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."

Aus Day 61 - A Trip Round The Wineries

Friday 19th November   Aus Day 61


Rose at 07.00, missing Eileen and counting the days until I can be with her again. Shower and breakfast then leisurely time publishing yesterday’s Blog and dealing with emails. Made enquiries about accommodation in Bangkok for my stopover on the way back to the UK. I have still not had a response from Honda Blackpool with regard to taking delivery of my new car, if there is no response by tomorrow I will have to hasten them.

I was picked up by Tony of “Cheers” tours along with a dozen others at 10.45 and off we went to our first winery, “Redgate”, not far to the south west of Margaret River where we sampled 11 different wines from a Sauvignon Blanc, through a Shiraz to a very nice White Port. We were given lots of information and a copy of tasting notes before finally being offered the opportunity to purchase, at a discount, of course. I was not able to take advantage due to my very limited luggage capacity which I have referred to previously.

Entrance to the Redgate Winery

Our Sampling Session at the Redgate Winery

We moved on to the next winery “Watershed” where we went through the same process with a similar range of wines. There seemed to be a general feeling amongst our group that the first winery wines were of a better quality.

The Watershed Cellar Door Bar

Our next port of call was at the Margaret River Venison Farm where we sampled a range of different venison products. There was some surprise at the range of products available.




About to Sample The Venison Products

Before going for lunch, Tony took us to North Point at Gracetown for a photo shoot. This is very close to Cowaramup Reef where I spent some time yesterday.

View at Northpoint Gracetown

JB at Northpoint Gracetown

Part of our Tour Group at Northpoint Gracetown

We had lunch at the Lavender Vale Winery, after yet another tasting session. I had chosen the Anti Pasta selection which was lovely while others had chosen chicken pie, lasagna or fish & chips.

After lunch, it was on to the final winery of the day which was the smallest and called Bettenay’s. This is known as a boutique winery because they only produce a relatively small quantity, having about 25 acres under vine. Their Chilli Port was very interesting.

Entering Bettenay's the Boutique Winery

We were then whisked off to the Chocolate Factory. However, there was no Willy Wonka and no Oompa Loompas but, there was a Christmas Tree and free samples of Belgian chocolate.

Entrance Sign at the Chocolate Company

A Christmas Wonderland of Chocolate

It took Tony some time to usher everyone out of the chocolate factory but we were then on our way to the cheese emporium where a variety of cheeses were laid out for us to taste with, of course, the opportunity to purchase.

Sampling The Cheese Products

Finally, we were taken to the Colonial Brewery where we were able to buy a selection of 5 different beers at the discount price of $10.00 so it just had to be done. However, the experience did nothing to dispel my opinion that the Aussies just cannot produce a ‘proper’ beer.

The Outdoor Bar at the Colonial Brewery

A "Paddle" of 5 Different Beers - Supposedly English Style



JB and "Twin" on the Winery Tour - No Relation, Just Coincidence


The time was now gone 5.00 pm and we were ferried back to our respective accommodations with the Riverside Tourist Park being the last at 5.40 pm.

On return, I set up the laptop and finally established contact with Eileen just after 6.00 pm and had a lovely long chat.

Time then for a spot of tea, actually a bacon roll to use up the opened bacon, and then set to, drafting today’s Blog which you are now reading. I haven’t yet decided what to do tomorrow but may decide to spend a further night here which would give me chance to explore Margaret River town itself. However, the Zebedee chap has arrived, a bit late at 10.50 pm and so “Time for Bed”.

Aus Day 60 - A Saunter Down The Road and Canal Rocks

Thursday 18th November    Aus Day 60


Rose at 06.45, shower and breakfast before completing and publishing yesterday’s Blog and responding to a couple of emails. I’m looking to travel to Margaret River today but, it is only about 50 kms down the road.

Set off at about 09.45 and called into Coles in Dunsborough, then wandered down the Caves Road in the direction of Margaret River before turning off down the Canal Rocks Road which I got to the end of by 10.30. There is some spectacular wave action here in this specific geological formation.

Fisherman at Canal Rocks

Canal Rocks Breakers

JB at the Canal Rocks

Canal Rocks - The Beauty of Wave Power

I spent some time sitting on the rocks overlooking the canals, watching the breakers. Eventually continuing down the Caves Road I next turned off towards Gracetown and the Cowaramup Reef, with its much calmer bay which is designated as a swimming area. I strolled along the beach for a while and then had a prolonged lunch sitting in the van (away from the flies) while watching the waves breaking on the reef a few hundred yards out to sea. I eventually wrapped up and continued on my way, reaching the lovely town of Margaret River at about 2.00 pm, after passing many world famous wineries along the Caves Road.

Gracetown Beach and the Cowaramup Reef

Gracetown Beach and the Cowaramup Reef

Waves Breaking on the Cowaramup Reef

I booked into the Riverview Tourist Park and also booked onto the “Cheers” winery tour for tomorrow. Staying at this caravan park gives a 20% discount on the “Cheers” Tour which visits numerous wineries, the chocolate factory and the cheese company so; I should have quite a good (hic!!) report for tomorrow’s Blog.

The caravan park is situated in woodland right next to the Margaret River which is very slow flowing at the moment and there is a BBQ area right on the river bank.

The Margaret River From The Riverview Tourist Park

Had a relaxing evening with a couple of sundowners and then treated myself to strawberries and cream after tea. Then read a book and watched TV until Zebedee arrived with his "Time For Bed" at about 10.00.