A Solo Travellers Mind

The first day of our trip technically started on Day 0, where I met my fellow travellers who had hired a seat on the sharebus! Sharebus is a bus, obviously, where you hire a seat and all drive around to complete a travel plan together without the restriction of a tour or guide, a pretty good idea. At the meeting we all got acquainted and booked something we wanted to do in the following days! We all then headed to a bar for a drink before calling it a night in prep for our adventures!

The next morning, we picked up the van and headed off. First stop, Aldi, to purchase some supplies for the days ahead. Then our journey continued north, stopping at yuncheep Lagoon (which you’ll know I’ve been to if you read my perth blog some months ago!). We stopped for a spot of sand boarding in Lancelin, which was kinda a fail but still lots of fun, before finding camp, a site on the side of the road,  where we happened to camp near a bees nest! Dinner that night was a combo of hot dogs and burgers, followed by a few drinks as we all got acquainted. Shauna set the theme of her personality by knocking out some jokes and making everyone giggle. Some of us headed to bed and  attempted to sleep. Unfortunately, this didn’t occur for us light sleepers as we ended up hearing some camp drama. I’m unsure how it’s possible to have drama 12 hours in, but the two involved somehow made this happen, and you’ll soon see that its a running theme of their trip, lol! (it’s a social experiment putting a bunch of 20-30 year olds in a bus together, im sure). I set up camp with Axal and Tim, an incredibly tactical thing because I was in the tent with the non snorers!

Day 2 began with breaky and a drive to the pinicles, a very cool place, origin unknown but believed to be formed by ancient trees!  We then headed to Jurian Bay, where we sat organising future trips on the grass as we ate our lunch of wraps by the beach! Wraps were what we had for lunch for the next 3 weeks, FYI.  We set up camp at Sandy Cape Recreation ground before watching the sunset at the beach and having a dinner of spag bol. Dinner was tasty. However, it wasn’t wholemeal pasta, and thus, I subsequently had the shits in a drop toilet (curse my odd intolerences!). From this, we learnt that wholemeal was the way forward if I wasn’t to shit my pants for the next 3 weeks.

Day 3 was an early rise heading back into Jurian Bay to go swimming with the sea lions! This was a crazy cool experience. The water was very cold, but we got to see sealions and dolphins! Most people left the water about 40 minutes in, I held strong and was repaid with a sealion flipping around me for another 10 minutes! We then headed north via Gerlenton and Ellendale pools. The road into Ellendale Pools was a river crossing, and unfortunately, our bus wouldn’t make it! However, we stopped for lunch by a stream before continuing on to camp.  Lynton Camp site was our chosen location, a camp close to the pink lake. We all had showers and put up the tents before Curry Night commenced!

Day 4 started with a short drive to the pink lake, which was actually pink for us! Sometimes, the lake looks more or less pink depending on the weather and chemical balences, but we were in luck! Before contining north to kalbarri National Park. Camp for the next 2 days was The Big Raunch Camp site, a really cool place with a pony. We arrived early ish and set up camp, had some lunch and then went to explore the Coast. We did a few coastal walks/veiw points, with the highlights being the mushroom rock walk and red bluff look out. We stopped to watch the sunset before returning to camp for a dinner of sausage and mash. 

Day 5 was another day in kalbarri! Today activities involved a lot of hiking! We first completed the Ross Graham River Walk, a really cool short walk down the canyon to a river! Before heading to nature’s window, completing a nice 8k hike up along the cliff edge and down into the gorge! We saw kangaroos, spent our time chatting, and just had a really nice time! The girls that didn’t want to hike came to collect us with the van, and then we returned to camp for dinner, the nights choice being burritos.

Day 6 was a huge travel day, heading north towards Shark Bay/Monkey Mia! We stopped at Shell Beach for the afternoon and watched the sunset before arriving at camp.  Shell Beach is rated one of the best in the world, and i can see why. It’s incredibly beautiful and has super calm waters! You have to walk about 2k out to be at neck height! Dinner was pizza, something I learnt that you could do without an oven, and it was very good and super tasty!

Day 7 was a trip out to Monkey Mia, we saw dolphins in the shallows of the water and then hired kayaks for the morning. We saw some cool small fish and two giant shark rays, and I spotted a weird animal floating in the water (picture attached). I docked my kayak and went climbing on big red hill, a pretty fun climb with a lot of sliding around in the sand! The evening was spent veiwing some of the lookouts, including Red Bluff, look out, and little lagoon where we watched the sunset! Dinner that night was breakfast for dinner, an odd but not awful meal, I still don’t agree with pancakes and bacon but could defo agree with a cooked breaky for dinner followed by pancakes as pudding

Day 8 we headed back to  monkey mia to see dolphins again in the morning, before driving to Hamilton pool, a cool spot to see, you cant swim there as its too hot, and the pier had been demolished by a storm some years previously, but it was still cool, the pool can be up to 45°, with 75% salt concentration at times! We then continued out long drive day heading north, finding camp at the side of the road once again. The night continued with games and drinks, with beer pong tournaments commencing before the camp reality drama show aired once the main characters were left alone.

Day 9 was a very quick start, as we were awoken by rain, very heavy rain! The thing about the tents we were camping in is that if they get wet, they take a LONG time to dry. When the storm hit, it was all the system go to attempt to get them down and everything packed up. This was quite difficult for some people based on the amount of alcohol they consumed the night prior. However, we managed to get the tents away before flooding took place. We drove about an hour north before taking a stop in town to get supplies. We then decided to drive to a tourist spot known as the Quobba blow holes. This was a lot of fun because it was still absolutely pouring of rain, so we got absolutely soaked, but it was still cool to see! Given the poor weather, we made the choice to drive north ahead of schedule, to arrive at coral bay the night before we expected to, and stay in the hostel there. We spent the evening doing some washing, which wasn’t actually a smart move as there were no driers, and our room became a temporary laundrette as we couldn’t hang things outside! Dinner that evening was Monica’s pasta salad, which was very tasty, a pro chef!

Luckily, camp for the next 2 days was just over the road from the hostel, so we packed up, went over and set up camp and hung all the washing to dry, before a relaxed day of beach activities. We went snorkelling off the beach and saw lots of cool fishes, before some games of Mr and Mrs on the beach! Dinner was a BBQ on the beach, watching the sunset around us, a very pretty sight and a lovely end to a lovely day! We then all decided to have an early night in prep for an early but exciting day to follow!

We awoke bright and early, just as the sun rose, for a very exciting day, swimming with humpback whales! It was a full day of fun, starting with the whale swimming! It was like a military opporation. A spotter plane would tell the captain where to go, we’d drop into the water and be told where to swim via walkie-talkie! We got to swim with the whales twice, and it was freaking amazing seeing these gigantic animals swim beneath you! The rest of the day was spent snorkelling on the ningaloo reef where we got to see lots of fish, a sting rays, and some turtles! After a busy day, we headed to the pub for some food, drinks, and a couple of games of pool.

Day 12 was another driving day, heading north to Exmouth/Cape range national park. We stopped for supplies in Exmouth before heading into Cape range, driving towards Cape range, we may have accidently left the trailer door open, and subsequently, some of our belongings fell out along the road! All were relocated, but it will make a funny story to tell my grand kids if they ever go travelling! Once arriving to camp, we discovered the ground was far too hard for pegs, so with some imagination, the tents were put up using rocks, and tension from tying the guide ropes around stuff! That evening was the full moon, we watched the moon raise next to us, which was pretty magnificent and then i joined the girls with some manifestation, I don’t necessarily believe in that kinda stuff but it doesnt hurt trying! We had stirfry for dinner (which was banging) before heading to our beds!

The following day was another action-packed day. Me, Tim, Kaitlyn, Monica, and Axel went scuba diving on the ningaloo reef! I was the only one not certified, so i was in a different group of divers, diving with David and Timiar. Two chaps from Isreal, it was nice to hear the accent again, having not seen my other Isreali friends in some time! We saw lots of cool things on the reef, with the highlights being white tip reef shark, sea snakes, sea cucumbers, and some very cool coral! We all returned to camp pretty tired, although I actually ended up staying up with Tim, Axel, and Justine, a surprise to the boys as I was in the early bedtime crew, lol!

Day 14 began with rain at 4 am and a subsequent small river forming in the tent. I woke Axel to see if he wanted to do anything about this, we  decided to fuck it and remain asleep. You shouldn’t make choices while half asleep! Luckily, me and Tim managed to dry the tent out with loo roll under the morning sun! We spent our morning at Yardie Gorge, with some of us completely the small trail, and being treated with some very cool veiws. We then spent some time at Yardie beach, where me and Tim went for a quick dip near the boat moring putting on a show for the tour guide! We then headed to Oster Shacks Beach for snorkel where we were treated to lots of big and small fish, some star fish, and lots of sea cucumber! That night, we set up camp in Exmouth, where we got to fall asleep to the soothing sound of the camp domestics occurring! Me and Axel had discovered a pattern now, it’s 2 nights of peace and then 1 night of dramas. Some people are funny in social situations!

Day 15 was another BIG drive, with us up early in prep for the 7.5hrs drive from Exmouth to Tom Price, where we’d stock up before some days hiking in Kariniji. We stocked up and headed to camp, another rest stop on the side of the road, before a dinner of prawn pasta. The evening soon became very cold, we all had a cup of tea to attempt to keep warm before heading to bed. This night was where the 3-way spoon was activated, and me Tim and Axel huddled together like penguins to keep warm, which worked until about 5 am. Tim and I awoke at 5am for a wee, meaning entering the very cold outdoors! Tim got back in his sleeping bag in his jeans coat and trainers, something me and Axel didn’t know at the time. With the trainers causing some friction, Tim was having to stuffle lots to enter his sleeping bag again. Axel awoke to this and said, “Tim, are u having disco”, i imagine the retelling of this story isnt as funny as being in the moment but I should note it was hilarious and we both subsequently died laughing.

After a very chilly night, the day was super nice, highlighting how much heat the sun brings to the world. We drove into Tom price to collect last-minute supplies that we forgot to pick up on the way in and then headed to camp in katinjini to set up. We were camping at a free camp next to Mount Bruce for two nights and it was a super nice spot given that it had no facilities. We spent the rest of the day at Dale’s Gorge, Fortescue Falls, and Fern Pool. Where we took a mini hike along the gorge finishing with a dip in the pool under the sun. On the drive back to camp we saw a dingo sunbathing in the road, which was pretty cool to see! We decided due to the temp that 7 people would sleep  in one tent to attempt to beat the wheather, a kinda uncomfortable sleep, but at least slightly warmer in comparison to the previous night!

Day 17 was a huge day, starting at 3:30 am to hike Mt Bruce for sunrise. It was described as a grade 5 hike, but in my opinion, it was a good and relatively easy hike, we all made it up and watched the sunrise and took some nice piccies before taking a stroll back down. Post hike, we  drove back into town for fuel and for some people to get their daily caffeine fix. However, on return to the van, we discovered a flat tire. I recruited a tradie on his lunch break to assist (and he kindly did) with all his tools, so we soon had our spare on and was back on the road! We returned to camp and an unplanned chilled arvo took place after we discovered we needed to find a new spare tire! I spent my afternoon playing card games with Tim and Axel, or jewlerry making from justines set making myself a new necklace and bracket (which I love). Some of us had an early night that night, some others did not. Camp drama that night was less entertaining and more mean, but life goes on!

The next morning was an interesting vibe as I’m sure can be imagined. We headed to Hancock Gorge first. It was an amazing hike, pretty short but also pretty challenging at some stops, where you’d be wading through the gorgeous or scrambling along the rocks! The hike finished at a pool, with amazing views! It was super cold but beautiful! We headed back to the car pack for a car park lunch before moving to Weano Gorge and the lookouts. Lower Weano was unfortunately closed. However, the upper track was open, so we did this one instead. This track didn’t take you down to the waterfalls, so we couldn’t have a swim, but we still walked along the gorge floor and subsequent waterways. Tonights camp was an eco lodge within the national park, so we headed there to set up, where one tent for 7 people continued. There was a waterfall hike right near camp called Joffre Falls, a very short but beautiful hike, with a sudden steep drop and small rock climb to the water hole. Me Tim and Axel (and kinda Kaitlyn) went for a VERY cold swim before the sunset! We all had a warm shower that night after 3 days shower less, which was super nice, before finishing the day with another pizza night!

Day 19 was Jordan’s birthday! We woke him up with birthday pancakes before we all dove in to ours too! We had a semi slow and relaxed morning, with me and Monica parting in some morning yoga/stretching. Monica claims i make a good instructor, maybe I’ll take it up as a side hussle! The day was a travel day to Port Hedland stocking up along the way. We set up camp in a pretty big rest area, maybe the biggest we’d seen yet! Usually, the rest areas are the equivalent of a lay by! We ate a super nice bday dinner of steak, pasta salad, chicken snitzel, roasted veggies, and some birthday cake, before a few drinks to celebrate Jordan!

Day 20 was technically our last final day! We headed to eighty mile beach, our last stop of the trip! We spent the afternoon in sun, some people collected shells, others played football, I drew cartoons in the sand! We then headed to our final camp of the trip which was again a random rest area at the side of the road. It was kinda creepy, as it had an abandoned burnt out car in, which we decided to camp next too!  We had a bbq dinner before a fun evening! We held an award night, where I was voted most helpful and most sarcastic, most helpful i expected as i had taken the “lead” on planning the itinerary and camps, however i thought id lost some of my sarcastic touch in life in recent years but this has given me the confidence that i have in fact not! We also voted funniest moment, I again featured in this when I shouted “Tim you cunt, you can help me rebuild that tent” when I thought he had tripped over the tent one evening but it actually turned out to be a random stranger… whoopsie!

Day 21 was our last day with the van, however technically not the last day of the trip as many of us had more days together! We arrived in Broome kinda early, and our first stop off was McDonald’s! I dive straight into the fast food so me and Tim opted for another wrap in Maccies car park lol! It was a pretty chaotic day from here on out. We drove around and saw a few spots in Broome, the first being the pier and some turtles in the water! Before heading to our hostel to check in before the job of van cleaning commenced! It was pretty easy to be honest with so many hands on deck, and me and Moncia got the best job, jet washing the van! We then headed to cable Beach to watch a pretty pathetic sunset (it was cloudy) before all eating some pizza together as our final meal! The trip in my opinion was incredibly successful, we’ve seen some amazing things, got to expereince some crazy wild shit and I’ve made some incredible memories with lovely friends!