30 September – Stokes Inlet to Esperance

We saw many fields of canola along the highway today as we approached Esperance.

Despite the weather now being decidedly overcast and a little breezy we did the obligatory tourist drive past the beautiful beaches and bays of Esperance. We went past the pink lake but it wasn't.

We also watched a fur seal at the tanker jetty waiting for some scraps from a fisherman.

The Old Esperence Tanker Jetty

And, more widflowers of the south coast......

29 September – Albany to Stokes Inlet

Highway one east of Albany sure has its ups and downs. If you’re not going up, you’re going down and this goes for a couple of hundred Ks. This land is not as flat as you may think.

We decided to camp the night at Stokes Inlet national park. This campsite was opened last December with very good facilities and lovely views of the inlet from many of the campsites. Once again, despite the number of grey nomads on the road, we had the place to ourselves.

This was the first opportunity to try our new 12 volt shower pump and rose using water from our solar shower bags. Great! Now we need a shower curtain so we don’t make other people sick.

Macrozamia Dyeri (on the left)

The Shower

28 September – Albany

The day started with browsing the shops and a heritage town walk. We finished the day with a small climb to a lookout, some grocery shopping and a visit to the beach.

View of The Waters Around Albany

OK, I'll Play Tourist

Albany Courthouse With a Rare Convolute Doorway

And some pics below of the replica of the brig Amity. The original brig carried the first settlers to Albany in 1826.

Boat mooring anyone?.............

27 September – Pemberton to Albany

On the move again today; this time we headed east to Albany. On the way we tackled the tree top walk near Walpole and due to lack of time bypassed other places that will have to go on the ‘next time’ list.

At our days destination of Albany we checked out the local coastal geographical attractions (read big rocks). Unfortunately the blow hole wasn't because the sea was too calm.

We then took a walk around the wind farm. Each windmill at this farm has three 35 metre long blades – that’s big, and the tips of the blades whoosh past your head at about 200kph.




Once again there's seemingly never ending display of wildflowers.

26 September – Manjimup

Went for a Sunday drive to Manjimup but it was closed on this long weekend. Had a look at the local timber museum then had coffee and a muffin. Thought we try the local nut farm but it was closed despite the sign at the entrance saying it was open.

Next we tried cafés at 2 wineries and a gallery for a light lunch but they were closed. Another café had a 40-50 minute wait and we thought the last was over priced. We returned to the van and made our own cheese and bread platter.

So much for a long weekend in WA.

Steam Engine From a Timber Mill

Is This Where It All Started?

25 September – Pemberton

The two of us spent the morning exploring the forest area around Pemberton. We stopped at Big Brook Dam, the Beedelup Falls and the walk through tree.

Most of the afternoon was devoted to watching the AFL grand final. I started this blog at half time when it looked like Collingwood had the game sewn up. But the beauty of AFL is anything can happen, and in 2 more quarters of thrilling football it did. It was a historical grand final draw for the Pies and the Saints.

The Walkthrough Tree

24 September – Augusta to Pemberton

This morning we drove through green farmland, karri forests and intermittent drizzle to reach the timber town of Pemberton. We have 3 days here over the long weekend so we elected to take the tram tour over the old timber railway before the weekend crowds arrive.





This loco has not run for 3 years due to lack of qualified drivers

After the tram trip we took some photos showing us pretending to climb the 60 metre high Gloucester Tree.

We topped off the day with a no expenses spared trip to the local Chinese restaurant.

23 September – Augusta and Cape Leeuwin

Just a short 40km drive today to the seaside village of Augusta, established in 1830. This is only a few Km from Cape Leeuwin, the sight of Australia’s tallest mainland lighthouse and where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet.

After one of us completed the lighthouse climb we had a look at the 1895 water wheel that supplied water to the lighthouse using a ram pump. On our return trip to camp we sighted a pod of dolphins about 100 metres from shore.

The weather is still fine and warm and the green, gently undulating countryside very much like the Yarra valley or Gippsland.

Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse - built 1895

Waterwheel and Race - built 1895

And here are the dolphins......