Great Southern Region
This is the third treetop walk that we have done over the years. The first at Huonvale in Tasmania, which was fantastic. The second, Otway Ranges along the Great Ocean Road. Also spectacular. Both those forests very much dense rainforests. This walk has Marri and Tingle Trees that tower above you. However, the forest is not so dense. Still amazing to walk amongst the treetops.
Here we go.
Loooong way down.
The lady behind me was terrified.
Looking down from the highest point.
Looking up from the ground.
Dezzi at the highest point - with his sweaty palms!
After the treetop walk, there is a walk through the lower forest.
No Quokkas today!
Go Grandma. Looks like something out of a Disney movie.
Inside a Red Tingle tree.
Just thought this was cool.
Ayr Sailean is a fabulous farm stay camp. Surrounded by sheep! Very relaxing. Nowhere to go. Nothing to do. Big fire each night with our neighbours - Kev and Penny Young!
Dezzi kicking back.
Looking down on the camp.
And the sheep across the paddock.
Watching you!!!
And of course, there is always a great sunset!
Terrific couple of days.
Denmark
16th - 20th April
Another gruelling day on the road. 37 klms!!! We really enjoyed Denmark. A lovely town - albeit that it rained most of the time! It is situated on the Denmark River which runs into the Wilson Inlet. We had a prime spot right on the banks of the inlet.
This photo was taken at Greens Pool just out of Denmark. It was raining and cold. No figuring some people! Stunning spot.
Great caravan park. The water just behind the bushes on the left.
Pretty good view to while away the time.
Great view.
Sunrise.
Sunset.
All set up at camp, so time to explore the town. Only a couple of k's walk along the river.
Like many towns in this region, logging was the lifeblood, and features reminders everywhere.
Looking towards town.
The main bridge over the river into town.
The parkway along the river is beautiful. So many trees turning autumn red.
The Denmark River.
The Perth Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club were hosting a "have a go" in their two St Ayles Skiffs. I just happened to wander past at the right time. It was great fun. Luckily I got in prime position so everyone had to follow my lead!
It was a perfect afternoon for it. We went up and down the river for about an hour. The boat style originates from Scotland. These two skiffs were handmade by the Yacht Club members from kits shipped over to Perth from Scotland.
The pathway along the river back to the camp - very peaceful.
Mouth of the river. Pelicans lined up for take off.
Beautiful.
The original Denmark Post Office is situated near the mouth of the river. The railway line used to come right down here, too, in days gone by. The building now houses a children's playgroup.
Rail carriages from bygone times.
The railway line has seen better days.
Bark humpy cubby house that the playgroup children had made!
Enough lazing about - time for a day trip out to Mt. Barker. A small town north.
Well...just had to have lunch here! Our son, Justin, has been known as "Happy" for years!
Another town with beautiful old buildings. Dezzi checking out how long I was going to be in the Collectables shop ha ha!
Got a couple of bargains in here!
After 13 months on the road. This is the first breath test!
On the way home we called into a Berry Farm. Noooooo, the berries are all gone! Luckily they still had homemade ice-cream. The countryside in this region is so lush. Rolling hills, farms, cows, sheep. So serene.
Oh! And wineries. This one - Rising Star - was a cracker! The owner from Texas and very excited about her wines. We had a great time here.
Fabulous chairs on the verandah!
With this little fella looking on.
Another day - another winery! The Lake House in Denmark.
Very approachable wines. Food. And such a relaxing view.
Dezzi settled in. He was actually a bit over wineries so I promised this would be the last! (Well, until South Australia - he he)
Easy to while away the afternoon here.
Cosy Corner
20th April - 4th May 2017
Our long days on the road continue - 44 klms to our next destination! Cosy Corner is a great free, beach camp between Denmark and Albany. It sits on the edge of Cape Howe National Park.
Couldn't resist a stop at Young's Siding General Store!
After camping for only 2-4 days for a while we decided to have 2 weeks here. Full camp set up, relaxation plus! Doesn't take much for us to get settled at the beach.
The camp area is tucked over the dune in the bushes. Nice and protected, as we had weather from beautiful sunny, to windy and rainy.
Sandy track down to the beach.
Love getting the sand between our toes again.
Cosy Corner bay.
Plenty of beach walks.
One day, the beach was littered with blue bottles.
In this southern region, the main catch at this time of year is herring - or tommy rough for Easterners. Not a big fish by any stretch, but very tasty. We caught lots!
Obviously, this was one of the sunny days.
Don't think this one is worth putting in the pot!
Nothing quite as relaxing as a day on the beach.
With lots of double hook-ups!
Not a bad afternoon effort. We did this a few times.
Coat in seasoned flour, pan fry in lots of butter - side order of fresh coleslaw. Oh yeah!
West Cape Howe National Park contains the most southern point in Western Australia, Torbay Head. Almost completely covered in heathland and forest and bearing the force of the Great Southern Ocean. Both days we headed over were proof of that!
It is a very popular paragliding location. Great to watch those game enough to jump off cliffs!
First visit - pouring! Still spectacular.
So we have been as far as we could north to Cape Leveque, as far as we could west to Augusta, and today as far as we could to the most southern point of Western Australia! Well, technically would have to hike 15 klm to that point in the background, but that wasn't going to happen today!
Torbay Head, the actual most southern point in W.A.
People that are brave enough to jump off cliffs absolutely amaze me. My brother Lawry, for one! This isn't him. This guy was just learning. I would love the floating down part, not so sure about the jumping off part.
Fantastic - just floating around this magnificent coastline.
Cosy Corner camp is only 29 klm from Albany so we took the opportunity to head in for the ANZAC day parade.
So here is the history of the ANZACS in the Albany Region. (thanks to the internet)
Following the parade we headed up to the National ANZAC Centre. The manner in which the history has been portrayed is extremely good. At check-in you are given a small card with a soldier's name.
We arrived just in time for the firing of the canon. Very loud...
Far too young!
Horrendous weapons.
The Lighthorse Brigade, as we know, played a huge part in this history. The bond between soldier and his horse was immense. Love this sculpture.
Harry Browne was the solider whose journey I followed while touring the Centre. He was lucky enough to survive.
So, if like me, you have never been quite sure how it all started. Here it is.
Outside the Centre are various relics. Dezzi fancied himself as a gunner.
From the Centre along the path up to the headland is a display of all the ships. Very interesting.
The view from the Centre is spectacular. Ataturk Channel, through to Princess Royal Harbour from King George Sound.
And of course it wouldn't be Anzac day without homemade Anzac biscuits!
The rest of Albany....
The southern part of Western Australia has lots of wind farms. They look magnificent perched along the rugged coastline. This wind farm in Albany supplies 80% of their power!
Next point of interest today is the blowhole in the Torndirrup National Park.
So down, down, down the steps....
Along the path....
Quick stop for a tourist selfie....
Enjoy the rugged view of the southern ocean....
To finally arrive at the blowhole that wasn't blowing!!!!
So back up all the steps to the next stop in the National Park!
Natural Bridge.
The Gap.
Fantastic standing over the cliff.
Long way down!
Great day out and about.
A brilliant sunny day too good to waste, so off to explore some more of Albany, Middleton Beach, and the headland.
Old man Matthew Flinders. He is everywhere along the southern coast. And seems to be responsible for naming just about everywhere!
The Princess Royal Harbour and Ataturk Chanel. A view you would never tire of.
Boardwalk back to Middleton Beach.
More crystal clear water. Pity about the chill factor!
Love a jetty photo!
One of the main 'to do' points of interest in Albany is a visit to the old Whaling Station.
Aerial view of the whaling station (lower right).
Phase one - the Flensing Deck, where men clambered all over the whales to strip the blubber and carcass. Hard, smelly work.
These are Flenser's Boots. They had cleats in the heals to help grip into the whales and the deck.
These huge winches were used to haul the whales onto the flensing deck, then up to the cutting up deck.
The ramp from the flensing deck, to the cutting up deck.
After cutting the head from the whale, the whole carcass was then put into the cookers.
Storage tanks.
The last whaling boat.
Whales were attached to the side of the whale boat and taken to the whaling station. Gas from the head of the harpoon would help keep the whale afloat.
The harpoon.
Ramp from the harpoon station to the wheel house.
Luxury accommodations.
There are two types of whale. Toothed and Baleen. Toothed whales, obviously chew their food. Some of these types of whales are the killer whale, sperm whale, bottlenose whale and beluga whale.
The baleen whales filter their food through brush like filters, and feed on krill. The most popular of these whales are humpback whale, blue whale and bowhead whale. And they are massive!
The whaling centre also has a lot of maritime history. This is an old guide boat.
Of course, lots of whale tooth carvings.
Ayr Sailean
14 - 15th April 2017
Big drive from Walpole, to our next camp at Ayr Sailean - 32 klm. To cope with the distance we stopped off at the Wilderness Discovery Centre to see all those Giants of the Valley.
This is the third treetop walk that we have done over the years. The first at Huonvale in Tasmania, which was fantastic. The second, Otway Ranges along the Great Ocean Road. Also spectacular. Both those forests very much dense rainforests. This walk has Marri and Tingle Trees that tower above you. However, the forest is not so dense. Still amazing to walk amongst the treetops.
Here we go.
Loooong way down.
The lady behind me was terrified.
Looking down from the highest point.
Looking up from the ground.
Dezzi at the highest point - with his sweaty palms!
After the treetop walk, there is a walk through the lower forest.
No Quokkas today!
Go Grandma. Looks like something out of a Disney movie.
Inside a Red Tingle tree.
Just thought this was cool.
Ayr Sailean is a fabulous farm stay camp. Surrounded by sheep! Very relaxing. Nowhere to go. Nothing to do. Big fire each night with our neighbours - Kev and Penny Young!
Dezzi kicking back.
Looking down on the camp.
And the sheep across the paddock.
Watching you!!!
And of course, there is always a great sunset!
Terrific couple of days.
Denmark
16th - 20th April
Another gruelling day on the road. 37 klms!!! We really enjoyed Denmark. A lovely town - albeit that it rained most of the time! It is situated on the Denmark River which runs into the Wilson Inlet. We had a prime spot right on the banks of the inlet.
This photo was taken at Greens Pool just out of Denmark. It was raining and cold. No figuring some people! Stunning spot.
Great caravan park. The water just behind the bushes on the left.
Pretty good view to while away the time.
Great view.
Sunrise.
Sunset.
All set up at camp, so time to explore the town. Only a couple of k's walk along the river.
Like many towns in this region, logging was the lifeblood, and features reminders everywhere.
Looking towards town.
The main bridge over the river into town.
The parkway along the river is beautiful. So many trees turning autumn red.
The Denmark River.
The Perth Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club were hosting a "have a go" in their two St Ayles Skiffs. I just happened to wander past at the right time. It was great fun. Luckily I got in prime position so everyone had to follow my lead!
It was a perfect afternoon for it. We went up and down the river for about an hour. The boat style originates from Scotland. These two skiffs were handmade by the Yacht Club members from kits shipped over to Perth from Scotland.
The pathway along the river back to the camp - very peaceful.
Mouth of the river. Pelicans lined up for take off.
Beautiful.
The original Denmark Post Office is situated near the mouth of the river. The railway line used to come right down here, too, in days gone by. The building now houses a children's playgroup.
Rail carriages from bygone times.
The railway line has seen better days.
Bark humpy cubby house that the playgroup children had made!
Enough lazing about - time for a day trip out to Mt. Barker. A small town north.
Well...just had to have lunch here! Our son, Justin, has been known as "Happy" for years!
Another town with beautiful old buildings. Dezzi checking out how long I was going to be in the Collectables shop ha ha!
Got a couple of bargains in here!
After 13 months on the road. This is the first breath test!
On the way home we called into a Berry Farm. Noooooo, the berries are all gone! Luckily they still had homemade ice-cream. The countryside in this region is so lush. Rolling hills, farms, cows, sheep. So serene.
Oh! And wineries. This one - Rising Star - was a cracker! The owner from Texas and very excited about her wines. We had a great time here.
Fabulous chairs on the verandah!
With this little fella looking on.
Another day - another winery! The Lake House in Denmark.
Very approachable wines. Food. And such a relaxing view.
Dezzi settled in. He was actually a bit over wineries so I promised this would be the last! (Well, until South Australia - he he)
Easy to while away the afternoon here.
20th April - 4th May 2017
Our long days on the road continue - 44 klms to our next destination! Cosy Corner is a great free, beach camp between Denmark and Albany. It sits on the edge of Cape Howe National Park.
Couldn't resist a stop at Young's Siding General Store!
After camping for only 2-4 days for a while we decided to have 2 weeks here. Full camp set up, relaxation plus! Doesn't take much for us to get settled at the beach.
The camp area is tucked over the dune in the bushes. Nice and protected, as we had weather from beautiful sunny, to windy and rainy.
Sandy track down to the beach.
Love getting the sand between our toes again.
Cosy Corner bay.
Plenty of beach walks.
One day, the beach was littered with blue bottles.
In this southern region, the main catch at this time of year is herring - or tommy rough for Easterners. Not a big fish by any stretch, but very tasty. We caught lots!
Obviously, this was one of the sunny days.
Don't think this one is worth putting in the pot!
Nothing quite as relaxing as a day on the beach.
With lots of double hook-ups!
Not a bad afternoon effort. We did this a few times.
Coat in seasoned flour, pan fry in lots of butter - side order of fresh coleslaw. Oh yeah!
West Cape Howe National Park contains the most southern point in Western Australia, Torbay Head. Almost completely covered in heathland and forest and bearing the force of the Great Southern Ocean. Both days we headed over were proof of that!
It is a very popular paragliding location. Great to watch those game enough to jump off cliffs!
First visit - pouring! Still spectacular.
So we have been as far as we could north to Cape Leveque, as far as we could west to Augusta, and today as far as we could to the most southern point of Western Australia! Well, technically would have to hike 15 klm to that point in the background, but that wasn't going to happen today!
Torbay Head, the actual most southern point in W.A.
People that are brave enough to jump off cliffs absolutely amaze me. My brother Lawry, for one! This isn't him. This guy was just learning. I would love the floating down part, not so sure about the jumping off part.
Fantastic - just floating around this magnificent coastline.
Cosy Corner camp is only 29 klm from Albany so we took the opportunity to head in for the ANZAC day parade.
So here is the history of the ANZACS in the Albany Region. (thanks to the internet)
The first and second ANZAC convoys left from Albany. These convoys consisted of troop ships from Australia and New Zealand, and included the flagship of the China Station and a Japanese battle cruiser as part of the naval escort. The convoy left Albany for Egypt, where the troops would train before being landed at Gallipoli.
For the thousands of Australian soldiers, this was their last chance to walk on Australian soil as many were killed in Gallipoli.
The first Dawn Service was held in 1918 by an Anglican chaplain, Padre White who served as a chaplain with the 44th Battalion AIF, as he celebrated a Requiem Mass for the Battle Dead at the altar of St. John’s, Albany.
After the service he and some members of the congregation climbed to the summit of Mount Clarence, as it was from this viewpoint that the people of Albany had gathered in 1914 to look at the great convoy of ships that had gathered in King George Sound.
It has been reported that as Padre White looked over Princess Royal Harbour, he said 'we should commemorate them this way every Anzac Day.'
On April 25th, 1930 Padre White celebrated a Dawn Eucharist and then, accompanied by some of his parishioners, placed a wreath on a nearby war memorial. They then went up to Mount Clarence and waited for a boatman to lay a wreath in the water at the entrance of the harbour where it would drift into King George Sound. Padre White said ‘As the sun riseth and goeth down, we will remember them’.
Albany has commemorated our Anzac links by naming the channel, between King George Sound and Princess Royal Harbour, Ataturk Channel. There is also a large statue of Ataturk looking out over the channel. This can be found along the Middelton Beach Board Walk.
Following the parade we headed up to the National ANZAC Centre. The manner in which the history has been portrayed is extremely good. At check-in you are given a small card with a soldier's name.
The National Anzac Centre is an award-winning facility that uses multimedia, interactive technology and historical artefacts to create a deeply personal connection with the past, as well as pay tribute to those who served. The interpretive content that forms part of the interactive experience was developed by the Western Australian Museum and the Australian War Memorial and is delivered via a series of interactive visual and audible displays. The experience is known for commemorating the war through the stories of the ANZACs.
The centre combines traditional museum display and exhibition techniques with highly interactive, multi-media content. To navigate and interpret this content visitors assume the identity of one of 32 actual service men or women, and follow their experience of the Great War: from recruitment, through training and embarkation, ship-board life on the convoys, the conflicts at Gallipoli, the middle east and the Western Front and for those lucky enough to survive, their return home and the difficulties they faced adjusting back into normal society.
We arrived just in time for the firing of the canon. Very loud...
Far too young!
Horrendous weapons.
The Lighthorse Brigade, as we know, played a huge part in this history. The bond between soldier and his horse was immense. Love this sculpture.
In the First World War 136,000 “walers” (the general name applied to Australian horses abroad) were sent overseas for use by the Australian Imperial Force and the British and Indian governments. Only one horse from the 136,000 made it back to Australia. A horse named Sandy who belonged to Major General Sir William Bridges, who was killed at Gallipoli. The remainder were not permitted to return due to quarantine laws.
Harry Browne was the solider whose journey I followed while touring the Centre. He was lucky enough to survive.
So, if like me, you have never been quite sure how it all started. Here it is.
Outside the Centre are various relics. Dezzi fancied himself as a gunner.
From the Centre along the path up to the headland is a display of all the ships. Very interesting.
The view from the Centre is spectacular. Ataturk Channel, through to Princess Royal Harbour from King George Sound.
Albany Port.
The rest of Albany....
The southern part of Western Australia has lots of wind farms. They look magnificent perched along the rugged coastline. This wind farm in Albany supplies 80% of their power!
So down, down, down the steps....
Along the path....
Quick stop for a tourist selfie....
Enjoy the rugged view of the southern ocean....
To finally arrive at the blowhole that wasn't blowing!!!!
So back up all the steps to the next stop in the National Park!
Natural Bridge.
The Gap.
Fantastic standing over the cliff.
Great day out and about.
A brilliant sunny day too good to waste, so off to explore some more of Albany, Middleton Beach, and the headland.
Old man Matthew Flinders. He is everywhere along the southern coast. And seems to be responsible for naming just about everywhere!
The Princess Royal Harbour and Ataturk Chanel. A view you would never tire of.
Boardwalk back to Middleton Beach.
More crystal clear water. Pity about the chill factor!
Love a jetty photo!
One of the main 'to do' points of interest in Albany is a visit to the old Whaling Station.
Albany's Historic Whaling Station is the only experience of its kind in the world. We got to explore an intact whale processing factory and whale chasing ship - fully restored and ready to clamber all over. The Cheynes Beach Whaling Company was the last whaling company to cease operations in Australia, closing in 1978.
The Discovery Centre opened in 1980 and is now home to an interactive museum on whales and whaling.
Aerial view of the whaling station (lower right).
Phase one - the Flensing Deck, where men clambered all over the whales to strip the blubber and carcass. Hard, smelly work.
These are Flenser's Boots. They had cleats in the heals to help grip into the whales and the deck.
These huge winches were used to haul the whales onto the flensing deck, then up to the cutting up deck.
The ramp from the flensing deck, to the cutting up deck.
After cutting the head from the whale, the whole carcass was then put into the cookers.
Storage tanks.
The last whaling boat.
Whales were attached to the side of the whale boat and taken to the whaling station. Gas from the head of the harpoon would help keep the whale afloat.
The harpoon.
Ramp from the harpoon station to the wheel house.
Luxury accommodations.
There are two types of whale. Toothed and Baleen. Toothed whales, obviously chew their food. Some of these types of whales are the killer whale, sperm whale, bottlenose whale and beluga whale.
The baleen whales filter their food through brush like filters, and feed on krill. The most popular of these whales are humpback whale, blue whale and bowhead whale. And they are massive!
The whaling centre also has a lot of maritime history. This is an old guide boat.
Of course, lots of whale tooth carvings.
These waters are also home to the giant squid. This one found in the stomach of a whale. Lots of calamari right there!
An amazing shell collection.
These are just a few. The display was huge.
The Discovery Centre also houses some native animals.
Like blonde Skippy.
The Bush Stone Curlew.
Night Heron.
Brushtail Possum.
Tasmanian Pademelon. Very cute.
Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat.
Finished off with a walk around the native botanical garden.
Absolutely well worth the visit. We did this over two days. Well...Dezzi only did the first day, and I went back for a second day to see the animals and gardens.
After Cosy Corner beach camp, we moved into Albany for 4 days to the Happy Days Caravan Park. What little gem. Right on a small river.
Room with a view!
Not a bad spot for drink o'clock!
Coffee and tea drinking not allowed - ha ha ha!
Our camp neighbours - great people - Darryl and Glen.
Just out of Albany is the Granite Skywalk in the Porongorup National Park. Dezzi, once again, very keen?!?! Easy...4.5klm straight uphill!!!
So, let's go.
It is pretty much straight up the whole way.
Stopped to admire lots of butterflies.
Massive granite rocks. Very much like Girraween National Park, Stanthorpe, Qld.
The Granite Skywalk has two lookouts, a lower and upper one. This shot taken from the lower lookout. This is the upper lookout, which perches over the side of Castle Rock and requires scrambling over rocks and climbing a ladder. The view is spectacular from the top.
It is awesome!
Dez checking all is secure.
Pretty amazing.
And the most spectacular view. Very hazy, but you could see to ocean in the distance.
Then to scramble back down.
One of the most exciting things when on the road, is a parcel from home!
Yeah! This one had all sorts of bits and pieces. Picked it up before exploring the streets of Albany. Love all the hilly streets with beautiful old homes, and hidden gems.
Spent a lovely hour or so over a coffee at this great little café.
Some of the homes are gorgeous, with views over the bay.
Our last day in Albany, Found this fabulous lookout. What a view! Albany is a brilliant city.
Lush rolling hills, Princes Royal Bay, the Southern Ocean. Beautiful.
A short drive from Albany, on our way to Bremer Bay, is Two People's Bay. A breathtaking beach. Just wish is was better swimming weather.
Crystal clear, blue, blue water. White, white sand. This coastline never disappoints.
Bit small for lunch.
Bremer Bay
8th - 10th May 2017
Actually doing a halfway decent drive today. 180klm!
Bremer Bay is a small town on the edge of the Fitzgerald River National Park. Apparently, the salmon are on the go as well as some more herring. Here's hoping!
Well....let's just say we had a lovely day at the beach!!!
And a walk down to the Bay.
And lots of laughs and travel stories around the campfire - but no fish. Great couple of days.
Hopetoun
10th - 12th May 2017
Onwards to our last destination of the Great Southern Region, Hopetoun. Picking up the pace now, doing 260 klms.
Grain silos with artwork are becoming quite a tourist attraction in New South Wales and Victoria. This is the first that we have come across here in W.A. at Ravensthorpe. Pretty neat!
Another small town and hope of some fish.
Hopetoun is a quaint little town, and offers a great free camp along the foreshore. Camping only permitted for 24 hours.....however....it started to pour rain like crazy during the night. And continued the next day. After a bit of begging at the local Council we managed to stay another night.
Johnathan waiting for some chips.
Before the deluge, a walk along the beach into the township and to the jetty.
More lovely blue water and squeaky sand.
Down to the old jetty.
One of the attractions of coming to Hopetoun, for me, was to see the setting of a recently read novel - Prime Cut by Alan Carter. A murder mystery set in the town. A headless body is found on the beach by this jetty and the detective work begins!
We had a great dinner here. Small towns have fantastic old pubs, with great old fashioned atmosphere.
The rail once ran from Hopetoun to Ravensthorpe. And look there. One of the stations is Desmond!
And the path back to camp.
Wow! The Great Southern Region. So much to see and do. Loved it!
An amazing shell collection.
These are just a few. The display was huge.
The Discovery Centre also houses some native animals.
Like blonde Skippy.
The Bush Stone Curlew.
Night Heron.
Brushtail Possum.
Tasmanian Pademelon. Very cute.
Southern Hairy Nosed Wombat.
Finished off with a walk around the native botanical garden.
Absolutely well worth the visit. We did this over two days. Well...Dezzi only did the first day, and I went back for a second day to see the animals and gardens.
After Cosy Corner beach camp, we moved into Albany for 4 days to the Happy Days Caravan Park. What little gem. Right on a small river.
Room with a view!
Not a bad spot for drink o'clock!
Coffee and tea drinking not allowed - ha ha ha!
Our camp neighbours - great people - Darryl and Glen.
Just out of Albany is the Granite Skywalk in the Porongorup National Park. Dezzi, once again, very keen?!?! Easy...4.5klm straight uphill!!!
So, let's go.
It is pretty much straight up the whole way.
Stopped to admire lots of butterflies.
Massive granite rocks. Very much like Girraween National Park, Stanthorpe, Qld.
The Granite Skywalk has two lookouts, a lower and upper one. This shot taken from the lower lookout. This is the upper lookout, which perches over the side of Castle Rock and requires scrambling over rocks and climbing a ladder. The view is spectacular from the top.
So we clambered over the boulders to get to the ladder. Dez hates heights, so he did a sterling job climbing up here.
It is awesome!
Dez checking all is secure.
Pretty amazing.
And the most spectacular view. Very hazy, but you could see to ocean in the distance.
Then to scramble back down.
One of the most exciting things when on the road, is a parcel from home!
Yeah! This one had all sorts of bits and pieces. Picked it up before exploring the streets of Albany. Love all the hilly streets with beautiful old homes, and hidden gems.
Spent a lovely hour or so over a coffee at this great little café.
Our last day in Albany, Found this fabulous lookout. What a view! Albany is a brilliant city.
Lush rolling hills, Princes Royal Bay, the Southern Ocean. Beautiful.
A short drive from Albany, on our way to Bremer Bay, is Two People's Bay. A breathtaking beach. Just wish is was better swimming weather.
Crystal clear, blue, blue water. White, white sand. This coastline never disappoints.
Bit small for lunch.
Bremer Bay
8th - 10th May 2017
Actually doing a halfway decent drive today. 180klm!
Bremer Bay is a small town on the edge of the Fitzgerald River National Park. Apparently, the salmon are on the go as well as some more herring. Here's hoping!
Well....let's just say we had a lovely day at the beach!!!
And a walk down to the Bay.
And lots of laughs and travel stories around the campfire - but no fish. Great couple of days.
Hopetoun
10th - 12th May 2017
Onwards to our last destination of the Great Southern Region, Hopetoun. Picking up the pace now, doing 260 klms.
Grain silos with artwork are becoming quite a tourist attraction in New South Wales and Victoria. This is the first that we have come across here in W.A. at Ravensthorpe. Pretty neat!
Another small town and hope of some fish.
Hopetoun is a quaint little town, and offers a great free camp along the foreshore. Camping only permitted for 24 hours.....however....it started to pour rain like crazy during the night. And continued the next day. After a bit of begging at the local Council we managed to stay another night.
Johnathan waiting for some chips.
Before the deluge, a walk along the beach into the township and to the jetty.
More lovely blue water and squeaky sand.
Down to the old jetty.
One of the attractions of coming to Hopetoun, for me, was to see the setting of a recently read novel - Prime Cut by Alan Carter. A murder mystery set in the town. A headless body is found on the beach by this jetty and the detective work begins!
We had a great dinner here. Small towns have fantastic old pubs, with great old fashioned atmosphere.
The rail once ran from Hopetoun to Ravensthorpe. And look there. One of the stations is Desmond!
And the path back to camp.
Wow! The Great Southern Region. So much to see and do. Loved it!
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