Sat 17th March The last few days have become a bit of a blur. One night stops at series of towns along the south west coast. The primary ingredients have been trees, beaches, youth hostels and Friday night in the pub.
From Dunsborough we travelled to Augusta which Australia's most South westerly point, where the Indian Ocean meets the Southern Ocean. Naturally there is light house but this time we got there too late for the tour.
Next day we travelled through Pemberton, the centre of the Karri Forrest. Karri trees are form of Eucalyptus tree which can grow to 70 metres high and driving between these giants is a wonder to behold. They let a fair amount of light through the canopy so you don't get that closed in sense of pine of rain forests. Later we reached Walpole, a quiet little town , on an inlet close to the sea. We enjoyed an evening walk through scrub and along the edge the inlet. I saw my second wild kangaroo. Three to be exact, but it was dark so no photos yet.
On Friday we left Walpole for the Tree Top walk in the Giant tingle forest. To be honest I can't see much difference between a Tingle and Karri tree. The tree top walk is a cunning feat of engineering which allow you to walk up to the forest canopy and look down to appreciate the height of these tree. We watched as a couple of climbers lowered themselves over the edge to
check the bolts weren't coming loose. The wind was moderate but the walkway was definitely swaying about. I also got pictures of an old tree being felled as it was likely to fall on the ticket office/shop if it wasn't dealt with sooner rather than later. Our night stop was in Denmark, another small town quite near to the coast. We stopped for a few hours of late afternoon sunshine at a beautiful beach called 
Green Pools. As we got to Denmark quite late Kai and I went for a curry (very disappointing despite a recommendation) and as was Friday we tried the local pub. This was a change from the backpacking crowd; all locals doing their thing, which is pool and getting drunk. By chucking out time the place was reeling.
Today, via another beautiful bay (Shelley beach), I've reached Albany, the oldest European settlement in Western Australia, established 1826. Albany is still a small town (29,000 pop.) and during my short stop appears older than most other places we've been.
I've said goodbye to Kai who has a few more days to stay in this area before flying back to Germany next week.
Next day we travelled through Pemberton, the centre of the Karri Forrest. Karri trees are form of Eucalyptus tree which can grow to 70 metres high and driving between these giants is a wonder to behold. They let a fair amount of light through the canopy so you don't get that closed in sense of pine of rain forests. Later we reached Walpole, a quiet little town , on an inlet close to the sea. We enjoyed an evening walk through scrub and along the edge the inlet. I saw my second wild kangaroo. Three to be exact, but it was dark so no photos yet.
On Friday we left Walpole for the Tree Top walk in the Giant tingle forest. To be honest I can't see much difference between a Tingle and Karri tree. The tree top walk is a cunning feat of engineering which allow you to walk up to the forest canopy and look down to appreciate the height of these tree. We watched as a couple of climbers lowered themselves over the edge to
check the bolts weren't coming loose. The wind was moderate but the walkway was definitely swaying about. I also got pictures of an old tree being felled as it was likely to fall on the ticket office/shop if it wasn't dealt with sooner rather than later. Our night stop was in Denmark, another small town quite near to the coast. We stopped for a few hours of late afternoon sunshine at a beautiful beach called 
Green Pools. As we got to Denmark quite late Kai and I went for a curry (very disappointing despite a recommendation) and as was Friday we tried the local pub. This was a change from the backpacking crowd; all locals doing their thing, which is pool and getting drunk. By chucking out time the place was reeling.
Today, via another beautiful bay (Shelley beach), I've reached Albany, the oldest European settlement in Western Australia, established 1826. Albany is still a small town (29,000 pop.) and during my short stop appears older than most other places we've been.
I've said goodbye to Kai who has a few more days to stay in this area before flying back to Germany next week.
Tomorrow I head back to Fremantle before flying to Darwin on Tuesday.
3 comments:
aren't ewoks native to that part of australia?
Tom
Hi Paul
Liz and Una here nursing hangover's together after a late night karaoke session. Brought back fond memories of the three of us in Hammersmith Chinese Buffet!
Great to hear your latest news particularly as we've been to some of the places you've travelled through. Liz agrees about the Dolphins and just last week Una was knocking back the Gin Slings in Singapore.
Enjoy the rest of the adventure!
Lots of Love
Una and Liz xxx
Hi Paul, Sounds like Oz is great fun. Peter has booked to visit Sydney and the Great barrier reef in September, a big adventure! Andrew and I were at the Engalnd France game on the Sunday.We sat with the French, they went very quiet in the second half!I had a good feeling England would win at half time. Those Tangye engines are quite something, you see them at rallies in the UK, though Diana thinks they are an acquired taste. Take good care looking forward to the next updates.
Diana and John
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