Western Australian Safari 2012

Spring 2012
Led by Jill and John

Words by Lesley
Thank you to Donna, Lesley, Karen C and Charles for the super photos

Twenty six Batemans Bay Bushwalkers joined Leaders Jill and John for an 8 week safari in Western Australia. Fourteen of the group drove across the Nullarbor, doing the whole 8 weeks, while others came and went at different stages of the trip.

After arriving in Perth and spending a few days sightseeing, we headed up North as far as Monkey Mia, stopping at the Pinnacles, walking in Lesueur National Park and Kalbarri National Park. The wildflowers in the North and South of the State were spectacular, and we saw so many plants not seen in eastern Australia.


Leaders John and Jill at Lesueur National Park Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Bruce, Ailza, Donna and Lesley at The Pinnacles Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Donna surrounded by smokebush Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo


Leschenaultia Wreath Flower Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Monkey Mia dolphin Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	New Norcia historic ruins Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Then it was back south again to spend 4 days near Fremantle. We visited Rottnest Island, the famous Kings Park to see the colourful wildflowers, did different walks in the area, and cruised on the Swan River from Fremantle to Perth.

Next stop was Margaret River, and its wonderful wineries and food products. Then we travelled to Pemberton, where we walked on the famous Bibbulmun Track which runs all the way from Perth to Albany. The walks here were in the Karri forest, where the Eucalypts grow 90 metres tall.


Perth city skyline and Swan River Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Rose of the West, Eucalyptus macrocarpa, Kings Park Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Sunset over Cockburn Sound from Woodman Point Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo


Bibbulmun Long Distance Walking Track Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Coral vine in the Karri forest Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Big Brook Dam, Pemberton Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo


Jill and Lesley tackle the Gloucester Tree Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Pemberton forest Hovea Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Rugged up against the southwest Spring weather Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

There was more walking at Walpole and we also visited the Tree-Top Walk among the Tingle trees in the Valley of the Giants. While there we took the Wilderness Eco Cruise on Nornalup Inlet, featuring a very entertaining guide with a lot of knowledge of the area.

Onto Albany which is a very picturesque area with a rugged coastline. We enjoyed some beautiful walking in this area, taking many photos of different flowers to those we saw up North. Here we visited the Torndirrup National Park to see The Gap, a narrow chasm with a 24 metre drop. Big waves surge into The Gap, crashing against the cliffs. A short walk away was the Natural Bridge, which is a span of granite eroded by huge seas to form a giant arch. At the Albany blow holes there were several different walks. A favourite of many was to Point Possession, a long narrow isthmus with a beach on either side. The track led to a low, rounded granite hill at the end and views over King George Sound.

While in Albany we celebrated Karen C’s significant birthday at a very pleasant restaurant and of course, a fun night was had by all. Here 6 walkers left the group to return east.

On the way to Stirling Range National Park we stopped for a medium walk in the Porongorups, the Nancy Peak Loop, a 5.5 km climb up huge slabs of rock and big boulders. We saw massed wattle and pink shrubs, and amazing views to the Stirling Ranges.


Donna and Tingle Tree at Walpole Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Albany walkers Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Sea Eagle Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo


Steady on Lyn Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Albany seal Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Isopogon on Albany Blowhole walk Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

We spent 3 nights in the Stirling Ranges, where we attempted some of our harder walks up mountains. On the first day we separated into 3 different walking groups. I chose to do Mt Talyuberlup – a 3 km return walk (that doesn’t sound too bad). This what the Information Board at the start said “The walk starts through Talyuberlup, mallee and veronica wattle and then it changes to a difficult scramble up to the base of a cliff face. Walk past a large cave – overhanging rocks are unstable and may fall, continue along the track around the mountain to a difficult, short, near-vertical ascent close to the peak. Four walkers made it to the top. It was very scary looking down, and was so windy, with huge granite rocks looming in front us. It was not a easy walk back down, but the track was lined with flowering bushes we had not seen before.

The next day was the 6 km return walk up Bluff Knoll at 1075 metres, which is the tallest peak in the south west of WA. The walk to the summit is very strenuous with lots and lots of steps. Around some corners we met icy cold winds, making it harder to walk. Stunted marri and jarrah trees grew near the track, and heaps of the different grass trees which only grow in this area. Most of us walked this track, but some did not go to the top. Bob and Sandra headed back east from here.

Packed up again and onto Bremer Bay, hoping to spot whales, and see more wildflowers. We were disappointed not to spot the whales, but rewarded with the different wildflowers.


Ready for the ascent of Mt Talyuberlup Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Bruce, Lesley and Jill at the summit of Mt Talyuberlup Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	View from the top of Bluff Knoll Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

Esperance was our next destination, with its beautiful white sands and aqua water. We spent 2 nights in town, and then the caravaners moved onto the Cape Le Grand National Park camping area at Lucky Bay. The 4 of us staying in cabins in Esperance, drove out each day to do the walks.

Cape Le Grand National Park lies 50km west of Esperance, and comprises a series of rocky headlands, white sandy inlets and bays and extends from Le Grand Beach to Rossiter Bay. These walks here were some of the hardest, most spectacular walks of the trip. It was very scary (if you hate heights) climbing up the large steep granite rocks, and if you did slip, it was a long way down to the ocean.

This area had the whitest firm sands, amazing large orange rocks, and the colour of the ocean ranged from aqua to ink blue. On the rugged headlands the coastal heath is awash with vibrant colours of wildflowers and small lizards basked on the path. Five very experienced walkers climbed the very steep Frenchman’s Peak, which was well worth the climb to get the views. All different grades of walks were done in this area.


Ann and Lesley at Cape Le Grand National Park Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Kangaroos eating seagrass at Lucky Bay Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo	Classic Cape Le Grand scenery Click on thumbnail to enlarge photo

The four walkers who had hired a car and stayed in cabins, drove back to Perth via Kalgoorlie, while the group towing vans did the long trek back over the Nullarbor.

Before I finish this report, I have to thank Jill and John on behalf of all who participated. It was obvious to a lot of research, planning and work went into the organisation of the Safari and it all went like clockwork. Jill and John also led the majority of the walks, so thank you for such a huge effort. We’re all looking forward to your next camp.
Lesley

END