Kaya, gang! Today was the start of an incredible adventure in Kepa Kurl (Esperance).

I was up at 5am ready for the day. I met 4 other teachers, Dr Sabrina Trocini and Dr Anna McCallum the airport. Our plane was delayed in Perth but we eventually made it to Esperance, picked up our hire cars and headed off for Base Camp.

We dropped off our gear and headed straight back out to Hellfire Bay for a Dabungool Cultural Experience. We even snuck in a quick paddle and a play on the squeaky, white beach! Annie and her daughter, Wanika, led us on a walk and taught us all about the local plants. We heard the dreaming story of Frenchman Peak, created by an eagle angry at two boys for stealing eggs, who took them and dropped them repeatedly into the ocean, creating two small islands. He still sits on top of the peak to this day, reminding people not to steal the eggs.

Annie shared her knowledge of bush medicine, showing us a plant that could be used for an energy boost, and one that helps cure migraines. We tasted bush ‘honey’ from a chittick flower, learned about sheoak seeds being used to stop babies from rolling away, and found a bush cockroach that is notorious for weeing on people!

Back at camp we put up our tents, got our first peak at the lab and finally got to meet the scientists! Everyone here is so passionate about what they do, and their energy is infectious. They are all so excited about sharing their knowledge with us.

What an amazing day!