Perth

It took 53 years, but I finally made it back to Perth. We stayed with my sister Audra and her family.

Perth Airport

 

The Margaret River Chocolate Company on the Swan River...

 

Hi Biscuit!

Mushroom Bay

Coast Drive

 

Simon's Combi with the HB Sticker!

 

Perth coastline from Hillary's Boat Harbour

 

The world's largest quokka

 

Sorrento Beach

 

State War Memorial in Kings Park

 

East Perth from Kings Park

 

The Narrows Bridge across the Swan River

 

Where it all began

 

Matilda Bay

 

We took a day trip south of Perth Mandurah to see the "Giants of Mandurah."  These were the first of the Thomas Dambo trolls that we saw.  We didn't know about their global footprint at the time, nor did we know that they would become an obsession.

Santi Ikto on Endeavour Island

 

Seba's Song at Malaka Point

 

Jyttes Hytte by Lake Clifton

 

Yaburgurk Circlestone at the Coodanup Foreshore Reserve

 We took a day trip to Freemantle.

Entrance to the Roundhouse

 

High Street

 

Bathers Beach

 

Bathers Beach House

 

Freo!

 

South Terrace

 

Paringa

We went up the River Murray to Paringa to visit my mum Jo.

The Woolshed Brewery

  

Heading Cliffs

 

Paringa Bridge

 

Grain Silo

 

Oli

 

I was very happy to meet my brother Justin and his two kids.

 

 

Adelaide

In Adelaide we gathered for the wedding of my brother Mark and Mel.  

Hanging out in the back yard.

Mel and Mark

 

Group picture.  Only the Wallihan kids are missing.

 

It was exhausting!

 

Well fed kangaroos and wallabies wouldn't come close.

 

Enjoying some fine beers at Cooper's Alehouse.

 

 

 

 

The Great Ocean Road

 We took the southern route from Melbourne to Adelaide along the Great Ocean Road. 

East of Apollo Bay

 

Castle Cove

 

Port Campbell

 

Some of The Twelve Apostles

 

A couple more Apostles

 

Tom and Eva Lookout

 

The Razorback

 Comment

Loch Ard Gorge Beach

 Comment

Island Arch

 Comment

 

London Bridge Beach

 Comment

London Bridge

 

Thankfully I was in compliance 

A sign for tourists

We were unable to help the people being attacked by this enormous crustacean.

Jasus gigantus

 

 

 

Melbourne

We put our trailer in storage in and drove to Dallas to catch a flight to Melbourne to see my brother Ian and his family.

Trailer in storage in Texas

  

Welcome to Melbourne!

We stayed at Ian's place. A wonderful house with a fantastic yard in the hills.

Ian's family

 The yard is a magnet for birds, and Australian birds are a lot of fun.

Parrots

  Kookaburras were our favorite.  They will eat right our of your hand.

Kookaburras

Cockatoos are everywhere in Australia, like pigeons in New York. They are responsible for the damage to the wood deck railing, the patio furniture, and anything else wood that they decide to chew on.

Cockatoo

Lorikeets are colorful and probably would have made a bigger impression if it wasn't for the cockatoos and Kookaburras.

Lorikeets

 Kookaburra and magpie vying for a snack.

Rebecca and friends

 Not to be outdone by the birds, a possum came looking for food too.

Possum

 We drove down to see Brighton Beach and walked on the sand.

Brighton Beach Bathing Boxes

Brighton Beach

We took the train into the city and spent a day exploring downtown. 

St. Paul's Cathedral

 Melbourne is a buzzing hive of activity!

"Queen Bee" by Richard Stringer

Queen Victoria Market

The Sherbrooke Forest is home to the Mountain Ash, the tallest flowering plant on Earth.  Despite the name, they are a type of Eucalyptus, not an Ash.

Mountain Ash

Sherbrooke Forest

 The forest is home to the Superb Lyrebird, who lives up to its name both in appearance and vocalization.

Superb Lyrebird

Superb Lyrebird