Day 20: Sun 07 Apr 24 - Dunns Ecopark to Ravensthorpe

Sun 07 Apr 24 - Dunns Ecopark to Ravensthorpe (239km)

16 Deg with a light northerly wind,  clear and sunny at Dunns Ecopark, reaching 26 Deg and sunny with a moderate southerly wind at Ravensthorpe.

After topping up the caravan water tanks (transferred from the water bladder in the ute), we packed up and drive away from Dunns Ecopark at 0815. We made a slight detour through Esperance to top up with fuel too, not because we needed it, but because it's 20-30 cents per litre cheaper than at Ravensthorpe and Hyden where we are heading. Noel also popped into IGA to replenish our fresh fruit and some dairy (paying a premium price), then we were on our way again heading towards Ravensthorpe by 0925.

We stopped for a coffee break on the way at about 1030 at a highway rest stop, then we continued to Ravensthorpe, arriving at 1215. Our stay tonight is the Ravensthorpe 48Hr Self Contained RV  Free Camp located in town. By this time there were already 10 vans set up on what is a relatively small and uneven area. I settled on a vacant spot, reversed in between a small tree and another van and after bringing the van level, we were set up in no time. Ravensthorpe is a very small town with not much here, but my goodness there were a lot of caravans and motorhomes passing through town. Ravensthorpe is located 40km inland from the coast and is the centre of the Phillips River Goldfield with a wealthy mining history. There is a  nickel mine and hydrometallurgical plant 35 km east of town which has a checkered past, and about one third of the Ravenshorpe Shire is also productive farming land (wheat, oats, barley and other grains along with cattle and sheep). 

After lunch, I had a short snooze, while Noel read then we went for a stroll around town, before deciding we needed a caffeine fix which we had back at the van. Apart from a walk up to the painted silos, we had a lazy afternoon listening to the football (my team came second in their match, while Noel's team was victorious). 

The late afternoon became cloudy and quite cool, just the type of afternoon for doing nothing. Then it was time to head up to the hotel for dinner. Two roast Pork with vegetable meals - nothing fancy, just good honest tasty food in plentiful supply, more suited to the appetite of the miners who had just finished their day shift and were lined up ordering their meals. 

Tomorrow we make our way north to Hyden to visit Wave Rock for a two night stay.

Driving under a 100m long mural painted on the outside of the conveyor which carries ore from the Ravensthorpe nickel mine, across the highway 35km before Ravensthorpe. The mural depicts local birds and Banksia which are native to the area. 

The Palace Hotel - Sunday night dinner venue 



Walk around Ravensthorpe

Ravensthorpe Silo Art painted by artist Amok Island. The silos depict the six stages of the Banksia Wildflower, with one stage painted on each side of the silos. This particular species of Banksia is native to Western Australia and only between Esperance and Albany.

 The Honey Possum and New Holland Honey Eater are both the main pollinators for this particular plant 

The Honey Possum and New Holland Honey Eater are both the main pollinators for this particular plant 

Walk around Ravensthorpe

Walk around Ravensthorpe

Walk around Ravensthorpe - A splash of colour 


Ravensthorpe - 48Hr Self Contained RV Camp. A bit crowded but nice and quiet, and walking distance to the pub for dinner

Ravensthorpe - 48Hr Self Contained RV Camp

Ravensthorpe

Ravensthorpe - Silos










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