Flight landed in Perth at 12.30am, and got the taxi to Ace car rental to pick up the car. They had a lockbox on side window with the key inside, soin we went, turned the car around, got into our sleeping bags and slept until sunrise at 5am. Of course, I was worrying all night that the police were gona pull up beside us. Thankfully they didn't. Woke up just before 5am (I have an amazing body clock even with a three hour time change from brisbane), got coffees and muffin, then we were off. Was a 3.5 hour drive to Margaret River, swapped drivers about 2 hours in as I was wrecked. We had nearly reached Laura and Nicks when we were pulled in at a checkpoint. Police- breath-test, agriculture- checking to see if we had any fish or pigs in the car, then immigration- took our passports to see if we were illegal immigrants. And not once did they ask for driving license and insurance. Arrived at Wharncliff Mill and saw Laura and Nicks home for the last 3months, very pretty. Spent the morning in and around Margaret River, went to a lovely wee bakery then off we went to Mellip beach and Castle Rock. The flies were terrible as it was soo hot, but worth it for the beaches. They were absolutely beautiful!! White white sand, clear blue water and not that many people on them. The beaches on the west are soo underrated, couldn't believe how beautiful they were. Probably the clearest water we've ever seen but it was pretty cold. Compared to Queensland beaches which were like getting into a bath. We spent the day fishing; the boys didn't catch very much tho, a 'skippy' I think it was called. But they did see an octopus which is pretty cool. We decided on a BBQ dinner and met some of Laura and nicks friends, and sat round a campfire having a few ciders. Stayed in a safari tent, 'glamping', was very nice. A double bed and a set of bunk beds, lights, units, chair, decking, you could have lived it in easily.

The next day we started our roadtrip, up early, our Nissan Tiida packed to the top, and a cheeky takeaway coffee before we left. Wharncliff does the best coffee and at a reasonable price. Our first stop was Hamelin Beach. It was amazing!!! Laura had briefly mentioned there being stingrays when the boats came in but nothing prepared me for what we were about to experience. When we arrived there were one of two and you kind of had to follow them; when the boats came in, there must have been 10-12 all swimming really close to shore. I got to touch one or two or three. There was a huge one as well, that got quite close and scared the life outta me by swimming up against my leg, we've pictures to prove it. That was just out of this world and for free, love it. So had to be dragged away so could continue the trip to Walpol where we stopped for lunch. Then into Denmark where we camped at Rivermouth caravan park, site 14. Didn't take too long to put the tent up but realised what a monster it is. Two rooms and a living room, you can stand up in it and we each had a Campbel, luxury. The camp sight was expensive for what it was and the kitchen didn't have any utensils, which we would soon learn as being the norm. We headed to Wilsons inlet to fish and caught loads. King George whiting and snapper. So we took them back to the caravan park, the boys gutted and BBQd them and got some chips from the chippy; perfect fish and chip dinner.

On Day 3, we drove through and around Albany and found a fishing shop. The boys bought the gear they needed and we were off to Shelly beach, in West Lake Howe national park. Beautiful beach, no-one else on it, but it was freezing!! We sat for an hour or two, and they weren't catching so we headed back over the hill again and out to Dominos. After driving around killing time and going to Coles, (we aren't to good at making decisions lol) we headed back to where we'd been before at Shelly beach. Got our tent set up, fished off some dangerous rocks and got eaten by mosquitos, and saw the car crash vehicle, where a man had tried to drive himself and his wife off the cliff. Persuaded the boys to head back to the tent, where me and Laura watched a film, and the boys did some night time moonlight fishing. They caught Australian herring and snapper woo hoo, made up for a day of catching nothing. But they really did stink of fish when they came back in.

The next morning, they were up bright and early to try and catch more but no such luck. Today we were off to Esperance. It was our longest drive but we took turns driving and went via Fitzgerald river national park, which is very biodiverse and has lots of flora. Very pretty. Saw some kangaroos boucing near infront of the car and a weird ugly rock fish. Upon reaching Esperance, we drove around a few caravan parks trying to find the cheapest, but they were all the same so ended up back at the first one; Seafront caravan park. It had really good showers, makes all the difference. Had a few more drinkies as is the nighttime routine, played some cards and off to sleep happily.

The next day we visited the Pink lake. I had seen this online ages ago and when Laura told we were going, I was soo excited!! But luck wasn't on our side this time; the lake wasn't pink and hadn't been for a wee while. Needs the right weather and temperature conditions and we def felt the cold in the evenings. We had a lovely little beach drive today starting at 10 mile lagoon: absolutely beautiful beach with windmills and a very strong current. But a bit cold to sunbathe on. Next we went to Twilight beach- voted Oz most beautiful a few years ago. It really was absolutely beautiful; prettiest Oz beach so far. White sand, see through water, sanddunes and big boulders in the sea. Spent the late afternoon fishing off the pier; Laura and Nick were the clear fishing winners. Watched sunset at nine mile beach; I love watching sunset over the water. Then back to the same campsite, (decided it would be nice to not have to take the tent down and put it up again, just one day off that would be nice, plus it was wet) where a huge truck/4wd/ world tour lorry was pulled up beside us. Soo cool, I want one!!

It's a good thing we are all early risers (well apart from Kenny) as we needed up early this morning to do our 6/7 hour drive back to Denmark. Took turns driving again. Arrived at the green pools in the afternoon, which are exactly what it says on the tin, green pools of water surrounded by rocks filled by the sea. Well I duno what was wrong with me but I could not get into that water. It was absolutely freezing, so just the tues for me, whilst the others enjoyed A wee snorkel. Quite a few flies here so as I walked, I had to do so with pace as they like to follow me, aaahhhh!! Someone Rojas us they are bad December and January, but by February there aren't as many, something to do with the dung beetle. Walked over to elephant rocks, wondering why they are called that... It's because they look like elephants. Very strange but cool all the same. So as we were in Denmark and the boys were still fishing crazy, we headed back to Wilsons inlet, their fav place from before. But unfortunately without the same luck as last time. So we made our way to our campsite, paddies, by which stage the office to pay was closed so some English Aussie guy lead us to a sight, very nice of him. Tonight we had a BBQ to cook on and with the help off the pan Nick borrowed, we each made an omelette on toast with beetroot! Yummy. The boys again attempted night fishing but lost their hooks after 2minutes so we sat and had a few ciders and s few cups of goon, and watched the most spectacular night sky we have ever seen. We saw an amazing one whilst in Cape Breton, Canada, but this is definitely the Southern Hemispheres beauty. I know nothing about the sky but the others were able to point out constellations to me. It was crystal clear, along with some shooting stars. We were all just blown away by it :)

Another early day, to our way back to Margaret river to find me some wine tasting: I love wine. But not before a stop at Pleasant bay, where we walked along to beach to find the dead whale (sick I know) and then drove around in a circle twice (you'd think four people could did their way out, well two I suppose as me and Nick don't have a sense of direction lol). Then continued the trip back, driving over branches near flat to the ground and it sounded like we'd hit an animal, let's just say the car is very low to the ground. I also entertained us with a dodgy skid, with a car infront and behind us. I think the Only reason didn't crash was because if the skidding around we had done on Fraser. But sorry guys. So needless to say we switched driver andade it safely back to Margaret river where we went to Vasse Virgin olive and dip tasting, then Yahava coffee tasting (Kenny is a coffee addict now) and then the watershed winery of the year. Yummy. We headed back to Wharncliffe to stay another night in the safari tent, it's soo cool; a double and a bunk bed, electric blanket, A porch area, lights, comfy beds, loved it. Did some washing (our clothes were soo dirty after camping) and then had a steak dinner, some goon and played cards. I booked our last flights for our trip, so now we are ready to go.

The next morning we just couldn't tear ourselves away from the place, Laura and Nick saying goodbye and Kenny losing his glasses, so ended up leaving around 11.30 for our drive to Perth and then the pinnacles. Met up with Laura's cousin Chelsea and her boyfriend Scott in Perth (after getting lost a few times), then set off to the pinnacles. We reached it just before sunset and watched sunset on Smiths beach, really pretty, some amazing pictures :) stayed the night in the YHA there, was fine, had a few drinks before rising at the bright and early time of 4.10 to watch sunrise over the pinnacles. They are these random rock formations, magic fingers, that rise out of the desert with no reason behind them although the aboriginals place significance on them. We saw some kangaroos jumping around (now I have at least seen them on sand even though I didn't see them on the beach) and a few galah's. All in all, a beautiful morning but I was def for heading back to bed until at least 9.
Started making our way back to Perth then via lancelin beach which was pretty and had some pie lunch there. Then back to Scott and Chelsea's via the Perth ocean drive (the west really does have some beautiful beaches). That evening we went to Laura's aunt Sue's house for a couple of drinks, lovely lady with such a strong Liverpool accent, it's funny. Before retiring to our blow up mattress ready for our last few hours in Australia. Said an emotional goodbye to Laura and Nick, they have been a big part of our trip in New Zealand and Australia, and not knowing when we'll see them again is sad. Love you guys xx