10 December 2016 – 198 322
Mt Clarence, Albany Farmers Markets and Torndirrup and West
Cape Howe National Parks
This morning we did our first Western Australian parkrun –
Mt Clarence, this parkrun is not for the faint hearted as it is entirely hills,
the flattest part being the sprint across the sand at the end. But it was fun, once I caught my breath after
the finish.
Albany Farmers Markets were
next on the agenda – we got the most delicious (and probably freshest) cherries
I have ever had!
Next stop was
Torndirrup National Park.
The Gap is an
amazing view down into a cauldron of swirling Southern Ocean – not a view one
often has the opportunity to see. The
Natural Bridge would be quite spectacular in big swells, with the ocean rushing
in and out over a rock platform under the “bridge”.
We also visited the blowholes and while this
was an amazing view over the endless ocean, we did not get to see the blowholes
blow. We had a picnic lunch at Frenchman
Bay, which was well sheltered from both flies and wind.
Salmon Holes is a sheltered beach with anchor
points in the rock areas at each end for people to tie onto while rock fishing
for the salmon that shelter in the bay. 
We climbed to the top of Isthmus Hill, which gave outstanding views in
all directions. The views from the top
of Stony Hill were also fantastic. 
Next
up we went to Albany Wind Farm, which allows you to walk around under the turbines
and look directly up at them overhead.
Last up for the day was West Cape Howe National Park, the southernmost point in Western Australia.
We also drove down
to Shelley Beach, a remote (tent only) camping spot right on the beach – the wind
was incredible.
