Week 14/52 - Western Australia's south coast & rugged coastline

Hi everyone, Here we are in Week 14 of our 52 week tour Downunder Western Australia  -
Tonight I take you east of Walpole along the southern coastline, with views of the Southern Ocean, to Denmark.

There are kilometres of magnificent coastal scenery, rugged headlands, rock pools and secluded beaches, including Conspicuous Cliffs, Williams Beach, Greens Pool, Ocean Beach, Lights Beach, Wilson Head and Wilson Inlet.

The southern coastline is a great place to see dolphins and to watch for southern right and humpback whales during their migration from July till October. There are several viewing platforms and other high vantage points.

Here is the view at Conspicuous Cliffs - I think the people in the foreground will give you an idea of the scale of this scene......

From Life Images by Jill

Here is Lights Beach.......

From Life Images by Jill

Another photo of Lights Beach - this guy is going for a surf....

From Life Images by Jill

At William Bay you can explore Greens Pool, Elephant Rocks, Madfish Bay and Waterfall Rocks, or travel further on to Parry Beach and Boat Harbour. At William Bay we decided to trek into the William Bay Bibbulmun Track hut as we had read there were magnificent coastal views from near the hut. We weren’t disappointed, but as it was the middle of summer we were glad to be able to plunge into Greens Pool to cool off afterwards.

Greens Pool is a safe swimming beach where they conduct swimming lessons during the summer for children from Denmark. When we arrived it was between lessons. Children were climbing onto the rocks near the beach and lying sleek and wet like seals on the rocks before sliding into the crystal clear blue green water. We did the same. The beach was dotted with the colour of umbrellas and beach shelters and there was laughter and a happy family holiday atmosphere.

Here is a photo of Greens Pool - looks inviting doesn't it? ..... There is a Bibbulmun Track hut near here which we walked to on a hot day in January - we were glad to get back to Greens Pool and go for a swim!

From Life Images by Jill

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

Week 12/52 - Balingup - rolling hills, pathways & towering forest

Welcome everyone to Week 12 of our 52 week tour Downunder Western Australia.

I hope you have been enjoying it so far. This week we move on from Nannup and travel eastward to Balingup. Balingup attractively sits within the Blackwood River valley surrounded by rolling green farmland, edged by towering forests. It is a favoured retreat for artisans and craftspeople.

Balingup is also one of the Bibbulmun Track's "track towns". You remember we first went on the Bibbulmun Track in Week 5 near Collie. (it is WA's longest walking track - over 900 kilometres from Perth to Albany) This week we walk another section through a pine forest to the Blackwood hut.

In the photo below you can see us the track through the pine forest. I like the perspective of this shot with the tree lined avenue and the hiker (my husband - again a token person in my photos) and the bright orange backpack.

From Life Images by Jill

I had a bit of difficultly with the contrast in this photo - my husband was standing in shade, but I wanted to show you the scene from near the Blackwood hut.

From Life Images by Jill

Here is the overnight Blackwood hut, nestled at the edge of the pine forest overlooking the valley. A stunning view. The hut is open on one side to the view and set up with wooden benches and sleeps about 8 people. You need to bring everything - a self inflatable mattress and a really warm sleeping bag is a must - but just imagine laying there in the morning and watching the sun come up and the mist rise up through the valley. Stunning.

From Life Images by Jill

It started to rain on our way back from the hut. But even when it is raining you can still find something to photograph....

From Life Images by Jill

Here is another couple of shots from along the track. This one again was a tricky situation with light on the rolling hills in the background and shadow amongst the trees where we were walking. It is a bit hard to see, but those little dots on the hills in the background are hay bales.

From Life Images by Jill

And some wildflowers - this one is clematis (old man's beard) -

From Life Images by Jill

another one of our more unusual orchids - and very hard to see - the Midge Orchid -

From Life Images by Jill

A bit further along the track south of the Blackwood Hut - again some tricky lighting - I like the perspective of the hikers (two of my friends) amongst the trees. We were coming down from a rise in the track and I just had to stop and take some photos.  I did an overnight hike with my friends. Bernard walked all the way from Perth to Albany - over 900 kilometres - and now can proudly call himself an "end to ender".

From Life Images by Jill

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!