This one started with a trip back to the 12v specialist in Bunbury to get the inverter checked, and we stayed at the Discovery Caravan Park on the Bunbury Foreshore for the night. We had recently joined the Koombana Bay Sailing Club, and with restrictions just eased, we went for dinner.
A fantastic meal and drinks served by the ever so helpful bar staff, who couldn’t do enough to make our night enjoyable. We then sat by the waterfront, and enjoyed a glass or two.
Next morning we toured through the Ferguson Valley, to a free camp at the top of the hill named Minding, It was just a clearing with some shelter, a bit for a gravel pit with some sandy patches.
This free camp was the site of the old school, servicing the surrounding properties, with one headmistress from 1921 to 1945 when it closed. Unfortunately there was only a plaque to commemorate the old building; but a peaceful overnighter with only the odd truck through the night.
It was an eventful stop as as soon as we got out of the car, Michael said to be careful, as he just saw a juvenile tiger snake! I didn’t needed to be told twice. There we a few birds around dusk, and heavy rain was forecast overnight. Around 5.30 am we got a light shower for about 5 minutes – not even enough to wash the dust off the car!
After breakfast we travelled to Wagin. Enjoyed wandering around the new park and surrounds and to the obligatory photo of the Big Sheep – well actually the Big Ram to be technically correct. Well worth the stop.
Next was onto the Wagin Historical Village. There were several buildings, all done by volunteer labour, and to be fair, it’s still not finished. The was a beautiful church, used by many denominations with gorgeous stained glass windows.
Mrs Stevens cottage, who was the laundress, a bagged hut, which was the first housing the settlers had on arrival. Hessian bags sewn together and attached to a wooden frame, very basic.
Next was a woodshed, stables and machinery shed. A dairy, a Malley root shed and Prosser’s blacksmith.
The Norring Hall was moved to the village in 1986, where it was a school, a church and a community hall. The Boyerine school house is an original moved to the current sit in 1982. You can see the original desks with their inkwells.
There is the bank, a newspaper office, complete with the presses, early printing equipment. A mud bar cottage, made out of mud bricks, a saddlery, post office, general store, dressmaker, barbershop, fire station and railway station.
There is still buildings being erected to add to the village. We thought we’d be there about 1/2 hour, but it was well over 1 hour, and probably could have stayed longer. A fantastic tourist attraction and a must see if you’re in the area.
We were going to travel to Narrogin for the night, but decided to go onto Beverley.
WikiCamps said there was a free camp ther alongside the river and it had good reviews. It’s the Apex Park, and while some people will treat it as free, they don’t understand that Apex has to maintain it to it’s high standard and cleanliness.
I think it’s best to call it a donation park, as they leave envelopes ther for donations and your comments for improvements. Well maintained, garbage bins are generous in numbers, and the grounds are clear of any debris and logs.
Well worth the stay. A couple of pubs in town, and a cafe with good hours. Not so much the local IGA which keeps traditional old country hours – shuts midday Saturday and opens again Monday. Unlike Wagin and York’s IGA, open all weekend.
You’d think with Beverley so close to Perth, the shire and business community to get together and make tourism a priority. The history of the area, the facilities, the river; all needing attention and has so much potential to offer.
Next day we departed for home, the trip whetting our appetite for even more travel. See you on the road.
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