Walpole

3 – 6 November 2018

We headed off and made our first stop at Alexandra Bridge, less than ½ hour away from Augusta. This is a very popular camping spot on the Blackwood River. Quite a few campers had boats with them. We ate morning tea in the picnic area and then had a look around before setting off again.

The Blackwood River.

We stopped briefly at another rest area before pulling up at Pemberton. We had lunch in a park and then went to the Visitor Information Centre where we picked up some brochures and bought our National Parks Holiday Pass. There is an entry fee for many of the parks in this area and the pass, which is valid for 4 weeks, cost less than four entry fees. Following the advice of the lady in the VIC we headed off to the Cascades, just out of town. There is a picnic area, information shelter and walking tracks including part of the Bibbulmun Track which passes through here. We walked down to have a look at the water then set off again.

The Cascades

Our next stop was the Gloucester Tree. This tree was used as a fire lookout and visitors can still climb the 53 metres to the top. This is not for those with poor health, the elderly or those with a fear of heights – no I didn’t even entertain the idea of climbing. We spent a while there though, as Mick spotted some birds keen to have their photos taken. More of the Bibbulmun Track passes here as well.

The Gloucester Tree.

At last a decent shot of a White-breasted Robin.

With food for chicks. White-breasted Robin.

Western Rosellas were easily seen here.

The south west WA form of the Australian Ringneck.

From there we drove on to Walpole and the caravan park just out of town at Coalmine Beach. Another lovely park in a bush setting, with campfires allowed. Unfortunately the weather forecast for the next few days was for cold and rain, but we were hopeful we would still be able to get out and about.

We awoke to clear skies so I managed to get some washing done early then we went to a local spot that the caravan park owner had suggested as a good birdy spot. He was right and Mick had a successful morning.

Red-eared Firetail. Another new bird and WA endemic for me.

Another WA endemic I was desperate to get a decent shot of.

A bonus ground orchid near the finch site.

After lunch we drove to the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. This type of tree climbing is more my style. Elevated walkways rise as high as 40 metres, and although they sway, they feel quite safe. We also went on the Ancient Empire Walk, which was at ground level. There is also a Discovery Centre which had lots of interpretative information. There is no park entry fee but it is $21 per adult for the Tree Top Walk. The other attractions are free.

The Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk.

Tree top walk.

A very different point of view!

Steve and Vi on the Ancient Empire Walk.

A very interesting short walk with some huge trees to admire.

Inside the interpretive centre. The picture tells the story.

A giant bug creeps up on Christie.

This male Red-winged Fairywren hung around the entry walkway and was not shy at all.

 Rain overnight and the sky was still grey when we rose – but there was some blue in the distance. By the time we had showered and breakfasted the sky was mostly blue so we set off to walk into town. The track, predictably, was part of the Bibbulmun Track. At around 3 1/2 kilometres we knew we were taking a risk with the inclement weather but enjoyed reasonably clear skies as we walked through coastal heath type vegetation. Fortunately for us, the rain held off until we were just on the edge of town. We took shelter at a cafe and then visited the Visitor Information Centre. By then the sky had cleared again and we set off for home, this time going via the riverfront and the jetty.

The walk from the caravan park at Coalmine Beach into Walpole takes in part of the Bibbulmun Track

Christie on the Jetty.

Lots of wildflowers on the walk to town including a couple of varieties of grasstree.

Kangaroo paw.

There were signs and reports on the radio but we didn't see any snakes - this sign, however, is the logo for the Bibbulmun Track

Fan-tailed Cuckoo with an impressive grub.

A real heath lover, the Tawny-crowned Honeyeater. This one's a juvenile.

In the afternoon, with the sky still cloudy but no rain, we took a drive to Hilltop Lookout and the Giant Tingle Tree. The road is unsealed, windy and narrow in parts, but it is a one way loop which makes it a safer drive. We then continued on to Circular Pool, but didn't walk all the way down. After a big walk in the morning and the walk to access the Tingle Tree, we just went down as far as the viewing platform.

Hilltop Lookout

A Tawny Frogmouth shelters its chick in the caravan park.

Mum, dad and the kid. I assume the chick had fallen from the nest and that's why the family were on a low log. 

We joined Steve and Vi, our neighbours from Gracetown and Jarrahdene, around the campfire that night, but the rain showers had us moving in and out from under their caravan awning. It was still a nice evening with new friends. Our luck ran out as it kept raining on and off throughout the night and we had to pack up wet canvas between showers. We managed to do it without getting too wet, then set off eastwards again.