We are bush camping at a station on Ningaloo reef, Western Australia. A dream come true — is that totally corn ball?

We met up with some new friends who have four kids — their oldest are same age as our two and they have a club where they do lots of activities together. Pleased to have some kid company for them.

Our campsite — Beach frontage :: sandy floor :: new friends :: Magical sunsets :: colorful shells :: clear water :: wind and clouds today :: termite mounds :: fossils :: crafts :: conversation.

Heading continually north. We didn’t stay in the town of Cararvon instead we camped at the almost free camp out of town near the blow holes. Spectacular setting and unusual camp ground with very rustic DIY holiday shacks littered about.

The camping was a long dirt road running along the coast with camping spots off the road. Very windy. Lovely swimming which would have been better if the water wasn’t churned up from the storm.

Rob and I went fossicking at an amazing shell beach 10 km up the road while the kids played with the children of a family we have met along the way.

Hamelin pool for a few days. Swimming pool, sunsets, shell beach, writing in the sun and breeze. Sausages for dinner followed by hot chocolates for supper after an evening swim.

Stayed in the suburbs of Perth and bussed and trained into Perth and Fremantle for sightseeing each day. Fremantle Prison was the highlight — amazing place — textures and history. The tours we went on were so interesting — the best tour guide I think I have ever encountered.

Heading north now.

I have been keeping the Action Pack blog updated with our trip — you can follow along if you like — we have been surfing, cooking over the camp fire and doing chores; we have been writing, fishing, and exploring too. We are about to leave the southern end of Australia and travel along the West coast — I feel like another adventure is about to begin.

For now some kid friendly craft and food and creative links.

• :: Outside baby nappy
• :: Stick activities
• :: inventors box
• :: Dandelion critters
• :: Nature walk
• :: Learning from nature
• :: small treasures

News :: Action Pack Kids Magazine

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• I am writing a book to be published by Roost books

So the kids did surfing lessons.

And we have been chilling at camp, exploring the region, eating lots of good food, cooking over the camp fire, swimming most every day and reading lots of books.

also learning times tables off by heart, reading up about snakes and fish and frogs, enjoying the local farmers market and great local produce, spending time at the library, using country town laundromats and doctors and butchers.

We have been sleeping lots, drinking lots of tea, cooking hearty breakfasts, sightseeing in the area (caves and light houses).

We love this camping area (Conto) — it is spacious, quiet-ish, has camp fires and picnic tables, and the ranger has been really lovely too. The beach is a bit of a trek away and the coast line right here is wild — so beautiful!

Cake :: scones with cream :: slow cooked curry :: sausage soup :: baked vegetables … Loving cooking with fire.

We have been getting really good at Camp oven cooking — pizza :: bread :: roast chicken :: hobo foil meals :: roast potatoes :: cinnamon scrolls :: apple spice cake — is there no end to our amazing ness?!

What are your fave camp oven recipes and experiences?

Laundromat :: library :: groceries :: wine :: farmers market

We have been spent the last few weeks able to have a campfire and we have been loving the freedom (and restrictions) of cooking over a campfire. BBQ and roast chicken and bread have all made it onto the menu.

If you get a chance to light a backyard fire, or go camping for a weekend — here are some recipes to try:

• Sheepherders breakfast
• Tin foil dinners
• Upside down potato and onion tart
• Skillet fried fish
• Dutch oven pie

And don’t forget we are still seeking contributions to our next issue of Action Pack — find out more here.

• Purchase an issue of Action Pack in our SHOP

• News :: Action Pack Kids Magazine

  • Water Edition of Action Pack now available — purchase your copy from our SHOP
  • Tell your friends about the Special compilation Preschool Edition of Action Pack
  • SPECIALS: Back issues from 2011 + 2012 – 13 issues worth $98,save 25% if you buy them all at once. NOW IN THE SHOP
  • Taking submissions for our EARTH issue of Action Pack … Read our submissions themes [we have a preschool issue in the works] – check out our Pinterest ideas boards [creating with nature :: preschool sensory projects :: creating with the elements :: and submit an idea OR email me for more information kathreen[at]whipup.net

  More from Action Pack Magazine

  • Like our facebook page and add your projects
  • Subscribe to our weekly newsletter
  • Purchase the latest Action Pack magazine for kids
  • Instagram [@whipup]
  • Social: twitter @whipup :: Pinterest
  • Submissions: Submission page
  • Follow me and my family on our 2013 Road Trip
  • I am writing a book to be published by Roost books