DENMARK

Stayed out at the Ocean Beach Caravan Park where one can swim in the estuary from the ocean to the huge inlet.  Very popular for fishing around this inlet also.

People crossing the inlet towards the ocean surf.

As you can see the inlet waters are clean-running straight from the ocean and the township in the distance.

Sunday 27th Nov. we had to back-track to Old Kent River Winery to sample their wines and home grown lamb and marron for lunch.  Beautiful setting to sample this fresh water lobster.  Sweet like prawns we thought.

Doesn't look much from the roadside!! Much nicer once through the entrance and verandah

This water feature has the fresh marron in the bottom of the pool until one is ordered to eat!!

Very tasty meal and sav. blanc

William Bay National Park is home to transparent waters of Greens Pool, (a little too cold for us).

 The park is also home to huge rock formations known as Elephant Rocks that rest in the water.

Denmark is also known for the timber milling in this area.  This reminder in the  township now lies where the mill used to be.

DO NOT JUDGE

That is what they say isn't it.  Don't judge a book by its cover.  Well, when driving into Walpole, I didn't think it offered too much of an attraction to stay for a week but by golly, I am certainly wrong about this place.

Enjoying a stroll along Coalmine beach with Wayne

Watching the last raise at sunset

These wonderous trees that only grown down here

More of these tingle trees in the Southern Forests.

BUT WAIT - THERE'S MORE

Yep, after a day of rest in between, we headed off up Hilltop Road which winds through wonderous red tingle and karri forest.  Wow - the view from the spectacular lookout over  the Frankland River, Nornalup Inlet and Southern Ocean excites you for the day.

Next stop is a 800 m circular board walked forest path which leads down to the Giant Tingle Tree.  This unique specimen is thought to be over 450 years old and at 24 metres in circumference at this base, is the largest living girthed eucalypt known in the world.

Continuing onto the Frankland River Circular Pool is a popular picnic spot worth sitting and enjoying the call of the birds with these surrounds.

We met up with fellow travellers from the Coalmine Caravan Park that told us to stop at Tingle Bakery along the Southern Hwy. at Nornalup before embarking on the "Valley of the Giants".  Yummy pies for lunch today, set in delightful gardens.  Sweet potatoes, spinach with pinenuts for me and lamb and rosemary pie for Wayne.  Must be popular as five more car loads of people had pulled up before we left.

The third portion of the Walpole Wilderness Discovery Centre

Whew - Valley of the Giants.  Yes we experience this exciting walk through the canopy of the magnificent tingle forest on the 40 m high Tree Top Walk.  The trees were swaying in the wind literally as we walked/swayed along the suspended walk.

Back down to "earth" we meandered through the "Ancient Empire", a grove of veteran tingle trees.
These  3 species of tingle, red, yellow and Rates tingle, are all only found in the Walpole Wilderness.  Here they have sanctuary within a restricted rainfall zone averaging more than 1200 mm each year with only minor seasonal change.

The walk shows some of the unique shapes of these giant trees with burn scars, burls (those knobbly growths on the side of the trunk) including this named one Grandma tingle.  This matriarch of the forest measures over 12 m in circumference, 34 m in height and she is estimated to be over 400 years old.

Old with wrinkles!

Hollow with burn scars

Conspicuous Cliff was our next 'port of call' to walk the paths (no not down to the beach) to look over the breath taking views of this Bay.

Wayne was fascinated how the waves broke and swirled up the beach. Like frills in the sand.

From there Peaceful Bay was our last place to look at before heading home for a rest.  This place has a lovely caravan park across the road from a seafood cafe where they have their own fishing boats and catch fresh fish for the cafe.  Yes, we had an early dinner of fresh scnapper and chips.  The beach did not look very inviting today with the wind blowing straight in off the Southern Ocean.

  Just another day in paradise for Wayne and I.

WALPOLE WILDERNESS DISCOVERY CENTRE

We started our day at Swarbrick where we strolled the art loop which features thought provoking art pieces like the 39 m long Wilderness Wall of Perceptions.

Wayne reading the quotes, thoughts on the wall.  Leaves have them on also. Just beautiful with the mirrored effect.

These are some of the art work along the walk.

We continued up the North Walpole Road to Mt Frankland.  Here we decided to make the strenuous climb to the top where a fire lookout post is used by DPaW (fire dept.) in summer.  OH BOY.  Magnificent views of forested hills and valleys once one finally gets towards the top and then climb 310 stairs.  Some are in a ladder form!!!!!

Saw this black snake sunning itself beside the path to the top!!

This tower mans hut is at the bottom of Mt Frankland as they had to climb to the top every day during the hot summer days.

As fires are still clearing at this time of year, we did not get clear views to the south coast and the Stirling and Porongurup Ranges north of Albany.  After descending we collected our lunch and strolled to the "Wilderness View" on the spectacular raised walkway completed in 2013 offering folk panoramic views of core wilderness.

Looking below into the forest floor.

We drove on amongst more karri forest along another metal road to see Fernhook Falls where we strolled the boardwalks and a stairway (as if we hadn't had enough of those for one day?) into the river where one can swim or launch a canoe if so inclined!  Pretty quiet and serene with no one else around today.

Mandalay Beach lies on the Southern Coast where in 1911 the Norwegian barque 'Mandalay' became shipwrecked on this beach and survivors waited 3 days before they received help to get out and taken on to Albany where they caught a ship home.  Hence - Mandalay Beach.

The wreck of the Mandalay still visible 

Mandalay Beach looking out to Chatham Island.

 Did not descend all the stairs to the beach as the legs would not handle anymore walking full stop!!

Oh what a wonderful six hour adventure exploring this area.

WALPOLE

We are so enjoying this drive through forests, farm land and wineries.  Such pretty country down here.  We have decided to stay here at Coalmine Beach for a week and travel to the Walpole Wilderness Discovery Centre which offers a unique wilderness experience at three iconic sites which will provide us with a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature!!

Driving around the loop road to see the Nornalup and Walpole inlets here at Coalmine Beach, one sees the beauty of forest and water at the Channels Picnic Area.

Coalmine Beach looking towards the yacht club and jetty.

Yes - these large karri trees grow right down to the waters edge.

Visits from the local wildlife.  Spot the white spots on this kangaroo.

We rode around the Walpole inlet to the township for a pie for lunch and a look through the visitors centre.