Bindoon was the meeting point for the start of out trip on Saturday September 14th. We had seven vehicles to start the trip consisting of BRUCE, SHAUN & ROSE, TERRY & JACKIE, STEVE & ROBYN (visitors), STEVE SHARPE, GREG & LYN and JOHN & PENNY. The first leg was uneventful travelling through lush green farming land to reach our destination for that night – COALSEAM. The allocated camping areas in the area were all booked, so John took us to his “secret spot” where we camped on the top of the Ridge overlooking magnificent scenery and surrounded by wildflowers (mostly ever-lastings). The day was hot and there were a lot of flies. These two situations followed us for the rest of the trip.
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15TH. We had a good look around Coalseam, then on the road to the Murchison Settlement. On the way, we called in to Mullewa and had a private tour of an old magnificent church built by Monsignor Hawes.
Then called in to have a look at Pindaring Rocks before getting to Murchison Settlement. After setting up camp, we headed to Errabiddy Bluff for sundowner drinks. A beautiful scenic spot about 12 km away. It even had a barbie area on the top of the lookout hill.
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 16TH. We set off for Gascoyne Junction calling in to the Wooramel Crossing and Gorge and beautiful Bilung Pool. Arrived at Gascoyne mid afternoon to be greeted by fellow travellers RICHARD & KYLIE and PHIL, making us a convoy now of nine vehicles. Had a group dinner in the Tavern.
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 17TH. Our four wheel drive adventure starts here. We crossed over the Gascoyne River and we had our first and only river crossing with water. Our first stop was MOOKA MINE SITE which was actually a dry river bed containing the most stunning rocks. For those of us who love rocks, we were in awe of the variety of colours. We continued on to MOOKA SPRINGS which was like a little oasis in the desert with clear water surrounded by reeds. From here, we called in to see YENNY SPRINGS. not much to see there but a beautiful large palm tree giving the illusion of an oasis. For our lunch break, we stopped at CHAFFCUTTERS GORGE. It was beautiful with large white river gums. A truly magnificent spot to camp. From here, we traversed through many different types of tracks. There was an extremely rocky section between two rocky outcrops that was supposed to be the road but was more like a goat track. Then we had red sand dunes with smooth sandy tracks and occasionally the ever present washouts which were very challenging. We found a “visitors book” in the middle of no where and Kylie signed it on behalf of the Club. After a great day of four wheel driving, we finally found a decent spot to camp at what we believe to be “GREAT GORGE”. we set up camp about 400m from the cliff edge. The scenery was amazing. Had our first camp fire.
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 18TH. Another hot day. Left camp and drove for quite some time parallel to the cliff edge. We passed a Gorge called “THE NECK” and another impressive sight called “WHITE STACKS”. The views across the valley were incredible. Then on to our first abandoned homestead called “MERLINLEIGH”. Rumour has it that this place is haunted. It is also rumoured that petrified wood can be found here. We came across neither. Set off again and found the track very unused. Ended up at a well with a few dozen braham cows wondering what we were doing there. The track had just disappeared into the cow paddock, but after some searching, the boys found it again, but had to clear a way through the paddock to get to the other side. Back on to a very unused track to find our next abandoned homestead “MOOGOORIE”. Had a quick lunch near Toby’s Bore. Hardly any shade and was the hottest day yet. Even the flies were seeking shade. We came to a dry creek crossing that was impassable due to a fallen tree and extremely steep banks. So out came the chainsaw (compliments of Terry) and an army of shovel weilding volunteers. The creek crossing was redesigned within ten minutes and became easy to cross. Eventually we could see MAGOORIE STN in the distance, but again the track ended abruptly. So after a bit of scouting around, Shaun sent up his drone and found the track again. Got to the homestead and disturbed a heap of kangaroos that were using the buildings to live in. We opted not to look around until we had permission from Williambury Station as it was their outstation. Carried on to Williambury Stn which is beautifully set out amongst lush trees. The owners, John & Rachel, are a young couple with a homestead full of different animals …. horses, sheep, chickens, five dachshunds and even a pet monitor lizard. They gave us permission to camp on their station, so we chose a nice sandy area near the dry riverbed and against the rugged rocky outcrops. Had a campfire for ambience only as the night was warm.
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 19TH. As usual on every trip, Richard did his early morning walk, but he has been accompanied this trip by John and Shaun & Rose. Today we went back to MOOGOORIE HOMESTEAD for a look around. In it’s day, this place would have been a mansion in the desert. So well set out and still quite preserved.
On to MOUNT SANDIMAN (the last of the abandoned homesteads). This station was also very preserved and well worth seeing As it was so very hot, we decided to head back to the caravan park. On the way, we stopped to look at the “COBBLED ROAD “. A unique piece of history and would have been a nightmare to build. Got back to camp and eventually we nearly all ended up in or around the pool to cool off.
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 20th A few people have left the group now, so those of us who were left, decided to go back to the Gascoyne River for a bit of exploration fun on the dry river banks, then a picnic lunch in the shade. Phil even had a go at trying to catch a fish that we were told were fresh water mullet. They weren’t hungry. Came back to camp and later that evening we had dinner in the Tavern. Much to Kylie and Phil’s surprise, Richard had organised a couple of cupcakes with candles to come out to celebrate their birthdays the next day. Everyone in the Tavern sang happy birthday.
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Posted: 21 May 2025 by wp_admin
Wanneroo Wanderers – Gascoyne Junction, Kennedy Ranges, Yallingup.
Bindoon was the meeting point for the start of out trip on Saturday September 14th. We had seven vehicles to start the trip consisting of BRUCE, SHAUN & ROSE, TERRY & JACKIE, STEVE & ROBYN (visitors), STEVE SHARPE, GREG & LYN and JOHN & PENNY. The first leg was uneventful travelling through lush green farming land to reach our destination for that night – COALSEAM. The allocated camping areas in the area were all booked, so John took us to his “secret spot” where we camped on the top of the Ridge overlooking magnificent scenery and surrounded by wildflowers (mostly ever-lastings). The day was hot and there were a lot of flies.
These two situations followed us for the rest of the trip.
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 15TH.
We had a good look around Coalseam, then on the road to the Murchison Settlement. On the way, we called in to Mullewa and had a private tour of an old magnificent church built by Monsignor Hawes.
Then called in to have a look at Pindaring Rocks before getting to Murchison Settlement. After setting up camp, we headed to Errabiddy Bluff for sundowner drinks. A beautiful scenic spot about 12 km away. It even had a barbie area on the top of the lookout hill.
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 16TH.
We set off for Gascoyne Junction calling in to the Wooramel Crossing and Gorge and beautiful Bilung Pool. Arrived at Gascoyne mid afternoon to be greeted by fellow travellers RICHARD & KYLIE and PHIL, making us a convoy now of nine vehicles. Had a group dinner in the Tavern.
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 17TH.
Our four wheel drive adventure starts here. We crossed over the Gascoyne River and we had our first and only river crossing with water. Our first stop was MOOKA MINE SITE which was actually a dry river bed containing the most stunning rocks. For those of us who love rocks, we were in awe of the variety of colours. We continued on to MOOKA SPRINGS which was like a little oasis in the desert with clear water surrounded by reeds. From here, we called in to see YENNY SPRINGS. not much to see there but a beautiful large palm tree giving the illusion of an oasis. For our lunch break, we stopped at CHAFFCUTTERS GORGE. It was beautiful with large white river gums. A truly magnificent spot to camp. From here, we traversed through many different types of tracks. There was an extremely rocky section between two rocky outcrops that was supposed to be the road but was more like a goat track. Then we had red sand dunes with smooth sandy tracks and occasionally the ever present washouts which were very challenging. We found a “visitors book” in the middle of no where and Kylie signed it on behalf of the Club. After a great day of four wheel driving, we finally found a decent spot to camp at what we believe to be “GREAT GORGE”. we set up camp about 400m from the cliff edge. The scenery was amazing. Had our first camp fire.
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 18TH.
Another hot day. Left camp and drove for quite some time parallel to the cliff edge. We passed a Gorge called “THE NECK” and another impressive sight called “WHITE STACKS”. The views across the valley were incredible. Then on to our first abandoned homestead called “MERLINLEIGH”. Rumour has it that this place is haunted. It is also rumoured that petrified wood can be found here. We came across neither. Set off again and found the track very unused. Ended up at a well with a few dozen braham cows wondering what we were doing there. The track had just disappeared into the cow paddock, but after some searching, the boys found it again, but had to clear a way through the paddock to get to the other side. Back on to a very unused track to find our next abandoned homestead “MOOGOORIE”. Had a quick lunch near Toby’s Bore. Hardly any shade and was the hottest day yet. Even the flies were seeking shade. We came to a dry creek crossing that was impassable due to a fallen tree and extremely steep banks. So out came the chainsaw (compliments of Terry) and an army of shovel weilding volunteers. The creek crossing was redesigned within ten minutes and became easy to cross. Eventually we could see MAGOORIE STN in the distance, but again the track ended abruptly. So after a bit of scouting around, Shaun sent up his drone and found the track again. Got to the homestead and disturbed a heap of kangaroos that were
using the buildings to live in. We opted not to look around until we had permission from Williambury Station as it was their outstation. Carried on to Williambury Stn which is beautifully set out amongst lush trees. The owners, John & Rachel, are a young couple with a homestead full of different animals …. horses, sheep, chickens, five dachshunds and even a pet monitor lizard. They gave us permission to camp on their station, so we chose a nice sandy area near the dry riverbed and against the rugged rocky outcrops. Had a campfire for ambience only as the night was warm.
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 19TH.
As usual on every trip, Richard did his early morning walk, but he has been accompanied this trip by John and Shaun & Rose. Today we went back to MOOGOORIE HOMESTEAD for a look around. In it’s day, this place would have been a mansion in the desert. So well set out and still quite preserved.
On to MOUNT SANDIMAN (the last of the abandoned homesteads). This station was also very preserved and well worth seeing As it was so very hot, we decided to head back to the caravan park. On the way, we stopped to look at the “COBBLED ROAD “. A unique piece of history and would have been a nightmare to build. Got back to camp and eventually we nearly all ended up in or around the pool to cool off.
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 20th
A few people have left the group now, so those of us who were left, decided to go back to the Gascoyne River for a bit of exploration fun on the dry river banks, then a picnic lunch in the shade. Phil even had a go at trying to catch a fish that we were told were fresh water mullet. They weren’t hungry. Came back to camp and later that evening we had dinner in the Tavern. Much to Kylie and Phil’s surprise, Richard had organised a couple of cupcakes with candles to come out to celebrate their birthdays the next day. Everyone in the Tavern sang happy birthday.
Category: Trip Report, Uncategorised, Wanneroo Wanderers Tags: Gascoyne Junction, Yallingup
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