26 Busselton to Pemberton - 1 Oct 2012

Early October 2012

The magnificent coastal scenery with two prominent capes, Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin, and green fertile country, contrasts with the dry and barren land found in much of the state. There are limestone caves and wineries in the Margaret River area, beautiful wildflowers, and giant eucalypts on the South Coast. The South Western area of the State has a cooler climate with dark skies, dark seas, rain, wind and cold. Several days have been two degrees. 

We were glad for a couple of sunny days where we were able to visit the 1.8 km pier at Busselton. There is a little train which runs to the end of the pier where you can find an underwater observatory, showing off the wide variety of undersea creatures because this is where the Indian and the Southern oceans collide. The Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse is an item of beauty, built in 1895 and the surrounding beaches are many beautiful shades of blue.

On 6^th December 1801 Captain Mathew Flinders Commander of HMS Investigator sighted Cape Leeuwin and commenced the mapping of the Australian coast.

http://www.lighthouse.net.au/lights/wa/Cape%20Leeuwin/Cape%20Leeuwin.htm

We were invited to go and see the size of the waves at the Prevelly Beach near Margaret River. They were enormous as they crashed down on the rocks surrounding much of the coast. Graeme and I stood there laughing at these monstrous waves as each one approached, we were snapping away on our cameras, unable to stop. The monsters also washed right up the mouth of the Margaret River, with the surfers riding the huge waves right into the river mouth. The river itself was a calm and sedate affair with a beautiful shape. A quiet place for a canoe or a swim for the children. All very beautiful. 

 The river was bounded by a large mountain covered with wild flowers and of course also the remains of the big burn Margaret River sustained last year during the summer fires. Mainly the area nearer the beach was burnt plus about 20 houses were lost. Another thing that fascinated me at Prevelly Beach is that the coast stretches around a corner at a 90 degree angle and two oceans flow into that place from two different directions. Seemed unique to me. We were delighted to find a brilliant heated swimming pool at Margaret River and had a most wonderful swim there.

We spent the last two weeks moving around the Margaret River region and visiting so many beautiful places. The countryside looks like something you would more likely see in England than Australia. It is very green, with its annual rainfall being about one metre of rain. All the dams are full and overflowing and flowers fill the meadows with sheep and cattle contentedly enjoying their days. The cool climate vineyards are obviously having marked success. The entire countryside is very lush and beautiful.

Tall Trees Pemberton

We have been finding quite a few orchids from tip offs from friends. In Pemberton we visited the Karri Forest. The trees are about 61 feet high and you are welcome to climb to the top. The weather has been cold wet and dark, however. In the showers we are joined by some leaches. It has been bitterly cold.

Climbing the Gloucester Tree at Pemberton

Cascades at Pemberton