Cape Arid is 123 km east of Esperance. On the way to Cape Arid, we stopped at the small town of Condingup which was only established way way back in 1963! Just out of Condingup, we found large numbers of orchids in a wetter area of the heath with several species. Bee orchid above. Purple … More Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 72 – Cape Arid National Park
A day looking at the coastline of Esperance. Esperance beaches are famous for their white sands and turquoise waters…and great white sharks. Esperance is also home to the Cyclops wave, said to be the world’s heaviest wave with massive amounts of water unloading on a shallow reef. The surfers wanted a Cyclops in Hawaii but … More Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 71 – Esperance Beaches
A bit tired today, we are in a trance in Esperance! After taking the morning off for washing and sleep in, visited the Esperance Wildflower Show. Foyer artwork above. The usual collections of named specimens were inside. The President of the local wildflower society was very helpful with locations. Dempster Head has an impressive Rotary … More Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 70 – Esperance
We awoke to a fine Esperance morning and visited the Whale Tail on the harbour. An old man and a whale once entered a bar at the same time. ‘Who’s your whale pal?’ the bartender asked. The Old man seemed annoyed and replied, “I don’t know. Maybe Dick”. The Esperance Stonehenge is the only full … More Way Away in WA 2023 – Day 69 – Stonehenge and Lucky Bay
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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