Our travel on Monday enabled us to reach the Western Coast at Jurien Bay on the Indian Ocean. We have now traveled the breadth of the country and the continent. Our drive took us through more of Western Australia’s wheat belt and we clocked up 4,000 kilometres today.
We found that we need to be careful when we come across wide loads even on the back roads. On the highways, we have seen many escorted trucks carrying bulldozers and various large pieces of mining machinery. On our first few kilometres along a back road this morning, we found people transporting large grain bins.
We continued to find more wild flowers along the way – especially on stretches of uncleared land or along side nature reserves. Near Bencubbin, one road was a designated as a ‘flora road’ and we spent around an hour, or so, looking at different species
The first major town that we passed through was Wongan Hills. We stopped for some lunch that we bought at the local bakery. It was a warm day so unlike at home where we have been looking for sunny spots, today we searched for some shade.
The most outstanding feature in the town was the old water tower which is an historic 12-metre-tall wooden and metal water structure located in the railway precinct. It was built in 1913–1914 during the expansion of the local railway line forn the supply of water to steam engines until they were replaced by diesel locomotives.
Throughout the day, we passed more enormous fields of wheat and some other crops. I didn’t know. I looked this one up a found that it was probably canola after the yellow flowers had gone and the seeds were beginning to form.
We found some planations where we could see Sandalwood growing. In fact some of the pioneering history of this area was a result of Sandalwood cutters moving into remote areas to capture this valuable product. Sandalwood is used in some beauty products, incense and perfumes.
We finally reached Jurien Bay in the mid afternoon and spent some time exploring the town. Over the last few decades, this town has grown significantly with new housing estates. It is only 2 1/2 hours from Perth so it is a popular holiday location.
The beach can only be reached via a walk through low coastal sand dunes. It’s a bit disappointing that there really isn’t a view from a car. There is a harbour and marina a little way north so we will pop in and see that tomorrow.
