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

Foul Weather Rest Day

Sunday 27 September -182222

Last night was miserable weather – 70km/h gusty winds with rain, perfectly timed for the local long weekend. This morning we did a stocktake of our van and hiking food supplies and topped up, on the hopeful assumption that we will be able to resume the Bibbulmun shortly. We also went to BCF and Anaconda to purchase a flexible gas pipe and a small cupboard for the van.

In the afternoon I remotely helped our son do his tax return and we rearranged the van with our new cupboard. We had planned to go to the Spring Night Markets, but unfortunately the whole event was cancelled due to last night’s weather. The photos below are of the Albany Highway near our caravan park and as you can see the wind was solid.

Torndirrup National Park

 Saturday 26 September - 182157

Mt Clarence Parkrun in Albany was our start to the day, walking for me and running for Drew.  This was cold, wet and very windy.  Mt Clarence Parkrun

Torndirrup National Park

We then drove to Torndirrup National Park and walked the Uredale Point Heritage Trail (Distance 5.08km, Time 2h, Ascent/Descent 196m). I wore my hiking pack as per physio instructions. This walk had two sections of beach walking, so some sand to challenge my calves. There was also a descent with a chain. When we reached Uredale Point we could see that the pilot boat and tugs were about to bring a ship through Ataturk Channel, so we stopped and watched.  I saw more wildflowers today that I had not previously seen.  Trails WA Uredale Point Heritage Trail

Albany Port form Point Uredale

Ataturk Channel Markers

Point King Lighthouse Ruins from Uredale Point

The descent back to the beach

We then began the walk to Peak Head but turned around about a quarter of the way into it. The wind had picked up again and the rain was also increasing. We felt it was unlikely that we would be able to go safely across the granite at Peak Head so decided to change plans.  Trails WA Peak Head Walk

Instead, we had a look at the view of Albany from Stony Hill Lookout and then went on to the Blowholes. The weather at the Blowholes was quite wild – very gusty winds and rain. The blowholes were making a lot of noise, but not much spray.  Trails WA Albany Blowholes  We decided to head back to the shelter of our van to escape the weather.

Back at the van park the wind and rain had really picked up, so we headed inside to read and relax.