Week 9/52 - Cape Leeuwin, meeting of Indian & Southern Oceans

Over the weekend we drove down to the far south west tip of our state to Cape Leeuwin, to capture some photos for you.

Travelling south from Margaret River we reach Augusta, and then nine kilometres further south is Cape Leeuwin, where the Indian Ocean to the west, and the Southern Ocean to the south, meet - Latitude 34degrees 22 south, longitude 115 degrees 08 east. Like Cape Horn and Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin is known for its treacherous reefs and rocks, and savage unpredictable weather. There are many shipwrecks off shore.

The first recorded sighting of Cape Leeuwin was in 1622 by the Dutch ship, Leeuwin. It was named Cape Leeuwin by explorer Matthew Flinders in 1801 at the commencement of his mapping and circumnavigation of the coastline Australia. The foundation stone for the lighthouse was dedicated by Sir John Forrest in 1896. The lighthouse is built from local stone and the lighthouse precinct is heritage listed. The lighthouse keepers cottages still exist and one is now the visitor centre and cafe.

From Life Images by Jill

Here is an elevated view so you can get a general picture of what the area looks like - not the most fantastic shot but you can get the idea. The Leeuwin lighthouse is on a piece of land that stretches out into the ocean where the Indian Ocean and the Southern Ocean meet. Next stop Antarctica. When I have visited before it has been windy and cold so these relatively calm seas were a novelty.

From Life Images by Jill

It was a fine day when we visited on Sunday, but I rather like this one I took a couple of years ago on transparency (sorry about the quality of the scan). It was raining and blowing a gale - when I think of lighthouses, this is the sort of scene I imagine.

From Life Images by Jill

Here is another photo of Cape Leeuwin.

From Life Images by Jill

Here's another photo from Cape Leeuwin - this is the old waterwheel built in 1895 to supply water to the builders of the lighthouse, and later the lighthouse keepers. The water came from a natural spring, and as the water flowed over, the wheel turned and activated a pump to pump the water up to the lighthouse. The wheel is now encrusted with calcified lime.

From Life Images by Jill

 To reach Augusta, we drive along Caves Road (so called because of the number of underground caves along this stretch of the coast) through the Boranup forest (there is a wonderful gallery and gift shop where you can buy wood products and furniture, glass work, beautiful art and gifts - I love stopping there). The trees in this photo are Karri trees - we will see some more of them when we visit Pemberton next week.

From Life Images by Jill

And the Boranup Forest - it is hard to capture its grandeur. At least this time I took my tripod along, and used it! Its amazing how many other people stop and take photos when they see someone using a tripod -  but it is a magnificent scene from this spot, and changes with the light.

From Life Images by Jill

This one I have added a cooling filter in Photoshop Elements.

From Life Images by Jill

And of course my tour would not be complete without at least one wildflower photo - this is from the Eucalypt family.

From Life Images by Jill

Here's another photo from Cape Leeuwin - this is the old waterwheel built in 1895 to supply water to the builders of the lighthouse, and later the lighthouse keepers. The water came from a natural spring, and as the water flowed over, the wheel turned and activated a pump to pump the water up to the lighthouse. The wheel is now encrusted with calcified lime.

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 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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