The South of Perth
Trip Start
Jul 11, 2009
1
40
63
Trip End
Ongoing
Bunbury, Western Australia, Australia
Monday, January 25, 2010
Uff, I am sitting at the Airport right now and am enjoying writing time whilst awaiting the transfer to Asia. Indeed it has been an impressive adventure, Australia. First, there were the days in buzzing Sydney, then the relaxing time in Darwin, followed by the adventureous 3 weeks in Western Australia. You already heard about exploring the gorgeous West Coast north of Perth and the real Outback.
Once back in Perth on Sunday Night I had the idea to carry on driving through this vast country. So the plans quickly changed, and the other day I was off to the South, making best use of time and the reliable vehicle that was stuck to me. We got somehow close in these 3 weeks, white Toyota and I. Thanks for a home and friendship my loved one!
Using the time in between driving, MC Donald offered me grand access to the internet, where the fotos and stories, prepared somewhere in the outback were up-loaded. I'm loving it!
Bunbury was reached in the evening, and after setting up camp on the Beach Side Caravan Park I almost missed the sunset, in a typical “ Vorarlberger” manner, placing work before enjoyment. Ahh, sometimes it's hard to say goodbye to old habits. My neighbours, it was the 25th that day, were celebrating Australia Day early, but nevertheless, my eyes fell shut after about the second sheep.
“Do I stay in Bunbury for the Celebrations tonight, or move on? Is the road still open, now being already 8.15 am? Let's see for myself, I move on, I heard something about some old woods in the south, somewhere.” I thought the following morning, after a good brekkie. It didn't take me long to throw my staff in the rear and move on-already wiser than before not elaborating on orderliness to much this time. Yeah, the streets still open, thanks for the blessing road – adviser! Highway number 1 is sheer enjoyment in the south. Not only that the radio is working and I chime in some songs what makes me enjoy the road even more (on the road again!) but also that the street is lined by green massive trees. Found the woods! And there it is: a sign to the Diamond lookout. You must know, all over the coast there are these lookout points, and foto opportunities pointed out. To many, many not that special, many leave you wondering what lookout they look out. Well, this time I'll stop. Just one picture! After the right turn I go on for about 10 minutes and still no Lookout – usually they are just on the road – when I realize, I could've taken the wrong turn. Yeah, so it is. The real lookout point is only 4 metres after the turn I took. Grrr. Do I still want to go to the foto taking opportunity? Hardly, but come on, let's do it.
It is an old Karri tree that served as a lookout point for bushfires in the years 1939/40. Then the platform was at 52 meters, today only 51. And, you can still climb the tree. The lookout is fantastic: under me the canopy of trees, my tree is the highest. Just looking down is a bit scary.
A local Aussie tells me where the old woods are and recommends a tour. Walpole. After the Diamond tree there is a small family on the side hitchhiking. What could possible have happened to their car? It broke down some 30 km from here. “Take you to the National Park. Hopp in!” This way I got great company on the way to the Park. The Park is a remnant of the time before the continents drifted apart-Gondwana. The Tingle -Trees, some of them up to 400 years old, still live in a moist and moderate climate, like it used to be originally. That's why I feel chilled, almost freezing. Home this night is Coalmine beach, a wonderful, wild spot on the south coast, resembling New Zealands South Islands Coasts very much. There are the same rough rocks overgrown with green scrubs and the adjacent woods. Just looking at it feels good.
For the next day I've booked the tour this Australian recommended me to and on 10 am some 50 fellow participants are embarking on a boat. One very hyperactive Australian, a real chatterbox in fact, is elaborating on biological affairs, the difference between marsupials and ordinary mammals, their birthening and some other thousands of particularities-he's just talking far to much. Unfortunately I had to take the only left seat in the first front row which I really detest. He asks people where they are from, and about everybody is Australian. Unfortunately I don't manage to duck low enough and I am asked as well. Austria. Most of the people don't know where that is. But, he has been there. Twice. In Dornbirn. 'Rapenlochschlucht' sounds pretty odd pronounced in English. And 's'Kirchle' (imitating the Dornbirner dialect) in Ebnit too. Their Biologist is a certain Lukas R. of Knie 31. On home leave at the moment. How small ist the world anyway???
I still do have an open invitation to Jacob, Gareth and Karen's place in Denmark, where I'd be welcome to spend the night. But unfortunately this town is too close and Perth still too far to go. So I spend the night in Williams a tiny village on road no 30 to Perth and the next day, after washing and vacuumeing the car properly some 12 km before Perth, a relaxing afternoon and night is very much appreciated and I am once again, very well taken care off by life. Thank you very, very much for that and some fifous!
