The Pinnacles

Lonely Planet's Lara Dunston said about the Pinnacles:

On our first day, we swept north from Perth, through the Swan Valley to Cervantes. Nothing prepared me for the magic of the Pinnacles at sunset. Sublime. If other landscapes are as spectacular as this, I thought, it will be humbling.

I too was humbled by the Pinnacles. Caroline rates this bizarre moonscape as her favourite thus far.

The Pinnacles [click to enlarge]

The social media has caught up with us in WA; and the Pinnacles provided perfect opportunity to "plank". Here you will see Madonna performing the classic "plank" whereas, Caroline (inspired by recent trips to the winery areas) has invented the oak barrel plank (degree of difficulty: 40)

Freo and Perth

We have fallen way behind in our blogging but will endeavour to get things in order....soon.

Well earned R&R was had in Perth by some travel weary Cafferys. There was no better place than at Brian and Pen's. Thank you for the wonderful hospitality, food, wine and laughs (just like old times). They were also excellent tour guides to King's Park, Hillary's and the Swan Valley. The Swan Valley was every bit as good, if not better then the Margaret River. A particular favourite was Sitella.

Caroline (still standing)

Sitella's winery, Swan Valley

Sitella's winery, Swan Valley

The Patrol needed some pampering too. A Patrol is for life, not just for Christmas, so it got its well earned R&R also.

Day trip to Rotto - enjoyable but perhaps not living up to the hype. Still, some excellent beaches and the kid's enjoyed hiring bikes and ruling the road. The historical settlement town is much improved with the availability of Subway and Red Roster for lunch.

Meeting the locals, Rottnest Island

Little Armstrong Bay, Rottnest Island

A very pleasant sunny autumn day was spent wandering Freo, which culminated in the afternoon at Little Creatures. We all loved the aquariums at Cicerello's and watching the huge ocean liners cruising into Fremantle harbour.

The kids were not brave enough to swim at Cottesloe after seeing the results of a great white Vs surf ski encounter also on display at Cicerello's. Mum and Dad were made of sterner stuff.

Cottesloe Beach, Perth

Wine and Wood

Still in WA, but now just past the forestry regions of Walpole and Pemberton and the wine region of Margaret River.

We did the Valley of the Giants tree top walk -a suspension bridge walk through the canopies of the giant Tingel tress near Walpole. The bridge swaying in the breeze at its maximum height of some 40m above the forest floor. Due to the considerable sway only 10 people (or 3 Americans) were allowed per span.

Valley of the Giants tree top walk, Walpole WA

Woman in Red inside Tingel Tree [click to enlarge]

Back in the day, the thing to do was reverse the Kombi into the hollowed out buttress of a giant Tingel trees for that must have photo.

Nearly all of the Cafferys climbed the Gloucester Tree in Pemberton ( I had too look after Luke, you know responsible parenting and all that). The Gloucester Tree, or more precisely the tree house is 60m high and accessible by a ladder embedded in the tree trunk.

Madonna climbing the Gloucester Tree

The Gloucester Tree [click to enlarge] note the climbing ladder

We camped at a picturesque sheep property, and used it as a base to see Margaret River region which stretches from Cape Leeuwin to Cape Naturaliste.

Madonna kept trying to pet the sheep. The sheep only stared at her and wondered which of their cousins she was wearing on her head.

Cape Leeuwin lighthouse

The very south-west of Australia

Went to see the giant sting rays coming into shore at Hamelin Bay. Despite three visits we only saw one of the giants albeit a metre or so from the beach.

Hamelin Bay, WA

Jewel Cave, Margaret River

Caves galore in Margaret River - well worth exploring despite swearing never to go underground again.

And of course, there is wine in Margaret River. We can recommend Anniebrook winery.

I did enjoy some creative vandalism of a pedestrian roadsign near a very enchanted forest

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The enchanted forest

Great Southern

We are now in Margaret River after meandering our way through WAs south coast or 'Great Southern' - we have fallen in love with the area.

Our first stop in Esperance, a big thanks to Justine and Scotty for some relaxed company and generous hospitality - we (the kids included) really appreciated staying with you.

Granite meets beach (often empty) - none finer then Cape Le Grande NP. White, white sand and aqua water as clear as glass.

Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand NP

All along the southern coast there are literally thousands of beaches. Some sheltered bays, others where an angry Southern Ocean swell just belts the coastline. Going to the beach means driving the fourby onto the beach pulling up- donning the wetsuit and swimming or fishing. Some beaches (not all) do have a car park and pedestrian access for 2WDs and Toyota Landcruisers.

As well as Cape Le Grande, also particularly enjoyed Torndirrup NP (near Albany), West Cape Howe and William Bay National Parks. Torndirrup was an impressive display of the ocean's power with blow holes and waves that crashed into the granite with thunderclaps that were really quite scary.

Greens Pools, William Bay NP

Natural Bridge, Torndirrup NP

Natural Gap, Torndirrup NP

Elephant Cove, William Bay NP

In addition to the swimming the kids have discovered the joys of sand boarding on the numerous sand blows along the coastline. They do sleep well after a couple of hours on the slopes.