Back in November I undertook a most extraordinary journey. A journey across the world's six largest country, doing a total of 8,100 kilometres using only my thumb. Unfortunately, my plans were altered; not due to COVID-19 but because of bushfires. Altering travel plans has become second nature during the pandemic (which, thankfully, is finally drawing to a close) so I had to place Kalbarri National Park in the too-hard basket. With my thumb and heart set on Kalbarri the other day, I would make it to this most extraordinary place today.
Last night I planned on booking a night at a backpackers in Kalbarri, but I got chatting to a young couple and their small son at a caravan park. They invited me to pitch my tent next to their caravan, therefore saving $31 and meeting some cool people. Most places to eat had shut, so I had to settle for chips and a bottle of wine for dinner. Aaron and Jewels are travelling with another couple and their three children to Monkey Mia. After they put their children to bed, we stayed up all night and drank and partied the evening away.
This morning, we all travelled to the national park together. I felt very thankful because not one vehicle came by as we were driving. At the recently opened Skywalk I screamed out "WOW!!!" when I saw this view!
Photos seriously don't do Kalbarri justice. You have to see this place in person to really appreciate it. This view is seriously breathtaking. Parts of WA remind me of Utah, and that's not an unfair comparison since there are so many stunning areas in both places. Aaron and Jewels had to continue their journey to Monkey Mia, and since a few cars rolled in, I felt comfortable having them leave me at the turnoff to Nature's Window. Walking through the heat with all of my gear, I made my way to this stunner of a spot.
I've been travelling for so long now. Some people get burned out on it, but not me. The world is filled with so many absolutely gorgeous places, and I never get tired of the next amazing panorama. COVID-19 slowed my progress but hasn't stopped me. Bushfires kept me away from Kalbarri a few months ago, but not now. For nearly an hour I spent here, and it's well worth it. During the cooler months I'd love to do the Loop Walk (closed during summer due to heat). Whilst I walked to and from Nature's Window almost effortlessly, a lady at the carpark would ask how hard the walk was and I said it's a piece of cake. She said "that's because you're fit and healthy." As I tell people, never underestimate the power of willpower.
My original plan was two nights in Kalbarri, but then I thought I'd have the opportunity to continue my geocaching goal of finding a geocache in every local government area (LGA) in Australia. The Shire of Murchison is one of the larger LGAs but one of the least populated, as well as the only LGA in the country without a town. Due to an odd configuration of the shire boundary, part of it is near the town of Mullewa, located about 100 kilometres east of Geraldton. Getting out of Kalbarri and then to Geraldton was little drama, but getting to Mullewa proved a bit tricky. I was ready for some pub grub and a glass of wine at the Railway Hotel in Mullewa, but a lady who picked me up warned me that fights happen there. It would take two lifts to get halfway, but then a couple named Deb and Ben would pick me up. When I told him I was planning to pitch my tent, they said "we have a caravan in our front yard, you can crash in there" as they offered me a can of bourbon and coke. Deb was immediately intrigued when I told her about geocaching, and warned that I was going to get her addicted to the game. Pork chops at the pub were in order tonight as I chatted to a few travellers and locals (and no fights occurred). Deb's friend would give me a lift back to their place, and said he had passed me earlier but couldn't pick me up due to driving a work vehicle.
Deb is very interested in geocaching even though she hasn't played it yet. Tomorrow we are going on a geocaching excursion as, I'm with a born-and-bred local, we discover the next amazing panorama.
