Mid-West adventure
Our Mid-West adventure kicked off on ANZAC morning from Green Hill, taking us to Wongan Hills—a beloved stop in Dalwallinu—where we enjoyed a stay at the historic convent. From there, we journeyed to the picturesque caravan park in Dongara, making our way through Badgingarra, Cervantes, and Bolgart. This leg of the tour certainly kept our mechanics busy; one Saab had a close encounter with a kangaroo and required a tow back to Perth after road repairs. Another Saab found itself low on oil, necessitating a rescue back to Dongara and, ultimately, a trailer trip back home.
Among our adventurers were four first-timers: Jake Piccirilli, Jarred Hilderbrand, Mary Hacket, and Charlie Elder. The Mid-West route offered exhilarating rides on high-speed gravel roads, with bitumen only leading in and out of the towns. The local flies, however, were quite the uninvited guests, swarming us wherever we went! Of course, no trip to this region would be complete without a coffee stop at the iconic Petrudor Rocks.
Our first evening at the convent featured a delightful roast dinner, followed by a lively auction that raised an impressive $3,000, with many participants leaving with unique treasures.
The journey to Dongara took us through the Koobabbie Precinct in Coorow, where we marveled at well-preserved historical exhibits. A slight detour allowed us to enjoy the scenic countryside, culminating in a delicious lunch at “One L of a Good Feed” in Carnamah. We then relaxed with refreshing drinks and snacks on the beach at Dongara’s caravan park.
Once again, the wonderful folks from the Dongara Lions Club treated us to a mouthwatering BBQ breakfast before we set off for Badgingarra and Cervantes. Sunday morning began with a charming morning tea at New Norcia, followed by a delicious lunch at the Bolgart Tavern, where we awarded prizes for our treasure hunt and presented 5-year participation plaques to Dave Durrant, Ross Heyder, and Pam Bristow, as well as a remarkable 10-year plaque to Mark Cennin.
Mt. Augustus Odyssey
The journey to Mt. Augustus was nothing short of spectacular, with breathtaking tracks and stunning scenery showcasing the vibrant wildflowers of Western Australia. Our 8-day adventure kicked off from Gingin, where we navigated gravel roads back to Carnamah for lunch. An unexpected, flooded road at Arrowsmith River prompted a quick map review, leading us to Mullewa for the night.
On Friday, we ventured north towards Murchison Settlement and Gascoyne Junction. Mid-morning, Jake noticed an unusual ‘stuff’ on his windscreen, which turned out to be oil from Ceno’s sump—an unfortunate mishap that required some quick repairs before we continued.
Anticipating long days ahead, Joanne kept spirits high with intriguing quizzes and a fun photo scavenger hunt, challenging each car to capture items from A to Z. A coffee stop at Bilung Pool allowed us to mingle with friendly free campers, who generously contributed to our collection buckets.
Gascoyne Junction welcomed us with excellent hospitality, and despite some accommodation hiccups, we settled in comfortably. The next morning, we explored the breathtaking Kennedy Ranges and the Honeycomb Gorge before enjoying a pleasant lunch under the shade near Minnie Creek.
At Mt. Augustus, we enjoyed a leisurely morning drive to various lookout points around the magnificent rock, followed by a relaxing afternoon and a spectacular sunset gathering at Edney’s Lookout. Although a few cars accidentally veered north instead of south, we all eventually made it to Meekatharra for a fascinating tour of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and their impressive aircraft.
In Sandstone, we explored the heritage trail, taking in the sights of London Bridge and the old breakaway brewery before enjoying a hearty lunch at The Old Post Office. The drive to Mt. Magnet was marred by another mechanical hiccup—a Saab lost its gears and required a tow. Despite the challenges, we encountered a group of Chamberlain 9G tractors making their way from Sydney to Dongara.
The drive from Mt. Magnet to Moora via Morawa and Bogart dazzled us with vibrant wildflowers and golden canola fields. Our adventure concluded in Toodyay, where we bid farewell, packed up our vehicles, and headed home, proud to have raised over $29,000 for charity with more fundraising opportunities still ahead!
