PERTH

We decided to visit Perth so we could go to the Museum to see 'Treasures of Afghanistan' – a collection of ancient artefacts which were hidden from the Russians and the Taliban and thought to be lost. Not many things, but priceless treasures from several tombs. A lot of gold, turquoise and ivory jewellery, remains of Grecian columns, beautiful glassware, figurines and crockery made from bronze and alabaster. Worth the visit.

We stayed out at Midland (eastern suburb) and travelled in by train ($4.80 each for a day pass), then caught the free bus around the city. We were impressed with the service and with the very pleasant recorded voices telling us which stop was coming up. Much nicer than Brisbane's flat commentaries.

Midland is close to the Swan Valley wineries and chocolate factories, so of course we had to take a trip and collect some samples.

WAVE ROCK

We thought we'd better go and see the last famous tourist spot before heading 'round the corner' and across the Nullarbor, so went out to Hyden to see Wave Rock stopping on the way for wildflower photos. 

Yes, Wave Rock is impressive. Not as big as I had imagined, but still an amazing phenomenon. We stayed two nights, saw all the things on the brochure and watched the footy semifinal match on their big screen on the last night.

Happy travellers at Wave Rock

'Hippos Yawn'

Ornate Dragon

ESPERANCE

We couldn't possibly go to W.A. and not see beautiful Esperance once more, and lucky for us, we struck it on a perfect day – 34 degrees and sunny, so certainly warm enough for me to get the boogie-board into the water for the first time since we left Queensland. The water was pretty chilly, but when it's so blue and so clear and the sand is so white, how can you resist? This is such a beautiful place, when every bend in the road gives you another perfect vista.

Fourth Beach where I caught a wave or two -
10 minutes before a white pointer shark alert!!

Too awestruck to swim.

Stunning Twilight Bay

In the afternoon, we drove out to Cape Le Grand and were even more stunned by the perfection. Lucky Bay must be the most beautiful beach in Australia, but our photos didn't capture it. A perfect circular bay with azure water over a gently sloping bottom for about 50 metres before the deeper blue. The sand is so fine you can't see the separate grains. It feels and looks like cornflour. Add tame wallabies who come for a pat and you have the perfect place to spend a holiday. It's a national park, so no power, but shady bush campsites, toilets and bbqs.

Spectacular Lucky Bay

Hellfire Bay

Cape Le Grand beach

Just to show us how lucky we were, the weather turned overnight and we had 50+ kph winds, rain and down to 14 degrees the next day. Ian took the 4WD to get a front wheel wobble rectified (new front shockies), We ventured out to do some grocery shopping and get a takeaway dinner.

We are sad that our W.A. holiday is over.

Tomorrow it's off over the Nullarbor and a dash for home.