No Boundaries Australia

Walpole to Albany – Tuesday 18 October 2011

We woke to a fairly ordinary day, it rained most of the night, but the day was dry, very windy and overcast, so decided to move onto Albany for a few days. Stopped off to visit Green Pools and Elephant Rocks in the William Bay National Park, even though it was cool and windy the water still looked a million dollars, very green and spectacular. We pulled into Denmark for a look around the town and had a bite to eat before heading to Albany.

Elephant Rocks

Green Pools - on a brighter day it looks sensational

Arrived Albany early afternoon and stayed at the Middleton Beach Caravan Park, very nice, however the weather was a shocker, wet and very cold, we thought we had missed winter but no it found us. Spent the afternoon updating the blog and admin stuff.

Dog Rock - Albany

Albany - Wednesday 19 October 2011

A marked improvement in the weather today, warm and sunny, we headed out to check out the sights of Albany, along with Derek and Leanne. Headed out to Whale World, this place closed in the late 70’s when whale catching was stopped by the government. A very heart reaching place, the guide decided to us on how they caught the whales bought them in and butchered then. We were pleased it no longer operates, but good to see how it all happened.

The lighter side of Whale World

The rock in the bay where the whales were
held once towed in and until they were butchered

The slipway where the whales were dragged up to be butchered

A real harpoon on the front of the ship

We went for a drive out along the coast to Torndirrup National Park to look at the Gap and Natural Bridge formations. On the way back into town went up to Mt Clarence to look at the Anzac Memorial and views over the city. Albany was where the troops left for Gallipoli in 1914, and also the site for the first Anzac Dawn Service.

Natural Bridge

The Gap

Marlene, Leeanne and Derrick on the edge of The Gap

Memorial to the Troops who left from here in WWI

Walpole – Thursday 20 October 2011

Back-track day today, we decided to head back to Walpole to go on a cruise of the waterways and Nornalup Inlet. We had intended to do this while in Walpole but the weather was against us. It was well worth the trip back, the cruise (WOW Wilderness Cruise) is very different but worth it, very entertaining approach to getting the environmental message across. If, you are ever in Warpole make sure this cruise in on your bucket list. Back to Albany again, stopped for lunch at Denmark on the way.

Walpole Beach

The majestic waterways at Walpole

Albany to Esperance – Friday 21 October 2011

Back on the road to Esperance today, one of the biggest days we have done over the past 2 weeks, today is 470+km. Easy trip, a bit of head wind, the country side was slowly getting back to what it was like up north, the tall trees and green rolling hills are disappearing and flat bushy scrub is back. Stopped in at Ravensthorpe for fuel and lunch then arrived in Esperance mid-afternoon. We stayed at the Esperance Seafront Caravan Park, with great views over the bay, only problem is a very strong SE blowing.

Things you see on the road - #2

Esperance – Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 October 2011

Nice day today, we are meeting up with an old friend (Dave) we met him and his wife in Townsville 23 year ago, when they made friends with a very young Catherine. The last time we visited them was when we were here with kids 19 year ago. Unfortunately Dave’s wife passed away 2 weeks before we arrived. We had a great day, Dave now 85, showed us around his town and took us out for lunch with his family.

Our dear friend Dave and his family

It was really great to catch up and spend some quality time with a lovely friend. We toured the town and went and visited the Stonehenge, a real size replica of the English Stonehenge. All built from granite quarried in the area, just spectacular.

Stonehenge - Esperance

Marlene & Dave

The granite rocks range in weight from 18 to 55 tonne

Saturday night the rain started and it rained constantly all night, we woke to a wet, windy and cold Sunday, with 44mm of rain overnight. But the weather didn’t stop us, after we watched Frosty in his Mighty Ford WIN on the Gold Coast we went for a drive and had a look out along the coastline and around town, very pretty spot, the sands are so white and the seas very green.it is still one of Marlene’s favourite places in Australia. With the strong winds the seas were up, we saw a few guys out on windsurfers and kites, surfing a fantastic break, just incredible. Back home again we had drinks with Derrick and Leanne and watched the Kiwis win the Rugby World Cup and of course we witnessed Australia win the Bronze (just for you Maureen).

Coastline pure white sand

and the greenest of seas

windsurferes tackiling the seas

Twilight Beach

Frosty winning on the Gold Coast

The view across the ocean from Derrick & Leeanne's
bus while watching the Rugby Finals

On the road tomorrow, heading to Kalgoorlie for a couple of days then across the Nullarbor, should be in Port Lincoln by next weekend and Adelaide for the Melbourne Cup.

Bunbury to Busselton – Tuesday 11 October 2011

With the Bathurst races over it is time to get back to travelling again, so we were off to Busselton for a couple of days, not a big drive only an easy 54km. We booked into the Mandalay Holiday Resort, a very nice park with lots of green grass, pure luxury. After a quick set up, it now takes us only 15 minutes to unhooked and set the van up ready to rest, complete with awning and comfy outdoor chairs. We had a look around town, walked the Busselton Jetty, 1.8km each way, a great walk and the weather was just perfect.

Busselton Jetty 1.8km each way

Some take the train - we walked

After our walk we headed out to the coast to visit Dunsbourough, Edge Bay, Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, Yallingup and Canal Rocks. What a great drive checking out a very nice coastline, we ended the afternoon with a drive inland back into Busselton.

Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse

Canal Rocks - Marlene

Canal Rocks - Ken

Busselton - Wednesday 12 October 2011

We were picked up at 10am by the Cellar D’or Wine Tour company for a wine tour through the region, stopping at 5 wineries, a brewery, chocolate factory and olive oil factory. What a day, there were 10 off us on the bus and as the day went on the more fun we had. We visited 5 very nice wineries, (Happs, Swooping Magpie, Windows, Cape Naturaliste & Knotting Hill) of course tasted lots and bought a couple from each place. The brewery was a special place with lots of crazy beers, strange but not my cup of tea. I also had the chance to play pool on a round pool table, with 5 pockets, work that out, I won as well.

Round Pool Table & I won

Wine Tour Group at the 5th winery

Busselton to Cowaramup – Thursday 13 October 2011

Well today was one of the shortest days we will do, only 24kn down the road, hardly worth it but we wanted to stay at a park called Taunton Farm Holiday Park, a caravan park on a working dairy farm. Very nice little park, and a nice change to the normal caravan parks, the place is 10km north of Margaret River. We spent the afternoon looking around Margaret River village, then went for a drive up through the vineyards and checked out a couple more that we were told about.

Feeding time Taunton Farm

Wild Orchards

Just arriving at Taunton Farm Hioliday Park

Margaret River – Friday 14 October 2011

First stop for today was to catch up with friends we met on the wine tour in Margaret River for coffee, then on to Augusta and Cape Leeuwin for a look around. The weather today was probably the worst we have had for the whole trip, cloudy, windy and a couple of rain scuds about, but we still did heaps. Cape Leeuwin is the most south-westerly point of Australia and is where the Southern Ocean meets the Indian Ocean, you can actually see the different colours of the seas, where they meet. The wind was blowing and the seas were huge, very magic sight.

Cape Leeuwin lighthouse

a crazy cow at the lighthouse

The meeting of the two oceans

The wild surf

We travelled up the coast though Hamlin Bay, Prevelly Bay, where the Margaret River meets the ocean and where the surfing classics are held each year. Another great day checking out all the sights.

Cowaramup to Manjimup – Saturday 15 October 2011.

On the move again, further inland today Manjimup, to visit some friends we met in Broome. We stayed at another off beat caravan park called Fonty’s Pool, a farm 10km from town and just magic. A very pretty place with this huge pool privately built over 60year ago by damming the river, just a sight to behold. Spent the afternoon sitting in the sun at the park chatting with our friends.

Fonty's Pool

Pemperton – Sunday 16 October 2011

Went for a drive today to Pemperton to check out the regions massive trees , forests and great natural features. We visited the Beedup Falls and walked the trail across the swinging bridge through the forest, then climbed some of the way up the Gloucester Tree, checked out Warren National Park, then just to change the pace we visited the Lavender and Berry Farm and had the best Pancake with hot berry sauce and ice cream, just fantastic. We ended up the trip with a visit to Lost Lake winery and the Wine and Truffle Company. Where we learnt a great deal about how you grow and what you do with Truffles, very interesting. Ended up the day with a BBQ at Greg & Chrissies, a great night chatting about our trip and their trip, it was an enjoyable evening.

The winding road down through the Forests

Swining Bridge Beedup Falls

Climbing the Gloucster Tree

See i did climb up it - maybe not all the way!!

Manjimup to Walpole – 17 October 2011

Busy day today, not a long way to travel with only 120km but we had lots to do. The day started with a tour our Manjimup and the local orchards and farms, with Greg & Chrissie, Manjimup is a great town with a lot going for it, great farming community.

Check out the hugew Protea's

King Jarrah at Manjimup

We were on the road by 11:30am and in Walpole by 1:30pm, within 15 minutes we were set up then it was time to check out the forest around this area. We met up with a Canberra couple (Derrick & Leanne, who we met in Bunbury) and all went for a drive to find some big trees, Giant Tingle trees, huge Karri trees and many more. We started the afternoon off with a tour through the Swarebrick Art Gallery, a protest gallery against logging, very interesting.

Who do you think took this photo?

Then onto the Valley of the Giants and Tree Top walk, words cannot explain how big these trees are, just incredible. The tree top walk is 40 metres above the ground walking amongst some huge trees. The afternoon ended with a look at the circular pools, were the running water is coloured by the tannins in the water and froths up as it goes through the rapids making it look like a huge cappuccino, incredible to look at. Back to the van late that night as the weather changed again and it rained most of the night. Onto Albany tomorrow for a few days, then Esperance for a few days, we may head up to Kalgoorlie than its head east for the last few weeks.