Mature Solo Traveler

2 days ago
3 min

5 things to see and do in Nannup, Western Australia

Nannup is known for its annual Music Festival, annual 4 week flower and garden show, walking trails, mountain or road biking, and art and craft galleries. With around 12 coffee shops and food venues, as well as the Nannup Hotel, there are plenty of places to eat here. A population of 600 call this town home, and it is a 282km (174mi) drive from Perth. These are my top five things to see and do in the gorgeous country town of Nannup, even on the rainy day I last visited there.

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10 wine free things to see and do in Margaret River, Western Australia

Helen Avaient

4 days ago
5 min

10 wine free things to see and do in Margaret River, Western Australia

Mention the Margaret River region of South West Western Australia and people will tell you about the plethora of wineries and breweries in the area. Sadly, I cannot drink wine. Yet there is so much to see and do in this area that does not involve wineries and is well worth visiting. I spend a lovely few days in Margaret River and enjoyed these ten great venues, in no particular order. 1. Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse This is where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet at the furthest

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Albany's Historic Whaling Station, Western Australia

Helen Avaient

6 days ago
2 min

Albany's Historic Whaling Station, Western Australia

Albany was the site of Australia’s last whaling station which operated from 1952 to 1978. Fortunately, whaling for profit was banned in 1986. My visit to the whaling station was not entertaining, rather it was educational and taught me a lot about why we need to protect whales. The Cheynes Beach Whaling Company was the longest running and most successful whaling company in Australia. At its peak it supplied up to 60% of the world’s market for Sperm whale oil. It was used for

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Valley of the Giants, Denmark Western Australia

Helen Avaient

May 5
2 min

Valley of the Giants, Denmark Western Australia

For many years tourists would come to the Valley of the Giants and take a photo of their car in the middle of a giant Tingle tree. However, with people and cars damaging the shallow root system, the tree collapsed in 1990. The Ancient Empire walk and a tree top walk were envisioned and created so that people could still come and admire the beauty of the forest without damaging the trees. Walking through the Ancient Empire Walk was relaxing. Looking at the beautiful trees, li

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10 things to see and do around Greenough, Western Australia

Helen Avaient

May 3
3 min

10 things to see and do around Greenough, Western Australia

Greenough, Western Australia is an historical settlement 400km north of Perth, and 24kms south of Geraldton. 1. Leaning Trees The leaning trees here belong to the species Eucalyptus camaldulensis, River Gum. The strong southerly winds burn off the growth on the windward side. This tree is still growing. 2. Wesley Church The foundation stone for this gothic style church was laid in 1867. Ticket of leave convicts built this limestone church and it was opened in 1870. It is bein

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Monsignor Hawes Heritage Centre and Cathedral, Geraldton Western Australia

Helen Avaient

May 1
4 min

Monsignor Hawes Heritage Centre and Cathedral, Geraldton Western Australia

Cathedral of St. Francis Xavier I had the pleasure of taking a tour of the Cathedral in Geraldton, Western Australia with volunteer tour guide Linda. Eight years ago the Cathedral precinct was built. This is not just an area for religious observation. It is a community area, with a sense of community belonging. The Labyrinth is an ancient form of meditation. It is hard to see the lines in the design, but that is the purpose. As you concentrate your thoughts on the design, you

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Old Geraldton Gaol - museum and craft centre

Helen Avaient

Apr 29
1 min

Old Geraldton Gaol - museum and craft centre

The old Geraldton Gaol was in operation from 1856 – 1985 and is now utilised as a craft centre. In 1989 a group of Geraldton citizens started cleaning up the old gaol. Now the old cells are rented out to crafters who sell their wares here. Some of the old cells are also used to house displays of memorabilia. You can even play prison darts, or have your photo taken in the stocks. The walls are covered with information about previous occupants of the gaol, rules and regulations

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Helen Avaient

Apr 27
4 min

Geraldton Museum, Western Australia

The Geraldton Museum is full of interesting artifacts and information. Visiting here was an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. SHIPWRECKS The shipwreck exhibit details the wrecks of the Dutch VOC. Their headquarters were in Jakarta and the pride of their fleet was built in 1628 – the Batavia. Like the Titanic in later years, the Batavia sunk on its maiden voyage in 1628 off the coast of Western Australia. Sadly, the similarity ends here. The Batavia had over 300 people aboa

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Helen Avaient

Apr 25
4 min

Sydney II National Memorial

High on a hill overlooking the Geraldton, Western Australia harbor stands a National Memorial dedicated to the sailors and families of the 645 men who lost their lives when the Sydney II sunk on 19 November 1941, 120 kms off the coast of Shark Bay, Western Australia. The Sydney II was a light class cruiser and had seen successful action in the Mediterranean. The crew were young men, the average age of the sailors was just 26. The Sydney II encountered a ship flying Dutch colo

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National Anzac Centre, Albany Western Australia

Helen Avaient

Apr 25
2 min

National Anzac Centre, Albany Western Australia

In late 1914 over 41,000 Australians and New Zealanders left Albany, bound for the First World War. The National Anzac Centre overlooks the harbor from where they departed, and now stands proudly at this heritage site which includes the Princess Royal Fortress. I have visited this site twice and found it moving each time. We should never forget the sacrifice so many people made for future generations. As the convoys left the harbor, this is the last sight many of the soldiers

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Rock lobster fishing at Kalbarri, Western Australia

Helen Avaient

Apr 21
3 min

Rock lobster fishing at Kalbarri, Western Australia

In Kalbarri, I decided to do something new - lobster fishing. It was a fabulous adventure and I am very glad that I got the opportunity to experience it in this part of the beautiful coastline of Western Australia. Meeting Kalbarri Rock Lobster Tours at 7.30am, I was greeted with a smile and a welcoming cup of coffee by Rose. Rose and her husband Vaughn were great hosts. Three other guests were aboard that day as well and we all chatted to each other as if we were old friends

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Helen Avaient

Apr 19
1 min

Kalbarri sunsets

As the sun sets in the west, we get a chance to admire the beauty of Mother Nature every evening. I had the pleasure of visiting Kalbarri recently. Driving into town just before sunset, I felt compelled to pull over and enjoy that evenings spectacular show. You stop still and be "in the moment." There is a sense of peacefulness and serenity as you watch the sun descend into the horizon. The next evening I went on a Sunset cruise with Kalbarri rock lobster tours and charters.

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A dream come true day at Kalbarri, Western Australia

Helen Avaient

Apr 17
3 min

A dream come true day at Kalbarri, Western Australia

Another item I was excited to check off my Western Australia bucket list was to visit Kalbarri. Situated on the Coral Coast, this town boasts crystal clear swimming beaches, fishing opportunities, spectacular sunsets, and the breathtaking Kalbarri Gorge. The Kalbarri National Park covers an area of 186,000 hectares. The Murchison River flows through here. It is 820kms long making it the second longest river in Western Australia. Its catchment area is larger than the whole of

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Linga Longa at Lynton, Western Australia

Helen Avaient

Apr 15
3 min

Linga Longa at Lynton, Western Australia

Linga Longa offers accommodation in the form of farm cottage or campsites at Lynton. There is much to see here even if you are not staying overnight. Lynton is 7kms from Port Gregory and was the site of Port Gregory Convict Hiring Station in the 1850s. It is now a heritage site and worth a visit. “We invite you to explore the only remaining site where it is still possible to view how a convict hiring depot was laid out and functioned in the 1850s in Western Australia.” The ru

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Helen Avaient

Apr 13
2 min

A bubblegum pink lake?

Hutt Lagoon, also known as The Pink Lake, is a beautiful place to stop on the road from Geraldton to Kalbarri. At 14km (8.7miles) long and 2.3km (1.43miles) wide, this salt lake takes on different pink hues depending on the season, water levels and cloud coverage of the day. The pinkness is due to the presence of the carotenoid producing algae, Dunaliella salina. This algae is useful. It is a source of Vitamin A in cosmetics and supplements. It is also used as a food colourin

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Ewe will enjoy Northampton, Western Australia

Helen Avaient

Apr 11
2 min

Ewe will enjoy Northampton, Western Australia

I love country towns. Places that others may drive through on the way to somewhere distant really intrigue me. There is almost always a story in a small town. 52kms (32mi) drive, about 40 minutes north of Geraldton in Western Australia, the small town of Northampton definitely has an interesting tale, or should I say tail, to share. Ewe Turn is a community arts project established in 2018 to create unity, a vibrant local attraction and the recognition of the sheep industry of

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Leeman’s fish and chips are the best, especially with chicken salt

Helen Avaient

Apr 8
2 min

Leeman’s fish and chips are the best, especially with chicken salt

I had been told the best fish and chip shop on the Turquoise coast was at Leeman 44km drive north of Jurien Bay. This is a big call as coastal towns abound with fish and chip shops. Leeman’s store lived up to all recommendations and expectations. The meal was perfect, one of the best serves I can ever remember having. The chips were the right chunky size, not a French fry at all. They were crispy on the outside, light and fluffy inside. This is the perfect way to cook chips.

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5 hidden gems of Jurien Bay, Western Australia

Helen Avaient

Apr 7
2 min

5 hidden gems of Jurien Bay, Western Australia

Jurien Bay is a beautiful town located 2 hours drive north of Perth. I had the absolute delight to spend an extended stay here, and really get to know some incredible sights that are usually reserved for locals, and tourists if they go seeking them. 1. Bike trail The Turquoise Way Trail is a 12km well maintained bitumen path from Jurien Bay southwards to Hill River. It is used for walkers, joggers, runners, prams, wheelchairs, scooters, skateboards and bike riders. No cars al

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Helen Avaient

Apr 5
2 min

Swimming with Australian sea lions

Swimming with sea lions was one of my bucket list items and I had the pleasure of fulfilling this dream recently with Kane and Laura from Turquoise Safaris at Jurien Bay, Western Australia. Fitted out with wet suits, snorkels and flippers, we sailed out to Essex Rock. We also learnt a lot about these magnificent marine mammals. The Australian sea lion is different from a seal. Sea lions have ears on the side of their head and seals ears are internal. Sea Lions can vary from 3

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5 things to see and do in Cervantes, Western Australia

Helen Avaient

Apr 3
3 min

5 things to see and do in Cervantes, Western Australia

Cervantes is a town worth visiting on the Turquoise Coast of Western Australia. Situated just 199kms (67miles) north of Perth, it has a lot to offer. In 2016 the population was 527. 1. The sculptures A lot of the street names are in Spanish. The town is named after the American whaling ship Cervantes that blew onto an offshore island near here in 1844. The ship was in turn named after Miguel de Cervantes, the author of the novel Don Quixote. Hence, the Spanish street and park

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CONTACT

Perth, Western Australia