Day 8: Dongara - Geraldton - Pink Lake - Kalbarri

Today we're trying a slightly different daily rhythm. We wake up at 7:30 am, the kids have their cocoa, and we leave at 8 am. We drive for about 1 hour until Geraldton, where we find a nice spot on the beach to have breakfast. The sun is shining and while I prepare a hearty breakfast outside, Michi and the kids explore the beach. We enjoy our first outdoor breakfast - it's finally getting warmer. In such a beautiful setting, the food tastes twice as good.

Around noon, we replenish our food and drinks supplies at Coles and the Bottlesstore, and then we continue on. We had originally planned to explore parts of Kalbarri National Park today, but we liked our breakfast spot so much that we're postponing it to tomorrow.

We're not taking the direct route to Kalbarri, instead opting for the Scenic Drive through Chapman Valley. The landscape is very green and hilly, reminding us a bit of New Zealand. We make a stop at Port Gregory at Pink Lake. The sight of the pink lake is fascinating. Algae dye the water candy pink. Maxima is thrilled.

We arrive at the campsite at 5 pm. The place is quite busy and we book Site 52 for 2 nights. Today, we wash our laundry for the first time. The weather is perfect for it. It's sunny and windy. We go to the playground on the beach, which is simply fantastic. It has everything a child's heart desires. Flying fox, slides, nest swing, climbing frame... and everything is beautifully designed and well-maintained. In general, public playgrounds in Australia are really well-made. Back in the motorhome, dinner needs to be quick tonight. We cook spaghetti carbonara and happily fall into our beds, satisfied with our first beautiful warm day.

September 19, 2018

Accommodation: Murchison Tourist Park / Kalbarri (1 night, 45 AUD, near the beach, free WiFi, fantastic playground on the beach)

Weather: sunny/partially windy, 24 degrees Celsius

255 kilometers traveled today out of a total of 736 km