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Walpole Pemberton area

October - November 2021
A 16-day adventure by Awesomes Read more
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  • TravelerWalpole Pemberton area
    Day 5

    More photos of Nuyts, n spot the orchid

    October 26, 2021 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 10 °C

    For those of you who have not been orchid hunting, I thought you might want an idea of what the fuss is, and how difficult it can be to spot them. The last 2 photos are of the forest floor. The forrest mantis spider orchid shown in the third photo is on the forrest floor of the last 2 photos.Read more

  • TravelerWalpole Pemberton area
    Day 6

    Boxall Road and Bibbulmun

    October 27, 2021 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 11 °C

    Oh dear. We shared a 500ml bottle of cider with dinner last night, and both of us were asleep by 8.30pm. So it was an early start this morning with our last walk amongst the tall trees on the section north of South West Highway. Plan was to drive to Sappers Bridge and do a short walk eastwards on the Bib, but the road leading to bridge was closed due to slippery conditions.
    We did drive to Circular pool which was down the road from Sappers Bridge turnoff and both of us had a dejevu experience like we'd been before. Then it occurred to us that we came with our dear friends a long time past when international travel was common.

    Enquiry at the Visitors Centre showed us Boxall Road as an alternative entry, but the lady was not sure of the road conditions as the rains were rather heavy in previous days. Yes, we experienced that. We drive about 2 km into Boxall Road and parked at the shoulder when road conditions deteriorated. We walked the remaining 2km to the Bib.

    It rained most of the way. Not heavy like yesterday, just a consistent light rain, enough for umbrellas to be raised and boots to be damp. Fortunately, pants stayed dry. It might also have something to do with newer hiking pants and better fabric technology. It was cold though. Much colder than yesterday. Not far into the walk, I had to take shelter in the hollow of a Tingle tree to put on a fleece layer under my raincoat. I stayed perfectly dry in nature's changeroom.

    The vista along Boxall Road was almost as beautiful as in the Bib. Karri and Tingle trees gave way to thin maleleuca looking trees with very small stands of sheok forests. The sheoks thrilled me with the raindrops clinging to the ends of its spindly needle leaves like jewels. Looking through that gossamer lace of leaves onto the forest was like looking through The finest lace. These images helped me up the steep inclines as I eagerly stepped on to see what else was ahead.

    However, the Chinese in us took over after only 4.5km in. We only packed an apple each and a small handful of seeded crackers. The hike back was fuelled by the promise of fish and chips at Peaceful Bay.

    We did not mind this shorter walk as we will certainly return to hike some more in Walpole.    Read more

  • TravelerWalpole Pemberton area
    Day 7

    Shannon National Park for 1 Night

    October 28, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C

    We left Walpole wondering if we should camp or book an accommodation as the weather was forecast to rain. It rained really heavily in the early hours of this morning so we took our chances and decided to camp under the tall trees at Shannon National Park.
    But before getting to Shannon, we had to dutifully visit the op shop and Petrichor art gallery in Walpole
    Shannon campsite is very well situated. The campsite has flushing toilets and hot showers but you have to light a fire half an hour before you want a shower so the heater can warm the water.
    We love the quick setup tent which was set up in no time at all, leaving us time to have a quick lunch and to venture on a walk that combined Shannon Dam Walk with the Rock trail, a total of 10.4km. The walk has commentaries dotted along the way about the history of Shannon and her logging past. We learnt that the campsite is situated at the original town site. Walking amongst the tall trees is magical but what's even more unexpected are beautifully built boardwalks to ensure dry boots, and reduce damage to the lichen on the granite rocks.    Read more

  • TravelerWalpole Pemberton area
    Day 8

    Great Trees Walk in Shannon

    October 29, 2021 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 9 °C

    Finding the start of the Great Trees Walk posed challenging. It is a lesser known walk and the mudmap was very inaccurate. We finally found the road that led to the start of the walk. 2km in, the car was blocked by a large branch that had fallen across the road making it inaccessible. Ruby ingeniously shifted some of the branches and we got through driving on the shoulder of the road. It was lovely driving through the tall trees of Jarrah, Marri and Karri. It was even more magical to walk the track amongst the trees.
    There was some old people Pokemon hunting that is orchid hunting that yielded 2 amazing orchids. Both growing out of fallen tree stumps. One of the species we have not yet seen before.
    The full return track was 9.7km.
    We then got to Warren River National Park in plenty of time to set up tent in a spot with water views. Beautiful campsite.    Read more

  • TravelerWalpole Pemberton area
    Day 9

    Warren River Loop Walk

    October 30, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    The Warren River Loop trail takes us along the river from our campsite, up to the Bicentennial Tree down to Maiden Bush and back along the river.
    At the start of the walk Ruby found a log extending from the path to about 50m into the forest. Since it had no lichen on it, she proceeded to climb up and walk along the log. Of course I was coaxed into following her. I must admit that it gave a great vantage to view the river. Lichen are important in the eco system of forest, and we make every endeavour to not destroy any. Due to the high rainfall of this area and proximity of this track to the river, fallen logs that are not covered in any mycelium are rare. Ruby found 2 to walk along and sit for a while. It does take you that bit deeper into the forest, away from the track, and sitting quietly on an elevated log is quite an experience. We saw lots of birds flitting amongst the trees, but catching them in binoculars was a skill I have yet to master.

    We are staying longer on the track at the rest stops as it is secluded, quiet and tranquil. Our campsite is quite full. This is the first hike this trip where it has not rained. Blue skies all day so lots of time spent sitting on logs, on tree stumps, or just standing to look and watch. We even chatted to a kookaburra for a while. Swimming is allowed in some parts of the river. Ruby dipped her feet in for a few minutes and it emerged blue. Too cold. No swimming this trip.

    It's our last night in a tent tonight, and we're moving into a little cottage in Pemberton town for the next 3 nights.    Read more

  • TravelerWalpole Pemberton area
    Day 10

    Rosebank Cottage Pemberton

    October 31, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    A leisurely breakfast and decamped from the beautiful Drafty's Campsite in Warren River National Park to check into our booked accommodation in Pemberton township. Had a lovely chat with our camp host Sue, from Sydney, New South Wales. Both her and husband sold up, bought a camper trailer and are now traveling around Australia. They are the most hard-working host we've come across. She rakes up each campsite once it's vacated, checking for any rubbish left behind. She rakes all the empty campsites everyday to clear it of gumnuts and twigs in case someone is pitching a tent there that day. Husband oiled, stained and treated all the wood fixtures around, and fixes anything that needs maintenance. He even helps the rangers in their jobs around. What lovely people. We had a look at the other campsite in the Park, Warren River Campsite. That is a smaller campsite, with no hosts, so it looked wilder with gumnuts and twigs all over, everywhere. We concluded that our campsite, number 11 of Drafty's was about the best, elevated and with water views. Location, location, location.

    We called in at the Visitor's Information in town, and were greeted by a cheery, smiley jolly young lady. She exuded warmth and enthusiasm, and had so much information.She even helped us plan our next campsite after Pemberton. It'll be in Boranup Forest, and if that's full, Alexandria Bridge. Unfortunately, I did not get her name, but she was here last year when we came to Pemberton, just as kind and jolly. She's just what every Visitor Information person should be.

    Lunch was at Hidden River Estate Vineyard. Generous serves, and very delicious food, Australian fare with a touch of the Middle East. Dessert was a giant lavender scone at the Lavender and Berry Farm as it will be shut for the next few days the we're here.

    Rosebank Cottage is luxurious after camping for 3 nights. Priority was washing, clothes and ourselves. The cottage even had a claw foot bath which we luxuriated in.

    Many restaurants and cafes in Pemberton shut from Monday to Wednesday. So dinner tonight will be at Treehouse Tapas which we had a great meal at last year, and yes, is only open from Thursday to Sunday.    Read more

  • TravelerWalpole Pemberton area
    Day 11

    Quinninup

    November 1, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Ruby made yummy pancakes for breakfast and with full bellies we headed to Quinninup.
    We were planning to do orchid hunting on a designated Orchid Trail (4 km), the King Karri Trail (4.5km) and Karri Lake Trail (4km).
    As we drove into Quinninup, we encountered the trailhead for King Karri walk first so we started there, walking under the tall trees. Very pleasant relaxing walk. Saw many huge trees, but did not know which one was The King. The walk was beautiful nonetheless. Today was a very windy day, and we had to negotiate over many fallen branches. The rustling of the leaves was rather loud at times, as the tall trees waved at us.

    We quickly had a light snack because we thought the Orchid Trail shouldn't take us long and we could then have a proper lunch after. After walking 4km, we realised that the walk we did, didn't match the map at all so we had to cutout onto the main road and walk back to the start to see where we went wrong. We realised we had turned on the track too soon so we restarted the walk again. Finally completing the walk with 10km on the clock.
    It was worth redoing as there were lots of variety of orchids and wildflowers to be found. We were so exhausted after that walk, and the rain set in so we gave the Karri Lake Trail a miss.    Read more

  • TravelerWalpole Pemberton area
    Day 12

    Rest day at Rosebank Cottage

    November 2, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    Today we decided or rather the weather decided for us to have a rest day. It rained consistently all day, with occasional steady torrential downpour. We thought we'd give our umbrellas a rest.
    We planned only to go to a fine wood gallery and an art gallery. We got to the fine wood gallery and it was shut leaving only one more to visit. We decided to do a cook's tour of Pemberton before the Gold and Grape art gallery and chanced upon a studio of Peter Kovacsy. Not sure if it was open though a sign hanging on the door said open. As I stepped out of the car, an old man in flannelette shirt and beany strolled up and when asked if the studio was open, he replied if the door says it is, well it must be. He turns out to be Peter Kovacsy and he does some great work in glass, wood and combinations of the two. We spent an hour and a half at the studio with Peter explaining his work showing us how his work interacts with light and texture. Very spectacular pieces, he was very open with the revelation of his life story and his inspirations. The Gold and Grape gallery paled in comparison.
    For the rest of the time it was rest and relax at Rosebank Cottage, and it's wonderful claw foot bath.

    Note: Photos of Peter's works and gallery are taken from the internet as we were too busy chatting to remember to take photos.    Read more

  • TravelerWalpole Pemberton area
    Day 13

    Orchid hunting day

    November 3, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    We set off bright and early to pickup honey from Pemberton Honey, then to Beedalup Falls for the first hunt. We found a few heading towards the swing bridge but not many. We saw pink lady, white spider orchid and a pink spider orchid. Then we went to Sue's Bridge Campgrounds to check out the campsite, we saw the highest concentration of cowslip orchids ever and Ruby even spotted a ( green hood orchid)
    We then headed to Boranup campsite to reserve a spot. A strategy told to us by Sue camphost at Warren River Campground.
    After the tent was pitched, we left for Augusta, hunt number 3. On the way, we stopped off at a gallery and that was most opportune. We met a fellow customer and whist exchanging pleasantries, the topic of orchid hunting came up. The lady drew us a map to Donavan Bushland and told us specifically where a path would be to take us to Flat Rock, nicknamed, Augusta's Kings Park where there would be an abundance of orchids.
    It truly was orchid paradise. We lost count as to the number of orchids we encountered.
    We saw lots of different spider orchids, enamel orchid, clown orchid, green hood orchid, donkey orchid and forest mantis orchid The highlight for Ruby was finding the Leopard Orchid. It took us 2.05 hours to complete that 2.5km track. It was an extremely windy afternoon, so photos of the nodding waving orchids posed an enormous challenge.    Read more

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