South West WA

SUMMARY

We spent 12 days at the girls' farm getting over our overseas trip.

Then spent two nights in Bunbury to get parts for the van, a night in a free camp at Greenbushes, one night at another free camp at Tonebridge.

Then to the Porongurup caravan park for 10 days.

Off to Mt Trio in the Stirling ranges for a week.

Albany next for 12 days, then 1 night at Pallinup River free camp.

Next was eight nights at Bremer Bay.

Back to Albany to get a roof leak fixed!

Then off to Esperance via Fitzgerald and a visit to Stonehenge.

After Esperance a few nights free camping then to Ongerup.

Back to Albany AGAIN with the leak still there.

From Albany to Denmark.

After Denmark 5 days at Ayr Sailean van park about 30k’s East of Walpole.

Into Walpole and the Rest Point Van Park for three days.

Then to Reel Me In park at Boorara Brook near Northcliffe.

One night back at the girls' farm then off to Perth for a month or so.


THE DETAIL

After our trip to Europe and the UK and Ireland, we veg’d out at the girls' farm while also stocking up and checking out the van and car; as usual we had a wonderful time there.
When we left their farm we went to Bunbury, mainly to get a control board for the water heater and fit it before we left to make sure it worked OK, which it did.
While here we visited Manea Park which is close to the city, where there were some nice Orchids in flower and it was a very easy and pleasant walk.

See a selection below

The next day we headed to one of our favourite free camp spots at Greenbushes for one night so that Barbara could see the Chiropractor in Bridgetown.

Headed off again South East as far as a tiny town called Tonebridge where there was another peaceful little camp spot beside the Tone River.  There are no facilities here except a long drop toilet; unfortunately it was full (due to the recent rains I think).

Tonebridge

Next day we booked into the Porongurup Range Tourist Park in Porongurup run by a lovely German couple.

While here we did the walk to the Granite skywalk at castle rock and although very steep it was well worth the effort with lots of colour from the wildflowers and terrific views from the platform. Unfortunately Barbara couldn’t do the last bit up to the platform as it entailed using spikes driven into the rocks as hand-holds and they were a bit too far apart for her to reach safely.  There is also a "balancing rock"; of course John had to try and move it.

The walk took us a bit over two hours for the 4.4 kilometre return trip.

The way up

Nice view from the top

Another view from the skywalk

The Balancing rock

We also started the Wansbrough loop walk which is 4 km’s return but Barbara had to turn back early as she had a sore heel, (Plantar Fasciitis) which is basically a pulled tendon in the heel, we think caused by walking on cobblestones in Europe. 

John continued on for about another kilometre but there was no wildflowers apart from a few Hovea so he turned back too, we a quick look at twin creeks nature reserve which was nice and flat but still couldn’t get far due to the heel.

We also visited Dukes winery for a tasting and met Duke and Cindy (the vineyard dog) and had a nice chat with the lady serving the tastings.  One day we had lunch at Maleeya’s Thai café, just down the road from Porongurup Tourist Park and it was exceptionally good.  We also visited the Happy Bull café in Mount Barker and highly recommend their food. There is also the Mount Barker Bakery which had just won awards for the best pies, so we tried a couple of them too, YUM.

After ten days at Porongurup we headed north a little way to the Stirling Ranges and booked into the Mt Trio bush camp and caravan park.  Lovely spot and owners John and Margot were very friendly hosts.


There are a lot of mountains here that have walking trails but because of Barbara’s heel we decided to give them a miss.  However, John (Park owner) and assistant Jarrad do a guided Orchid walk on the property which we went on.  It is an easy walk which takes about an hour and a half and if you are at all interested in wild Orchids it is well worth the $20.00 each.  He (John) also gives a bit of a talk on the history of the station and the trees etc., all in all very pleasant.  On our walk we saw the usual Cowslips, Cats Paws and masses of everlastings and also the following orchids:  Forest Mantis, Pink Fairy, Donkey, White Spider, Slender Spider, Lemon-Scented Sun, Rabbit, Zebra, Dragon and Purple Pansy.  After the guided tour we went back a couple of times on our own on following days to get some more photos.

From here we also did a scenic drive through the Stirlings where there is some beautiful scenery and we stopped lots of times to look at and take photos of wildflowers.  We enjoyed this so much that a couple of days later we did it again from the opposite direction and during this drive we found some Enamel Orchids and Red Beak Orchids.

Stirling Ranges

We reluctantly left Mount Trio and headed into Albany, booking into the Happy Days Caravan Park just out of town.

On our first day out we went to Emu Point, Middleton Beach (HAD TO HEY?) and Mount Clarence, where the ANZAC Memorial is, then fish and chips at the Squid Shack at the harbour.

Middleton Beach

On another day out, we visited Two Peoples Bay and Little Beach, which has to be one of the prettiest beaches we have ever seen and it even has squeaky sand to boot.

John was getting paranoid about water leaks in the van even though we hadn't seen any so we booked it in to get Liquid Roof installed, this is a rubber membrane type paint that seals and protects the roof.

While that was being done we drove out to Torndirrup National Park, to look at the “Natural Bridge”, “The Gap” and the “Blowholes” which although noisy were not spraying as it was too calm.

The Natural Bridge

The Gap

Torndirrup National Park

We had morning tea at Discovery Bay where there is a Whaling Ship and exhibition, Wildlife Park and Botanic Garden, but they wanted more money to get in than we were prepared to pay so we just perused the gift shop.

Discovery Bay with the Aft of the Cheyne Whaling Ship shown

The same day we drove out to look at Mutton Bird Island where there is another stunning beach, which is nearly as good as Little Beach, and also Cosy Corner where there is a campground but we decided it was not really suitable for larger caravans.

Mutton Bird Island

Cosy Corner

We then stayed put for three days while the Bathurst race was on.

After twelve days here we headed towards Bremer Bay stopping for one night at Pallinup River camp spot, which was quite peaceful and plenty of room, however the river was not flowing and there were plenty of mozzies around.

Next day into Bremer Bay Caravan Park, another nice park, lots of green grass and they offer "stay for four nights and pay for three", Bargain!

We drove to the lookout by the park then out along the Point Henry Peninsula to look at several beaches including Fishery Beach, Short Beach, Little Boat Harbour, Native Dog Beach and Blossoms Beach, our favorite among this lot was Blossoms Beach (squeaky sand again).

Bremer Bay from the lookout

Blossoms Beach

On another day we drove out to Fitzgerald River National Park and out to Point Anne/St Mary’s Inlet.  Terrific amenities, hate to think how much money has been spent out here, gazebos, BBQ’s, new Long Drop Toilets, paths and parking areas. When we arrived we were the only people here, we did a couple of short walks and then had a picnic lunch.  By the time we left there were a few other vehicles in the car park but it certainly wasn't crowded!

Point Ann

Also in Bremer Bay is the Wellstead Museum, which we spent a few hours looking around, and while there we had lunch. The standout here for John was the 1933 Vauxhall Tourer although they also had a 48 series (FX) Holden, (John’s first car) and a 1949 Low light Morris Minor (his second car), in all not a bad museum.

The homestead was first settled in 1850 and is now owned by Max Wellstead (4^th Generation), who established the museum.

1933 Vauxhall tourer

After Bremer Bay we headed back to Albany for a night to get the roof sealing repaired after we discovered a leak.

That done we were off again but forgot to wind down the TV aerial so that stayed in Albany, Bugger!  We stopped for one night on the oval of the deserted town Fitzgerald and next day we arrived in Esperance and into the Pink Lake caravan park.

Ordered a new aerial and started with the tourist things. First up was Stonehenge! Seeing as we just drove straight past the one in England we thought we had better stop and look at this one. It is a complete full size replica of the original in England as it would have looked when it was completed around 1950BC.  It is made of Esperance pink granite quarried just across the road and aligned with the summer solstice sunrise, so when it rises the rays pass through to the altar.  For a structure with no roof and no real walls it has amazing acoustics and we were told that even a lot of the wind is stopped.

From there we headed out to Cape Le Grand National Park and visited all of the beautiful beaches; Hellfire Bay was our favourite, but Lucky Bay would have to be a close second.

HELLFIRE BAY

LUCKY BAY

On the way in we were surprised to see signs for a coffee shop at Lucky Bay? We found it on the beach, see photo, this would have to be fairly unique in such a remote area.

THE COFFEE SHOP

On another day we did the “Great Ocean Drive” which is more stunning coastline close to Esperance. There was Blue Haven beach, Salmon beach, Twilight beach, (voted most popular beach in WA), Observatory beach (great wind surfing) and ten mile beach, see photos.

Thistle Cove

Twilight Beach

Observatory Beach

When we left Esperance we stopped two nights in an area that was an old gravel dump, found the site through Wiki Camps. It was a fair way off the road and out of sight and peaceful, so we stayed two nights and while here washed the van and car.

After this we had two nights in Ongerup Caravan Park, but unbelievably after a thunderstorm we discovered we still had the same water leak, so back to Albany once more!  Albany Caravan Repair Centre were mortified that we were still having a problem and vowed they would fix it and make sure it was fixed before we left, which they did.

While staying in their shed (at least it was free accommodation) Dave the owner gave a us a voucher for Rustlers Steak House Restaurant, so we had a very enjoyable dinner and wine there.

After three days in the shed this time and spraying water on the roof to confirm the leak had been fixed we headed off again, this time west to Denmark and the River Bend Caravan Park.

While here we had a walk around town, nice little place!  Had a look in The Pawprint Chocolate Café and Patisserie for coffee and cake but didn't taste any chocolate.

One day we took a drive East to the Bushfood Factory and Café for lunch and we shared our plates, one being Kangaroo kebabs and the other was Emu pie. Both were nice but not really exotic.

Another day we went to Jassi Leather works for a look, some very nice stuff here, we went on to Parry beach, visited the Chocolate Lounge (Swiss Annies Fine Chocolates) and bought a few chocolates for later.

We also found the Toffee Factory and bought some of that as well, Yum!  They had a large range of toffees, a lot of which you could taste and they also make sauces, chutney etc., called “A bit on the side” all of which are available for tasting.

We also looked at Elephant rocks/Greens pool, Madfish Bay and Waterfall beach, see pictures.

Elephant Rocks

Another view of Elephant Rocks

Greens Pool

Waterfall Beach

Madfish Bay

On yet another day we took a scenic drive on Scotsdale Road, stopping at Denmark Farmhouse where they sell handmade cheese, preserves, icecream, fudge and wines. We got some cheese, dark chocolate coated honeycomb and a bottle of port.

For lunch today we stopped at the Lake House and had a very nice lunch but decided not to taste any wines, however we did buy some great tomato and Riesling relish and sparkling strawberry jam, Yum Yum. This area of WA is getting a little expensive.  On the way home we stopped at Single File wines and yep we bought a few very nice wines from here.

We left our nice spot in Denmark and headed about 30K’s west to Ayr Sailean Chalets and camping, which is about half way between Denmark and Walpole and near the tree top walk. This is a very rural and tranquil spot and only $22/night for a powered site, (if you stay 5 nights), which suited us.

The first and second days here the weather was cold, windy and a bit wet so we stayed put.

The third day we took a drive into Walpole for a bit of shopping and to pick up our mail and on the way back we called into Conspicuous Cliff, yet another lovely beach, then onto Peaceful Bay for some of the best fish and chips ever.  It is all locally caught at Peaceful bay. We had Snapper and another Yum moment! Oh and another magnificent beach!

Conspicuous Cliff

Peaceful Bay

While at Ayr Sailean we also did the tree top walk, pretty good and well-priced.

From the walkway

 When we left here we drove to the Rest Point Park at Walpole for three nights.

From here we did the scenic drive to Giant Tingle Tree and John compared his height to Aaron Sandilands, just a small difference.

Giant Tingle Tree

Another shot of the tree

John and Aaron Sandilands

After this we looked at circular pool and on the way back called in and walked the Swarbrick Art loop, which was different.

The creek leading to circular pool

Entrance to Swabrick Art Loop

Swabrick Art Loop

Ghost Feather at Swarbrick

Left here for a bush caravan park called Reelmein near Northcliffe, which was quaint and quiet, didn’t do much as Barbara had sore heel.

Love the bit about bring your own

THE LOO

With its own red back

Off again, this time for a night with the girls at Rosa Brook and then into Perth at the Perth Vineyards Holiday park for Christmas with the family.

A few of us went to Sandalford Winery, just up the road, for wine tasting and lunch on the 24th. This was a very pleasant three hour lunch.

Wine Tasting

Great Lunch - Kim E is taking the photos

We were lucky that all of Barbara’s sisters were here for Christmas Day, although Pauline from Gladstone Queensland was not feeling well.  As usual we all ate too much and the three grandkids were spoilt rotten.

Great Christmas.

We will be leaving here around about the 12^th of January and heading east again across the Nullarbor, so will start another blog then.


Keep smiling
John and Barbara