Australia is a country of vast contrasts, and this week, What’s Up Downunder begins two new journeys on opposite sides of the country. Episodes 9 to 12 takes us from Western Australia’s extraordinary limestone landscapes and turquoise waters to the farm gates and leafy villages of Northern NSW Gold Coast Hinterland.
On the west coast, science communicator and model Laura Wells is travelling with her family in a JB Dirt Road Xtreme, towed by the DENZA B8. Over on the east coast, cookbook author and Cook with Luke presenter Luke Hines picks up a Camplify motorhome for a Short Stay built around fresh food, movement and time outdoors.
Picking up the JB Caravan & Denza B8
Every great road trip starts with getting the setup sorted. For Laura and her family, that means a visit to JB Caravans Perth, where their JB Dirt Road Xtreme is ready for its Coral Coast adventure.
The semi off-road caravan brings the comforts of home along for the ride, with a family layout and bunk beds giving everyone their own place to settle in.
Up front is the DENZA B8. Laura takes a look at some of its creature comforts, including massage seats and a centre-console fridge that can also keep food warm. They’re the sorts of features you can appreciate on the school run as well as a longer touring holiday.
With the family packed and ready, it’s time to leave Perth behind and head north towards Ledge Point.
Exploring the Pinnacles Desert
The family’s first big experience takes them into Nambung National Park, joining Jurien Bay Adventure Tours to explore the Pinnacles Desert.
Thousands of limestone pillars rise from the yellow sand, creating a landscape that feels a world away from the coastline nearby. These weathered formations are part of an ancient limestone landscape, with shifting sands continuing to expose and cover sections of the desert.
For Laura, it’s a chance to put her science communication skills to work. Her passion is helping people understand the natural world around them, and there’s plenty here to get the whole family asking questions.
Walking between the pillars reveals just how different they are, from small, weathered shapes to towering columns.
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Exploring the Pinnacles Desert
From Ocean to Plate at Lobster Shack
In Cervantes, the family visits Lobster Shack for a closer look at one of Western Australia’s best-known seafood industries.
The behind-the-scenes factory tour introduces the world of western rock lobster, following what happens after the catch reaches shore.
The experience continues at the table, with the private dining component showcasing freshly caught lobster prepared by the chef. It brings the whole story together, connecting the people, the fishing industry and the food on the plate.
Lobster Shack’s lobster-catching experience offers an ocean-to-plate outing, with private dining available as part of the experience. Check the inclusions when booking your preferred tour.
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Lobster Shack Cervantes
Sandboarding Dunes Jurien Bay
Back in Western Australia, Laura and her family join Jurien Bay Adventure Tours for a different way to experience the dunes.
The invitation is simple: “If you can walk and talk, you can sandboard.”
Soon enough, the family is swapping the climb up for the slide down, discovering that getting back to the top is part of the workout.
The operator’s sandboarding experiences explore the region’s white sand dunes, with options including Sandy Cape.
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Jurien Bay Adventure Tours
Ariarne Titmus – Relentless
BOOK | AUTOBIOGRAPHY
Relentless charts the incredible journey of swimming sensation Ariarne Titmus.
She created one of the greatest underdog stories in Australian sport as she emerged from Tasmania to dethrone American legend Katie Ledecky.
In this deeply personal memoir, Ariarne opens up for the first time about the medical issues that have impacted her fertility, and her decision to walk away from the sport at just 25 while still on top of the world because of her belief that family triumphs all.
It’s on sale now.
Relentless is available in all good bookstores nationwide or head to Booktopia to buy online
Kakka Alley Brewing
After a day of exploring, the family heads to Kakka Alley Brewing in Jurien Bay.
There are beers and ginger beers to try, pizzas to share and a playground to keep younger travellers busy. With sport on the television and a firepit adding to the atmosphere, it’s an easygoing stop to round out the day.
It’s also a reminder to leave a little room in the itinerary for sitting down together and enjoying wherever you’ve landed.
Recipe from Episode 9
CRISPY SKIN SALMON WITH SWEET POTATO FRITTERS, AVOCADO SALSA AND AVOCADO CREAM
Ingredients
- 2 Salmon Fillets, Skin on
- 1 Large Sweet Potato, Peeled and grated
- 1 Egg
- 1 Avocado, Halved
- 1/2 Punnet Cherry Tomatoes, Diced
- 1/4 Bunch Flat Leaf Parsley, Finely chopped
- 2 tbsp Greek Yoghurt
- Juice of 1 lemon or lime
- Olive Oil
- Chilli Oil
- Salt
Method
- 1Strain the sweet potato. Place the grated sweet potato in a clean tea towel or sieve and squeeze out as much liquid as you can.
- 2Make the fritter mix. In a bowl, combine the sweet potato and egg with a pinch of salt.
- 3Cook the fritters. Heat olive oil in a fry pan over medium/high heat. Add spoonfuls of the mix, flatten slightly and cook for 3–4 minutes each side until golden and crispy. Set aside.
- 4Make the salsa. Dice half the avocado and add to a bowl with the cherry tomatoes and parsley. Season with a pinch of salt and gently mix. Squeeze with lemon or lime juice.
- 5Make the avocado cream. Mash the other half of the avocado in a bowl with a dollop or two of yoghurt and a squeeze of lemon juice until smooth. Season with salt and a touch.
- 6Cook the salmon. Pat the skin dry and season with salt. Heat olive oil in a fry pan over medium/high heat and place the salmon skin side down. Press gently and cook for 4–5 minutes until the skin is crispy, then flip and cook for 1–2 minutes more.
- 7Finish and serve. Spread the avocado cream on the plate and sit the salmon on top with a dollop of chilli oil. Serve the fritters alongside, topped with the avocado and tomato salsa.
Sea Lions with Jurien Bay Oceanic Experience
There’s one more west coast adventure to enjoy, and this time the family heads offshore with Jurien Bay Oceanic Experience.
The sea lion tour takes them towards Essex Rocks, where Australian sea lions rest between their time in the water.
Guests can enter the water from the boat for the opportunity to see these animals in their natural environment. Some days the sea lions are curious and playful; on others, they prefer to stay ashore. Whether they swim over is always their choice.
For Laura and her family, it’s a memorable introduction to the marine life of the Coral Coast, and another chance to discover the natural world together.
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Explore Jurien Bay Oceanic Experience
Where we stayed: Tasman Holiday Parks – Ledge Point
Laura and her family’s first base on the west coast journey is Tasman Holiday Parks – Ledge Point.
The swimming pool, playground and barbecue facilities make it easy to settle into family holiday mode. After a day exploring the coast, there’s space for the kids to play and somewhere to cook dinner before turning in for the night.
For travellers beginning their own journey north from Perth, Ledge Point offers a coastal stop to ease into life on the road.
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Big 4 Tasman Holiday Park Ledge Point
Camplify Short Stay · This Season
Northern NSW – Gold Coast Hinterland
📍 Northern NSW to Gold Coast
Across the country, another adventure is getting underway.
You might know Luke Hines from Cook with Luke on Channel 10 or from his cookbooks. His approach centres on three pillars: fuel, train and breathe.
On this Camplify Short Stay, he’s bringing those ideas on the road, exploring Northern NSW on a journey towards the Gold Coast hinterland.
His home on wheels is Coastal Cruzn, a Mercedes-Benz motorhome hired through Camplify. With somewhere to sleep, a kitchen and room for the shopping, Luke has what he needs to turn a few days away into a food-filled escape.
Suggested itinerary
Your Route Title
- 1Perth – Pick up your touring setup
Start at JB Caravans Perth, where Laura and her family collect their JB Dirt Road Xtreme, towed by the DENZA B8. - 2Ledge Point – Settle into coastal life
Head north and set up at Tasman Holiday Parks – Ledge Point, with a swimming pool, playground and barbecues to enjoy between adventures. - 3Nambung National Park – Explore the Pinnacles
Join Jurien Bay Adventure Tours to discover the limestone pillars and shifting sands of the Pinnacles Desert. - 4Cervantes – Lobster from ocean to plate
Visit Lobster Shack for a behind-the-scenes factory tour and a private dining experience showcasing freshly caught western rock lobster. - 5Jurien Bay – Sandboarding and a local stop
Hit the dunes with Jurien Bay Adventure Tours, then unwind over pizza and a refreshing drink at Kakka Alley Brewing. - 6Jurien Bay Marine Park – Meet the sea lions
Head offshore with Jurien Bay Oceanic Experience to Essex Rocks, with the opportunity to swim alongside wild Australian sea lions if they choose to join you.
Traveller Notes
From walking between the Pinnacles to watching sea lions in their natural habitat, this first leg gives Laura and her family plenty to discover together. Allow time for the local stops along the way, and keep your plans flexible around ocean conditions. There’s plenty to enjoy without rushing to the next destination..”
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