The trip to Jurien Bay from Geraldton was very pleasant, initially driving through scenic countryside, fields and the historic gold mining  town of Greenough, before venturing onto the coastal highway, which winds its way toward Jurien Bay.

Steve, Rod and Dearne enjoying a coffee in the township of Dongara

Before joining the coastal highway we stopped in Dongara, a little town on the mouth of the Irwin River for coffee, before driving down to the Port, Port Denison. Dongara is quite a cute little town and together Dongara and Port Denison market themselves as the ‘Rock Lobster capital of Australia’. Of course being lovers of crayfish we thought we might get to buy one – but at the princely cost of $78.00 we knew it wasn’t going to be. The ‘lobster’ are sold live and 98% are exported to China.

The coastal highway to Jurien Bay provides many wide sweeping views of the beaches and coast line as it meanders down through several coastal towns and beachside ‘ fishing shacks’. Jurien Bay is 220kms north of Perth, and certainly appears to be enjoying substantial growth and development, with many Perth residents venturing this far north to their ‘weekenders’. During the holiday season the population more than doubles. Rock lobster are abundant, and along with tourism and construction, the towns population is sustained. The beaches really are quite stunning, with fine white sand and clear turquoise waters.

Beautiful Jurien Bay

Just offshore are a number of islands on which live a large population of sea lions, a local tourist attraction.

Like many towns in WA, Jurien Bay has excellent bike paths, which we explored thoroughly. We borrowed Dearne’s bike so that we could both go for a good ride, and enjoy the lovely sunny days (yes its all blue sky and warm days again).

The boys on the bikes in front of our rigs

Steve and Rod also enjoyed some more serious riding. We enjoyed a number of beach walks as well.

Whilst at Jurien Bay the little Suzuki decided to have a spat and the starter motor went on strike whilst Steve was at the petrol station. It had been a little stubborn at times, but not this. So, it was time for a replacement job. This meant that instead of visiting Cervantes, 26kms south of Jurien Bay and the Pinnacles in the Namburg National Park (the Pinnacles are limestone formations up to 3m high, creating the effect of a moonscape), we needed to get closer to Perth so that we could get the job done quickly. Being without a vehicle for too long can be restricting! So onto Yanchep we moved, leaving Rod and Dearne, until we catch up again in Perth.

Yanchep is on the coast about 70kms north of Perth, and it will soon be an outer suburb of greater Perth, with development moving further and further out of the city, and a rail link planned for 2016/17. Steve took the Suzuki in on Monday, and was able to collect the rejuvenated vehicle early today. We have explored the little village, and Two Rocks which is just north of here, and with its marina Two Rocks holds real appeal for boaties. Like much of this coast, the beaches are quite stunning. we are staying at a very quiet camp ground, and so the beach is deserted…perfect for long beach walks.

Today we visited the coast between Yanchep and Northern Fremantle, where the Port of Fremantle is based, and the harbour leads into the Swan River.

North Fremantle, looking across to Fremantle

Given that Steve spent many of his younger years in Scarborough in the UK, Scarborough  in Perth had to be visited. There are some key differences – climate and water temperature; surf; this is a modern seaside town; and accent used here! We drove the Ocean Road from the Port up to Burns Beach and were astounded at the number of huge and expensive houses right along the coast. There is some serious money in this town and we haven’t even seen the inner city suburbs!

We stopped in Cottesloe for coffee on the beach, and naturally, Scarborough, where we had lunch and then spent time at the beach watching surfers and boogie boarders riding the waves.

Steve on Scarborough Beach

What a stunning coast line with so many beautiful beaches and such clean water. We really understand some of the attractions of Perth!

Tomorrow we are off to Fremantle for a few days, and we are looking forward to exploring this older suburb and region of Perth.