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Published: February 14th 2015
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After our brief and unscheduled stay in Albany, we headed north of Porongurup NP through to the Stirling Ranges NP. Originally we had planned to camp in the NP, but these parks have been closed due to fire risk. However, we were able to access the car park at the base of Bluff Knoll. We asked our recovering legs how they felt about a 2 hour climb up to the top of the knoll. There was a deathly silence. We took no time at all to determine that silence = an embarrassed no, but thanks for asking. We asked the cameras what they thought. They were only too happy to provide pictures from the car park, so that is what we have.
You will see a Japanese traveller who was only too willing to do the 4.5 hour journey. He must have felt intimidated standing 4' 6" alongside my 6' 2". Love the umbrella hat. Not sure if it would survive, as the day was breezy and the top of the knoll totally exposed.
This is a very popular NP for bird watching, hiking and wild flowers in season. A little too windy to see birds settled in a
suitable pose - except for one honey eater that was not distracted by the photographer.
We spent an hour here enjoying the view and chatting to some folk who have been regular visitors to the park over many years. The fascilities and car park are excellent. Maybe next time we come to WA our legs might be a little more willing to do this climb. It is not as demanding as Castle Rock, so there is hope.
From Bluff Knoll we headed south east through Ravensthorpe and out to the coast, staying in the Hopetoun Caravan Park. We don't comment too much on commercial businesses in our blogs, but this park is difficult to classify. We have a walk of about 60 meters to the beach. That is very good. The site we are parked on is not unlike the bush camps we use (for free) in the outback, old trees providing shade and shelter. The shower and toilet block, well, while they are very clean, must have come from an auction of old farm buildings. Privacy is minimal, and no sign on the outside indicating the Women's side. Still it is a great spot to access the
Fitzgerald River National Park, about 12 ks away.
While we were setting up our site we had rumblings of thunder and wondered what was about to hit. Well, not much actually, and not for a couple more hours. At sunset we went down to the beach and really enjoyed the view, plus large but well spaced out rain drops. The sunset photos are interesting as the rain bands a little out to sea became very colourful.
Saturday morning, we drove out to Hamersley Inlet in the Fitzgerald River NP, and as per usual nosed down a number of the side roads. I had read that WA wild flowers are found in this park all year round. The sceptic in me was confronted with the reality that this cooler climate park is in flower even in the peak of summer. The Royal Hakea is weird but rather magical. We were quite surprised at the variety of colours in this specie. We saw several quite distinct varieties of Banksia as well. Some trailing at ground level, others upright with the usual cylindrical flower, others with a dome shaped flower. At ground level there are some very miniature flowers, one of
which is featured in the blog - a beautiful feathered flower about the size of my thumb nail.
I have always love photographing sea scapes. The coast line through the NP is rugged rocky out crops with pristine white beaches in between. The water ranges from the white of the breakers, a soft aquamarine tone in the shallows, through to deep blue in the wider ocean. There are several look outs beside the road to enjoy the view. I understand that in spring the Southern Right Whales are seen in the bays. I think I will come back and check that out.
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Mum & Dad
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Another good blog
Liked the photos and great comment.