Advertisement
Published: September 18th 2008
Edit Blog Post
We drove inland through Donnybrook (apple country), Bridgetown and Manjimup. Stopped at Diamond Tree - 52m high with a lookout on top. Unfortunately raining and 5.30pm so we didn’t climb it. Continued to Pemberton and camped at Big Brook Arbitorium. It had rained most of the way down and we had to set up in the rain. After Kate’s swag was done, we decided that it was too wet for the kids, with water running in streams along the ground. So we grabbed Kate’s doona and pillow and set ourselves up in the King size bed with 2 Queen Doonas and 3 pillows between 4 of us. It was very snug and poor Rod got kicked and elbowed by Alex. We found out that besides snoring, Alex also grinds his teeth. Kate grinds her teeth a little bit, but just not as noisily as Alex. We didn’t get much sleep so there won’t be a repetition unless really necessary. Packing up a wet camper is not fun. The mattress and doona got damp where it touched the canvas on the side where there was no awning.
We set off early and followed the Karri Forest Explorer Trail to Big Brook
Dam. It is a large dam with a sandy shore. Stopped at Beedelup Falls and walked along the suspension bridge and lookouts. Next we saw the Dave Evans Centennial Tree. It is 75m high with a 25m rest area (or chicken out area) and a lookout on top. The steps were widely spaced and on such an angle that we feared the kids could fall through too easily. It was drizzling with rain and the steps were slippery, so we moved on to the town and had a look at the Fine Woodcraft Gallery. Out to the Gloucester Tree, I got up a couple of extra steps than in 1984 but that was all, too scary. Rod and Alex managed to climb all the way to the top - 61m! Went back to the Woodcraft Gallery where Alex got a plaque to say he climbed the Gloucester Tree. Only 20% of visitors to the area actually climb to the top. To the bakery for lunch - very yummy.
On to Northcliffe to Windy Harbour and D’Entrecasteaux Point. It was extremely windy and on a calm day you could probably see whales, but not in the rough seas we had.
Stopped at one campground, for the toilet and thought it was a bit too regimented and we wanted to get closer to Albany. Saw Ian, Helen and the boys (from Crossing Pool). Found a camp at Fernhook Falls in Franklin South National Park. There was only one other camper there and we couldn’t really see them, only their campfire smoke, so we felt like we had the place to ourselves. Took a while to light the fire, the wood was a bit damp and a bit windy. Eventually it got going and we enjoyed the warmth while Rod cooked tea. The kids enjoyed the marshmallows over the fire. Most National Parks in WA don’t allow campfires. There were no envelopes to pay camp fees, so we had a free night.
Stopped at the Giant Tingle Tree and drove along Coalmine Beach Tourist Drive. On to Valley of the Giants and did the tree top walk twice. Kate managed it 3 times, but we had to wait for her as we didn’t know were she was. Also did the Ancient Empire Walk and saw more Tingle Trees. The trees are funny; the alive part of the tree is just
under the external bark, so fires and disease don’t tend to worry them. Lots are hollow and black from fire or disease in the middle.
Through Denmark and got some fuel. On the way to Albany stopped to look at some campsites.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.134s; Tpl: 0.016s; cc: 13; qc: 51; dbt: 0.0834s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb