Week 13/52 - Walpole and the Valley of the Giants

“Surely there can be no greater cathedral than forests such as those of the karri” said Vincent Serventy, noted Australian naturalist - as written on the “Wilderness Wall of Perceptions” at Swarbrick in Walpole.

And so it is in the Valley of the Giants, Walpole, Western Australia - the destination of Week 13 of our 52 week tour Downunder Western Australia. Welcome!

This week we travel south from our last destination, Balingup, and travel through the Jarrah, Tingle and Karri forests to the town of Walpole situated on the Walpole Inlet. Surrounded by the Walpole-Nornalup National Park, the area’s main drawcard are its magnificent red tingle and karri forests, wildflowers, coastline, rivers and inlets.

The major attraction of the Walpole Nornalup National Park is the Valley of the Giants and the Tree Top Walk. The 600 metre walkway through the forest canopy reaches 40 metres above the forest floor, providing a unique opportunity to view the Tingle and Kari forest from the tree tops.

From Life Images by Jill

At ground level the Ancient Empire walk winds through the forest around trees 16 metres in diameter. Accessible to wheel chairs, the walks were built to protect the forests and to enhance the experience of the increasing number of visitors without causing an adverse impact on the trees. During school holidays visitors can also experience ‘Forest By Night’ guided walks.

From Life Images by Jill

There are seven national parks within the Walpole Wilderness area. The southern forests, which protect around 2500 species of native flora form an important component of an international biodiversity hotspot. The Walpole Wilderness Discovery Centre Loop is a 98 kilometre (sealed and gravel) drive which includes Mount Frankland, The Valley of the Giants and the Swarbrick Forest Art Trail eight kilometres north of Walpole.

In the photo below, you can see the Wilderness Wall of Perceptions. The 500 metre wheel chair friendly loop walk trail at Swarbrick takes you through some of Western Australia's oldest old growth karri forest dotted with art exhibits and past the giant 39 metre long “Wilderness Wall of Perceptions” which reflects the forest and has etched on it written thoughts about the forest and conservation.

From Life Images by Jill

Twelve kilometres west of Walpole is the turnoff to Mandalay Beach which takes its name from the Norwegian ship “Mandalay”, wrecked here in 1911. It is a rugged piece of coastline, and the beach is not safe for swimming, but on low tide the remains of the ship can sometimes still be seen. If you are travelling by 4WD you can camp nearby at Banksia camp, or I recommend camping at the shaded and well protected Crystal Springs campsite at the Mandalay Beach turnoff from the highway.

From Life Images by Jill

Thank you for coming along on the tour everyone, and for taking a look at my photos. I hope you have enjoyed this leg -
Another one from the Treetop walk in the Valley of the Giants....

From Life Images by Jill

From Life Images by Jill

Going down onto Mandalay Beach......

From Life Images by Jill

How about we enjoy some simple pleasures like building sandcastles.........

From Life Images by Jill

Here is another photo - this is the Bibbulmun Track marker where the track goes down to Mandalay Beach - and comes to the coast for the first time since leaving Perth. (you can see some other parts of the track in the Collie thread Week 5, and Balingup week 12)

From Life Images by Jill