Greetings from Margaret River,

There were no bird-call wakeup alarms this morning; nevertheless, my internal clock had me awake at 5:30. I was away by 7:30, and to fill in time ’til Bakers’ Delight opened, I filled the tank, then went for a short tourist drive, which visited Middleton Beach, Mt. Adelaide (117m) and Mt. Clarence (186m) (a couple of rounded granite monoliths right on the edge of town), and the old historic part of town. From what I saw, I think Albany would be a really great place to live.

I then headed for the Torndirrup National Park, about 10km south-west of town. There I checked out the sights, including Salmon Holes, Stony Hill, Jimmy Newells Harbour, the Blowholes (which weren’t), the Gap, and the Natural Bridge. It’s a beautiful area; I even took a few photographs! I then took the “back road” to Denmark, having morning coffee around 10:30 at Young’s Siding. Beyond Denmark, I again left the main road, to check out the Walpole-Nornalup National Park. There I visited the “Valley of the Giants” and did the “Treetop Walk”; it’s a 600m steel walkway, that rises up to 40m into the canopy of a stand of Red Tingle trees (Eucalyptus Jacksonii). I had lunch in the park around 12.

Further west, I visited the Giant Tingle Tree; it’s 24m around the base, but should be more correctly called the Giant Tingle Stump, as it has lost most of its top, is hollow inside, and is dead! I was so disappointed, I couldn’t bring myself to photograph it. Not too far away was the Circular Pool, on the Frankland River; it should be more correctly called the Vaguely Circular Pool. By then, it was time to head for Margaret River, still some 300 km away; it was a pleasant drive, mostly through tall forests, on major and minor roads, through Manjimup, Bridgetown, Nannup, and Karridale.

I was in my motel room (which is most excellent) by 5. I then went for a walk around town. There were lots of surfies (even though it’s 10km inland), some wankers riding skateboards on the footpath, and lots of tourists (like me). I’ve never seen so many Japanese tourists in a town with a nominal population of 2,500. I suspect that the original character of the town has been destroyed by tourism, like Berry or Berrima.

The Roast Lamb Rump for dinner was very good.

Margaret River is the endpoint of my trip; from here I’ll be on my way back east. However, I’m staying here another night, so that I can spend tomorrow checking out more national parks and tourist traps, and possibly the Bootleg Brewery.

Cheers,
Julian