Easter Break
22nd – 25th April 2011
This was our first trip after purchasing another cooling/heating storage that was situated on the false floor between the seats. With no dog having to get in and out we could have it between the seats to keep cold drinks and sandwiches etc.
The whole break was 5 days as Easter coincided with Anzac Day allowing going further than we might otherwise have ventured.
| Friday | Saturday | Sunday | Monday |
| 22ndApril Bruce Rock to Leonora | 23rdLeonora to Leonora via Agnew Loop | 24thLeonora to Leonora via Darlot Loop | 25thLeonora to Bruce Rock |
| 617km | 299km | 346km | 617km |
Day 1 – Friday (Good Friday) April 22nd.
Our first morning started off pleasant with clear skies overhead. We got up about 0640, connected the caravan and ate a quick breakfast, taking drinks with us we set off at 0740. We didn’t rush and despite being behind a wide load for ~70km after Southern Cross we got to Coolgardie to fuel up at 1210, getting lunch at the same time. We then headed up the highway which had the usual buzz of traffic but unusually void of animal life (dead or alive). Not that far out of Kalgoorlie we noticed that the passenger side caravan mirror had gone. The frame was there but no glass mirror in it, we would have to try to look for one tomorrow. Arriving at Leonora and the caravan park at 1520 we were grateful we had booked as it was full with apparently many earlier travellers eyeing off our site. 
We set up camp, using the caravan awning for the first time. Got limited TV reception but the 12v fan provided grateful air flow in the van, it was very warm with sticky flies and we had time to watch the sun setting at ~1730 and later a good breeze sprang up.
We had been told that there was a free outdoor movie at Hoover House put on by Drive Safe, especially targeting wearing Safety Belts. We took a drive up (having never been to Hoover House as it has always been closed when visiting Gwalia) and at dusk looked into the open pit and then ventured into the rose garden where, with provided chairs, we took our place to watch the large outdoor screen with about a dozen children (under 12 by the look of them) and ~6 adults. The movie started after the seat belt advertisements had finished. The movie was “The Other Guys” which was MA but the kids got all the jokes, we had already seen it and about an hour into it we left and went back to the van to have dinner.
Day 2 – Saturday April 23rd
Got up to much noise at 0700 (our site faced onto the road with a mine camp across the road with many there and more still in the caravan park working 0600 – 1800). It was still warm as we showered and prepared for the day. We went to every service station and shop that we thought might supply the mirror but it was to no avail.
We then proceeded to the Information Bay and the start of the Agnew Loop (one of two day trips out of Leonora) at 0915. 
The designated stops on the track are well done with metal cut outs and story boards. The cut outs hold a story from the perspective of the cut out figure (animal or human) which is interesting and gives a unique way of explaining information. 
We drove into an old grave site just out of town and passed the local policewoman doing her rounds then onto 8 Mile Well (the first designated stopping point), 
there were obvious signs of recently flooding in the vicinity, but no water in the turkeys nest but many bore heads with a short distance to water. Many camel/cattle prints around also. We walked around historic Chaffers Mine; 
then onto Kurrajong; Boxes Well; and Doyles Well arriving at 1105. 
We saw a monitor (goanna) crossing the road prior to stopping at Doyles Well which was a beautiful spot (an old town site) next to a creek, it had an old swimming pool,
a flowering bougainvillea, long grass, plentiful butterflies/grasshoppers. We then moved onto Boundary fence 
and got to Poison Creek at 1205. 
We had tried to walk up to the permanent water hole but there was water in many area’s of the creek so were unable, we then discovered you could drive there, a track ~250m from the stop on left took you down the creek watering hole. Heading onto 
Lawlers Townsite, 
Cemetery and Lookout, then onto Agnew for a drink in the historic pub at 1340 before moving onto Leinster (driving around the breakaways on the way into town). 
Leaving Leinster at 1425 we travelled down the highway stopping at the many spots on the return journey, 
Lawlers-Darlot Track;
Goanna Patch/Thunderbox;
Bundarra/Wilson’s Patch;
Sullivan Creek;
and Station Creek (pumping station).Wilson’s Patch was a track off the road to an old mine with tennis court and foundations. We initially took the wrong track but got there anyway. We returned to Leonora at 1650 and enjoyed the rest of the evening comfortably sitting outside under the awning watching the world go by.
The day was very warm, the flies annoying and Richards hip was giving him some trouble but better with Panadol.
Day 3 – Sunday April 24th
Up again at 0700 the got started on the Darlot Loop at 0800. It was less warm than the previous day with the flies continuing to irritate but the breeze helped keep them at bay at most stops. We moved up the highway, not having to stop at the first series of stops (having done them yesterday).
We did drive into Wilson’s Patch so it was on the trip log but didn’t stop until the transition zone, then moved onto the Granites.
Another lovely spot, very picturesque with fire pit/grill facilities and picnic table.
We moved onto Darlot townsite and cemetery.
We then deviated up the road to check on something not on the “Loop” then back to recommence the trail. The next section did not seem to follow the written description with the battery being much further down the track.
We passed over water pipelines before arriving at the big mill at1200 then moving onto the Nambi Woolshed.
We would have loved to seen inside the shed but it’s private property so had to look from the distance of the road.
Then onto Top of the Terraces (with panoramic views);
Mertondale (with strange cacti plants and masses of broken glass);
and then out to The Terraces (breakaways).
Arriving there at 1430 we took 40 mins driving and wandering around them before heading back the way we came to go to Malcolm Dam.
Driving along the dam wall around the other side of the dam we passed people camped and kids swimming. We then continued into town arriving at 1632. We then drove around trying to find the tip to see if we could find a mirror, we saw the race course, detention centre, airport, sports grounds etc but no rubbish tip.
The caravan park had a sausage sizzle for all the park residents to get to know each other starting at 1600. When we arrived back at ~1730 and many were still in the camp kitchen but we did not go over. We again spent a quite night sitting outside watching the world pass the caravan park.
Day 4 – Monday (Easter Monday and Anzac Day) April 25th
Up at 060 we packed up camp, fuelled up and got away at 0815. Another warm, clear day we got to Kalgoorlie at 1105 heading to the super pit.
The lookout had moved from out last few visits, they were not working on the old site. Much interest and many people at the lookout and moved on to drive around town. Saw many old buildings/pubs with scaffolding holding them up after the recent earth quake. It was Anzac Day so the main road had detours, we had thought of buying a pizza but the shop was closed, so headed out of town to fuel up and get lunch at Coolgardie. We then set for Bruce Rock arriving at ~1630. We parked up the caravan, unhitched and unpacked.
Words by Robyn, Photos by Richard
R2K
R2K 