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Published: June 27th 2009
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We left Perth yesterday in wind and rain and were pleased to finally stop for the night at the little beachside town of Cervantes to bed down for the night. After a rainy, windy night, we were thrilled that this morning the sun was shining.
We left the caravan park and drove the 17 klms to the strange moonscape that is the Pinnacle Desert. We drove through the national park and once we’d parked the motor home, we walked amongst the Pinnacles. These are are statuesque wind-carved limestone pillars up to three metres high, rising out of the sand like ancient ruins. They were formed in the sand 25,000 to 30,000 years ago after the sea receded and deposits of sea shells remained behind. Over time the elements removed the surrounding sand, leaving the pillars isolated and open to wind degradation.
After our little walk, we went into the Interpretive Centre where the story of the formation of the Pinnacles and the flora and fauna found there was shown. I was surprised at how many different plants and animals live in this desert. There was a shop attached, once more selling very good class of souvenirs. It was then
back to the motor home to drive along the marked ‘roadway’ amongst the Pinnacles, something of an adventure with a wide vehicle, dodging rocks and bushes....we were offroading ... a bit of a thrill on the sandy 3.5km track. We passed so many rocky formations and loaded the camera with photos, then we left the park and headed for the next town north of Cervantes - Jurian Bay. This area is known as the Turquoise Coast and must be lovely when the wind isn’t blowing. There are islands out to sea where sea lions frolic and snorkelling is popular amongst the coral and interesting plants and caves below the ocean.
We hadn’t realised the town of New Norcia was just north of Perth - we’d thought it was much further north of the state, and we'd taken a different road yesterday and missed it. So rather than continue north, we headed south and are staying the night at the town of Moora before going tomorrow to see New Norcia. We loved the note at the caravan park here - ‘pick a spot and then go to the laundry for instructions about paying’. In the laundry there was an envelope
where we were to place $21 with the number of our campsite and put down the shute... a type of honesty box.
This SE corner of Western Australia is known for its many and varied wildflowers and it's a popular destination in spring. However, we have seen some beautiful flowers, in this area there are banksias everywhere - in shades of coral, pink and orange. There is pink heath, something yellow and something white flowering and the ever-present grasstrees are prolific. There were some beautiful gum trees with red/pink flowers on the roadside coming into town. Yesterday I was busy picking large gum nuts from the side of the road - Western Australia has so many fabulous plants, I’m glad we saw a lot in flower last time we were here.
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