20150830 WA Cape Naturaliste to Margaret River

20150830  Driving through Leeuwin Naturliste National Park on our way to check out the Cape Naturaliste Tower which stands on a 100 m high bluff overlooking Geographe Bay, and was constructed in 1903 and commenced operations in 1904.

1907 was an eventful year for the lightstation, the wreck of the Carnarvon Castle, which had caught fire off the south east of WA, saw the rescue of 14 seaman after weeks at sea in a lifeboat.  At least 12 ships have come to grief in the strong currents and dangerous reefs which lie off Cap Naturaliste’s sharp point.

We took the easy walk the where if you are lucky you can view the migration of the humpback southern right and blue whale come close to shore from September to November.  Although you could see them, they were like tine dots in the distance, so we left.

Arum Lily, these poisonous plants grow in mass proportion in the park and are classed as a pest but they look very pretty when in full bloom.

We camped at the back of the shopping centre in Dunsborough a lovely clean town and Des brought for the first time on our trip Chinese.

31-08-2015  We left before the shops opened heading to Margaret River and the weather has turned shitty, its cold and rainy so we camped at the back of another shopping centre and waited for the rain to ease.

A Dear farm now that you see often, they’re going to eat you, RUN!

With nothing much to do we settled into our cosy bed thinking of all those people travelling in a camper trailer when Heather and Mel came to mind.  I couldn’t help remembering when everything in their camper got wet and they had to dry it all out and here we are as snug as a bub in a rug, he!he, sorry guys.

01-09-2015  We stopped at Kathy Birch place another old friend from the Redlands for a quick catch up.  

Des and Kathy caught up on some old times over a cup of tea and a banana and berry cake which Kathy made and it had just came out of the oven, I got to tell ya, it was to die for.

Kathy has a charming home set around a lovely garden where a weeping willows hangs over the driveway and a fresh water stream running through the front garden.

Kathy and her Husband Jamie run a Day Spar that was designed and built by Jamie who was once a stone mason/bricklayer.  It is separate for there home and is surrounded by a tranquil garden.  Kathy also runs a yoga class, this girl certainly has her work cut out for herself.

After pinching some lemons from her plentiful lemon tree we say our goodbye’s  then head to Surfers Point.

World class wave in the heart of Margaret River surfing region. Breaks consistently and provide big waves not for the faint hearted. Can hold waves over 15 feet and work with most swell directions.

Another lovely part of the world but as usual it’s rainy and cold but in the summer the surfers would flock to capture that special wave.

We headed to Witchcliff to check out the shell museum but when we saw an $8 fee to enter and it’s at his home we promptly left. 

Driving along Coves road we passed the massive Boranup Karri Forest, they are unique for its proximity to the coast as this is the furthest west that the tall pale-barked karri trees grow, they can reach 60 metres or more in height and they cover the hilly slopes and valley of the forest, its a site to behold.

I am still not feeling very well so we parked up early in a cemetery for the night before heading to the caves in the morning.