Author: Anna Lakshmi

We are a family of four and are nuts about traveling. Our name reflects this! We love sharing the joy and love of traveling and adventure! Let's the fun begin!

Korung National Park

Korung National Park, is in Western Australia, 26 kilometres south-east of Perth. It was formerly known as Pickering Brook National Park. There are 2 designated hiking and mountain bike trails (Carmel walk and Lion’s Lookout) in the park. Both have an abundance of wildflowers in spring. We visited Lion’s Lookout.

Lion’s Lookout walk

Lion’s Lookout Walk within Korung National Park, just off Welshpool Road in Lesmurdie is a great hiking trail to do in winter and spring. With wide but bumpy track going up and down, and at times being challenging, it was fun for our kids. They were running up and down the slopes, while the adults were struggling to go down on some steep sections.

Child climbing up the slope
Mother and child going down the slope
Man and two children going uphill in the bush

Lion’s Lookout is a loop trail, 4km long. The highest point of the track offers great views over Bickley Reservoir and Perth city.

Wildflowers at Korung National Park

There are plenty of widlflowers along the way. We find looking at wildflowers so fascinating, that went to the trouble of learning their names, so we know what we are photographing.

Banksia armata (above left). Blue Squill Chamaescilla corymbosa (above top right). Drumstick Isopogon sphaerocephalus (above bottom right).

Hairy Jug Flowerr Adenanthos barbiger (above right). Honeypot Dryandra Banksia nivea (above top right). Leschenaultia Biloba (above bottom right).

Milkmaid Burchardia congesta (above left). Pincushion Coneflower Isopogon (above top right). Scaevola glandulifera (above bottom right).

Pimelea ciliata – White Banjine (above left). Swamp spider orchid (above top right). Tetratheca species (above bottom right).

Blue small flower with yellow centre
Light purple flowers

Calytrix glutinosa (above left). Stypandra glauca – Blind Grass (above centre). Philotheca spicata Pepper and Salt (above left).

Facilites at Korung National Park (Lion’s Lookout)

After the walk (or before) you can enjoy a picnic on the grass or at the picnic tables provided near carpark while enjoying the views of the city. There are picnic tables, shelter, bbq and rubbish bins (but no toilets) there.

Additional information

The entry to the park is free. Unfortunatley, no dogs are allowed.

Armadale Settlers Common

Armadale Setters Common is located in Bedfordale, Western Australia. It is a large bushland reserve that is known for a variety of wildflowers in spring, boasting 318 plant species. It is also home to diverse fauna.

There are a number of hiking trails in Armadale Settlers Common, offering a range of experiences, from easy walks to picnicking, wildlife observation and photography. We visited this place late August, searching for wildflowers. Surely enough, we found quite a selection of them.

Settlers Common East

This is the smaller part of the reserve, which has great picnic facilities with benches, picnic tables and shelters. Observation Circle has gravel trails, offering bushland hiking experience. Next to it, is paved path for pram and wheelchair access.

There is also the greater Settlers Common on the other side of Carradine Road with longer trails (all gravel). We haven’t covered that place, hence we can’t write much about it. So all the pictures were taken in Settlers Common East.

Beautiful blue australian native flower

Lechenaultia Biloba (above left). Blue Squill – Chamaescilla corymbosa (above right).

Common Donkey Orchid – Diuris brumalis (above left). Hakea lissocarapha – Honey Bush (above right).

Kennedia coccinea – Coral Vine (above left). Kennedia prostrata – Running Postman (above right).

Lemon-scented Darwinia (above left). Milkmaids Burchardia congesta (above right).

Morning Iris – Orthrosanthus laxus (above left). Swan River Myrtle – Hypocalymma robustum (above right).

Hairy Jug Flower – Adenanthos barbiger (above left). Red Ink Sundew – Drosera erythrorhiza (above top right). Wilson’s Grevillea – above bottom right.

Location and additional info

In conclusion, there is some practical information. Armadale Settlers Common is about 40 minutes drive from Perth. You can access it from Canns Road or Carradine Road, Bedfordale. There is no entry fee and dogs are allowed in this place.

Ivanhoe River Crossing

4WD crossing the Ord River through the Ivanhoe River Crossing

Ivanhoe River Crossing, north of Kununurra is an iconic place and a must do for any 4WD enthusiast travelling through the Kimberley Region and the Gibb River Road. It is a concrete one-way causeway over the Ord River, which was part of the main road to Wyndham during the old days. But nowadays, it is a place where travellers go to tick off their “bucket list”. So, it is really just crossing the river and going back. Many people (especially those with no 4WD) come just to watch others do it. It is also a popular fishing spot. Salt water crocodiles inhibit these waters, so swimming is not safe there.

The river crossing is closed during wet season (usually November to March). So, Australian winter, which is considered dry season, is best for visiting and crossing.

Ivanhoe river crossing aerial view

Where is Ivanhoe River Crossing?

It is along Ivanhoe Road, 10-15 minutes’ drive north of Kununurra in East Kimberley.

Driving through the water along Ivanoe River Crossing

Roebuck Bay

Red sand beach with turquoise water and green mangrove trees.
Red Sand Beach

Roebuck Bay is the magical place that delighted and amazed us with its striking colours – red sand, turquoise ocean and green mangroves. It is a great place for a picnic, fishing, not to mention awesome photography (best at high tide). Camping is available at nearby Bird Observatory (we didn’t stay there, so can’t comment).

This place is an internationally significant wetland where you can see a huge number and variety of migratory shorebirds.

Where is Roebuck Bay?

It is on the coast in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. The actual place that is on the picture (Red Sand Beach) is about half an hour drive south of Broome, along Crab Creek Road, 1km from Broome Bird Observatory. The road is sandy and corrugated for 16km or so, so 4WD is recommended.

Corrugated road on the way to Roebuck Bay

James Price Point

Camping at the base of Pindan cliffs at James Price Point

What is so unique about James Price Point?

James Price Point, 60km north of Broome is absolutely one of our favourites. It’s the place we would like to come back again, despite the corrugated road (roughly 32km of corrugation) to get there. The bright red pindan cliffs backing into the ocean make you feel like you are on another planet. Mars, maybe? The tidal currents at James Price Point are simply phenomenal and so fascinating to observe. Add to this, the thrill of the possibility of finding ancient dinosaur footsteps (at the right tidal conditions) or sight of a dangerous salt water crocodile. James Price Point is so pristine and exquisitely beautiful that you really want to thread lightly and leave no trace of human presence there.

Surprisingly, it is actually the place where you can camp for free. With absolutely no facilities provided, you need to be self-sufficient or hide the traces very carefully (and with hard rocks and no bushland, it is tricky 😊).

Honestly, we think this place is not going to be free forever. So, while it is, take a detour to see it, but take good care of this exceptional place.

Where is James Price Point?

James Prices Point is north of Broome, off Cape Leveque Road. You would need a 4WD to get there and deflate your tyres once you hit the corrugated dirt road.

Deflating tyres oon Manari Road on the way to James Price Point

Tides

The Kimberley coast has the biggest tides in the southern hemisphere. This is due to the shape and size of the continent which allows the tides to grow much larger compared to other places. The difference between high and low tides can be up to 10 meters.

The tide comes really fast. When the water recedes back into the ocean, it creates intricate patterns on the sand, many of which look like paintings of trees. It is such a delight for a photographer or a lover of nature.

James Price Point at dawn, dusk and night

The magical hour (an hour before sunrise and an hour after sunrise) is the best for taking landscape photos. The colours of the sky painted by the setting or rising sun are simply amazing.

Stars and the Milky Way have been attracting people’s attention since the beginning of time. In the old days, sailors and the local Aboriginal people alike, used them to navigate on their journeys. Nowadays, they add such a beautiful background to the pictures taken by many photographers. Even if you are not a photographer, there is hardly anyone, who would be impartial to see the arch of the Milky Way in the dark sky on a cold winter night. There is a sense of mystery and adventure that pulls people’s eyes and souls to the stars that are within many light years of reach from us.

Marble Bar

Jasper deposits

Marble Bar, known as the hottest town in Australia, gets its name from a local deposit of colourful mineral that was thought to be marble and turned out to be jasper.

The jasper deposits cross the Coongan River, forming Marble Bar Pool and adjacent to it Chinaman Pool. Both are both very picturesque picnic spots, only 5 minutes’ drive from Marble Bar town.

Chinaman Pool

Marble Bar is a small mining town, approximately 1500km north east of Perth on the Great Northern Highway.

Marble Bar Pool

Camping in spinifex country

Pilbara is a beautiful region, characterized by red colour, iron rich earth. There are so many pristine places there, including some awesome free camps, waiting to be discovered. But sometimes, the nigh falls before you can reach your destination. This happens to us from time to time. Quite often a solution is to pull out from the road – as long as there is a side road and clearing. On our long trip up north last year, we did just that.

Our camp for that cold night in July was what in Wikicamp is marked as Kate’ Pit. It turned out to be a perfect spot for a night like that.

Morning revealed beautiful scenery – typical Australian outback. Low winter sun was casting warm light onto the rough spiky spinifex grass, contrasting red rocky outcrops and blue sky. Stops like this one become a precious experience because of the opportunity to connect with nature and discover hidden beauty in remote outback.

Kate’s Pit is a large gravel pit, off the road, with no facilities, 38km south of Marble Bar.

Turning to Kate’s Pit camp

We love every bit of Pilbara – including its red rocks and dirt endless roads!

Lesueur Natinal Park

Lesueur National Park is a globally recognised biodiversity hotspot. Spring is the best time to visit it when you can see many of the 900 plant species blooming. But you can still see something flowering at any time of the year. We visited Lesueur National Park in the middle of autumn (April) and found endangered pine banksia flowering quite fascinating.

Pine Banksia with bee
Pine Banskia bud
Pine Banskia close up

There is 18km one-way loop scenic drive throughout the park with numerous stopping points and information boards along the way. Interestingly, while the road to the park is a dirt road, the scenic drive inside the Lesueur Park is a sealed road. There are two picnic areas inside the park. Numerous trails of various length and difficulty start from those areas.

Mt Lesueur Trail in Lesueur National Park

We choose Mt Lesueur Trail, which is 3,5km return walk. It starts as an easy walk on rather flat surfaces and then changes into a moderate difficulty trail as it climbs up the slope.

Kids hiking along Mt Lesueur Trail
Mt Lesueur Trail

The top of Mt Lesueur is flat but the views are quite spectacular.

Family of 4 on top of Mt Lesueur
The view from Mt Lesueur

With not many of the wildflowers blooming in April, Grass Trees, Kingia Australis and Pine Banksia were the spotlights for us.

Kingia Australis
Kingia Australis
Grass tree Xanthorrhoea

Apart from endangered Pine Banksia, there are also other types of bankias in the park. Firewood bankisa and Bankisa Prionotes are especially spectacular.

Firewood bankisa Banksia menziesii
Firewood banksia Banksia menziesii
Banksia Prionotes

How to get there and where to stay

Lesueur Natonal Park is 15 minutes’ drive from Jurien Bay and is easily accessible. There is a standard entry fee per vehicle and no dogs are allowed in the park. The nearest campground (this is where we stayed) is Karda campground.

The Pinnacles (Nambung National Park)

The Pinnacles - limestone structures formed naturally

The Pinnacles (part of the Nambung National Park) near Cervantes do not need introduction. It is one of the most visited places in Western Australia. Located only 2,5-hour drive from Perth along the Indian Ocean Drive, it can be just a day trip or you can take a few days to explore the area. There is a 4,5km driving trail through the desert with many parking bays to stop and enjoy the marvellous creations.

What are exactly the Pinnacles and how were they formed?

The Pinnacles are natural limestone structures formed thousands of years ago. They are of different shapes and sizes, some as high as 3 meters. Up to date scientists are still puzzled as to how the Pinnacles were formed. There are a few theories which contradict each other and little evidence to support each. The Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre within the Nambung National Park has some posters explaining different theories. One thing is clear – the Pinnacles are nature’s creations! Interestingly, the Nambung National Park near Cervantes is not the only place in Australia where the Pinnacles are found. But here there is a greatest concentration of them.

Pinnacles are photographer’s delight

Not only the Pinnacles is a very popular attraction but also one of the most photographed iconic places during the day, sunset or night. While there are some amazing pictures by professional photographers out there, here is what we’ve seen.

Pinnacles during the day

During the daytime, the light can be very harsh, unless there are some clouds which make the landscape interesting. In the absence of clouds, you will get better results when shooting closer to the end of the day, when the light is a bit softer. Irrespective of the lighting conditions, the Pinnacles, without doubt, do not fail to impress.

The Pinnacles Nambung National Park
The Pinnacles Desert in Western Australia

Pinnacles at dusk

Twilight is a magical time to take pictures. It is the time when the sky is lit with myriad of colours that change by seconds.

Beautiful sky over the Pinnacles
Pinnacles (Nambung National Park) at dusk
Sunset over the Pinnacles

Pinnacles at night

This is the most ifficult time to take pictures. But it can be quite rewarding. Just starring at the sky full of stars is already very fulfilling, when a sense of peace and quietness pervades. These pictures were taken a bit early in the evening (between 7 and 9pm). For best results, it would be better to take them around 10-11pm. Apparently, at that time you can see the Milky Way in a shape of an emu. But our kids were too tired and wanted to go back to campground, so these are the shots I managed.

The Pinnacles at night
The Milky Way rising above the Pinnacles
The Pinnacles at low light

Lake Thetis

Part of Nambung National Park is Lake Thetis. It is a small saline lake and is one of only a few places in Western Australia where stromatolites are found. Stromatolites and their cousins thrombolites are the oldest living lifeforms on the planet. Although the stromatolites in Hamlin Pool at Shark Bay are more impressive, Lake Thetis is still worth a visit on your way to the Pinnacles.

Stromatolites up close in a saline lake
Stromatolites at Lake Thetis

There is a nice but short walk around the lake and you can see many birds resting on stromatolites. People are not allowed to touch or walk on stromatolites but this rule doesn’t apply to birds. 😊

Birds sitting on a stromatolite
Stromatolites and birds at the background

Where can you stay nearby?

There are plenty of accomodation in Cervantes and Jurien Bay, which includes caravan parks, as well as hotels. But if you are after something more simple and nature based, we recommend Karda campground. Although it is a bit further away from Cervantes but it is close to Lesueur National Park, which is worth exploring.

Good to know

There is entry fee of $15 per vehicle (as of April 2023) to Nambung National Park and no dogs are allowed.

While you are at the Pinnacles Desert, watch out for a family of emus.

Karda campground near Jurien Bay

Karda camp among the tall trees in a cleared block of land

Karda campground is a great nature-based campground, 20km east from Jurien Bay and next to Lesueur National Park. If you are looking for a budget accommodation in that area, Karda campground is an ideal choice. Firstly, it is within the short driving distance from both the Lesueur National Park and the coastal town of Jurien Bay. Secondly, the campground is not too big and not too small. There are 31 sites, located in two loops, and can accommodate all sorts of vehicles and vans, including tents, caravans and trailers. Thirdly, the sites themselves are really huge, which is always very nice. Lastly, each site comes with its own picnic table and firepit. Not to mention that there are two clean and new drop toilets in each loop.

Aerial view of Karda campground
Karda campground from above

The sites are $11 per adult and $3 per child per night. You would need to book online via Parkstay. We visited Karda campground over the Anzac Day holiday, end of April and there were plenty of spaces available. However, we would recommend booking in advance, as the internet can be quite patchy there.

Very large and spacious Karda campground

Unfortunately, no dogs are allowed. There are also no rubbish bins, which keeps the cost a bit lower.

Man sitting at the table at campground looking away

Karda campground is a great place to stay during cooler months of the year. It can be quite hot in summer there. In fact, it is closed from December to February. There are plently of things to do and see around. Biodiversity hot spot Lesueur National Park is just around the corner. Jurien Bay has a lot on offer too. And of course, the famous Pinnalces Desert is only about an hour’s drive away.

Below: view from our swags in the morning. Nice life 🙂