Western Australian travel update 2020

 Welcome everyone to the update of our Western Australian travel in 2020. It has been a strange year for everyone around the world with the Covid 19 Corona virus spreading rapidly across the world and curtailing domestic and international travel. And the many people who have fallen ill or died from the virus, and those who have suffered the loss of loved ones. 

When  it first hit Australia back in March our state borders between the states were closed, as well as International borders. Anyone returning home from overseas were required to do mandatory 14 day hotel quarantine. And those wanting to travel interstate had to seek special approval. Even within our state of Western Australia internal borders were imposed between regions. 

In many ways it was a good time to stop and reflect. Spending quiet time away from crowds

This of course severely restricted travel even within our own states. However when the WA internal regional borders were reopened, but the state borders were still in place, Western Australian's got out and travelled within their own state even more than before. I heard people saying they didn't realise how beautiful our state was! These were people that usually travelled overseas. 

Well I've always known how beautiful Western Australia is, hence this blog. Unfortunately for us in 2020 I had an ankle operation in March, and then broke my wrist in September. This curtailed our travel, however we still managed a few getaways. 

The best way to keep updated with travels and other topics is to go to my main blog - Life Images by Jill - or to check the index. I am wondering if this index should actually be alphabetical? What do you think? As it is a combination of posts on this blog, and posts on my main blog. Hmmm...

I also started a Covid photo a day project in March 2020. Now in January 2021 it is still going! and I have no idea when it might stop. Covid photo a day project - December 2020

But back to travel.......  

We were encouraged to Wonder out Yonder in Western Australia - so I did an A-Z of Western Australian travel

I went back to revisit the Explore the Painted Silos Trail

We went on a two week trip to Coral Bay, Exmouth and Kalbarri - Travelling north

I have just realised I didn't go back to share more of this on my blog. I must get back to it. 

We went hunting for wild orchids and wildflowers in the Stirling Ranges National Park in thegreat southern region of our state, and saw first hand the devastation of the January bushfires.

We went up to Wellington Dam near Collie to see the progress on the Wellington Dam wall mural

And we had a long weekend with my family in the Western Australian wheatbelt weekend

Amongst all that we also did quite a bit of local walking in bush reserves. Summer colour in the south west of Western Australia

I sincerely hope that you and yours are safe and well and that there might be something on here to temp you to wander out yonder. My full blog where I blog every week can be found at Life Images by Jill

Thank you for visiting. I hope to hear from you. Take care and stay safe. 

Never stop travelling, exploring and taking photos

Hi everyone, just a quick update to let you know I am still out there travelling, exploring and taking photos of our beautiful Western Australia.

I have been updating the INDEX on this page with the new travel posts, updated information and new images,

 so please go to the INDEX as your first port of call if you are searching for Western Australian travel. I have found it will probably be more reliable than the "search this blog" tab if you know what area you are looking for.

The new links will take you to my other blog which will have to latest information and images - Life Images by Jill.  Link to Life Images by Jill

I hope you will visit me there for more recent and more photos. 

Notable trips over the last few years have been -

In 2012 we travelled to the far north eastern corner of the wheatbelt to free camp at a number of huge granite rock outcrops and also explored the Indian Ocean Drive along Western Australia's coast.

In 2013 we traversed the Holland Track for the first time in the remote southern Western Australian goldfields and then up through the woodlines area camping at various granite rocks, and also travelled across the Nullabor to South Australia - two firsts for us.

In 2014 our most notable trip was to revisit Karijini National Park with first time visits to explore Mt Augustus and the Kennedy Ranges in the Pilbara of Western Australia. I wondered why I had never been there before!

I am always searching for new places to visit, although we have to travel further and further afield to find somewhere we haven't been before.

I wonder where our next trip will be? I haven't planned it yet - but rest assured you will be able to read about it here on Tour Downunder Western Australia or my other blog Life Images by Jill.  Perhaps I will meet up with you at a campsite somewhere.
Happy travels!

Here is a pic of Mount Augustus - you can read about it by clicking here - Flowers that bloom in the red rock of Mount Augustus and here - Mount Augustus walk trails

Week 11/52 - Bushwalking in Nannup

Welcome to Week 11 of my 52 week tour of Western Australia. This week we head north from our last stop Pemberton, and travel to Nannup.

I hope you have your hiking boots on because we are going for a walk on the Old Timberline Trail in the St John Brook Conservation Park just out of Nannup.

Once echoing with the sounds of axes, saws and timber trains, birdsong now breaks the silence and the jarrah trees have reclaimed their land in an area which was once a major timber logging area.

The Old Timberline Trail is a moderately easy 20 kilometre walk and cycle trail through the Park following the disused forestry railway between Nannup and Cambray Siding. Wood fired locomotives once hauled jarrah along an extensive railway network from bush camps to Barrabup Mill and then to Busselton Jetty for export. Interpretive signs give a historical insight and describe the life of the timber cutters. Most of the railway sleepers have been removed but a few can still be seen along the trail.

Marked by white triangular signs displaying an axe, the trail can be broken into sections making it ideal for day or overnight walks. Starting from the old railway bridge in Nannup, it is 10 kilometres to Workman’s Pool camping area and then 1.2 kilometres to Barrabup Pool. The timber mill and townsite which operated between 1909 and 1925 were located in this area.

The picnic area and platform overlooking Barrabup Pool invites you to linger. From here it is 4 kilometres to Sleeper Hewer’s camp where there is an overnight hut and then 4.8 kilometres to Cambray Siding. Here is a photo of Barrabup Pool.

From Life Images by Jill

Leaving Barrabup Pool, a bridge crosses St John Brook before the trail climbs up to join the old railway track. Along the way is the Potato Swamp where vegetables were once grown for the Barrabup community.

Dominated by jarrah, banksia and a profusion of wildflowers in spring, the trail follows the ridge line above the brook with glimpses of the water through the trees.

From Life Images by Jill

The trail descends to the remains of a disused timber railway bridge spanning the gully. We stayed for a while to take some photos of the bridge. I've converted this one to black and white.

From Life Images by Jill

A short walk through a rail cutting leads to Sleeper Hewer’s Camp (4km). Set above two wide pools of the river it is a tranquil place for lunch or an overnight stop and an opportunity to observe the many birds and animals that inhabit the Park.

From Life Images by Jill

From the hut it is easy walking from here to Cambray Siding where men who repaired the railway lines once lived. Observant walkers may see native orchids at the edge of the trail.

A few minutes later you reach the car park and the intersection with the 26 kilometre Jarrahwood to Nannup Sidings Rail Trail. It is 15 kilometres from here back to Nannup along the Sidings Trail.


And a few wildflowers - can't go bushwalking without photographing wildflowers........

Banded Greenhood Orchid..........

From Life Images by Jill

Banksia..........

From Life Images by Jill

Dryandra.........

From Life Images by Jill

....oh and, we decided it was too cold to camp out in a hut, so here is the veranda of our accommodation for the night. Fancy a wine and cheese platter and a hot spa to soak those tired feet? This cottage is on a farming property just out of Nannup and bounded on two sides by the river and the bush. We have stayed here twice - it is lovely.

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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