Tour Downunder Western Australia .................... Life Images by Jill: Cape to Cape

Friday, February 19, 2010

Week 8 / 52 - Yallingup & the Capes - History for me and surf for him

Welcome to Week 8 of our 52 week tour of Western Australia. Today we continue south from Yallingup through the "cape to cape" region to Margaret River - internationally famous surfing location and wine region.

In the Cape to Cape region you can enjoy shady pathways through towering forests, surfing on a hot summers day, waves crashing on rugged cliff faces, secluded sandy white beaches, stunning wild flowers, pristine cave formations, late lunches and wine tasting in cosy wine cellars, vineyards spreading across rolling hillsides, whales and dolphins playing in the bay, an afternoons fishing on the jetty, browsing through art galleries and museums, exploring historic town-sites, and at the end of the day, sitting on a veranda and watching the sun go down over the Indian Ocean after another glorious day in Western Australia’s South West corner. This is the place where history, natural beauty, friendly people, fabulous food and wine, all combine to make your stay an unforgettable experience. There is something for everyone.

I am not big on surf photography (probably because I am not very good in surf and I can't get in there to take those fabulous photos surf photographers do) but here is one

From Life Images by Jill

We are also going to explore some history at Ellensbrook Homestead, home of the district's first pioneers, Alfred and Ellen Bussell, who lived here from 1854 to 1865. The home was gradually extended as their family grew, and is a unique example of early architecture and construction techniques. It would have been a wild and lonely piece of coastline when then settled here. It was a dull day when we visited so I have done a bit of pp work on this blurring the edges and adding some grain and a sepia tone - what do you think of the effect?

From Life Images by Jill

Here's another view - no pp.

From Life Images by Jill

Margaret River is not just about surf and wineries, we are also going to go bushwalking. There are lots of bush trails in the Cape to Cape region - and a fabulous guide book you can buy. Spring is the best time for bushwalking while the wildflowers are out. Here is one of our stunning wild orchids - the leopard orchid - which we discovered along the Old Ellensbrook Road (the bushwalkers way into Ellensbrook). My husband has very good eyesight for spotting orchids, and I was thrilled he found this one, a Leopard Orchid, as it is a variety we had never seen before.

Leopard Orchid

Here is another photo, this one is of the coastline just near Ellensbrook Homestead - and part of the Cape to Cape walk.

From Life Images by Jill

Cape to Cape trail marker -

From Life Images by Jill

Friday, February 5, 2010

Week 6/52 - Cape Naturalist and Busselton - longest jetty in the Southern Hemisphere.

Welcome to week 6 of my tour around Western Australia. Today we go south of Bunbury to Busselton. Only around 3 hours from Perth, Busselton is one of our most popular holiday destinations for families.

Gateway to the wine regions of Yallingup and Margaret River, Busselton is located on the white sandy shores of Geographe Bay and is the business hub of the region. It is home to the 2 kilometre long Busselton Jetty. Built 143 years ago Busselton Jetty is the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere and is a focal point for visitors to Busselton.

Perfect for families and children for fishing and squidding (ie catching squid from the jetty), or just walking, the jetty is also a unique eco-tourism site. Situated at the end of the Jetty is the Underwater Observatory - presently closed whilst a refurbishment is underway, and due to open again in mid 2010. My husband's family spent many summers at Busselton and fished from the jetty every day. After we were married we continued to come to Busselton - I loved to go squidding. At the end of the jetty in those days was a fish and chip shop - great for a feed of chips after a fishing trip.

There are heaps of accommodation options - from caravan parks along the beach front to international class resorts - catering for all budgets.

When people think of Busselton, they think of the jetty so my photos today are centred around here. In the photo here you can see the information and interpretive centre and gift shop. This lady is enjoying just laying on the beach relaxing - looks like a great way to spend the afternoon.

From Life Images by Jill

Here is another photo as the sun is setting -

From Life Images by Jill

This massive Morten Bay Fig Tree sits near the end of the jetty in front of the restaurant and cafe. In the photo you can see a small jetty on the beach front. This is all that remains of a second finger of the jetty which was blown away by a cyclone in the 1970's. This part of the jetty used to meet the remaining jetty at what was called "the elbow".

From Life Images by Jill

And so the sun sets into the west after another perfect summer day on the beach....

From Life Images by Jill

Thanks for coming along everyone. I am not sure how this stitched image will reproduce here, and I know the waves aren't matching up in the foreground.....but I wanted to try and show you the length of the jetty. The jetty is a great place for a stroll in the morning or evening. The jetty is at the moment under a few repairs, but the train will be back up and running later this year.

From Life Images by Jill

So now we travel on southwards from Busselton along the coast to Dunsborough, Meelup and Cape Naturaliste.

The Meelup and beaches of the Cape to Cape region are some of the most beautiful in Western Australia. Only a couple of hours from our capital city Perth, this region has been a summer holiday destination for years for young people, surfies, couples and families. It is also a mecca for "sea changers" and artisans.

Meelup has lots of little bays and beautiful clear blue water perfect for snorkelling - what better way to spend a summers day. The main Meelup Beach is very popular with families as it is a safe beach for children and their is a shaded grassed area perfect for a picnic. There are also walk trails.

From Life Images by Jill

Below you see the Cape Naturaliste lighthouse, which is at the start of the Cape to Cape walk trail which winds for 135 kilometres south along the coast between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin.

Of course you don't have to do the full Cape to Cape track. There are plenty of day walks, and walking guide books devoted to the entire Cape to Cape region. Around Cape Naturaliste itself are several walks and a viewing platform for seal and whale watching.