Stirling Ranges

8 – 13 November 2022

After leaving Crowea we made our way along forest roads to the Gloucester Tree – to look for birds. It had been a fairly productive location when we visited 4 years previously and it was this time too. We had morning tea there and considered our next stop. We decided that despite some iffy weather coming up we would make our way to the Stirling Ranges.

We headed through Pemberton, then back towards Manjimup where we turned off towards Mount Barker. We stopped at Lake Muir where there is a boardwalk out to a bird hide which overlooks the lake. Unfortunately the water was too far away to get a good look at what might be there, but there were picnic tables, a shelter and toilet so it made a good spot to have lunch.

We continued through Mount Barker and on to the Stirling Ranges. There is no camping in the national park so we stayed at the caravan park which is well known as a birdwatchers spot. We had our fingers crossed that the rain that was forecast wouldn’t eventuate – but we were wrong, we had rain off and on every day that we were there and the nights were bitterly cold. Despite that it is a beautiful spot and Mick was able to get lots of good bird photos just around the caravan park and surrounds.

On our first day we spent the day at camp – with Mick venturing around the grounds between showers of rain. He met a couple of other birders who were happy to share their recent sightings.

The following morning the sky was clear but with rain forecast for later in the day we decided to go out for a drive along the loop that takes you through the Stirling Range National Park. There are a number of peaks that have hiking tracks but they are all Class 4 or 5, and with the weather the way it was, we weren’t keen. Instead we stopped at a lovely picnic spot at Red Gum Springs. There are toilets, picnic tables and BBQ. We continued on stopping at a couple of lookouts – Western and Central as well as another picnic area at White Gum Flat. It’s a lovely drive and we were lucky the rain held off until we were home.

We had booked to stay for three nights but decided to extend after a checking the weather forecast. There had been some quite heavy rain overnight and we weren’t keen to pack up wet, and then unpack in the wet at our next destination. After arranging the extra nights we drove to the Porongorups, about 45 kilometres away. We entered the National Park at Castle Rock where the Granite Skywalk is located. We decided against attempting this as there was rain on the way. Instead Mick spent the time photographing wrens in the carpark.

We had been told about a winery a little further on that had lots of birds in the gardens so we headed there. Unfortunately the rain started in earnest just as we arrived so we had to settle for coffee and cake, and wine tasting for me. I picked up a couple of bottles (no room for more) of lovely cool climate Sauvignon Blanc and Rose.

Saturday was cold, windy and rainy, as expected so we spent most of the day indoors catching up on social media and photo editing. Fortunately the rain overnight and into early Sunday morning was not significant and everything was dry enough to pack up. We were glad we had decided to stay the extra couple of nights. Our next stop would be another place we had been before – Cheynes Beach.