point to Merredin (379 km)

Merredin to Kalgoorlie (334 km)

Today we were really lucky and got a cabin. We went to the Royal Flying Doctor Service and

they help lots of people. Then we we went ot the Super Pit and they used real dynamite to blow

it up, and then we did some gold panning.

And mum would like to add..... On our way to Kalgoorlie, we stopped in Perth and visited the Greetham’s (a family we travelled with for a bit). It was great catching up with – shame it was a fleeting visit. We drove on to Merridin for a quick overnighter. The next day we drove to Kalgoorlie. Kalgoorlie was impressive, so glad we went there. First off we splurged and got cabin. It was hot, so air conditioning was a relief, and just being to laze around inside, was such a novelty and a luxury. The town had its Fair on, so that that entertained us for a little bit. Steve and I also took it in turns doing an 18+ brxthxl tour. It was very interesting – stories are not for this blog. We went to the RFDS base, and had a tour – that was also very interesting. I think we all walked away

with a greater appreciation of the RFDS. We visited a tourist mine where they had a mine hauler and dozer, and Torah loved the gold panning. This was followed by a visit to the Super Pit – WOW, so very impressive. The massive haulers looked like matchbox cars. We times our visit to see a blast. Very cool. Could have spent more time in Kalgoorlie – shame we didn’t get to one of the old pubs.

Day 201 to 206 – Tuesday 13 October 2015 to Sunday 18 October 2015

Travel: Kalgoorlie to Esperance (387 km)

Esperance to Cape Arid/Cape Le Grand (120 km)

We went to 3 stunning beaches. One day we on our way to a beach we got stuck in the mud for

over an hour, and then our friends came and got us out. It took 2 days to get the mud off. At

one of the beaches it had 1,000 dolphins surfing the waves. Then we went fishing and my dada

caught an 80cm salmon, and we saw a big kangaroo on the beach with a joey in her pouch.

And mum would like to add..... We met up with the Mclaren’s in Esperance for our last hurrah before we tackled the Nullarbor together. Esperance didn’t disappoint. The town is lovely and the beaches are just stunning. We stayed in Esperance for 2 nights, then drove to Cape Arid for 3 nights. We were going to stay in Cape Le Grand, but the lure of a possible camp fire at Cape Arid kept us moving. It paid off. We had a great, large camp site at Cape Arid – and thank goodness for the camp fire, it is getting cold at night. We went to the beach and Stuey caught a massive salmon and our neighbour shared the head and tail of his 1.3m gummy shark. Fish for dinner!! We thought we would spend our first day on a trip to Israelite Bay under the pretence it offered a nice beach (according to the brochure). It was 80 km away, but it took us 3 hours, partly due to us taking a wrong line and driving across what we thought was dry ground, and we just sank!!! We couldn’t even open our doors to get out of the car, we were stuck!!! Thanks goodness we were with the Mclarens and they pulled us out. This was of course after an effort (from Steve) to get out our recovery gear, and try to connect the snatch to a mud submerged vehicle. Torah and I sat on the roof, it was just so funny, watching everyone get covered in mud, just walking over, and you would sink up to your shins. It made for an eventful day. So we finally get to Israelite Bay – what a massive disappointment. We basically had lunch, and drive back – and the day was gone. The following we explored the beaches close to us. The beaches were nice, but when we pulled up there were at least 30 dolphins playing in the waves about 20 meters offshore. What an amazing sight. We have never seen so many dolphins in one spot, let alone the surfing and jumping. Then we saw an emu, and then the boys throw in their rods. Steve caught his 80cm salmon, followed by another, and Stuey caught another Salmon too. We were putting fish back (unfortunately). On leaving Cape Arid, there was a bush fire that started the night before (lightning – yes our first thunderstorm). Anyway the road was closed so we had to be escorted out – it was pretty cool – the fire threw out so much heat. In hindsight we were surprised we were actually allowed to drive past. On our way back Esperance we stopped in at Cape Le Grand, and this was just stunning, so much so, I had to swim, it was just too beautiful. Then the kangaroo hops along – it was stunning. Another night back in Esperance to refuel and a quick grocery shop and a car clean and we are ready to begin our trip home.

Esperance:

Cape Arid:

Cape Le Grand:

Day 207 to 209 – Monday 19 October 2015 to Wednesday 21 October 2015

Travel: Esperance to Caiguna (566 km)

Caiguna to Peg 81 (428km)

Peg 81 to Penong (326km)

Today we went of the most boring and one of the most

longest, and straightest roads in Australia, and we

stayed in bush camps.

And mum would like to add..... It was so nice having company on the Nullarbor. It would have been so boring by ourselves. The Nullarbor itself was quite boring, but we bush camped, had fires and made the most of our last few days – the last hoorah.

Day 210 to 212 – Thursday 22 October 2015 to Saturday 24 October 2015

Travel: Penong to Elliston (Walkers Rocks) (309 km)

Elliston (Walkers Rocks) to Pt Lincoln (168km)

Today we drove out to have a look at some big sand dunes. Lachie and I went sand boarding

again. Then we went four wheel driving on the beach, then that night we went fishing for squid.

And mum would like to add.....So we explored the Eyre Peninsula with the Mclarens. In itself it is probably beautiful, but in comparison to what we have seen it is very difficult to appreciate it. We went to Smokey bay, Streaky Bay, Ellliston, and Port Lincoln. We spent a day exploring Pt Lincoln National Park, and had fun on the sand dunes, but again we found ourselves spending all this time in a car to get to a beach that is quite nice, but nothing compared to what we have seen.

Day 213 to 216 – Sunday 25 October 2015 to Wednesday 28 October 2015

Travel: Pt Lincoln to Burra (543 km)

Burra to Renmark (197km)

Renmark to Charlton (434km)

Charlton to Home (256km)

Today we went to Renmark again and I went on the water slides. Then we went to a bush camp

and went HOME!!!!!!!!!

And mum would like to add.....Homeward bound. We decide to stay at Burra for out last Hoorah, then decided to stay at Renmark for our last hoorah, then decided to stay in Charlton for our last hoorah. We are delaying the inevitable. But we are so glad we are sharing this with the Mclarens, it still feels like we are on holidays and not on the way home. We are on our way home with very mixed emotions, excited to see everyone, sad that this amazing experience has come to an end, and traumatised by settling back into a normal working life. But looking forward to the creature comforts of home – running hot water, heating/cooling, being able to sit inside on a couch, not having to pack a bag to have a shower, a toilet you don’t have to get dressed to go to etc etc. But I really wouldn’t change a thing. We have had amazing experiences, seen incredible sights, and made the most remarkable friends. We will be back..... It has been a truly amazing experience and I highly recommend you get out there and see what Australia has to offer.

So on reflection what are our top 3, well we couldn’t restrict our favourite places to just 3 (in no particular order):

1. Darwin – as we saw Mel and the kids 2. Bullara Station – it was just cool. We got comfortable there and got to know the

workers, and we loved the damper. 3. Coral Bay Eco Tour – snorkelling and swimming with the Manta Ray was just absolutely

awesome. 4. Anna Plains – awesome experience, beautiful beaches and amazing shells. 5. Mitchell Falls/El Questro Gorge/Karajini – for the amazing adventurous and strenuous

walks with great company and amazing views. 6. Warrorra Station – Great company and beautiful beaches. 7. Esperance/Cape Arid/Cape le Grand – stunning beaches, dolphin experience, Steve

caught big fish, great company and we got bogged (memorable experience). 8. Middle Lagoon – beautiful beaches and great company. 9. Kakadu, Gunlom Falls and Ubirr – just beautiful. 10. Ayers Rock – well it Ayers Rock. 11. Litchfield – Bouley rock holes – all time favourite. 12. Cape Range (Exmouth) – beautiful beaches and great snorkelling. 13. Steep Point – stunning beaches/views, great 4WDriving and awesome camping. 14. Broome – just loved it, we went back 4 times. 15. Dundee Beach – just cool. 16. Munja Track – great experience and 4WDriving with great company, and beautiful

stunning gorges/waterfalls to ourselves. 17. Mcgowens – great company and great experiences. 18. Finke National Park – great 4WDriving and great experiences.

As you can see a lot of our trip was defined by the people we met – we met some really great people and lifelong friends. It was all just amazing.

Stay tuned for our next adventures......

What will the next season bring........

Love the Morgans

XOXO