Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 59 – Torndirrup National Park

Torndirrup National Park is a short drive from Albany with spectacular granite landscapes along a stretch of the southern ocean coastline.

We stopped on the road to The Gap and found an assortment of beautiful locals. Coneflower (Isopogon) above.

Blue China Orchid

One of the over 30 named species of Donkey orchid in Western Australia.

Oak-leaf banksia (Banksia quercifolia)

Natural Bridge in Torndirrup National Park

Skink enjoying the warmth of the granitic rocks

The Gap has a cantilevered platform above a gap in the cliffs where waves pound the coast.

The view down from the platform

Cut-leaf banksia (Banksia praemorsa) growing on the cliff top near The Gap. This species only occurs in a few isolated populations on the south coast of Western Australia between Albany and Cape Riche (120km east). It is never found more than 2km from the ocean.

Cut-leaf banksia flowers start yellow-green and turn red.

View from Cave Point to Peak Head

Banksia species in Torndirrup.

Salmon Holes Beach

Swirling waves as they break and wash over the granite headland.

Goode Beach on Frenchman’s Bay

Banksia

Start of the Isthmus Hill track

The elevated track prevents track erosion and minimises dieback which is devastating plants in the park. This is caused by Phytophera (a mould) attacking their roots. Boot cleaning stations are found at the start of many tracks.

The track also provides reassurance for the walker giving that bit extra space when encountering things like this Tiger Snake. I was very excited to see a WA Tiger snake – the first snake I have seen so far on our journey. It is 5th most venomous land snake in the world.

Shortly after my serpent encounter, the track leads over slabs of granite.

Sticky Tailflower (Anthocercis viscosa) growing in the cracks on the granite.

Isthmus Hill track

Isthmus Hill Lookout view to Bald Head

Bald Head at the eastern end of the Torndirrup peninsula

The return track

Old Whaling Station. The Cheynes Beach Whaling Company was the last whaling company to cease operations in Australia, closing in 1978. I visited this area in the summer of 1974-75 and sadly, it was still operating then. The smell was overpowering. The cute whale statue below the bow of the ship seems misplaced considering the slaughter of such intelligent and noble creatures.