16 June
Leaving Albany
We left Albany and headed towards Margaret River although we
weren't sure how far we would get. First stop was just the other side of
Denmark at the Valley of the Giants Tree top walk. This is a bridge that is
suspended 40 m above the ground. The bridge is built to ensure minimal impact
on the trees, with very few footings
which means it moves around a lot. A little bit freaky but lots of fun.
We then walked around the other part of the park through the "Ancient
Empire" walk which takes you through some amazingly huge trees. These red
tingle trees grow very quickly and are just huge.
There was one here that they
used to allow people to park their car in but as the constant packing down of
the ground eventually killed the tree this was stopped and you get to do what
Patchy is doing and pretend.
Linc was very excited about this tree that he thought looked
like a flower.
What a great place to look through and something we all
enjoyed.
Next we headed to Pemberton but it was too wet for the
Diamond and Gloucester tree climb which are more of these amazing trees that
have been used to climb up as bushfire viewing platforms. They have steel poles
knocked into the tree and a wire mesh fence around the outside and you can
climb 50+ metres up these trees. Unfortunately this is not allowed in the rain
so we had to move on.
We drove all the way through to Margaret River and stayed
about 10 kms east of the township at Big Valley Farm. It is a lovely place
which is an active sheep farm. The young woman running it was Kylie 29 who
lived on the farm but was managing t on her own as her parents were away in
Europe. We drove in down 1km of dirt road that passed through the paddocks
where lots of sheep and lambs were running. We were given a bucket of food and
went down to feed the sheep once we had set up.
We had a section of the park to ourselves with a lovely big open area camp kitchen and family bathrooms, what a luxury.
We want to cover the 110 kms that go from Cape Leeuwin to Cape Naturaliste and as much as we can see in between.
The next morning we headed to the southern point of WA. Cape
Leeuwin lighthouse via Augusta . This is where the Southern and Indian Oceans
meet. Although it was rainy, cold and windy the view was magnificent and the
lighthouse keeper had lots to tell about the history of the place.
Then we made our way up the coast and stopped in at Bonranup
maze for the kids to have a play, they were very quick and it wasn't till we
left that they told us they had found a cheat passage for those who couldn't
make it. Hmmm I don't think they tried all that hard as they seemed pretty
pleased with themselves.
Something I have to say is that TJ and I were both surprised
about other people's behaviour. This
maze was on someone's property and was clearly marked and signed to say that it
was an honesty system and listed the costs for each person and child to enter.
We gave the kids the money which they put in the box before entering. While we
were standing there three cars pulled up with foreign tourists in them, we had
seen and heard them at the tree top walk the day before. All 14 of them walked
into the maze, right by us with only a couple even stopping to acknowledge that
there was a box there with one even going as far as patting her pockets but not
one of them paid. Oh well each to their own I guess!!!
I was really keen to go to the mouth of the Margaret river
and see where it meets the ocean. Unfortunately there was some road works going
on and the road to the mouth was closed but we got to see it from the hill.
Then into the Margaret River township which had a definite
Byron Bay vibe about it but not as spoilt.
We also stopped in at the Fudge factory, yum. TJ and I had a
our first coffee taste testing at Yahava Koffee works then we all ducked in
next door to Cookies galore, yummy melting moments.
Back to the farm to feed the sheep and Patch was a lot more
confident and got involved a bit more by himself. That night while cooking
dinner we met two older couples who helped the boys light a fire and we
cooked marshmallows together.
The next morning we headed off to see the other half of the
Cape to Cape drive. First stop "Cow town" which was really cool with
all these statues of sheep everywhere. We went into the Lolly and Fudge shops
and the up to the Cheese shop for a tasting or two.
Then through Dunsborough to
Cape Naturaliste and the northern point of the Margaret River coast. A real
contrast to the ruggedness of the southern point as this end is the start of
Geographe Bay. Very pretty. we managed to lose Lincoln on the walk out to the
lighthouse but found him 10 minutes later, not good.
Back in the car and back to Dunsborough park for lunch. We
managed to get caught in a very quick arriving storm but had finished eating
and moved on. Went through Yallingup beach which was a great looking surf spot.
Then onto Canal rocks which was fantastic. A wooden bridge over the water
that would have been washed away in a big wave. Some beautiful photo's and a
lovely spot.
We then finished off with a stop at the chocolate factory,
silk farm and nut factory. So much to see and do.
We then went back home and cooked marshmallows around the
fire after dinner with the lovely couples we had met the night before. Tomorrow
we are heading up towards Bunbury and Perth via Busselton, not sure how far we
will get.
TJ and I both agreed that we are finding some lovely caravan
parks and farm stays but because we are so busy sightseeing we are not getting
the time to enjoy them. Mental note to try and change this but are not sure how
to do it.
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