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Published: June 23rd 2007
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Both at Pinnacles
Another scenic shot + us. Hello avid readers,
We've made it to our last state meaning we have done all 6 States and 2 Territories (I think the difference is a Territory doesn't have its own government, just the national one whereas States do.) Anyway as we are moving into winter here (opposite seasons remember) its got a little bit colder and a fair bit wetter. Flying to Perth from Cairns via Ayers Rock airport meant we got to see Uluru and the Olgas from the air which was still really impressive.
We got a room with our very own toilet/shower this time but the downside was there were a few biting bedbugs again. Our first few days we spent wandering around the city and visited WA museum (its free!)
We had already prebooked a tour to see the south west visiting Margaret River, Albany, Bunbury, Busselton and some of the large Karri forests. The first day we visited Bunbury and went to the dolphin centre (we didn't see any). Then we saw some of the coast (it was cold but a girl from Texas happily went for a swim) Then we called at a Brewery and chocolate factory which we plundered
Mike & Long Pier
Is that a pier behind you or are you just pleased to see me. for free samples. We then made our way to Margaret River where we stopped the night, The only disappointment was that Margaret River is supposed to be another famous wine region but we didn't visit any wineries/vineyards!!!
Our second day we went to the Karri Forests. We visited and climbed the Gloucester Tree. It's 61m high (about 180 feet) and was used as a fire lookout. The tree itself has steel pegs hammered into it bit like 9inch nails but thicker that spiral up the tree to made a ladder. we were surprised you were simply allowed to climb up as there was no railing to hold and no harness attached. Despite this we went for it. I started as quickly as not to think about it too much. It was actually hard work as there was nowhere to stop until you are near the top. Once there the views were pretty impressive so we took our time before the inevitable climb down. While at the top I wasn't sure if I'd see Debbie was some people did turn back but we both did it!!!! Going down the tree was a bit more nerve wracking as you have to
Sunset at Surfers Point
Another Debbie Sunset for the collection look down to make sure you find a peg to put your foot on. We both got down safely and then climbed back up about 10m for photograph poses.
After the tree we went to "Giants of the Forest' to do a tree top walk9 lots of suspension bridges up in the trees) However after the Gloucester Tree it all seemed quite tame even when I tried to make the bridges swing.
We also went to Surfers point where some of the waves were huge and for some reason its where lots of people walks their dogs. That night we stayed in Albany where you can go whale watching but it was the wrong time of the year. That night the group )7 of us and the driver, Lisa) went to the pub for some drinks. it was a friendly group with some Londoners, some Americans and a German girl who kept bumping her head and who worked at Wet & Wild nears Surfers where we went.
The final day of our tour we had a scenic coastal trip, wine tasting at Fox River Winery at Mt Barker (the lady there was really friendly) We got back
Both with Karri Tree
More big trees. Not sure why it came out blurry though. to Perth around 6pm to stay at the same place but a different room.
We'd decided we wanted to see Fremantle which is pretty nearby and an easy train trip away. Fremantle seems to be known for its cappuccino strip and seafood and its prison. As most of you know Debbie doesn't drink coffee so we went directly to the prison (and did not pass go) The prison was built in the 1850's using convict labour and housed convicts for about 20 years before becoming a maximum security prison for WA, the prison only closed in 1991. The tour was really interesting and was run by a guy who must have been a former prison warden as he seemed pretty strict. We got to see the cells through the ages from 1860's to the 1990's Some of the artwork done on the walls by the Aborigine prisoners was really impressive. After the prison tour we had a look around the shops (though we never really buy anything) From there we went to near the harbour to look for one the recommended seafood restaurants. When we chose one we went up to order the food and were offered a meal
Deb at Indian Ocean/Southern Ocean border
If you look closely you can see a line where the oceans meet. You just have to stare at it for a really long time... to try between us for free provided we give them some feedback on it. We still order a meal each (though we really didn't need to) The place sells various white fish with chips which start off quite cheap (which we ordered) to some quite expensive (what we were given for free) we were very stuffed and satisfied after the food so we walked it off before getting back on the train. We got off at Mossman Park, one of the nicer suburbs as we'd been told by the hostel owner to see how the other half lives. After that we got back on the train and jumped off at Cottsloe to see where the Perthites go the beach. It was nice but even the Australian winter is too cold to go in the sea.
We'd also wanted to go up the West coast to see the Pinnacles (some strange rock formations) and we found a day tour which did it. Another 6.45am pick up (sigh) and we were away. The bus looked like it would be more at home on the moon!! We visited another National Park on the way up and saw some Western Grey Kangaroos before
Mike climbing Gloucester tree
The most dangerous thing I've done while traveling (except getting in a 4WD driven by Debbie) walking to see some more koalas. After a lot more driving we got to the Pinnacles. They are actually in a desert with lot of rocks poking out of the ground. They're quite hard to describe a bit like being in a naturally formed graveyard with all the headstones. From there it was a picnic lunch and then out for some 4WD sand dune driving. It all seemed quite tame after our own 4WD driving on Fraser Island. having said that we then started driving down some almost vertical drops!!! Again the weather was against us as it was raining quite heavily meaning sand dune boarding was off so we started the long journey back to Perth.
So our last night in Perth and the last time we will cook for 3 weeks, we had pasta again but with pesto just to be different. We got picked up the next day by the airport shuttle bus which was a bit irritating as it took nearly 2 hours to get tot eh airport because of all the hotel pickups ( a taxi would have taken about 25 minutes) We still made the flight though, next stop Asia and Singapore.
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Rod
non-member comment
Thanks for "taking me there"!
Great read, I feel as though I've visited Australia already!