Wilson Inlet Heritage Trail and Camp Oven Cooking

 Thursday 12 November

This morning we packed up our van and headed out of Albany to Coalmine Beach, near Walpole.  We stopped near Denmark to walk the section of the Wilson Inlet Heritage Walk that was not part of Wilson Inlet Heritage Trail Parkrun. This was a lovely wide and relatively flat walk on the inland side of Wilson Inlet.  Wilson Inlet Heritage Trail

We collected the last of our Bibbulmun Track gear from Big 4 Denmark Ocean Beach Holiday Park, then off to Coalmine Beach.

We have checked into the caravan park we stayed in while hiking the Bibbulmun Track. Coalmine Beach Caravan Park has a lovely, relaxed bush setting. Coalmine Beach Holiday Park  We spent the afternoon camp oven cooking – pork roast and crackle with roast vegetables followed by rocky road cake!

Peak Head Track, Torndirrup National Park

 Wednesday 11 November

Today we finished all the mundane jobs of cleaning and sorting, grocery shopping, buying fuel, booking things etc.

In the afternoon we walked the Peak Head Track in Torndirrup National Park.  Like so many of the walks in this part of Western Australia it is dramatic – with sweeping seascapes, granite boulders, wildflowers and strong winds. Beautiful!

Torndirrup National Park   

Peak Head Track

Tonight we had dinner at the caravan park with a gentleman we met in Pemberton, when we were all doing the Bibbulmun Track, who had just finished his adventure - well done.

Kalgan River

 Sunday 8 November

This morning we had the luxury of a sleep in and a short walk alongside the Kalgan River before moving back into Albany.  Kalgan River

Drew took his boots into Anaconda to show them the disintegration one boot, and not the other, had experienced on the Bibbulmun Track. His boots had been new for the Cape-to-Cape Track.  Anaconda have lodged a warranty claim with the manufacturer, and we will see what happens.

The remainder of the day was spent on life administration, sorting out our hiking gear and beginning the long process of cleaning up from our adventure.

Parkrun and Celebrations

 Saturday 7 November

Mt Clarence Parkrun this morning was an interesting experience, as both felt like our bodies had forgotten how to run. We got it done!  Mt Clarence Parkrun

As we could not stay tonight in the same caravan park (it was booked out), we packed up the van and moved to Kalgan River Caravan Park and Chalets.  

https://kalganrivercaravanpark.net.au/

My next top priorities for me were a haircut and a pedicure.  I can assure you that walking 1000km does not make for pretty feet and some maintenance was in order.

In the evening we had dinner at Due South in Albany with a group of people we met on the Bibbulmun Track – a great way to celebrate our mutual achievements.

https://www.duesouthalbany.com.au/

https://www.bibbulmuntrack.org.au/

Bald Head, Torndirrup National Park

 Wednesday 30 September – 182295

Today was my final test of whether my calf might be up to resuming the Bibbulmun Track. We drove to Torndirrup National Park to walk the Doggerdirup/Bald Head Walk Trail (Distance 13.81km, Time 5h 10m, Ascent/Descent 775m).  

Torndirrup National Park

Trails WA Bald Head Walk Trail

This walk was described as having stunning views, and it did not disappoint. There are several sections where you can see to the ocean on both sides of the ridgeline. There were wildflowers of various sorts, including the most stunning banksia blooms I have seen in the wild. The trail surface is a mix of granite, sand, boardwalk and steps.  There has been a significant investment in boardwalk and steps to combat erosion and improve safety on this trail. We were surprised at how many people we saw walking part or all of the walk; it is very popular. Being Albany, there were times of significant wind – the spots with the best views also had howling wind.  On the way back we also got to enjoy horizontal rain in one of these areas.

Driving out to Torndirrup National Park two unrelated warning lights came on on our dashboard. As soon as we finished our hike we headed straight to Albany Toyota (who had done our servicing yesterday). They were fantastic, they looked at it straight away, worked our what was wrong, kept us informed and had it fixed within the hour at no additional cost to us. Very good service.  https://www.albanytoyota.com.au/

Southern Art + Craft Trail 2026

 Tuesday 29 September – 182285

Vancouver Arts Centre

This morning the car was off for a well-deserved service. As the rain had finally eased I did a mountain of washing. We walked into Albany and explored the Southern Art + Craft Trail 2026 exhibits at the Vancouver Arts Centre which is located in an old hospital. 

Southern Art + Craft Trail 2026

I booked the buses back to Collie and our first two nights of accommodation for our hopeful return to the Bibbulmun Track on the weekend.

Mount Martin Botanical Reserve Trail

 

Monday 28 September – 182236

Gull Rock National Park

Mount Martin Botanical Reserve Walk

Gull Rock National Park was today’s destination to explore. We walked the Mount Martin Botanical Reserve trail with all its side trails (Distance 13.36km, 4h 17m, Ascent/Descent 459m). Gull Rock National Park is on the other side of King George Sound to Albany and gives views both toward Albany and Torndirrup National Park in one direction and the Stirling Ranges in the other direction. There was a diversity of wildflower types and coastal scenery, as well as some high viewing points. 

View from Whale Lookout

View from Voyager Park toward Emu Point

We stopped for morning tea at Voyager Park – across from Emu Point.  We were fortunate with the rain; as forecast, it started at midday but was mainly light with only ten minutes or so that was solid. I walked today with my pack on, with almost full weight, which has given me confidence that I am almost ready to return to the Bibbulmun Track.

Views from Dick Redshaw Lookout

Ledge Beach