Wednesday, 16 October 2013

Week 25 - 26 Esperance, Albany, Walpole, Shannon, Pemberton, Margaret River, Dunsborough, Perth

 From Esperance headed back west towards Albany. To Ravensthorpe was reverse of a few days ago.
Back thru. euc. forest plantations and some farms.
 
 
They do top some of the trees

 
Plantation euc forests used for wood chips to China. 
Still some grain silos and farms.


 
Loading out some of last years crop.
We spent a night at a lovely nature Reserve.  Only van there.
 

 
Still wildflowers


 
This Western Brown snake seemed to own this Reserve and we saw him a number of times.
All the snakes we have seen have been very quick to get away from US.
Through Albany.
 


 
Stopped at the Yacht Club Albany for lunch.
These boys were doing what boys love - fishing.
Spent 3 nights at a camp just out of Walpole west of Albany.
 

 
Great campsite
 
 
More white sand beaches.


 
Pretty windy at this lookout.
All round here beautiful Karri forests.
The National Parks around here are magic and these huge Karri trees are really impressive.
 

 

 
All the rivers are really brown with the tannin from the trees.
 


 
Mt Franklin used to be a forest fire watch.  Quite a walk up for Judy but she did well.
 
 
One of the beautiful Karri trees. Said to be the one of the tallest species in the world.
Some up to 70 - 80 mtrs high.
 
 
Not a Karri but I just liked the twist.

 
 
We think this was a Carnaby's cockatoo and they are threatened by habit destruction.
Pretty much the story of most species in the world!
From Walpole just 70 kms further West to a bush camp at Shannon NP.
 
  
 
Even though it was school holidays we had only 4 - 5 others in huge camping area
for the 2 nights we stayed.
 
 
Free cabin if you have no caravan.
 

 
One of the tallest Karris we saw.


 
Great walks in the forest.  Birds and wildflowers.
Our next stop was Pemberton another 70 kms West.
A timber town with a large sawmill and again surrounded by Parks and forest. 
 

 
One of the uses for the tall Karri trees was to place fire-watch towers on the top 60 - 70 mtrs up!
This tree is not quite that high but is free to climb for those that dare.  No ropes or safety netting.
Just roll up and do it!  Dave went to 1st level at 25 - 30 mtrs then had 2nd thoughts! 
 




 
A close encounter on the way out of the forest.  This branch fell from way up a tree
and we just managed to stop before it crashed to the ground.  It would have been curtains for the vehicle and us if it had hit!!  Lots of red wine that night to calm the nerves.





 
More trees.
At Pemberton there used to be a thriving railway and they now run a bush tram into the forest. 
 



 
Looks impressive but well past its use-by date.  The NZ enthusiasts would love it.
We took the bush ride into the forest.
 


 
Some of the logs at the working saw mill.





 
From Pemberton West into the Margaret River and wine area.
 

 
Lunch on the way at Cape Leeuwin - Augusta

 
Some pine forest but rubbish trees.
We stayed at a farm camp. SHEEP and great to see them again.
Shearing and draughting - just like NZ - loved it.




 
For those that are interested corridale and texel breeds.
 

 
Out on the coast from Margaret River.
Lots of other enterprises around this area apart from wine.
We visited a silkworm farm.

 
This fella was definitely the boss!


 
800 mtrs of silk on each cocoon.



 
Cowaramup was the dairy centre.
From here on to Dunsborough and now back on the true West coast.
Met up with the Perth family here for 2 fun filled days.
 

 
Again lots of birds at our camp.
 

 
Grand kids playing.
 
 
 
Cape Naturaliste lighthouse.
 
 
Bunker Bay area
 
 
A 2 km walk out, and 2 km back on the Busselton wharf.
 
 
A large squid caught off the wharf.
 
 
And back to Perth. Now 17th Oct.
Here for 4-5 days before heading way East.
 
 
 
 

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