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Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 68 – East Mount Barren and the road to Esperance

September 17, 2023

We were planning to head to Esperance first thing but decided to have another morning in Fitzgerald River National Park, this time at East Mount Barren. Kangaroo paw Showy banksia (Banksia speciosa) Approaching East Mount Barrens Silent guardians of the heathland Banksia coccinea on the ridge below East Mount Barrens. Hakea Calytrix Part of the … More Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 68 – East Mount Barren and the road to Esperance

Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 67 – Fitzgerald River National Park

September 16, 2023

Port Hotel at Hopetoun Scarlet banksias in bushland near Hopetoun Conostylis Banksia flower spike in closeup Clematis vine Four Mile Beach in Fitzgerald River National Park Royal hakeas. Fitzgerald River National Park has 1100 named species of plant of which 36 are endemic to the national park and 275 endemic to the Eyre Botanical Province. … More Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 67 – Fitzgerald River National Park

Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 66 – Hopey, Fitzy and Ravy

September 15, 2023

Hopetoun is Hopey to the locals and Ravy for Ravensthorpe. Fitzy – no idea – I just made it up. Fitzgerald River National Park is one the largest and most botanically significant national parks in Australia. 20% of Western Australia’s flora species are found within the park. The map shows the parts of the park … More Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 66 – Hopey, Fitzy and Ravy

Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 65 – Wildflowers of Hassell National Park

September 14, 2023

There was so much variety in the wildflowers at Hassell National Park, the main page for this day had way too many photos so I have added a supplementary page just to share the diversity and beauty of this park. Banksia quercifolia Hakea species Isopogon – Cone flowers Banksia seed pod Lambertia Eucalyptus flowers Petrophile … More Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 65 – Wildflowers of Hassell National Park

Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 65 – Fowl things on the Road to Ravy

September 14, 2023

We leave Albany and head east today for approximately 400km. But one last check on the birds at Emu Point at Albany. New Holland honeyeaters are plentiful but very photogenic. Golden whistler Red-capped parrot Darter at Lower King north of Albany The Fish traps at Kaatboornup (Oyster Point) were used for thousands of years. Unfortunately, … More Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 65 – Fowl things on the Road to Ravy

Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 64 – WA Wild Weather Warning

September 13, 2023

Today the SW corner of WA had a Severe Weather Warning with the forecast of very destructive winds and lines of storms as strong northerly winds were met with a vigorous cold front from the west. The warning said it could be one of the two worst weather days of the year. We had 400km … More Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 64 – WA Wild Weather Warning

Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 63 – Albany coast

September 12, 2023

Kaya from Albany (Wagyl Kaip in Noongar language). This is the view from Marine Drive Lookout overlooking King George Sound. Our car was serviced at the morning so we had a late start. We return to Torndirrup National Park to Stony Hill – the highest point of the park. A short but scenic walk leads … More Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 63 – Albany coast

Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 62 – Stirling Range National Park

September 11, 2023

Stirling Range National Park has rugged peaks which rise to more than 1000m featuring stark cliff faces, sheltered gullies, magnificent views and a rich diversity of unique and colourful wildflowers. The park is home to about 1500 species, many of which grow nowhere else. Donkey orchids Cowslip orchid King Spider orchid Lemon scented orchid Toolbrunup … More Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 62 – Stirling Range National Park

Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 61 – What’s up in Porongurup

September 10, 2023

Lake Seppings is a wetland in Albany reputedly with a large species list of birdlife so I went in the morning expecting to see some feathered friends. As I walked along the boardwalk towards the bird hide, I met two ornithophiles (birders) who looked dejected. I cheerily asked if there was much action on the … More Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 61 – What’s up in Porongurup

Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 60 – Scarlet Banksias

September 9, 2023

In the morning at our accom the rabbits of the night shift made way for the day shift – Common Bronzewing pigeons. Gull Rock National Park is just east of Albany. It contains the largest known stand of Scarlet banksia (Banksia coccinea) that exists within a priority ecological community found in the park. This banksia … More Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 60 – Scarlet Banksias

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

September 8, 2023

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. … More Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 59 – Torndirrup National Park

Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 58 – Valley of the Giants

September 7, 2023

Early morning activity on the lawns at our accommodation – Yellow-rumped thornbill Splendid fairywren Knoll Drive leads past the Walpole-Nornalup National Park lake system and onto a hill above the lake. The park is famous for its towering karri and tingle trees. Heaths in parts of Walpole-Nornalup NP adding spring colour. A species of hammer … More Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 58 – Valley of the Giants