Travelling Around Australia: South West and South East WA

March 14th 2014 to March 26th 2014

What a busy two weeks we have had since leaving Balingup. After three weeks of house sitting it was extremely good to be back on the road again. Before we left Balingup our friends from NSW Marty and Michelle came to stay for a few days and it was wonderful to have them there. We drove over to Bridgetown and had a beautiful meal at The Cidery and on the way back a refreshing swim at Greenbushes Pool. We had a great time and were sad to see them go. As per my previous blog our during our three weeks in Balingup we were able to do a lot of touring around the South West and the area closer to Balingup. It really is a pretty part of the country. I posted those photos last time, but as promised here are some from around Balingup.

Around Balingup

Marty and Michelle

The Cidery Bridgetown

Greenbushes Pool

Welcome to Balingup

Around Balingup

Our first stop after Balingup was Denmark where there is some stunning coastlines and beautiful forests. We took the Hobie out onto the Denmark River where we were camped and lucky for us it was a very mild day. We paddled to 1.5 kilometres to the town bridge and back again and took some great photos.

We drove down to Walpole and walked along the suspension bridges 40 metres above the forest in the Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk and then through the Ancient Empire at the base to view the giant Tingle Trees. It was really interesting and very pretty. We then had an early lunch in a lovely cafe in Walpole while Greg plotted our course for the next part of the journey to the very pretty Circular Pool. He used the Hema maps on his mini iPad but missed a road or two and we got lost. We weren’t that far off the mark but after travelling on some very dusty and narrow tracks we came across a river crossing. The water wasn’t very deep but it was a steep decline into it. I clambered across the rocks to the other side with my camera while Greg went back to get the car so I could video him coming across. It was really easy and once we were out and at the top on the other side we were back on the road we were meant to be on to get to Circular Pool. It was worth the drive. This road also has a wonderful hilltop view over Walpole and the Giant Tingle Tree is in this area as well. We then drove back along the coast to Denmark and stopped to have a look at Conspicuous Cliffs, Peaceful Bay, Parry Beach and Elephant Rocks. It was a full day, but a good one as the coastline is magical.

That little river Crossing Walpole

Circular Pool Walpole

Parry Beach Walpole

Peaceful Bay Walpole

Conspicuous Cliff Walpole

Reflections on Denmark River

Elephant Rocks Denmark

Giant Tingle Tree Walpole

Me through the Giant Tingle

Another view of the Giant Tingle

View from Hilltop Walpole

Part of the Treetop Walk Walpole

Me on the Treetop Walk Walpole

After we left Denmark we headed to Albany for a few days. There is a lot to see a do in Albany and we had two full days exploring the area. We also had dinner at the home of some people we met back in November at Cape Range National Park. Robyn and Terry live in Albany and it was great to catch up with them again before we left.

We visited the Princess Royal Fortress which is a Military Museum on Mt Adelaide overlooking Princess Royal Harbour. It was extremely interesting and worth the visit to learn a little more of our military history. We went on board the replica of the Brig Amity which arrived in Albany in 1826 to establish a military post. It also has an interesting history. It is amazing how sailors survived the rigours of the sea in such small spaces.

The tourist drive is an 18 kilometre journey that takes you to some wonderful sights all the way to the Whaling Station. We were so engrossed in those sights that by the time we got to the Whaling Station we missed the last tour. However at $30 per head, I’m not sure I would’ve taken it any way. This part of Albany’s coastline is gorgeous and we were glad we didn’t miss it. The next day we took the walk up to Mt Clarence to the memorial to the Light horsemen. Now normally this would have been a pleasant walk, but they are doing major works to have the memorial read for the 100^th anniversary of the Fleet departing King George Sound Albany to head to war. We had to take the rough walking track, but nevertheless it was interesting and we had some amazing views. The memorial itself was fenced off, but Greg climbed over it to take some photos.

The Brig Amity Albany

Inside the Brig Captains Quarters

Dog Rock Albany

The Whaling Station Albany

Salmon Holes Albany

Frenchman Bay Albany

Jimmy Newells Harbour Albany

The Lighthorsemen Memorial Mt Clarence Albany

The Lighthorseman Memorial Mt Clarence Albany

Us at the Natural Bridge Albany

Natural Bridge Albany

The Gap Albany

View to Middleton Beach from Mt Clarence Albany

Misery Beach Albany

The next part of our journey took us to Hyden to see Wave Rock. We weren’t going to go this way; our original intention was to go directly to Esperance, but I remember when I was a kid, the POST magazine always featured an amazing Australian landmark. I saw Wave Rock in the magazine and had always wanted to see it. So we sacrificed some more spectacular coast to go inland to Hyden and I wasn’t disappointed. The drive there in itself was interesting, through the amazing scenery that is the Stirling Ranges and was really beautiful. Approaching Lake Grace a sign alerted us to the fact we entering the Shire of Lake Grace which is a Wave Zone. We laughed and said to each other that maybe we need to wave all the time. 300 metres down the road was another sign that said ‘Lake Grace where people wave to say hello’ then further along another which said ‘Please wave safely’. We laughed but did as indicated and waved to everyone. I might add not many waved back. About 20 kilometres the other side of Lake Grace we were confronted with three more signs which said ‘You are now leaving the Wave Zone’ then ‘We hope you enjoyed your Wave’ then ‘Come back and Wave again soon’. We thought it was hilarious and then pondered that the Shire of Hyden, where Wave Rock is, are regretting not coming up with this type of slogan first.

We stayed two nights in Hyden because amazingly there is more to see than Wave Rock. I loved it and the walk on top of it and the views and Hippos Yawn, which is a rock that looks like a Hippo is yawning. The town and its Living Sculptures, the drive to Mulkas Cave, which is an Aboriginal legend and has over 360 pieces of Aboriginal art in it including many of a hand, were all worthwhile seeing. The man made saltwater spa is magic and the drive out to the Vermin Fence was very pretty. It was a worthwhile 380 kilometre detour.

The Stirling Ranges between Albany and Hyden

Lake Grace

Living Art Street Sculptures Hyden

Greg on Wave Rock

Me on Wave Rock

View from top of Wave Rock

On top of Wave Rock

Hippos Yawn at Wave Rock (that's me in it)

Vermin Fence near Hyden

Random shot on the drive

Beautiful Salmon Gums Hyden

More Salmon Gums at the Vermin Fence

Stumpy Tail Lizard on the road

The Vermin Fence

Another beautiful Salmon Gums

Me at Mulkas Cave

Looking out from Mulkas Cave

Art in Mulkas Cave

Saltwater Spa Hyden

Interesting scenery on the road to Esperance

More Art in Mulkas Cave

We left Hyden and headed to Esperance. We were really looking forward to seeing Esperance as we have heard so much about how beautiful the beaches are. The weather was perfect while we were here and the beaches live up to all the hype. We first took the Ocean drive, a 44 kilometre round trip which takes your from the town past all their beautiful beaches and then onto Pink Lake and back into town. As the weather was warm and sunny we took all day to do this tour and enjoyed walks along the beach, many stair climbs and some wonderful scenery.

We went on a tour of the Mermaid Leather factory, where they tan fish skin to make leather goods. It is an amazing thing, that they can resource throw away by product and turn it into beautiful, sellable and usable goods. It is expensive, but looks fabulous. We bought ourselves a pen made from Barra skin. We visited Esperance Stonehenge which is an exact full size replica of the original ‘Stonehenge’ in the UK as it would have looked around 1950 BC. It was amazing.

We took the beach run from Wylie Bay, near Bandy Creek Harbour all the way to Cape Le Grande Beach. It is a 27 kilometre trip, which cuts out about 25 kilometres from the sealed road trip to Cape Le Grande National Park. It is really, really beautiful. All the beaches in the National Park are stunning. Again the weather was warm and sunny and we could enjoy these beaches to the max. The sand is so white, it is blinding and the scenery is amazing. We had a picnic on the beach and really enjoyed our day out.

I feel as though I haven’t been as descriptive as I normally am when writing my blog. But this time I think the photos speak for themselves. They will always remind me of our AMAZING journey.

We are currently in Kalgoorlie and will be leaving on Monday to commence our journey across the Nullarbor. My next blog will include our adventure in Kalgoorlie and our trip across the Nullarbor.

Cheers til next time