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Albany, Walpole and Pemberton

February - March 2022
  • Awesomes
A 14-day adventure by Awesomes Read more
  • Awesomes

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  • AwesomesTravelerAlbany, Walpole and Pemberton
    View from the lounge at our Airbnb
    Misery BeachStony Head, looking onto Point Possession and AlbanyWalking towards Peak HeadNegotiating the granite rocks at Peak HeadBoat ramp by the Whaling Station

    Day 2 Albany 6km

    February 21, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 19 °C

    We arrived yesterday afternoon in Albany.
    On the way to Albany, we had rest stops in Williams, an antique shop in Kojunup and Sandalwood factory in Mt Barker.
    Airbnb accommodation has beautiful harbour views and we met up with some friends at Venice Pizzeria for a yummy Italian dinner.
    Whilst having a cuppa, Ruby burnt her foot with spilt hot tea. So we decided not to do a long walk tomorrow.

    We spent our day today at the Torndirrup National Park. We went to Misery Beach voted Best Beach in Australia 2022 by Tourism Australia. Had a look and a short walk at Stony Hill then a hike at Peak Head and a cool down at Whaling Cove.

    Misery Beach is a lovely stretch of beach flanked by boulders and a tiny island in front. It was too choppy, windy and cold to swim. There was only a car at the carpark and 2 people in the beach when we arrived at 9am. By the time we left just after 10am, the carpark was overflowing and the beach quickly filling up.

    Peak Head was a short but challenging walk. Turned out a lot longer than we anticipated. It took us 2 hours 15 mins to hike 4.8km. Lots of steep inclines with soft sand tracks but the amazing and magnificent views. A previous bushfire cleared the views as the new growth were still small. Vast views of Southern Ocean, Peak Head, coves and bays tracking to the summit of Peak Head.
    Ruby managed to start a conversation with a fellow tracker when we were almost at the summit. Due to the steep incline, her deep sharp breaths had her inhaling smoke from the cigarette he was holding. He was smoking pot/ weed / marijuana. Poor Ruby was rather dizzy for a few minutes after, but did not admit to feeling high.
    The swim at Whaling Cove after did well for recovery from the hike    Read more

  • AwesomesTravelerAlbany, Walpole and Pemberton

    Day 3 Albany 11km

    February 22, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    I decided to clock the days walking as a hike so that we can see how much walking we do today.
    We started our morning by walking to town for breakfast at Fredricks then walking back to the accomdation as Ruby forgot her mask.
    On the way back, we took a different route and Ruby found a walker friend to get ideas on the Mass Rock hike.
    After changing into bathers when we got back, we headed on the path to Middleton Beach. Ruby reckoned she saw a sign that said 800m to Middleton Beach, but I think that was the sign to the path to Middleton Beach.
    It took us 2hours15mins to get to Middleton Beach and 45mns to get back. We investigated every turn off and came across some pretty historical sites. We found 2 bunkers, an old haunted lighthouse keepers cottage with magnificent views of the King George Sound, a bronze busk of Baudin the Explorer, and Ataturk.
    Had a quick dip to cool off at the beach then made our way back.
    Finished up doing 20000 steps, 11km all up today.
    Might walk into town again for dinner, if the weather holds.    Read more

  • AwesomesTravelerAlbany, Walpole and Pemberton

    Vancouver Art Centre

    February 22, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    After Middleton Beach, we visited Vancouver Arts Centre which occupies the building of the old Albany Hospital. The construction of the old hospital began in late 1887 to a design of the Government Architect George Temple Poole. "The architecture of the original Albany Cottage Hospital shows the influence of English vernacular (Victorian Tudor) and French country chateaux style. It was in continual use as a hospital right up to 1962 when a new hospital for Albany was built."

    There were 2 exhibitions on. The Miracle of Shorebird Migration has some sketches and paintings of different shorebirds by various artists. I was most impressed by RISE! a solo exhibition by Verity Byth.

    "RISE! uses stitching, domestic objects, and multimedia to create an interactive space for exploring how women rise in our country. It is inspired by Scott Morrison’s International Women’s Day speech in 2019, in which he stated “We want to see women rise. But we don’t want to see women rise only on the basis of others doing worse”.

    Exploring homelessness, work, and the reality of retirement, the pieces turn familiar items and ideas on their heads. A forensic examination of Australian women’s financial inequality, the exhibit is also a celebration of subversive stitching as an act of self-care and community."

    I am sure most wives and mothers, in fact most women would identify with the writings on the tags under the shopping bag and the hot water bottle holder. Emotional Labour and Mental Load is not merely unreognised and undervalued, it is so taken for granted. So lovely to see it portrayed.    Read more

  • AwesomesTravelerAlbany, Walpole and Pemberton
    From Apex lookoutFrom Padre White lookout

    Mt Clarence and Luke Pen Trail 12.8km

    February 23, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Started the morning with a 5.21km hike up and around Mt Clarence before meeting a friend for breakfast at our favourite Albany cafe, Gourmandise & Co.

    We accessed Mt Clarence Trail from Burgoyne Road which we came upon on our walk back from breakfast yesterday. This immediately led us into a forested area. Following the trial on maps.me, we walked along the water pipeline before taking a turn which went along the tall razor wire fence. It was a gradual ascent and not difficult hiking except for some loose gravel underfoot. We soon left the forest and met with a steep ascend along the bitumen road leading to Apex Lookout. This vantage presented a stunning panorama of Royal Princess Harbour, Middleton Beach and Emu Point, King George Sound and the Southern Ocean beyond. We continued on Apex Drive to the ANZAC Desert Mounted Corp Memorial which was accessed by a set of wide steps. Further along was the Padre White lookout which astonished me with views than rivalled Apex Lookout.

    Descent from the summit was via Padre White Trail to Hill Street and Earl Lane. It was a rather guilty free breakfast of creamy cheesy baked eggs at Gourmandise, washed down with coffee and the compulsory (for me) chocolate croissant.

    Today's Luke Pen Trail was a hobbit there and back trail, 7.6k.m We did the whole loop a few years back with our dear and much-missed Singapore friends. Today's hike was done with another dear friend from Malaysia who is now making Albany her home. Gorgeous views of the Kalgan River along this whole track, with glimpses of farmland and 2 (or was it 3) houses. Also saw some sheep and 2 alpacas in the distant paddocks. I had butterflies followed me for some of the trail, convincing me that fairies reside nearby.

    It was about 3.15pm by the time we for to the car, and 3 hungry tummies went in search of food. First stop, winery Monty's Leap. Kitchen closed at 2.30pm, but we were treated to a free taste of some wine. Next stop, Strawberry Farm, and that kitchen was also closed but we could have the cakes in the display cabinet. Needing something more substantial, we ended up at Hooked in Middleton Beach, much deserving of being repeatedly voted Best Fish and Chips.    Read more

  • AwesomesTravelerAlbany, Walpole and Pemberton

    Heading to Walpole via Denmark

    February 24, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    We slept in and woke with a start as we were suppose to walk to breakfast at Gourmandise, but we drove instead. Ruby had her fix of ham and cheese croissants and pastries. After breakfast, we headed out for Denmark with stops at the Albany Town Hall, the Co-op gallery, Op shop and then to Monty's Leap for a fabulous lunch. We were too late for lunch yesterday but when we returned today, the sommelier remembered us and welcomed us warmly like old friends. Wonderful food, scallops cooked to perfection, duck confit made into croquettes were divine but what stood out was sambal brusselsprouts. Makes one an immediate brusselsprouts convert.
    We got to Denmark and headed for the Op shop by the church and the Coop to replenish our supply of Seville marmalade. The RiverFront Gallery was next where we met the artist Alison Clarke who started the gallery 10 years ago to showcase local artists' works. We saw landscape works by Hilly Couture, who we bumped into when she was painting in Cape Range National Park, Exmouth. The Old Butter Factory Gallery was delightful as always.
    We headed to Walpole and settled in for the night.    Read more

  • AwesomesTravelerAlbany, Walpole and Pemberton

    Sappers Bridge towards Tree Top 10.4km

    February 25, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    We had arranged for transport to pick us from Sappers Bridge where we were to drop our car and take us to South Coast Highway so we could hike one way on the Bibbulman Track. Ruby discovered she had a slight fever, and so the long hike and transport was cancelled. However, she was insistent on visiting her Tall Trees, so we went to Sappers Bridge with a plan to walk 3km towards Tree Top walk (in the drizzle), and then return. Ruby suddenly felt all better, so we hiked till just after 5km when I had to insist we desist and return. Early in the walk, Ruby tried to scale a log and strained her quadriceps. She refused to admit injury but did allow me to put a knee brace on. Somehow, I managed to get blamed for removing her from the forest and cause pain to her knee. Apparently, there was no pain during the whole hike, but pain and swelling only happened once we arrived at the accommodation.

    During the walk, Ruby found her Trilogy Trees and insisted we sit on the damp forest floor in the middle of the trees. I must admit that it was rather magical. Shortly after, we passed a group of about 8 elderly ladies charging towards Boxall Road.

    It was a lovely walk, and I'm now going to treat Ruby's knee as I'm sure she'll want to hike again tomorrow.    Read more

  • AwesomesTravelerAlbany, Walpole and Pemberton
    Looking through the Sheok spindle leaves
    One of the giants, Karri Tree, Eucalyptus DiversicilorA warty burl ridden Tingle tree, Eucalyptus jacksoniiTingle giant shedding bark

    Tree Top towards Sappers Bridge 13.1km

    February 26, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Plan was to start the Bibbulmun track at Tree Top Walk, and walk to where we turned back from our walk yesterday. This was a hike through the Valley of the Giants.
    It was a much more undulating hike with longer sections of up and down. Not too steep but enough to significantly ncrease the heart rate.
    Scenery was beautiful. The weather was ideal for walking.    Read more

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