Day 61-64 Margaret River and South West WA

In Margaret River we stayed at a great caravan park/farm called Taunton. It was lovely camping next to pastures, a dam and seeing the morning mists roll in. Kids had fun feeding the animals and the ducks joined us for a G and T.

Unusual to see a jumping pillow near a windmill

   

George and Bullet.

The adults were excited by the opportunity to taste the wine on offer, however the prices are very expensive at the cellar door. We enjoyed the other tastings on offer- chocolate, cheese and ice cream.

Bowls of free chocolate were addictive...not sure how hygienic, though there was a spoon.

 There was a temple to the cows - a town called Cowramup (5mins nth of Margy River)- with statues on most corners.

We visited the Mammoth Cave which had fossils of mega fauna (large kangaroos, wombats etc).

We left Margaret River on our way south and visited the impressive Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse- the most southern west point of Australia. Many sites such as these have audio tours which are great. Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is still operational with a light and weather readings beamed back. There use to be three light house keepers on site with their families but now its all automated. Lots of stories of life in this remote station.

Joel spotted a tiger snake after Mandy had just walked past. Pity this sign which we saw at our next stop wasn't erected to warn the scardy tourists.

Next stop Beedelup Falls in Beedelup NP, beautiful dense karri forests mixed with jarrah and marri trees.

Then we took the tree top walk through the Valley of the Giants, just after Walpole.

Beautiful tall red eucalyptus tingle jacksonii trees 400 plus years old

Ava trying to imitate the Grandma tingle tree. A view from the top of the walk- stunning.

We visited one of the tallest NP fire look outs- the Gloucester Tree just south of Pemberton. It was so named because the Duke of Gloucester visited and had lunch while the workers put in the tree pegs! 

No we didn't let them climb any further

We camped at the Leaning Marri Campground in D'Entrecasteaux NP. It was lovely and quiet with only one other camper there.The Yeagerup Lake was walking distance.

The reason for the camp name and breakfast.

We stayed here because the kids wanted to surf/scream down the huge Yeagerup sand hills. It was a tough 2 km ride/push your bike up a 4WD track to get there- but worth it.

The adults fared worse

We stayed in Albany for three nights while we waited out sickness and rain. Got in a few quick trips to more chocolate shops, a meadery and a walk through the replica of the Amity Brigg- the first ship to bring white settlers into this region in 1826.

 We visited the newly renovated Gap and Natural Bridge. Next land form south is the Antarctic.

Bottom right is Greens Pool just west of Denmark on a blustery day. Suppose to be a beautiful swimming spot in summer.

We did actually see a bandicoot in our caravan park tonight. The south west has lots of national parks, beautiful pastures and cute providores/galleries to drop into along the coastal road. Worth a visit.