WOOLEEN STATION, Murchison River                                  2014 Easter Adventure [Image]
After looking for weeks on end through countless Forums & Blogs not to mention nearly going blind looking at #MUDMAP and #MEMORYMAP till the iPad goes flat we had a few chosen destinations in mind. 1. Murchison House Station in Kalbarri, 2. Wooleen Station 3. Sandy Cape, Jurien Bay. Good Friday was spent finalizing our plans and loading the #Tx6 CAMPRITE. The destination #WOOLEEN Station was chosen for the Remoteness, Red Dirt (dust) the Hot days, cool nights & just somewhere we could relax with nature experience the beauty of this part of the country and also had keep the boys busy.
[Image] First pit stop We left Geraldton early morning & headed East 100km towards Mullewa (Home of the wildflower country) just as you come into the town we turned left onto the main street. We proceeded slowly up the main street now heading north along the Mullewa -Carnarvon road which is still black top for the next 55km then onto the gravel Yee ha.

When we hit the gravel we both thought of the Gnaraloo road but much to the surprise of both Cathy & Myself these are the Smoothest Gravel roads we had traveled on so thanks to both Mullewa Shire and Murchison Shire for such well maintained roads. 

66 km along the road we came across BALLINYOO BRIDGE (Constructed in 1932) Perfect spot to get out stretch the legs, have some morning tea and take a few photos.
After a quick inspection of the Navara & Camprite we continued on heading north for approx 22km where we turned right off the main road onto Twin Peaks - Wooleen Road. Traveling into Wooleen some 44km from the turn off you'll see some fantastic Country with changing landscapes just perfect for a photo or two.

[Image] Mum & the Boys on the Ballinyoo Bridge [Image] Bowen05 Tx6 on Ballinyoo Bridge [Image] Arriving at the Homestead [Image] WOOLEEN Station Homestead [Image] Boys have a look at old style Steam Power We checked in with Frances at the Homestead & to our luck there was a vacant spot at the Murchison River Camp. So after a quick look around, collecting the essential station mudmap & letting the boys have a quick play with the sheep dogs we headed north another 16km to our campsite for the next four nights.

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[Image] Looking West down river [Image] Looking East up river [Image] Straight out back of our Camp It would not of been right if we did not show our boys some of the rich History of this area while here. We spent the next few days looking around the Station & exploring some of the other points of interest in the area. Some of the things on Wooleen are the Bower Bird Museum (a must see), The SHARPE Family Graves,Yewlands Pool, Gradagullya pool (swimming hole) and a visit to the Picnic Table out on the wetlands.

[Image] Sharpe Family Grave [Image]
One of the old buildings out this way that we explored was the old #Wooleen Woolshed (or whats left of it) and the other surrounding Buildings near by. These buildings are part of the #WOOLWAGON PATHWAY (a 3 day adventure through this part of the country).
Needing a bit of Diesel we headed a bit further North via a Station track to the Murchison Settlement where we topped up the tank, treated ourselves to an ice-cream and got some info on the Errabiddy Outcamp & the Errabiddy Bluff

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[Image] Boys at the Old Shearers Quarters [Image]
[Image] Boys enjoying a climb [Image]
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[Image] Boys at old Errabiddy Outcamp [Image]

[Image] A FLASH BBQ in the middle of no where On the way back to Wooleen we stopped in at the Murchison Shire office & they very kindly opened the Museum for us to look through. Very Very good display of the history behind the Murchison region & the people that made it what it is today. A MUST See attraction.

The Last day was spent relaxing, letting the boys explore the area around our camp by river & just taking stock at how beautiful this land is. The arvo was welcomed with a cold bear or four Playing cards with the family. That night we Cranked up our Second our campfires for the trip where more cold beer was tasted (had to empty them somehow) & we all enjoyed a few toasted marshmallows, followed by the boys cracking a few packs of glow sticks making balls with them, then kicking them around the flat. That night Cathy & I lay in our Camper looking up at the billions of stars. Such a beautiful sight and it's true they are clearer & Brighter in the outback.


The next morning we had an early rise to beat the heat but much to our shock it was overcast with a horizon filled with black clouds. Its always sad when your packing up as you know we are heading home.

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[Image] Checking out.  [Image] Good Bye  WOOLEEN STATION :(    Thanks for sharing it with us.  From Wooleen we headed back to the Carnarvon - Mullewa road turning left & heading south for 64km till we come to the New Forest - Yallalong road where we turn right heading East towards the coast. This way looked like more fun :) on the way home. We went through several pastoral properties (Stations) being New Forest, Yallalong, and  finally coming through the back gate of Coolcalalaya otherwise also know a as #MURCHISON OFFROAD ADVENTURE 4WD PARK MOA - where they were busy setting up for the 2014 Mud Nutz & Fourbys.

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 Leaving the red dirt behind we hit the black top just south of Galena Bridge on the Northwest Coastal Highway. Turning left unfortunately :( we were now heading south towards Northampton were we stopped for lunch & a stretch, which is where the rain caught up with us washing off the red dust we had just worked hard at getting all over everything. I find there is something about the #Australia Bush, the Red dirt & the peacefulness that just helps sooth the soul.

[Image] 811 km  4 Nights  5 Days
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Till our next adventure.  
#BOWEN05 #NAVARA #CAMPRITE #Tx6 #WOOLEEN STATION #MURCHISON #MOA #RED DIRT #GOLDEN OUTBACK