Better than JohnM's WA mid-west circuit

[tgh]

Problem with these "on forever" bush dirt roads on the bike is that the boredom is mitigated with speed…. until something happens. like the law.. or a roo…or….

 

[RooFlyer]

They don't really still sell Emu Export do they?

 

[Daver6]

Problem with these "on forever" bush dirt roads on the bike is that the boredom is mitigated with speed…. until something happens. like the law.. or a roo…or….

It's a lot of concentrating driving on those roads. We specifically avoided dusk and dawn due to roos. Didn't need that to deal with. The only time we saw roos was on the short drive to the start point to summit Mt Augustus. A couple of fellas just sitting on the road. As for the popo, didn't see them at all. First sighting was actually on the outskirts of Perth on the return.

They don't really still sell Emu Export do they?

And this is why WA isn't letting people in. Attitudes like that to our beer Not only is it still sold, it's actually become a bit trendy. You can find bars and the like (even Jus Burger) selling tinnies of 'sport.

 

[Julesmac]

Great pics. We are so lucky to live in such a beautiful country

 

[RooFlyer]

Not only is it still sold, it's actually become a bit trendy. You can find bars and the like (even Jus Burger) selling tinnies of 'sport.

Well, Emu was VERY 'trendy' in the WA goldfields back in the early '80s and the more cultured locals even engaged in some decorative art with it (stubby ring pull curtain). Can I just say that this was NOT my place! (And the colour has come off in the intervening 37 years).



Cue back then:



I like what they've done with the joint (Google street view)

 

[kookaburra75]

They don't really still sell Emu Export do they?

How dare you mock the old breakfast in a tin - Egg, Meat and Unions

 

[oz_mark]

And this is why WA isn't letting people in. Attitudes like that to our beer Not only is it still sold, it's actually become a bit trendy. You can find bars and the like (even Jus Burger) selling tinnies of 'sport.

Bring back Hannan's Lager I say But onto things Emu Export (or chooks p..s) isn't that made in SA these days?

 

[Daver6]

Bring back Hannan's Lager I say But onto things Emu Export (or chooks p..s) isn't that made in SA these days?

Sadly yes. After Swan Brewery closed, it's now brewed at Westend in Adelaide. At least they let the good stuff in to WA

 

[Daver6]

It was up before dawn to start the hike before it gets to warm. View of Mt Augustus prior to sunrise from the tourist park



The highest point you can see in the above picture is the summit we hike to. The trail commences on the very right (western end) and is a 12km return loop. Calling it a trail is a bit generous as there is a lot of scrambling over rocks, small stones etc. Not an easy hike. You're warned to leave early and carry a lot of water. The good thing about the hike starting on the western slope is you're in the shade for a good part of the hike to the summit, especially the steeper slope.

 

[Daver6]

They say allow 5 to 6 hours for the hike. We got to the summit in two hours. Spectacular views along the way and from the top. The sandwich went down a treat. Coming down was a lot harder and took about 2 hours and 20 minutes. Having read that only a week later, three people lost their lives on this hike, I was pretty shocked. It wasn't a hot day (30C by the time we got back to the bottom about 11am). Coming down is tricky and hard work.

 

[Daver6]

After the hike we stopped by Cattle Pool. Originally thinking a dip might be refreshing, we decided against it. Still a lovely spot. After that we checked out some of the Aboriginal rock art. Once again, zero explanation provided and rather poor quality in comparison to what we'd seen at Walga Rock. After that we just chilled on the lawn with some drinks.

The next morning we left about an hour after sunrise to avoid roos. The last picture shows Mt Augustus in the distance. We were about 100km south at this point, so you really get to see how big it actually is.

 

[Daver6]

Pretty uneventful but long drive on dirt roads to Wooleen Station. Picked a random spot for lunch before arriving at Wooleen early afternoon.

and finally...

 

[Daver6]

There is plenty on the internet about Wooleen Station and the owners David and Frances. I won't go into that, but its fascinating. They are both lovely people (although they did allow @JohnM onto their land...). David has the best sense of humour too.

We booked in to the homestead using Amex travel. I had to call up to to do this, but wanted to use my $450 travel credit. The cost of a room for the night isn't cheap, but worth every cent. It includes three meals a day plus any snacks you might want. Beer and wine is on the honour system and extremely reasonably priced. Beers were $5 for a local beer. Wine was kept in a below ground cellar and dominated by WA wines. A decent selection. There are 6 guest rooms but only five in use each night. They only fill it up totally if the entire homestead is used by one group. There are three shared bathrooms, each either a show and toilet and are immaculate. David and Frances dine with you each night in the formal dining room.

Some pictures of the homestead.

 

[Daver6]

 

[Daver6]

Are from the air. Since this is an aviation forum after all...notice the airstrip in the fourth pic. This is the smaller of the two on the property and maybe a 100m from the homestead. There is a long/larger one a few kms away that can handle larger aircraft and also used by the RFDS for the region.

 

[Daver6]

After checking in and being shown around the homestead, afternoon tea was provided. We then hopped in the car and headed up to the river for a little paddle. Then back to the homestead for pre-dinner drinks, sunset and dinner.

 

[Daver6]

After a scrumptious breakfast we drove out to the end of the bigger of the two airstrips where some mountain bikes were available for use. There was a relatively easy 10km loop that took us up a small outcrop with some lovely scenery.

 

[Daver6]

After the cycle is was back to the homestead for lunch. We were the only guests around and had lunch in the garden. It was so peaceful and lovely. Lazed in the hammock after before what was the highlight of the stay. David does a tour of the station (depending on numbers). You get the story behind everything as well as going to places that are off the map. We visited a special Aboriginal site and were told the story of its history etc. Really informative and moving stuff. It ends with a sundowner on an outcrop watching the sun set.

David has a great sense of humour. He is humble and takes life in its strides. He doesn't push his views and is a great story teller. The tour runs if there are numbers and nothing pressing that needs doing on the station. Roughly runs every second day. If you go to Wooleen, register interest in advance to avoid disappointment. He also checked whether we were ok with the Kelpies joining us. Were we ever! I did warn David to check the back of our car before we leave as MrsDaver6 might try take one home.

 

[Daver6]

 

[Daver6]