Aus Day 66 - Tramways and Trees

Wednesday 24th November    Aus Day 66

Had a lie-in until 08.00 this morning after a cold night. Shower, breakfast and then published yesterday’s Blog and dealt with a few e-mails.

I arrived for the Tram journey at 10.35, having cut through from the back of the caravan park. Bought my ticket from the booking office/souvenir shop and boarded the tram which departed on time at 10.45.

The Pemberton Tram

Travelling Past The Pemberton Saw Mill

The journey was through the quite dense forest and we were soon surrounded by Karri, Marri and Jarrah trees. We were travelling at a slow speed, probably no more than 15 mph and after a while we stopped at “The Cascades” for a photo opportunity.



Some of the Giant Trees in the Forest



The Cascades - Lacking a Bit Of Water

A Typical Logging Bridge

The Hollow Burned Tree

The Warren River Timber Bridge

View of the Warren Bridge From The Tram

We soon moved on but all the time the driver kept up a commentary on the flora and fauna to be seen, as well as some of the history of the line and the areas we were travelling through. We eventually reached Warren Bridge and were once again afforded a 15 minute photo opportunity and a chance to follow a trail which looped past a large burned tree which still survives.

The tram then reversed its route back to Pemberton, this time at a faster speed and without the commentary. We arrived back at the Pemberton Tramway Station at 12.40, about 10 minutes later than advertised.

I hot-footed it back to the caravan park where I got the van ready to move and then hit the road just after 1.00 pm, heading for Beedelup National Park and arrived at the Beedelup Falls car park some 25 minutes later. First off I visited the Falls which, unfortunately, were not very impressive, apparently because of the lack of rain. However, the small suspension bridge was very interesting and a real swinger.

The Beedelup Falls Map

The Beedelup Falls From The Lookout

The Beedelup Falls From Downstream

The Little Suspension Bridge

Having completed the loop in about 30 minutes, I decided to take the longer trail to see the “Walk through tree.” This is a return trip of about 50 minutes which did indeed take me to a tree which one can walk through (well climb through to be more exact).

The "Walk Through" Tree

JB Inside The Tree

Beedelup Lake From The Forest Track

I completed the loop by about 3.00 pm so set off back to Pemberton calling in at the supermarket on the way.

I made my regular Skype contact with Eileen at about 16.45, after which I made myself some tea and settled down to sort the 60 plus photographs I have taken during the day and to draft the Blog ready for publishing in the morning. In between times I made further arrangements to collect my new car on the day after I arrive back in the UK. Eventually, Zebedee caught up with me again and dispatched me to bed at about 11.00 pm.

Aus Day 65 - A Tree Too Far?

Tuesday 23rd November    Aus Day 65

Rose at 06.00 to a cold but brighter morning, shower and breakfast and then checked my emails. At last, Blackpool Honda have responded so, I can now get things underway to ensure my new car is available when I get home on 13th December.

Today is brother David’s birthday so Happy Birthday David.

You will remember the photo below when I asked if anyone knew what it was, well, courtesy of my very good friend Fred Moor, I can now tell you that it is Datura Suaveolens (pronounced Dat chura Swa veo lens) (re-named in recent years as Brugmansia suaveolens). Commonly known as Angel's Trumpet. Many thanks Fred.

Datura Suaveolens

Having packed up the van, I set off for Boyup Brook, simply because I believe it has a Pioneer Museum which may be worth a visit. However, having arrived there at about 09.30, I found that the Museum doesn’t open on a Tuesday. I made good use of the time though, visiting what remains of the railway station which apparently closed in about 1980. One of the photos below shows a tree having grown up through the remains of the track.

Boyup Brook Street Art



Wagons Marooned on the Disused Railway



The Tree Has Grown Through The Track

Leaving Boyup Brook, I retraced my route through Bridgetown and headed for Manjimup where I had a couple of trees in mind. The first of these is a giant Jarrah tree, known as King Jarrah, reputed to be 500 years old and which narrowly escaped being cut down to make railway sleepers in 1910.

The King Jarrah Tree

JB at The King Jarrah Tree

The King

The second is the Diamond Tree Lookout at the top of which is the only wooden tree top tower in the world. This is still used as an integral part of the fire management and spotting programme. The tree has spikes set into it to form a rudimentary staircase and climbing is allowed. However, I chickened out about half way up.

You Can Just Make Out The "Staircase"

View From Half Way Up The Diamond Tree

Having got myself back down to terra firma, I continued to Pemberton, where I booked into the caravan park shortly after 2.00 pm.

Once set up, I set off for an exploratory wander around the town, taking the shortcut through the back of the caravan park. I quickly found my way to the Pemberton Tramway which operates trips into the forest and which I plan to take a trip on in the morning. You can see some of the old rolling stock which is stored there. The steam engines in particular seem to have been built in England.




A "V" Class 2-8-2 Mikado Built in Darlington, England



A 4-6-0 Engine Built In Manchester, England

The rest of the town is unremarkable and stretched along the main road, as is the usual format. Eventually I made it back to the van, catching a few parrots on the ground along the way.

Just One Of A Group Of Six

I made myself some tea and then settled down for a quiet evening drafting the Blog. Unfortunately, there is no contact with Eileen today as the timing of her commitments in the UK prevents. I spent the remainder of the evening reading before Zebedee said "Tme for Bed" at about 10.30.

Aus Day 64 - To The Woods, To The Woods

Monday 22nd November    Aus Day 64


It rained during the night and again this morning. I rose at 07.30, shower, breakfast and then published the Blog and dealt with a number of emails.

Wrapped up and vacated the caravan park by 09.00 heading south, through the rain, to Cape Leeuwin.

Looking South Trough The Rain From Cape Leeuwin

The Lighthouse at Cape Leeuwin - Don't Know What the Cow Does

Due to the conditions, I didn’t stop long but headed back into Augusta where I refuelled for the first time in about a week. Continued on the road to Bridgetown via Nannup. The weather is still quite cool with intermittent rain. However, I was starting to get into a forested area although this was interspersed with areas of rolling grassland.

Getting Into The Forest On The Road To Bridgetown

View of the Landscape On The Road To Bridgetown

I arrived in Bridgetown after covering some 155 kms at about noon but parked up in an information bay to the north of the town for a while I took a few photos and made myself a sandwich for lunch. Eventually made my way to the caravan park, on the banks of the Blackwood River (yes, the same one).

The Blackwood River at Bridgetown

The Road Bridge Into Bridgetown Over The Blackwood River

Having set up the van and got my laundry underway, I went for walk through the town which has a number of heritage buildings such as the Old Gaol and the Freemasons Hotel.

Bridgetown Welcome Sign

Devonshire Tea Anyone?

The Freemasons Hotel

The Bridgetown Hotel

The Old Gaol - 1880 - 1973

Returning to the van, I rescued my laundry and made contact with Eileen, for the highlight of my day. After this the rest of the day seemed to be somewhat irrelevant but, I made myself some tea and then drafted yet another hastener to Blackpool Honda. At this rate I will be back home before they respond. Drafted today’s Blog and then watched some TV before Zebedee finally caught with me at about 10.30pm.

Aus Day 63 - A Lazy Sunday Afternoon

Sunday 21st November Aus Day 63

Being Sunday, I had a lie in until 08.00 this morning after being woken at about 02.00 by the sound of heavy rain falling on the van roof.

Showered and breakfast followed by a session checking my UK bank accounts via the Internet and publishing yesterday’s Blog. I completed this just before 10.00 and then decided to walk into town via the river bank.

I set off just after 10.00 and was soon being plagued by the flies. The walk by the river is via a footpath or boardwalk but only goes as far as Ellis Street. I tried to go further by the road but there was no discernable access. By this time I was about as far as the north end of town so I climbed the hill from the river bank to the main road to the town. The town doesn’t have much more to it than the main road which sports a Caltex filling station, a bank, an IGA supermarket and the Augusta Hotel and Bar. I called into the supermarket for a few bits and pieces and then made my way back to the caravan park along the main road.

View Towards The Mouth Of The Blackwood River

Augusta Looking South

Augusta Looking North

Who Knows What This Is?

I spent a lazy afternoon, during which we had a bit more rain, planning what activites I might be able to cover in the next few days starting with a quick trip down the road to Cape Leeuwin in the morning and then head north east to Bridgetown which is getting into the big tree country.

After this I relaxed by reading my book “The Scent of Shadows” by Vicki Pettersson then came the highlight of my day with a Skype session to Eileen.
A continuing lazy evening, reading and generally chilling out before eventually, Zebedee popped up and sent me off to bed at about 10.30 pm.

Aus Day 62 - You Can't Stay Here!

Saturday 20th November    Aus Day 62

Rose at 06.45 showered and breakfast before making my way to the office to see about staying a further night. However, no luck, they are already fully booked for tonight so I am going to have to move on anyway.

Departed the site about 09.30 and parked up in Margaret River so that I could have a stroll up the Main Street and see what the town has to offer. Took a couple of photos and looked into a couple of shops. It is a nice town but had nothing special to detain me so returned to the van and set off at about 10.00. Headed back to the Caves Road and turned off towards Prevelly where there is yet another nice bay and beach.

Margaret River Main Street

Prevelly Beach

Left there and continued down Caves Road until I arrived at the Mammoth Cave, apparently the largest cave in the area and one that is well advertised. Paid my entrance fee and was kitted out with an MP3 Player and headphones for the self guided tour. Apart from being somewhat larger, this cave was much like the others although the MP3 facility was very handy as it provided explanations at relevant points around the cave.

Entrance to Mammoth Cave Attraction

Entrance to Mammoth Cave

Stalactites in Mammoth Cave

Stalactites in Mammoth Cave



Stalagmites in Mammoth Cave



More Formations in Mammoth Cave

Exiting the Cave and the Marri Trail I drove the short distance to Cave Works and the Lake Cave where I took the opportunity to have a spot of lunch and check my emails which confirmed that I would be able to get a site at the Turner Caravan Park when I arrived. Unfortunately, the Lake Cave Tours were only at specific times with the next one being too late to allow me to complete that and then get to Augusta at the appropriate time to check in with Eileen, so I had to give it a miss. Still you know what they say about caves. Also called sister Valerie who happened to be on line and checked that all is well in Willunga.

Continued down Caves Road until I turned off to Hamelin Bay which proved to be yet another bay with a family friendly beach and I spent a ½ hour sitting on the sand watching the waves. (Very therapeutic)

Hamelin Bay South Western Australia

Leaving the beach, I made the final 15 kms to Augusta and called into the Visitor Information Centre to confirm the location of the caravan park and to see if there are any tree top walks in the area. It turns out that the nearest one is between Walpole and Denmark so; I will have to wait a few days for that.

Checked into the caravan park at 3.30 pm and once parked up went for a stroll along the banks of the Blackwood River where I got photos of some of the many pelicans on the water.

Pelican on the Blackwood River

A Group of Pelicans on the Blackwood River

A Cormorant on the Blackwood River

A Snooty Looking Heron on the Blackwood River

Returned to the van in time to hook up on Skype with Eileen who was babysitting her grandson George.

Made myself a spot of tea and then started drafting today’s Blog. The wind has started to get up a little and the forecast for tomorrow is the possibility of rain. However, after some reading and a little TV, Zebedee found me once again and so it is "Time for bed."