The South West 26 October 2011

At the chocolate factory. The bowls are there for free samples, hence the huge smiles!

Making giant white chocolate freckles.

Transfixed on watching the freckles being made.

Busselton Jetty

Whale lookout walk Cape Naturaliste

Jodie,Chloe and Andrew watching for whales.
They gather here as a rest stop as they travel north and south along the coastline.
A beautiful 'Free Camp' for whales.

Olive Oil Soap Factory. Chloe enjoying one of many products on offer for tasting.

Ian trying one of the delicious olive oils.

Fremantle 26 October 2011

Outside of Fremantle Goal

Inside Fremantle Goal!

Andrew in the Roundhouse, the original and first gaol and the oldest building in Fremantle.

Andrew enjoying a simulator for a Deep Sea Rover at the Maritime Museum.

Andrew and Chloe next to a sculpture recognising the hardship many migrating children faced when they first arrived in Australia by ship. Any similarities?

The kids made there own fun up in the tree near our van at the caravan park at Coogee Beach.

Another beautiful sunset over the Indian Ocean at Coogee Beach.

Kings Park, Perth 25 October 2011

King's Park lays claim to the biggest inner city park in the world!

We headed up Jacob's Ladder some 222 steps to start our walk. We climbed it once, but others were using it as an exercise apparatus running up and down it several times!

Wild flowers and a neat display to set the scene for what was a very well organised and historic park.

Chloe and Andrew trying out 'Whispering Wall'. It really worked well. We later found out that Wave Rock also carried the sound incredibly well.

We went on a tour where Roz our guide gave us a detailed insight into the plants and  history of the park.  The mosaics were also beautifully done.

Federation Bridge gave us a great view of the Swan River.

The entrance into Nature Scape. This had only been open the week we arrived in Perth. It is a special new section of Kings Park where kids are encouraged to get back into nature.

The kids rated the upside down tree rope climb the best.

The Tin Horse Highway 21 October 2011

About three hours west of Perth just outside of Kulin one of the property owners made a letterbox in the shape of a horse. Not to be out done other property owners have followed suit creating what is now known as the Tin Horse Highway.

The results are very creative and make for an entertaining drive.

'Ben Horse"

We got Andrew out of a tight situation!

The highway ended at the Kulin Race Track where the annual race day attracts crowds like the more famous Birdsvillle Races.

Wave Rock 21 October 2011

Jodie,Chloe and Andrew at the base of Wave Rock

Ian at the other end of Wave Rock attempting to copy what they do in the brochures!

 Kay and Alan ( family friends) became our personal tour guides as they took us and two Taiwanese Backpackers,  working with Kay out to see many sights east of Perth.

Milas, Rita,  Kay, Chloe, Jodie and Andrew on top of Wave Rock...you guessed it... at sunset.

Andrew and Chloe being 'swallowed' by Hippo's Yawn a short walk from Wave Rock.

Perth Mint and Scitech 14 ,17 October 2011

Andrew and Chloe outside the Perth Mint.

Our tour guide dramatically told us about the history of the mint and the hardship of the early days in the gold fields...hence the props. This was located in the courtyard of the mint that also housed the first Governor of the mint.

The kids having fun with some replicas of the biggest nuggets found!

We weren't allowed to photograph inside the vault or Mint however seeing a $250 000 gold bar poured was spectacular as was viewing the second biggest nugget ever found.

A few days later we went to the Scitech Centre. We first went into the Planetarium and viewed  'Journey to the stars'. Very modern and fascinating.

The activities were 'hands on'.

The 'big kids' had a chance to ride a Segway.

Andrew on a hang glider simulator

After three hours and closing time approached the kids wanted to stay. The activities were engaging and we noticed plenty of dads and mums also getting into the action.

Gravity Discovery Centre 6 October 2011

Leaning Tower of Gingin where the kids got to drop water bombs from the top.

The view from the top of the tower after climbing 222 steps was breathtaking.

Andrew and Chloe learning about Science the fun way.
The pipe went a long way before the sound returned.

The sound travelled though this kilometre of pipe.

Moon rock!

Our kids having fun with their friends.

The Pinnacles - 5 October 2011

We decided to walk around the Pinnacles so we could get up, close and personal.

Yep..a unique and eerie landscape.

A great place for playing hide and seek.

An amazing array of shapes and sizes.

Chloe looking cool and comfortable on the 'rocks'.

Andrew looking for his hat!