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Wednesday 10th May
We had a very wet night last night, and woke to a wet and drizzly morning. But we had a lovely drive through Walpole and Nornalup. There was an avenue of beautiful tall Tingle trees, which this area is famous for, but we had rain most of the way. We drove through about six National Parks.
We did a loop drive and stopped at Pemberton for lunch. What a lovely town, which was very well maintained, and seemed to have everything you need. There are so many appealing places, but unfortunately we can't spend too much time in them all.
We also drove through Nannup, which was also a very quaint town. Timber milling and agriculture (principally beef cattle) dominate the local economy although there are some wineries and tourism are industries of growing importance. Furniture production and other local timber value-adding activities are also a minor employer.
There was a row of very quaint old timber cutters cottages, similar to the Terraces in Kiama, which were still inhabited today, and there was smoke curling out of the chimneys of some of them. So cute.
Finally arrived in Busselton and set up at the Kookaburra Caravan Park which was in a great location, walking distance to the famous Busselton Jetty (across the road), 200m from a great pub, and walking distance to the town. We may never come home!!! Still finding A'Vanners, two other vans here.
Thursday 11th May
We walked uptown to get out bearings, both had haircuts, and I needed a watch battery. Such mundane things to do, but necessary unfortunately.
It is getting much cooler now, particularly the nights and mornings, but we still brave the camp kitchen each night for happy hour and dinner with the remaining A'Vanners.
Friday 12th May - See Margaret River WA Entry
Saturday 13th May
We had Face Time from Belinda, Arna & Gary this morning, an early Mother's Day surprise. We then headed over to the Busselton Jetty to do the train ride out to the end of the jetty.
At 1841 metres, the jetty is said to be the longest wooden structure in the southern hemisphere.
Because the waters in Geographe Bay were so shallow, the jetty was built required so that cut timber could be transported to ships.
At the end of the jetty is a wonderful underwater aquarium. This unique building allows visitors to experience one of Australia's greatest artificial reefs.
We descended 8 metres to the ocean floor via a spiral staircase to view an awe inspiring forest of vividly coloured tropical and sub-tropical corals, sponges, fish and invertebrates. Eleven viewing windows at various levels within the Observatory allowed us to look out on some of the 300 different marine species that live beneath the jetty.
This warm southerly current is responsible for introducing an incredibly diverse array of tropical and sub-tropical species into Geographe Bay, resulting in coral growth at a latitude of 33 degrees south. This is a remarkable phenomenon when compared to the western coastlines of other southern hemisphere continents such as Africa and South America which have no coral growth below 5 degrees south.
Bunker Bay
We then headed out to Bunker Bay Café for lunch. What a beautiful place with delicious food and coffee, excellent service, and we could step off the deck onto the sand. We were overlooking the most beautiful bay I have seen. The water was just so blue and clear and it just sparkled in the sun. We then enjoyed walking around the area on the several walking tracks around the bay.
It was then off to Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, which was undergoing some restoration work, so couldn't see too much.
The roads in Western Australia are just so good, and the driving is a pleasure. There are also quite a number of new subdivisons springing up everywhere we look, with beautiful homes, canals and golf courses. I don't think the mining boom has quite finished yet.
Then the usual - washing, happy hour and dinner at the Esplanade Pub again with the stragglers of the A'Vanners. Another great night.
Sunday 14th May - Mother's Day
Kev cooked brekkie for me and we decided to walk uptown to the markets, then coffee and scones for morning tea, then a Woollies shop. And then it started pouring!
It absolutely bucketed down all afternoon
But us A'Vanners are a hardy bunch, and we all headed over to the camp kitchen for happy hour, cooked and enjoyed our BBQ dinner, then raced back to our vans.
During the night it absolutely blew a gale. As we were on the ocean side of the park, we were well and truly buffeted all night. I found it really hard to sleep with the rain and wind battering our little van!
We had about 14mm altogether, so a little wet and soggy.
Monday 15th May - See Margaret River WA Entry
Tuesday 16th May
Another housekeeping day as we are heading off tomorrow. Another dinner at the pub as another couple of A'Vanners turned up.
Wednesday 17th May
Final farewells as we head off to Mandurah, and leave everyone else at this point. Saw our first eagle this morning
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