A few domestic duties take priority this morning, mainly laundry, before we head out mid morning to Francois Peron National Park, which occupies the whole Northern part of this peninsula.
Road access to the homestead is a decent sand/ corrugated road, but from there onwards, it is deep sand which requires tyre deflation to 18 psi or less. We had a fair bit of rain 2 nights ago and when we arrive at the homestead, all but one short 4wd track to Big Lagoon are closed. We decide to have a good look around the homestead and take advantage of the free Artesian bath there.
The Station Trail
Once a 100,000 hectare sheep station from the early 1900's till 1990, when the Government purchased the pastoral lease, this area became a National Park. The historic sheep station buildings, now known as the Peron Heritage Precinct, are still there and now form part of a walking trail which covers the history of the station. It is well signposted and supported by a few other displays, of the history and some animals native to the area.
The trail starts at, but does not include the homestead, and takes you through the various building associated with the working station.
First up was the shearing shed, which has seen better days.
Wool pressing area
Shearing stands
Shearing stands with sheep holding bins behind them
Next was the cook house and mess
The old wood stove is still there
a a somewhat rusted out fridge
To complete the picture of farm life at the time, the last building was the shearer's quarters.
Each room had 4 bunks and a basic wardrobe
The communal area for eating and drinking
The trail then took us back towards the homestead and to the location of the artesian bath, which was originally the artesian bore that supplied the homestead.
A young German couple were already there and we had a good chat and were joined by another Aussie couple passing through, though they only got their feet wet. It was a warm 40 C in the bath, but fortunately the ambient temperature is a bit cooler than normal.
After a good soaking we were grateful they provided change rooms and a toilet nearby, so we could get out of our wet swimmers and back into some dry clothing.
Then we drove back to Denham, for lunch. Lunch today was a rare treat that we had acquired at the Gascoyne Weekly market in Carnarvon, Moroccan Goat Pie. It was delicious.
Mid afternoon we went for a walk along the seafront to get a bit of exercise and check out activity at the fish cleaning tables. I saw some of the biggest snapper I have ever seen.
Sadly those fishing from the shore have largely given up. However I did discover one other building here made from the cockle shell blocks from Hamelin Pool Quarry, the local Anglican Church, St Andrews by the Sea, constructed in 1954.
Tomorrow we leave for Kalbarri, a longer trip than we have been used to, because we have to backtrack out of Shark Bay to rejoin the North West Highway.
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