Even though we only had a little over 200 km to drive today we were still on the road just after 8 am; just can't help ourselves. We stopped for an early mornos at a gravel pit, and received a few toots from fellow travellers. The highway once again, was fantastic.
We knew we could not check-in to the van park until 12 midday, so we stopped at the 12 Mile Bird Park, run by a single woman. Established in 2008, the Park now hosts over 600 birds, with more than 80 different species spread across almost 100 aviaries, and has been open to the public since 2013. Our feathered friends range from tiny, beautifully coloured Gouldian finches; to majestic blue and gold macaws; to pheasants, ducks, kookaburras and owls; and an array of cockatoos, including black, gang gang, and sulphur-crested – just to name a few. Many have been hand-reared and are more than happy to entertain you with their cheeky antics! We met a few of the cheeky ones. We didn't realise at the time, however, the website says they are closing, with effect this afternoon, due to unforeseen circumstances. We certainly hope the birds survive as they have obviously been well cared for. It is so sad as there were plenty of visitors there who were really enjoying the place.
We got to the Broome Caravan Park a little before midday to find 11 vans waiting to check-in; reminded us of Alice Springs during school holidays. There was a man there telling us all what to do, and obviously there were some that did not have a booking as they did a U-turn and did not join the queue. 20 minutes later we were checked in and on our site (#147), and set up not long after.
After lunch and a rest and some book reading, we set off on the bikes to explore Broome. Although the first 2 km was on the verge of the road, everything after that was on a lovely new cement walking/cycling path. As always, the first stop was at the info centre to get some visitor info, and then we followed the bike/walking path to Town Beach before heading back to the van.
Broome is VERY busy, bustling town, reminds us a bit of the Sunshine Coast. We're relieved the van park is out of town. The 2 km on the road was a bit daunting for Wendy, but the drivers were mostly considerate.
There have been plenty of these one-lane bridges to cross
Mornos stop
Olley, the red-tailed black cockatoo showing off
Norm, a sulphur-crested cockatoo
A Gouldian finch
A mulga parrot
Carnaby's cockatoo
Macaws
The check-in queue
Z Special Unit Memorial
Broome War Memorial
Broome Town Beach
One of the explorers from the 1800s
Dampier's war chest
Women of Pearling monument
A lovely park which is being developed at Town Beach
