Week 5/52 - Collie & Ferguson Valley - where hiking and wine tasting mix

Hire we are in Week 5 of our 52 week tour of Western Australia. Thanks for coming along, I hope you are enjoying the tour so far.

I know you have been enjoying the coast, but this week for something different, we are going to move away from the coast, inland from Bunbury and up the Collie hill to Harris River Dam, where we are going to do an overnight hike on the Bibbulmun Track.

The Bibbulmun Track is Western Australia’s longest walking track, stretching from Kalamunda in the Darling Ranges near Perth, to Albany on the south coast, traversing some of the South West’s most beautiful forests and wilderness, over varying terrain through shady valleys to mountains with 360 degree views and spectacular coastal scenery. It has become a Western Australian icon since it was opened in 1979 after Geoff Schafer presented the idea for the Track to the WA Minister for Forests in 1972. Further upgrades and extensions followed in 1988 and 1993-98.

Even though the Track is almost entirely through wilderness areas, it can be walked in relative safety. It is easy to follow the directional markers which are placed approximately 200 metres apart on trees or posts. The triangular reflective yellow markers feature a black stylised “Waugal” (rainbow serpent).

The Track is maintained to a high standard by track volunteers, and passes through nine towns. Vehicle assess points, make it suitable for a short stroll, day walk, or overnight hike, so more people can experience our natural environment, not just those wanting an adventurous trek. Three sided timber overnight huts are conveniently placed about 15 to 20 kilometres apart, a comfortable day’s walk.

First timers on the track should try day walks with a day pack first, then an overnight hike, before attempting longer walks. Some people walk the Track "End to End" and wear the title "End to Ender" very proudly. I walked a couple of days with one such person a couple of years ago.

For this tour, we will just be walking overnight. So get ready, get your hiking boots on, pack your back pack, make sure you have water, a hat and your hiking poles, and lets go! As the weeks go by I will bring you some more photos from other parts of the Track.

Friends are going to drop us off at Harris River Dam, we are going to hike about 4km to the hut, stay overnight and then hike about 16km the next day to the Coalfields Highway, where we will be picked up and taken back to Bunbury.

Here is our accommodation for the night - The Harris Dam hut - hope you have your sleeping mat, sleeping bag and warm clothes - it is going to be cold tonight!

From Life Images by Jill

Morning! - here is the view from my sleeping platform. It was below 4C last night - cold - glad I had my thick jacket and beenie!

From Life Images by Jill

Here we are ready to set off - this is me and my husband Rod. I have posted this photo so you can see the inside of the hut. There are double layer sleeping platforms on each side and table in the middle. There is a water tank, but it is recommended you bring your own water, and a long drop bush toilet.

From Life Images by Jill

On the track - and the wildflowers are blooming - this is wattle we are walking through - that's Rod in front - he often ends up in my photos as the token person!

From Life Images by Jill

On Tuesday/Wednesday I am going to bring you some more wilderness pics from Wellington Dam near Collie, and then through the Ferguson Valley, our newest wine region, as we return home to Bunbury.

Thanks for joining me on the Bibbulmun Track everyone. Here are a few wildflower photos from our walk on the Track.  Spring (when these photos were taken) is a wonderful time to be out in the bush, and the Bibblumun Track is a great way explore some of it - so wonderful to just be walking and looking and thinking of nothing else.
The guy who I know who walked the whole length said it was wonderful watching the plants, trees, undergrowth change as he went along.

From Life Images by Jill

From Life Images by Jill

From Life Images by Jill

From Life Images by Jill

Here are another couple of photos for you before we head off to Wellington Dam, and Ferguson Valley.

This is late afternoon with the sun coming through the jarrah trees (the skinny tall ones - don't look much but they have beautiful rich dark red timber). Those are Grass Trees in the foreground (the spiky ones you can see with the sun on them - they have a very long tall flower spike).

From Life Images by Jill

Another photo from along the track where it meanders over a little bridge....

From Life Images by Jill

On our way back from the Bibbulmun Track we are going to stop by at Wellington Dam - to see it overflowing, and then travel back through the Ferguson Valley - our newest wine region, only half an hour from Bunbury. We'll stop off at some wineries for some wine tasting - you might like to buy some bottles to take home, or to enjoy tonight when you put your feet up after trecking on the Bibbulmun Track. Cheers!

Here we are at Wellington Dam - it's overflowing (which is a good thing because it means its full!) and lots of people go up to see it. I love the patterns the water makes on the wall.

From Life Images by Jill

I thought we might stop off along the Collie River for a stroll..... there are walk trails and camping spots.

From Life Images by Jill

And now we are driving through the Ferguson Valley - our newest wine region and also a haven for artisans - the rolling hills are beautiful, and from the higher areas you can see the sea - as you can see the vines are green and growing the grapes for this season's pick.

From Life Images by Jill

Late afternoon, and the mist rolls in, time to go home.....hot shower, nice meal, a bottle of wine, and put up our feet.

From Life Images by Jill

Thanks for coming along everyone! Hope you are enjoying the tour so far.
See you down the track!

Week 4/52 - Bunbury - City surrounded by water

Here we are in week 4 of our Tour Downunder Western Australia 2010. This week I am taking you to my home town, Bunbury, an easy two hour drive south of Perth.

Settled in 1830, Bunbury is a rapidly growing port city and the South West’s biggest population centre. Gateway to the tourist meccas further south like the Margaret River wine region, Bunbury is becoming a tourist destination in its own right with a Mediterranean climate and a variety of attractions, activities and accommodation to suit everyone.

Known as the City of Three Waters, Bunbury is almost surrounded by water, the Indian Ocean, Koombana Bay and the Leschenault Inlet, offering a unique lifestyle and a variety of recreational opportunities. Its white sandy beaches and surf are ideal for swimmers and surfers, bottlenose dolphins visit the beach at Koombana Bay, and the three waterways are perfect for all kinds of water sports including rowing, dragon boating, outrigger canoeing, sea kayaking, canoeing, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing, sailboarding, fishing and crabbing.

There is also plenty of history to absorb, art galleries to visit, enjoy a coffee in the bustling cappuccino strip or the new waterfront precinct.

When I came to choose the photos of my home town, I wondered how I could adequately show you Bunbury in just 4 photos. Since many of Bunbury's activities are centered around the water, I have selected four photos which I hope will illustrate the lifestyle which is Bunbury. I hope to add some more photos to show you the view.

To get your bearings, a good place to start is the Rotary Lookout Tower on Marlston Hill which provides a spectacular 360 degree panoramic view of Bunbury and is worth the climb. From here you can view the city, ocean, bay and estuary, the Inner and Outer Harbours of the Port, the old Timber Jetty, the breakwater designed by famous Goldfields Water Scheme engineer CY O’Connor, and the landmark grain silos which are being converted into Bunbury’s latest apartments and resort.

This view below is the Outer Harbour (there is also an Inner Harbour). In the foreground is the small boat harbour, and some of the waterfront precinct including restaurants and cafes. The beach here (you can see the coloured shade sails in the lower right of the phot) is known as the "Jetty Baths". It is a safe swimming beach used by families for years.

From Life Images by Jill

This photo was taken in the small boat harbour. I like the jumble of masts and the background of the Outer Harbour port facility, showing how leisure and the port can live in cohesion.

From Life Images by Jill

Tourists come from all over the world to see the Bottlenose dolphins which visit the beach in Koombana Bay. Approx 100 dolphins live in the bay. Contact with these wild creatures is controlled, but you can learn more about them at the Dolphin Discovery Centre or you can swim in their environment by joining a dive tour.

From Life Images by Jill

When I went to the "back beach" to photograph it for you there was a Surf Club competition in progress. What better way to show you the colour of a typically Australian event.

The back beach faces the Indian Ocean. In the foreground of the photo you can see the remains of the salt water baths build on the basalt rock around 1926. At the northern end of the beach are the black basalt rocks at Wyalup (Rocky Point) which are part of a lava flow approximately 150 millions years old which occurred during the breaking up of Gondwanaland are quite spectacular during rough weather with the waves crashing high up onto the rocks.

From Life Images by Jill

A couple more pics. This one is looking across Koombana Bay (where the dolphins come in and a very popular beach) towards the Inner Harbour.

From Life Images by Jill

This is the Leschenault Inlet - right in the middle of the City. On the far side of the water you can see the Bunbury Rowing Club - this is where my dragon boat crew store their boats and we paddle in this waterway and hold regattas here.

From Life Images by Jill

The two Bunbury Heritage Trails feature 58 sites of historical and natural interest. The old railway station which features a bent-rail supported platform roof (see the photo below) now houses the Bunbury Visitor Centre.

From Life Images by Jill

For those of you liking a bit of history -
The Regional Art Galleries in Wittenoom Street is housed in the former Sisters of Mercy Convent and Chapel built in 1897 in Federal Free Medieval style, a blend of Gothic and Southern European architectural characteristics.

From Life Images by Jill

An attractive part of the city’s streetscape is the Rose Hotel in Victoria Street built in 1865 and although extended several times, the two storey wrought iron verandah reflects Bunbury’s prosperity during the goldrush era.

From Life Images by Jill

Of course, Bunbury is not just about the water. You don't have to go far to get away and walk along shady bush walk trails, where you can find some of our stunning wildflowers during spring. This one is the Queen of Sheba orchid. It's location a guarded secret.....

From Life Images by Jill

Week 3/52 - Mandurah - Holidays by the water

Here we are in Week 3 of our 52 week tour of Western Australia downunder. I take you to south from Perth to Mandurah. Thanks for looking, I hope you enjoy the tour.

70 kilometres from Perth, and overlooking the Indian Ocean, is the coastal city of Mandurah. It’s proximity to Perth makes Mandurah a holiday mecca for city residents and tourists. Throngs of people take advantage of Mandurah’s Mediterranean climate and unique blend of coast, bushland, industry, inner-city living and canal residential developments. Mandurah is the capital of the Peel region and calls itself a “city of endless possibilities”.

Despite growing from 12,700 residents to a City of over 62,000 in the past 15 years, Mandurah has retained its relaxed, holiday atmosphere.

Attractively located on the shady park lined waterfront of the Mandurah Estuary, Mandurah offers a vibrant mix of waterfront restaurants and cafes, boutique shops and accommodation ranging from caravan parks to resort villas. The Mandurah Foreshore is the perfect place to enjoy a feed of fish and chips with the family and spend a relaxing afternoon under the trees while children play on the playground equipment just as visitors have done for years. The local pelicans know it too and visit the foreshore every day.

The Indian Ocean, the Mandurah Estuary and the three rivers which run into the Peel Harvey Estuary – the Murray, Serpentine and Harvey - offer everything from fishing, crabbing, swimming, river cruising, waterskiing, surfing, scuba diving, white water rafting, and a world class boat marina. A popular way to enjoy Mandurah is to hire a houseboat for a few days to explore the waterways.

In the photo below you can see Mandurah' waterfront - a perfect place to stroll, have a picnic, or a coffee in one of the waterfront cafes.

From Life Images by Jill

This landmark Morten Bay Fig Tree (in the photo below) is on String Ray Point, right in the centre of Mandurah. The land making up the Peninsular site was bought by interests associated with the colourful and flamboyant Kalgoorlie mining millionaire and future Lord Mayor of Perth W. G. Brookman.

The Brookmans built a holiday home here and the opulent parties they held here were patronised by many leading members of WA society at the turn of the 19th Century. Often, the Brookman’s guests would plant a tree in the gardens to commemorate their visit, and this is probably the source of the large Moreton Bay Fig that currently graces the point.

From Life Images by Jill

Pelicans frequent the waterways of Mandurah, along with resident Bottlenose Dolphins which regularly swim in the boat harbour, estuary and canals and play in the bow waves of boats. Mandurah is one of the few places in Australia where wild dolphins can be seen daily close to residential and public areas.

From Life Images by Jill

Just south of Mandurah at Lake Clifton you can view the ancient Thrombolites in the Yalgorup National Park, one of only three locations in WA where living fossils have survived over millions of years. A viewing platform and boardwalk allows visitors to see the Thrombolites up close.

Lake Clifton is one of only a few places where "living rocks" microbialites grow, and the largest lake bound microbialite reef in the southern hemisphere. They are formed by a variety of micro-organisms and grow about 1mm a year.

I took the photo of the Thrombolites late one afternoon and lighting was supurb. It was a lucky shot as we had never been there before, and we dropped in on the way home from Perth. This photo became a cover pic on "Australian Coast & Country" magazine, showing it pays to be in the right place at the right time with your camera!

From Life Images by Jill

Here is another photo of the Thrombolites at Lake Clifton. This was taken as the sun was setting, but I accidently had my camera on the wrong light balance for a few pics, like this one - however I kind of like the effect. What do you think?

From Life Images by Jill

Here is one of the longest jarrah bridges in Western Australia linking one side of Mandurah to the other.

From Life Images by Jill

Time to hire a boat and go for a cruise. There are plenty of waterways, including the new residential canal developments that are a feature of Mandurah, enjoy a boat ride.

From Life Images by Jill

End of the day and time for a chat and a coffee on the waterfront.

From Life Images by Jill

Next week, I take you to my home town, Bunbury. Hope you are coming along for the ride! See you then!

Week 2/52 - Fremantle - History in Stone

Welcome everyone to Week 2 of our 52 week tour around Western Australia. This week we travel south from our capital city Perth, to our major port city, Fremantle. I haven't been to Fremantle in a while, so it was fun walking around and taking photos for you this weekend.

Fremantle was established in 1829 as a port for the new Swan River Colony settlement and was the major city in Western Australia for much of its early history. It was here that the first settlers landed on their arrival from England, and it was the first port of call in Australia for many migrants and visitors. Fremantle handles the majority of the State's imports and exports.

Fremantle is a rich mixture of cultures and nationalities -a unique blend of a lively multicultural yet relaxed lifestyle which attracts hundreds of tourists and visitors daily.

Within easy walking and cycling distance, visitors can experience contemporary circus, fine crafts, original music and theatre, exciting galleries, museums, bookshops, buskers, cafes and restaurants, and a lively nightlife. Along with maritime history and extensive architectural conservation, the Arts have become a central part of Fremantle life where visitors can discover the past and present.

Many Arts organisations are housed in historic buildings providing a contemporary use for old warehouses and some of the most spectacular reminders of Fremantle's early history. The University of Notre Dame is also housed across the city in a number of historic buildings.

At the western end of High Street on Arthur Head, a headland overlooking the Indian Ocean is the Round House, Western Australia's oldest building, built as a goal in 1831 two years after the first settlement in Western Australia (the first convicts arrived in 1850). Below you can see the Round House at the end of High Street which is lined with some of the wonderful architecture that is a distinctive part of Fremantle. Underneath the Round House is the Whalers Tunnel built in 1837 by the Fremantle Whaling Company to allow easy access between Fremantle and the ocean.

From Life Images by Jill

This is Fremantle's harbour. In this photo you can see a combination of both old and new - the sailing ship Leeuwin taking passengers for a late afternoon cruise, and a huge container ship being brought into dock by tug boats. Near here is the WA Maritime Museum which amongst other exhibits, houses Australia II, the yacht that brought the America's Cup and the next race series to Fremantle and in doing so pulled Fremantle from a port into the lively bustling city it is today. The Leeuwin is a training ship, which my eldest son went on a voyage from Perth to Albany when he was 16.

From Life Images by Jill

Boats, the water, and fishing are an integral part of Fremantle. Here is the lively waterfront precinct, where you can have a feed of fish and chips almost any time day or night.

From Life Images by Jill

The Fremantle Markets are abuzz with activity and crowds every Saturday and Sunday. It is the place to buy fresh fruit and vegetables, gifts, art, clothes, almost anything you can think of. The crowd you see have been watching a street performer.

From Life Images by Jill

The Fremantle Prison dominates the skyline and history of Fremantle. Built from local limestone by convict labour in the 1850s and decommissioned as an operating goal in 1991, and now Heritage Listed, the goal is the largest convict built structure in Western Australia. The photo you see here is the gatehouse. The goal now welcomes thousands of visitors every year - there are numerous tours including a torchlight tour if you are feeling brave, and a tour 20 metres below to explore the labyrinth of tunnels below the prison. The complex also houses the Children's Literacy Centre.

From Life Images by Jill

This next photo is of some of the terrace workers cottages. These ones in the photo are adjacent to the Fremantle Markets. There are many more examples of these terrace houses around Fremantle.

From Life Images by Jill

Many of the early buildings in Fremantle were built of local limestone with decorative wrought iron lace work on their balconies. Between 1890 and 1912, following the discovery of gold in Kalgoorlie many buildings were replaced by the solid buildings we see today, many with very decorative plasterwork scrolls and patterns on their facades. In recent times many of these have been converted into private residences, art spaces, restaurants, shops etc, beautifully restored and retaining the character of Fremantle. The University of Notre Dame also occupies a great number of these buildings across the centre of Fremantle, bringing a young and multicultural vibrancy to Fremantle.

From Life Images by Jill

Detail of one the buildings showing delicate plasterwork.

From Life Images by Jill

One notable building, once the Bond Store.  Built in 1851 from local limestone by convicts to store food, clothing and equipment, and later converted into a Customs House and Bonded Warehouse, it now houses the Maritime Museum where you can see relics of shipwrecks run aground on the Western Australian coast on their way across the Indian Ocean to the Dutch East Indies - a fascinating place to spend a few hours.

From Life Images by Jill High on a hill overlooking Fremantle and the port is the war memorial, remembering those who have lost their lives during war. From Life Images by Jill The sailing ship Leeuwin with the background of the port-

From Life Images by Jill

Week 1/52 - Welcome to Western Australia and Perth, our capital city

Welcome to Tour Downunder Western Australia. This is the start of our 52 week tour through the huge state of Western Australia.

Here we are flying into WA's capital city, Perth. As you can see Perth is beautifully situated on the banks of the Swan River. (not the best or clearest photo but it was taken from a plane through scratchy windows!) That's the Indian Ocean you can see way over in the background.

From Life Images by Jill

For tourists, one of the best places to see Perth's skyline is from Kings Park. Here is a view over the City and the Swan River. Kings Park is a huge botanical garden with plants from all around the world, walking paths, historical memorials, grass for picnics, children's playgrounds,, restaurants, etc and of course views of Perth. It is really beautiful and an outstanding feature in the heart of Perth.

From Life Images by Jill

And here we have our State War Memorial in Kings Park with the backdrop of the City. This is where our major Anzac Day ceremony is held on 25 April to remember those who have lost their lives in wars. This is also where the "Eternal Flame" burns

From Life Images by Jill

Kings Park is a botanical garden covering approx 1000 acres of gardens, bushland and walk trails located right in the centre of Perth. It was started in 1872 and displays an extensive collection of plants from all around the world, as well as research scientists undertaking integrated and innovative research in native plant biology, conservation and ecological restoration of Western Australia's unique biodiversity. There are also a number of memorials in Kings Park.

One of the favourite times to go to Kings Park is during Spring during the Wildflower Festival - giving visitors a chance to see a huge variety of wildflowers - here are just a small sample. I hope you enjoy them.

Red Kangaroo Paw

From Life Images by Jill

The Flame Grevillia

From Life Images by Jill

The Rose Mallee

From Life Images by Jill

A view of one of the parks in Kings Park, with the Pioneer Woman's memorial and fountain in the background.

From Life Images by Jill

The plant collection at Kings Park enables us to see plants we might not ever see if we didn't travel to where you might see them in the wild - ie the Rose Mallee I had never seen before, so it was great to be able to photograph it in Kings Park and add it to my collection.   In addition the lawns and gardens are magnificent.

There are many walk and bike trails through the gardens and wild bush, children's playground, and places to picnic or just to sit. There really is something for everyone.
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