Friday 13 November

The WOW Wilderness EcoCruise was this morning’s adventure. This tours the Walpole-Nornalup Inlets Marine Park, passing through the Channel we crossed the inlets and then walked to Shelly Beach. This is a beautiful pristine spot, typical of the beautiful beaches along the southern coast of WA. The tour guide is part of the experience and is a non-stop talker who links everything back to his beloved Walpole.

WOW Wilderness EcoCruise

Photos of Walpole-Nornalup Inlets Marine Park

Photos from Shelly Beach Hike

Another Photo of Walpole-Nornalup Inlets Marine Park

After a picnic lunch in Walpole we both enjoyed a massage. While waiting for Drew to have his massage I had a brief chat to a hiker currently doing the Bibbulmun.

We drove the Knoll Scenic Drive on the way back to the caravan park – beautiful tall timber forest right down to the waterline of the inlets, magnificent!

Knoll Scenic Drive

Cliffs on Nornalup Inlet

5 December - Walpole Wild Areas

5 December 2016 – 197 761

Walpole Wild Areas

Our first destination today was Mt Frankland National Park.  

https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park/mount-frankland

We climbed to the summit of Mt Frankland, which is still used for fire spotting and weather reporting – the view from the top was amazing even with overcast weather and smoke haze!  The view must be truly magnificent on a clear day.  On the way down we were able to watch a group of people rock climbing on the granite slopes.  

https://trailswa.com.au/trails/mount-frankland-summit-trail/print

We then walked out on the Walpole Wilderness viewing platform.  

https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/site/mount-frankland-wilderness-lookout

Next stop was the Swarbrick Art Loop – quite an interesting mirror arrangement. 

https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/site/swarbrick

We then drove alongside the Nornalup Inlet, where the giant trees of the forest go right down to the water’s edge. 

https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park/walpole-and-nornalup-inlets

Next stop was Mt Clare, which involved walking another small section of the Bibbulmun Track. The view from here was relatively disappointing after Mt Frankland.  

https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/site/mount-clare

https://trailswa.com.au/trails/mt-clare-summit-trail/print

Continuing along the Scenic Drive route, we stopped at the Hill Top Lookout, we could see out over the Frankland River to the ocean beyond.  

https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/site/hilltop-lookout

As we travelled along the Scenic Drive we saw many many enormous trees, with various interesting effects on the bark from their lifetime of trials.  Next up was the Giant Tingle Tree – from the photos it appears dead, Tingle Trees can have the centre of the trunk burnt out and continue to live quite happily, so even though looking at the base it appears dead, there were green leaves high above.  It was massive!  

https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/site/giant-tingle-tree

Last stop for the day was Circular Pool, there is an area of rapids just below it which produced massive amounts of foam in the water, which was then blown around by the wind.  

https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/site/circular-pool

All up, another busy day.

4 December - Mt Pinderup, D’Entrecasteaux National Park and Denmark Sights

4 December 2016 – 197 530

Mt Pingerup, D’Entrecasteaux National Park and Denmark Sights

This morning we packed down and headed to Fernhook Falls – unfortunately these were closed due to fire.  So, onwards to Mt Pinderup – a short sharp climb with a great view at the top.  

https://trailswa.com.au/trails/mount-pingerup-walk-trail

https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/park/dentrecasteaux

We then went into Walpole, the visitor information centre was very helpful. 

https://www.walpole.com.au/

We have camped for the night at Ayr Sailean – a lovely farm option with beautiful rolling green pastures, and we have the place entirely to ourselves.  

https://www.aircamp.com.au/campsite/ayr-sailean

After setting up, we drove on to Denmark.  

https://www.denmarkwesternaustralia.com/

Stop one was “a bit on the side” a toffee and cider factory, with an amazing variety of sauces.  My favourite was the chocolate grand marnier sauce and the peanut brittle toffee.  

https://www.denmarkgoodfoodfactory.com.au/

Stop two was Swiss Annie’s Fine Chocolates – oh so good!  

https://denmarkchocolate.com.au/

Stop three was the Denmark Berry Farm – which was closed at 4pm despite the sign saying open 11-5 weekends.

This renovator's delight was spotted along the way - some TLC needed!