Big things in the south of Western Australia

Our second week in WA was our first week touring. Headed south to a place called Busselton where whales rest on their way south. Saw whales from the cliffs at Cape Naturaliste then went on a boat to get amongst them – superb, but impossible to photograph!

Headed south-east towards Walpole and stopped on the way to climb a tree. Diamond Tree was a forest fire lookout and you get up it by a 51-metre ladder. Although ladder is a bit of an exaggeration - it's reinforcing rods hammered into the tree at regular intervals so you can get to the top. Judy did it all!

Toured around Walpole and saw massive trees – karri and tingle trees which are both huge varieties of eucalypt. Fortunately now saved from loggers as this is the only area where they grow.

Lunch on the beach at 'Conspicuous Cliff' then off to see the Natural bridge near Albany which is a lot bigger than it looks here.

Then off to the Stirling Ranges where we climbed Bluff Knoll, the highest point in southern WA. Two hours up (only 3km) then down a bit quicker! The views were fantastic, even from part way up...

… as were the wild-flowers which covered the higher slopes.

We took the long way back to Perth via the famous Wave Rock.

It was much more interesting 20Km away at The Humps and Mulka's Cave which had aboriginal hand paintings.

Stopped at a nice motel in Corrigin on the way back as we were kn*****ed. Swapped car for a 4WD and now heading north from Perth, up the Indian Ocean.

Greetings from Perth

We got to Perth early last Saturday morning after the flight from Heathrow was delayed 4 hours which meant that we missed our connection in Singapore. But as we were with Quantas all the way, they sorted it quickly. So after about 3 hours sleep (the hostel kept our room for us), we went to Fremantle to see an Aboriginal display which was very good – dancing and digeridoo music.

Next day we went to a suburb called Subiaco where there was a great market and some interesting traditional old houses.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Chris was working but Judy managed to do the tourist bit in Perth city, especially King's Park and the Botanic Gardens.

Thursday we picked up a hire car and went via Guildford, an interesting old town with more old buildings and the Aussie Eton School, then spent the evening with an old friend and family. Next day went for a long hike in the John Forrest National Park up in the Perth Hills (Darling Range). 

 

Cooled our feet in a waterfall near the end.

Then off to spend a couple of nights with other old friends from our walking group who showed us around the area.

Tomorrow we're off to the southern bit of Western Australia for a week to see the beaches, trees, wildflowers and mountains and whatever else takes our fancy – nothing planned. Then back to Perth to change our car for a 4WD to head a long way north into the outback  until the end of November.