The trip leadership was rotated on a daily basis between Ian and Alex Smith, trip planning was a joint effort with Cherrill taking the notes. Nine of us attended the trip which included Cherrill Smith, George, Annice & Kieler Henderson, Trevor and Wendy Desmond and Bob and Janet Smith. It was a great trip filled with a lot of adventure and laughter.
On day 1 we met at the Maddington shopping centre car park, after registrations and a quick brief we headed off to Dalwallinu for lunch. After lunch we headed to our overnight camping spot, a place called Camel Soak about 50 km from Perenjori this site was a watering point for workers and camels working on the rabbit proof fence in the late 1800’s. Camel Soak consists of a large rocky outcrop with numerous water holes which in most cases had large tadpoles. At the base of the rock, we found various species of Donkey orchids putting on a good show.
Day 2 – August 31st
After spending the morning walking around Camel Soak, we had an early lunch and departed for Paynes Find to spend our one and only night in a caravan park. Once set up we visited the historical goldmine battery. This had closed to visitors just before we arrived but were fortunate enough to arrange with the owner for a tour the following morning. It was very interesting but did delay our departure for Fields Find by a few hours.
Day 3 – September 1st
We departed from Paynes Find at about 11:00 am and headed 60km NW to Fields Find. Both sides of the road for the entire trip were covered in wildflowers. On arrival we set up camp at Fields Find mine site which was to be our base for the next 3 nights. Once settled in we drove minus vans to what is referred to as communication hill, an interesting drive giving us a good view of the surrounding landscape.
That night we shared a hearty camp oven dinner of roast pork and vegies served with hot bread rolls followed by a camp oven cooked dessert served with custard and cream which was enjoyed around the camp fire. A great way to settle in to our base camp.
Sunrise overlooking base camp
Day 4 – September 2nd
We headed off on a day trip around the area. Did some interesting bush track drives around Pinayelling to some old gold diggings. We travelled up some steep rocky tracks to reach the diggings. Trevor and Wendy took their camper to places they didn’t think possible. Once again, the wildflowers were extraordinary.
We called in to Warriedar Station where we had a look around and a spot of morning tea then visited Fielders Find cemetery; some headstones make for interesting reading (like 3 miners in 1 grave as a result of an explosion in the late 1800’s) we then all headed back to Fields Find for lunch before heading off to visit Thundelarra Homestead. This historic site is being refurbished for tourism. A Botanist who was using the homestead as a base while working in the area kindly showed us through the homestead which would normally be closed. After that we had a look through one the oldest and largest station sheering sheds still standing in Australia today. Then had a quick look through the old school house.
Day 5 – September 3rd
Spent the day looking over some old sites, we crossed the rabbit proof fence and traversed about 25km along an interesting track that took us through vast displays of wild flowers. We called into the old Rothsay Cemetery and then to the John Forrest lookout. To reach the top there was a walking trail that was steep. Most of us ventured to the top which afforded great views of the area. Getting down was a bit trickier than going up but all made it safely back to our vehicles. On the way back to Fields Find we stopped in an area where wildflowers were thick on a particular mound and we couldn’t resist sitting in amongst them for a photo shoot. That went well until we tried to stand up when most couldn’t, consequently most just slid down the slope. The belly laughter this caused was out there. After that adventure we headed back to camp for a final night and BBQ dinner.
Wreath Flower discovered just out of Perenjori, just starting to flowerTaken as we travelled the old Rothsay-Perenjori Road, now just a 30km track
Day 6 – September 4th
Broke camp at Fields Find hitched our vans and headed off to Perenjori where we had morning tea. From there we headed to Carnamah where we had the opportunity to refuel and a bite of lunch before heading across town to the historic McPherson Homestead which has been beautifully restored. After an interesting visit we headed off to Watheroo for a pub meal and our final night’s stay before heading home.
Day 7 – September 5th
Departed Watheroo for Moora where we enjoyed breakfast/lunch before independently heading home.
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Posted: 2 December 2024 by wp_admin
Armadale 4wd Club – Paynes Find Authentic Outback Experience (Aug-Sept 2024)
The trip leadership was rotated on a daily basis between Ian and Alex Smith, trip planning was a joint effort with Cherrill taking the notes. Nine of us attended the trip which included Cherrill Smith, George, Annice & Kieler Henderson, Trevor and Wendy Desmond and Bob and Janet Smith. It was a great trip filled with a lot of adventure and laughter.
On day 1 we met at the Maddington shopping centre car park, after registrations and a quick brief we headed off to Dalwallinu for lunch. After lunch we headed to our overnight camping spot, a place called Camel Soak about 50 km from Perenjori this site was a watering point for workers and camels working on the rabbit proof fence in the late 1800’s. Camel Soak consists of a large rocky outcrop with numerous water holes which in most cases had large tadpoles. At the base of the rock, we found various species of Donkey orchids putting on a good show.
Day 2 – August 31st
After spending the morning walking around Camel Soak, we had an early lunch and departed for Paynes Find to spend our one and only night in a caravan park. Once set up we visited the historical goldmine battery. This had closed to visitors just before we arrived but were fortunate enough to arrange with the owner for a tour the following morning. It was very interesting but did delay our departure for Fields Find by a few hours.
Day 3 – September 1st
We departed from Paynes Find at about 11:00 am and headed 60km NW to Fields Find. Both sides of the road for the entire trip were covered in wildflowers. On arrival we set up camp at Fields Find mine site which was to be our base for the next 3 nights. Once settled in we drove minus vans to what is referred to as communication hill, an interesting drive giving us a good view of the surrounding landscape.
That night we shared a hearty camp oven dinner of roast pork and vegies served with hot bread rolls followed by a camp oven cooked dessert served with custard and cream which was enjoyed around the camp fire. A great way to settle in to our base camp.
Day 4 – September 2nd
We headed off on a day trip around the area. Did some interesting bush track drives around Pinayelling to some old gold diggings. We travelled up some steep rocky tracks to reach the diggings. Trevor and Wendy took their camper to places they didn’t think possible. Once again, the wildflowers were extraordinary.
We called in to Warriedar Station where we had a look around and a spot of morning tea then visited Fielders Find cemetery; some headstones make for interesting reading (like 3 miners in 1 grave as a result of an explosion in the late 1800’s) we then all headed back to Fields Find for lunch before heading off to visit Thundelarra Homestead. This historic site is being refurbished for tourism. A Botanist who was using the homestead as a base while working in the area kindly showed us through the homestead which would normally be closed. After that we had a look through one the oldest and largest station sheering sheds still standing in Australia today. Then had a quick look through the old school house.
Day 5 – September 3rd
Spent the day looking over some old sites, we crossed the rabbit proof fence and traversed about 25km along an interesting track that took us through vast displays of wild flowers. We called into the old Rothsay Cemetery and then to the John Forrest lookout. To reach the top there was a walking trail that was steep. Most of us ventured to the top which afforded great views of the area. Getting down was a bit trickier than going up but all made it safely back to our vehicles. On the way back to Fields Find we stopped in an area where wildflowers were thick on a particular mound and we couldn’t resist sitting in amongst them for a photo shoot. That went well until we tried to stand up when most couldn’t, consequently most just slid down the slope. The belly laughter this caused was out there. After that adventure we headed back to camp for a final night and BBQ dinner.
Day 6 – September 4th
Broke camp at Fields Find hitched our vans and headed off to Perenjori where we had morning tea. From there we headed to Carnamah where we had the opportunity to refuel and a bite of lunch before heading across town to the historic McPherson Homestead which has been beautifully restored. After an interesting visit we headed off to Watheroo for a pub meal and our final night’s stay before heading home.
Day 7 – September 5th
Departed Watheroo for Moora where we enjoyed breakfast/lunch before independently heading home.
Category: Armadale 4WD Club Tags: Paynes Find, Trip, Wildflowers
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