Day 29 - Jewel Caves, Wineries and Barney the Donkey

GLENBROOK / AUGUSTA

In the reviews for Glenbrook on wikicamps they had mentioned about Barney the donkey, who was a friendly donkey who would make the morning rounds greeting all the guests. So after a cooked breakfast and showers all round the boys were keen to find Barney. They spotted him over in the next field and called him over clapping and shouting his name. The poor old donkey mustered up the energy for an enthusiastically brisk trot until he reached us. He was a dusty old fellow, but kind nature and the boys loved him. He got pats and cuddles and even a kiss on the tummy from Micah!! We finally we rounded the kids into the car, managing to stop Barney from climbing in 😂 think he found some new best friends! Off for a day trip down to Augusta.

We were told to check out the Jewel cave, which is WA's largest known caves. On our tour we were told they had only been discovered in the 1950's making then a relatively new discovery which meant they were very well preserved.

When we entered the cave we were told that this was a man made entrance and infact the natural entrance was via a narrow hole via the ceiling from a rotted out tree root. And this was the entrance in which they were found. Well what a discovery! They were stunning! We even caught Micah saying "WOAH!" Add we descended into the main opening. One of the greatest discoveries in this cave was the family of Tasmanian tigers that would have fallen into this cave over 3500 years ago and staved as there wouldn't have been any food. Their bones have been placed in the WA museum. 

Another feature in the caves were the handful of long 'straws' which had been in undisturbed for Around 150,000 years. And another called the 'Karri forest' 

Judd was excited by the tour because he could now say that in 2 days he had been 40m above ground and 40 below ground. 

After our tour we went onto Augusta and saw the lighthouse. The boys ate a sausage roll from the local bakery and Micah missed it all while he had a sleep in the car.

We then went into Margret River. Clint and the big boys went shopping for Mother's Day presents and Claire and Micah checked out the town. On our way back to camp we stopped in at a couple wineries, Xanadu and Leeuwin Estate.

We got back in time to start a fire for our camp oven roast. It was delicious!