ONWARDS TOWARDS ESPERANCE

Left the forest country again and headed south east, our intentions being to stay inland away from the coast until the holiday silly season was finished   (the things you have to put up with!!!!). We had to pull into Albany to do some business hoping to be in and out in a day but as always it took longer and became an overnight stay. Headed towards the Porongurups and Stirling Ranges. Magnificent scenery but ooh so hot. 2 days in there and we were heading for the coast. We would love to be down there in wildflower season. Ventured further along the South Coast Highway and Hopetoun, on the Southern Ocean, looked to be a good spot. The Inn was full and the local governments around there are not too keen on free camping. Further south east we went searching for a nice coastal stopover but the curse of the holiday season was well and truly on. Everywhere was jam packed. By accident we came across Stokes Inlet National Park. It's not a swimming beach but it is a beautiful spot to camp. Nice cool shady campsites with a sea breeze. We have been here for over a week now and will leave on Monday when the school holidays are finished.

 

 Nyamup. There are lots of these old timber towns scattered about the South West.

Lake Muir. Dry at the moment but apparently a haven for wildlife.

Stopover in Albany. Not a bad view from the campsite over Princess Royal Harbour

 Stirling Ranges. Hopefully when we  come back through here it won't be so hot.

 Moingup Springs

The beaches around Hopetoun were fantastic. 2 Mile Beach & 5 Mile Beach

Stokes Inlet National Park

 Fish for dinner courtesy of a neighbour

 Young River entering the Inlet

 Mouth of the Inlet into the Southern Ocean

Shorebirds fossicking about

DONNELLY RIVER CRUISE

 

Back in Manjimup on route to Esperance. Great little part of the South West. The fruit and veg here is fantastic. Today we did the Donnelly River Cruise. Great drive through Karri forests to D'Entrecasteaux National Park to the Southern Ocean (Yeagarup Beach). Only accessible by river. Great interactive tour, fun guide.

 

 Find the snake, he scooted across the river in front of us

 Shacks along small part of river, pioneering families only

 

 How's this for a camp spot!!!

 Mouth of river

 

 The water was beautiful but too wild to venture past paddling. Magnificent pristine beach and coastline.

 Fishing Donnelly River style

 

On the road again tomorrow.

BIG VALLEY CAMPSITE - NEW YEAR

 

 Belated Happy New Year. We are back online. PC has had a service and all seems to be going well. Our stay at Big Valley Campsite(working sheep farm) at Margaret River was a great stay. A great Xmas and New Years night was put on for all us happy campers. Xmas dinner was sensational and a fun New Years party (60's 70's dress up).

Managed to squeeze in a wine tour. Staggered out of the bus back at the campsite with plenty of goodies in hand.

 

 Cruising around the area's coastline - Eagle Bay above, Myalup beach below our type of surf.

 A few cows hanging around Cowaramup

 

 

Graham and Beryl paid us a visit and a great couple of days was had by all (oops, no photos just a hangover to show for it).

SOUTH WEST WA

 

Loving touring the South West. We have not spotted the ocean yet but it's been a bit chilly anyway. Red wine has been the preferred poison. Rolling hills, valleys, forests, big trees, lakes, wildlife, it's all there. We've had some moments too. The navigation system has sent us down some tracks to camping spots that can't be found. Twice we ended up in spots where signs indicated the areas were subject to aerial fire bombing. A quick turn around and a hasty exit were then the order of the day. We have since sorted that out with the local bush fire brigade.

 Totem poles at Nannup

We found this bench interesting.

 Footbridge made from the timber from original train bridge river crossing 

 Glad our digs are a bit better

 Big Brook Dam

 

The original "One Tree Bridge" above & the current one below

 Fonty's Pool - Great little camp spot. The pond, from an underground spring, was hand made by an Italian settler for his farm

Dwellingup Train Station

 

Spent a night at Lake Brockman near Harvey

 

Camping at Potter's Gorge at Lake Wellington. Loved our time here, great bush walks & scenery.

View from the loo

 Wellington Dam

 Blue Wrens were hopping everywhere

 

Sunset Wellington Dam

Santa  and his helper called on us at Big Valley Campsite Margaret River. To Kim's delight left chocolates at doorstep.