Up the road to Perth
It had been a windy night and I’d been exposed a little more in our camping patch. On other nights I’d set the swag near the bus or some other barrier from the wind. Not so easy this time in a compact space so during the night the flaps had come up and the zips on the swag and sleeping bag were fully closed.
We’re now in the area of the Margaret River, home to some of the finest wines produced in Australia. There’s a chance to watch some surfing action before we move on to the Wardan Aboriginal Cultural Centre.
The Wardandi Aboriginal people have lived in this area for thousands of years.
The cultural centre is open to share the indigenous population’s way of life, art, history and stories. We are led through the camp and shown which plants and trees are important to the people, whether for food, medicines or tools. Tree bark shows the scars from where a shield was cut and our guide gives us various plants to taste and explains just how useful the banksia flower is.
Our guide then shows us the tools and weapons of his people and explains how they are made with a little practical demonstration of spear throwing. With a fire expertly lit from two pieces of wood and the always useful dead and dried banksia we are entertained with didgeridoo playing and Aboriginal dancing.
For an adventure all of it’s own. Join a tour with Nullarbor TravellerAfter lunch in Busselton we head on up the new Forrest Highway to Perth. This is an wildlife friendly highway with fencing by the side of the highway dropping down to underpasses to allows animals to cross safely.
And so, some 3.500 km later, we arrive in Perth. I’m disappointed. I didn’t want this trip to end. It’s been fun, great in places, exhilarating in others. It has been a great way to see this part of Australia and doing the trip with Nullarbor Traveller has been well worth it.
