Day 71: Tue 28 May 24 - Geraldton to Kalbarri

Tue 28 May 24 - Geraldton to Kalbarri (170km)

14 to 25 Deg C, cloudy with light SSW winds. A late storm that rolled in at Kalbarri late in the afternoon produced almost no rain. Another fantastic day of weather.

We were packed and driving away from Geraldton shortly after 09:00am after a fabulous stay with Rick and Sharon (and Crumpet the Dashound). First stop after 46 km was the small rural town of Northampton where Noel visited the pharmacy with a couple of scripts sent to her following a telehealth call with her GP this morning. After getting what Noel needed, and a stroll around town, we continued another 40km to our next stop at the old 1800's Lynton Convict Hiring Depot. The Lynton Convict Hiring Depot (1853–1857) was established on 22 May 1853 with the arrival of the 173-ton brigantine Leander, which transferred 60 convicts and Pensioner Guards (retired British soldiers) that had arrived at Fremantle on 1 May. It was established to supply labour to the Geraldine Lead Mine, 52 kilometres north-east of the site on the Murchison River, and to local settlers. The depot was closed on 3 January 1857 due to the high cost of its maintenance. 

The Convict Ruins were very interesting and we ended up staying much longer than planned. Continuing on our way, next stop was the Pink Lake (Hutt Lagoon) at Port Gregory. The colours at the lake were amazing, and I could have stayed much longer taking photos. From the Pink Lake, we continued to Port Gregory on the coast for a quick look before returning past the Pink Lake Lookout, and driving another 68km to Kalbarri, where we were set up shortly after 2:00pm. After a light lunch, we drove 13kms back out towards Port Gregory to check out some of the coastal lookouts that we passed on the way in. We returned to the furthest lookout at Natural Bridge and after a enjoying the magnificent views for a while, Noel drove to the next lookout at Island Rock, while I walked along the clifftop boardwalk to meet her there. From Island Rock we drove to the next lookout at Shellhouse Grandstand, for more wonderful coastal views. With a nasty storm rolling in from the sea, we decided to call it the day, and returned to the van at about 5:00pm. I had so much fun taking photos today, but it wasn't easy sorting through them and selecting which ones to include in the blog tonight. 

Today was another wonderful day of discovery, adventure and incredible scenery.

Painted sheep of Northampton.

Northampton - A charming rural town with a population of about 880, on the edge of the Wheatbelt 

Northampton has a rich history in producing star AFL players. Nine life size statues are of Patrick and Jamie Cripps, Harry Taylor, Tarkyn and Andrew Lockyer, Josh Kennedy, Daniel Chick, Paul Hasleby and Liam Anthony

Northampton

Our Lady in Ara Coeli - St Mary's Catholic Church


Northampton 

Northampton

Northampton. No baba today. Tuesday is Facial and Massage day. The Hairdresser comes again tomorrow

Northampton


Lynton Convict Hiring Depot 1853-1856

The Lynton Convict Hiring Depot (1853–1857).

The Lynton Convict Hiring Depot

The Lynton Convict Hiring Depot - Lock-up cells

The Lynton Convict Hiring Depot - Lock-up cells (1.2m x 2.2m)

The Lynton Convict Hiring Depot 


The Lynton Convict Hiring Depot - The Magistrate' Quarters

Here lie the ashes of Ronald Wesley Simkin, descendent of Pioneer Families


Part of the Lynton Convict Hiring Depot that has been restored

The Pink Lake (Hutt Lagoon) at Port Gregory

The Pink Lake (Hutt Lagoon) at Port Gregory


The Pink Lake (Hutt Lagoon) at Port Gregory

The Pink Lake (Hutt Lagoon) at Port Gregory

The Pink Lake (Hutt Lagoon) at Port Gregory


The Pink Lake (Hutt Lagoon) at Port Gregory

The Pink Lake (Hutt Lagoon) at Port Gregory


The Pink Lake (Hutt Lagoon) at Port Gregory


The Pink Lake (Hutt Lagoon) at Port Gregory

Port Gregory

Port Gregory


Arrival at Kalbarri where the Murchison river empties into the sea

Kalbarri - View along the coast to Island Rock

Kalbarri - Natural Bridge

Kalbarri - Natural Bridge

Kalbarri - Cliff Top walk along the boardwalk past Island Rock

Kalbari - View from the boardwalk back to Island Rock

Kalbari - View from the boardwalk back to Island Rock


Kalbari - Coastal View from Grandstand

Kalbari - Looking out to sea at an incoming storm


Kalbari - Coastal view from Shellhouse Grandstand






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